durango Rumor: Xbox 720 always-online false, is backwards compatible

[BajiRav]

http://www.gamesrada...rds-compatible/

Reports of a totalitarian Xbox locked down by required internet connection and limited-to-no backwards compatibility have been greatly exaggerated, if an anonymous source who claims to be close to Durango's development is correct. The mini-manifest shoots down frenzied speculation of an always-on future:

"You are not required to be connected to the internet in order to play Durango games and [Microsoft] were NEVER considering doing such a thing," it states.

The report goes on to back up recent reports of the system's specs, but adds one important detail: Durango will include an Xbox 360 system-on-a-chip, which makes for both 100 percent backwards compatibility with 360 games and some additional processing power for other tasks.

While Sony and Nintendo have made significant strides to court indie developers, the report claims that the next Xbox will best PlayStation 4 and Wii U's developer accessibility through one simple stroke: Durango will run Windows 8.

Not the PC version, more like the desktop-free Windows RT which some Microsoft Surface tablets use. This means developers could push any controller-enabled games onto the marketplace with a single inexpensive license, turning the publishing proposition into one more like the iOS App Store than the difficult and costly approval process of yore.

Durango's controller will sport an improved directional pad, and is otherwise similar to the 360's design, the report states. It also claims Microsoft will roll out its own $100 Apple TV set-top-box competitor complete with 360 support. Space and cost concerns mean it will not include a disc drive, so its game lineup will be limited to Games on Demand and Xbox Live Arcade.

This report is certainly more uplifting than those which were floating around before, but wherever your console proclivities lie, please remember that these are rumors from an anonymous (albeit seemingly well-informed) source.

We reached out to Microsoft for comment, but it has not gotten back to us at this time. Hopefully we'll know more in May.

So yes, I originally made a post on pastebin that I then posted on IGN that has now mysteriously vanished from the internet. I'm guessing good 'ol Don wasn't too happy.

In that pastebin post I said I wouldn't be saying anything else, but that was before a few things changed. So yeah.... #dealwithit.

That IGN post (that referenced the pastebin post) was also posted on NeoGAF. Though it didn't get much attention.

In that pastebin post I specifically mentioned that I was a GAF member, but that I would not be outing myself on GAF for fear of losing my job. And I still will not be doing that. I'm not an idiot.

However since the reveal is pretty close now, I thought I'd just come out and tell you everything I know. No more cryptic bull****, just facts.

First of all, for any of the GAF members reading this (or anyone else for that matter) that actually believed the online-required rumor, well.... you're either stupid, very gullible, or a fanboy. Reading the posts some of you made over the past few weeks leads me to believe that mostly fanboyism was involved. So, I'll make this very clear:

You are not required to be connected to the internet in order to play Durango games and MS were NEVER considering doing such a thing. Now please, just read that last sentence over and over again until it sinks in. Done? Good.

Now that I've got that out of the way I can talk about the real details.

First, I'll admit some things that I originally hinted at in the first pastebin are now not going to happen. Mainly the April 18th date (obviously) and the HMD glasses. The date, as you may know by now was pushed back to May, and the glasses, well, although they?re kind of working are going to spend a bit longer in the oven.

Ok, moving on. Have you read the VGLeaks article about the Durango specs? Yes? Good because everything you read in that article was 100% correct. Except, for one tiny little detail that MS kept guarded from most devs until very recently. That detail being that every Durango ships with a Xbox 360 SOC.

There was a reason why MS hired so many former IBM and AMD employees. I'll admit I'm not an electrical engineer (I'm in software) so I won't pretend to know the ins and outs of how the 360 SOC integrates into the Durango motherboard. All I know, and all I need to know about this new change is that I (or a game dev) can use the 360 SOC in parallel with the original Durango hardware.

What does this mean in basic terms? Well, apart from Durango having 100% BC with the 360, it also increases Durango's processing power a fair amount.

Ok, so what else?

Kinect 2.0: - Again the specs from VGLeaks are correct, there's been no change and there won't be. However, the fact is, is that software can do ANYTHING, and with the quite substantial increase in the hardware over Kinect 1.0, any humanly noticeable lag should be gone

Controller: - The controller is pretty much the same. The D-Pad has been improved, but the change will only be noticeable when actually using it, i.e. it looks exactly the same, I haven't actually touched it, this is just what I?ve been told. AA batteries will make a return, but the new wireless tech MS has created for the controller, improves battery life by 16%. Again, this is just what the doc says.

Xbox Mini/Xbox TV: Yes, this is happening, although as far as I know, it?s a whole different team over at MS that are handling this. As has been reported its main purpose is to compete with Apple TV, so expect this thing to be small and around $100.

It contains the 360 SOC (similar to the one in the Durango), however no disc drive is included (to decrease size). But of course you can still play any XBLA/Games on Demand game. That?s all I really know about the xTV so I?ll leave it at that. Thurrott seems to know more than anyone else about this, so go ask him.

OS/Services: I wish I knew more about this, but I honestly don?t. I have no clue what sort of new ideas MS are going to bring to the table this gen, but I?m certainly expecting them to amaze.

The only thing that I do know for definite is that Durango will be running Windows 8. It will essentially be the full version of the OS, minus the desktop side of things. This means it?ll be running the new WinRT framework, which as a side effect also means that contrary to popular belief MS will be the most indie friendly of all the big 3 next gen.

This is because any app/game that is created for the Windows app store will (after adding controller support of course) be playable on Durango.

In other words, any random person worldwide can pay Microsoft a $60 license fee (for the Windows Store) and submit their app/game to the store where millions of people can then download/buy it. No expensive development kits needed.

Expect to hear much more on WinRT - Durango at Build2013.

Ok, so that?s pretty much it. I wish I had more info on specific games and services that MS have lined up, but it seems that even I?ll have to wait until May to find out.

I?ll look forward to this post appearing on GAF, where rest assured I?ll be lurking. Hell, who knows I may even make a few posts.

I wonder how many people will refuse to believe this? Hmmmm?.

WinRT emphasis mine.

#dealwithit ?

[firey]

Good to see they aren't doing that. It wouldn't make sense for them to on purpose push away customers. Personally, I am still getting a PS4 and have no intentions nor has the thought crossed my mind, to get the new XBoX. At the same time though, hopefully this will put some things to rest for those that are considering it.

[shakey]

Why are all the rumors about the next Xbox from people who seem really angry and disrespectful towards their audience? Calling people stupid, fanboys, and talking down to them.... It's like they all have the mentality of a 15 year old who just got punished by their moms.

Hard to take anything seriously from them when they can't even speak to their audience in a fashion that shows respect.

Good to see they aren't doing that. It wouldn't make sense for them to on purpose push away customers. Personally, I am still getting a PS4 and have no intentions nor has the thought crossed my mind, to get the new XBoX. At the same time though, hopefully this will put some things to rest for those that are considering it.

Again, rumors. Don't take any of it seriously.

[Roger H. Veteran]

I'm still waiting for something official before I make any decisions.

[BajiRav]

I'm still waiting for something official before I make any decisions.

+99999999 to this

[matt4444]

Best rumour yet! :D

[Argi]

Let's all treat all rumours as facts - this is fun!

[Crisp]

Rumor is the Xbox 720 is going to be made from pure diamond and will cost 40 grand a peice.

[theyarecomingforyou]

The number of developers / publishers that have spoken out in support of an online requirement makes me suspect that some games?mostly the big blockbusters?will require online-for-launch functionality and won't support second hand sales but that it will be up to the publishers. We'll know more as we get closer to release.

[fusi0n]

I hope this pans out to be true.. I said from the start that this is most likely just for the devkits.. I had to register my kits with Microsoft because they where getting banned from PartnerNet..

[threetonesun]

The number of developers / publishers that have spoken out in support of an online requirement makes me suspect that some games?mostly the big blockbusters?will require online-for-launch functionality and won't support second hand sales but that it will be up to the publishers. We'll know more as we get closer to release.

Some already have. Look at the EA games that require a code to play which you can't resell, it's not "always online", per se, but between the disc being useless and the majority of the game being multiplayer, it basically is.

[compl3x]

The controller is pretty much the same. The D-Pad has been improved, but the change will only be noticeable when actually using it, i.e. it looks exactly the same,

Let's hope so. The current D-Pad is an embarrassment to an otherwise great controller.

[BajiRav]

Let's hope so. The current D-Pad is an embarrassment to an otherwise great controller.

I am guessing that the swiveling d-pad may now be standard?

[TheLegendOfMart]

Funny hypocrites, you'll believe this rumour but the one that says always on is required is clearly false?

[compl3x]

I am guessing that the swiveling d-pad may now be standard?

You mean the ones where you can twist the d-pad and it raises or lowers the +? I've never actually used one of those.

[Dutchie64]

so.... so... the rumour is that the previous rumour.... is just a romour.....? OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BajiRav]

You mean the ones where you can twist the d-pad and it raises or lowers the +? I've never actually used one of those.

Yeah - I don't have it either.

[compl3x]

I think I remember reading that BC on the 360 was pretty hit-and-miss. If BC is on the nextbox, I hope it is better implemented.

[Blackhearted]

I really doubt the backwards compatibility is true. Including what is basically the 360 hardware would jack up the price quite a bit. If they were to do that and force kinect upon you like other rumors have said they're pretty much setting themselves up to be the sony of this generation in terms of price and bleeding money.

[HawkMan]

Funny hypocrites, you'll believe this rumour but the one that says always on is required is clearly false?

Funny, I was thinking the same thing, well almost....

I guess this rumor just happened to slip by AB radar.

I think I remember reading that BC on the 360 was pretty hit-and-miss. If BC is on the nextbox, I hope it is better implemented.

well the BC onthe 360 was hit as long as the title was BC supported.

I really doubt the backwards compatibility is true. Including what is basically the 360 hardware would jack up the price quite a bit. If they were to do that and force kinect upon you like other rumors have said they're pretty much setting themselves up to be the sony of this generation in terms of price and bleeding money.

The difference is that MS can afford to bleed money, Sony couldn't and can't. I'm thinking that a 360 on a chip is a very small part of the price though.

[spacer]

I'm not sure how I feel about the Nextbox running Windows 8. The Xbox TV sounds interesting, if true. I still hate Kinect, and I still hate the fact that it's required. Again, if the online-only rumor is true, I won't be getting the console all together.

Too bad Microsoft postponed their announcement for no reason. It would have been nice to know whether these things are true or not.

[Andre S. Veteran]

Of course "Next Xbox" won't require you to be online to play games. That would be pants-on-head retarded, especially when the main competitor isn't doing it. Whether or not the source for this rumour is authentic, its claims are at least credible (while the previous ones were not).

[MikeChipshop Member]

Although i have thought this all along, i will still wait for some solid evidence before breathing a sigh of relief.

[BajiRav]

I think I remember reading that BC on the 360 was pretty hit-and-miss. If BC is on the nextbox, I hope it is better implemented.

I think they were pretty much re-compiling games for 360 IIRC so BC was available as long as the game was re-compiled. (I might be completely wrong though)

I don't think 360 SoC will be cheap enough to be included as standard :/ it has to be an add on.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing, well almost....

I guess this rumor just happened to slip by AB radar.

Surprise, surprise.

[vcfan]

the xbox360 SoC already exists on the slim model. Its 45nm though. If the rumor is true,im guessing the die is shrunk even more.