[Definitive] Xbox 360 Thread

[Acezo]

...I find it hard to believe that Microsoft developed the XDK or the Xbox flavor of DirectX with specifics to nVidia's libraries. Why would they restrict themselves so much? (Even if your claim is ture, Microsoft most likely anticipated backwards compatability and enacted a legal agreement with all outside parties stating that such royalties would not be possible, but thats a legal issue unto its own.)

Also, if what you say is true then how do you explain PC DirectX games being able to run on several different machines provided that any specific machine has the DirectX Engine installed. That is all that is needed, there is no such thing as ties to a specific graphics card's libraries, it all relies on the DirectX Engine.

Additionally, how would you explain the upcoming XNA from Microsoft? For those who don't know what that is, it is basically an SDK which will allow game developers to develop games (in this XNA Architecture, which also utilizes a next-gen version of DirectX) that will be able to run on Xbox 360 as well as on PC.

Anyway, my point is that having ties to specific graphics card libraries seems highly impracticle and inefficient and I doubt that is the case.

585901626[/snapback]

It's not DirectX (generally) that as the proprietary ties to nVidia libraries. There are instructions besides the general DirectX ones (either built into Xbox's version of DirectX to have instructions for the nVidia chip that were different from it's PC counterpart, or instructions not in DirectX programmed by developers themselves).

I highly doubt Microsoft being able to make this sort of deal, since in the past with all other Xbox-related deals, nVidia was stubborn about its business.

PC's have the same deal. It's obvious that not every DirectX instruction that a game calls on will work with every card, but games can still run across different types of hardware (those instructions will be disregarded). On the other hand, some cards may have some newer instructions that DirectX simply doesn't call upon (where brand-specific middleware comes in). Remember, the Xbox uses a modified GF3 with features that weren't available until the GF4 came out, though I'm not sure if these "features" are instructions not yet built into DirectX at the time

The difference here is that, unlike the PC world, Microsoft is selling a controlled product with nVidia's chips, and are selling games that have some code designed specifically for use with nVidia's chip.

About XNA, I don't know what you want me to explain about here. What's there to say?

[magik]

Hmm... we could keep arguing back and forth (essentially in circles) so there's no point. Let's just agree to disagree and eagerly anticipate the countdown to 25 hours from now! :)

[lotus22]

This console with specs alone looks sick. I can't wait for E3 to come around and show us some games.

Even though Sony has the consumer base. Microsoft's getting the next gen out in a good time because it's been a while since people have upgraded.

[JakeM741]

Tomorrows the big day fellas!

[magik]

Yeap, I think the PS3 will really be hurt in terms of sales due to the latter release date. That's why PS2 did so well versus Xbox since the PS2 came out first. Now casual gamers/people looking for a new home media center (which is what this thing looks like it's going to be) will see the ability of this machine and see no reason to hold out and compare the two products. Either way, I'm Xbox all the way! :woot:

[spiegel]

Hmm... we could keep arguing back and forth (essentially in circles) so there's no point. Let's just agree to disagree and eagerly anticipate the countdown to 25 hours from now! :)

585906529[/snapback]

i will open the cd drive of my xbox as a salute to the new generation of gaming :p

[Hyori]

It must be soon because i'm getting horny

[clonk]

Check out the text under the B, live TV, and the very bottom button is record (reports from the MTV unveiling par-tay). So not only do we have a kick ass games machine, but a media center PC with TV view/recording.

If this is the case, Microsoft have just blown the high end media centers out of the water. Who would buy a HP media center now, given the price of the xbox360!!

585890077[/snapback]

You are not entirely correct here. I am certain Microsoft would have only integrated the Media Center Extender into the Xbox360. The extenders connect to a main Media Center system and use it's resources. You will still need a Media Center PC.

[Laughing-Man]

Even though Sony has the consumer base.  Microsoft's getting the next gen out in a good time because it's been a while since people have upgraded.

585907679[/snapback]

Yeap, I think the PS3 will really be hurt in terms of sales due to the latter release date.

Just like Sega thought with the Dreamcast?

[Keito]

Just like Sega thought with the Dreamcast?

585908678[/snapback]

It won't be the same... MS has WAY more funds and will not let something like that happen...

(The DC owned btw... still one of my alltime favorites :yes: )

[Laughing-Man]

It won't be the same... MS has WAY more funds and will not let something like that happen...

(The DC owned btw... still one of my alltime favorites :yes: )

585908684[/snapback]

I am in no way saying and or thinking that the Xbox360 is going in the way of the dodo. I just don't share the same optimism about the Xbox360's success that some of you think it will have. It is setting itself up the same way the Dreamcast had. Sega thought it would be a brilliant ideal to be the first out of the gate, but that turned out to be a bad ideal. It couldn't get past the Sony hype and it ended up also having inferior hardware (the decision to use CD based games instead of DVDs was probably the biggest mistake), which could be MS's mistake of sticking with DVDs. Also, I doubt other countries in the world have the same enthusiasm as people do in the US. Marketing the Xbox360 on MTV is not going to make someone for example in Japan want to go out and buy the console anymore then they would want to buy the Xbox. Edited May 12, 2005 by jmole

[Dazzla Veteran]

Here's a bit more Xbox360 info:

[Dazzla Veteran]

Another scan:

[Dazzla Veteran]

Third:

[Dazzla Veteran]

And last, translation would be nice :D

[Keito]

I am in no way saying and or thinking that the Xbox360 is going in the way of the dodo.  I just don't share the same optimism about the Xbox360's success that some of you think it will have.  It is setting itself up the same way the Dreamcast had.  Sega thought it would be a brilliant ideal to be the first out of the gate, but that turned out to be a bad ideal.  It couldn't get past the Sony hype and it ended up also having inferior hardware (the decision to use CD based games instead of DVDs was probably the biggest mistake), which could be MS's mistake of sticking with DVDs.  Also, I doubt other countries in the world have the same enthusiasm as people do in the US.  Marketing the Xbox360 on MTV is not going to make someone for example in Japan want to go out and buy the console anymore then they would want to buy the Xbox.

585908703[/snapback]

Don't get me wrong... I am in no way a microsoft fanboy :p Sony all the way for me :D and I too don't share the optimistic view of a lot of people... I mean the PS3 gets released later so in theory it COULD have better hardware -- last minute change or something... who knows... and then it's all up to the developers to see what's the easier platform and what can do more :)

Anyways, I'll still get a X360 just to help me out 'till I can get the PS3 :p

And lastly; Dazzla, you are the man! Thanks SO much for that! (I have no idea whatsoever it says, but it looks cool)

[Timan Veteran]

Hmm some strange reason I can't read any of that text :p

Someone translate lol.

[Acezo]

Nice, really nice Dazzla (Y)

[jimmyt302]

it all depends on which system can be modded to do the most stuff for my vote.

current xbox is just amazing with a mod chip, beats PS2 anyday.

when is this show on MTV?

[Keito]

it all depends on which system can be modded to do the most stuff for my vote. 

current xbox is just amazing with a mod chip, beats PS2 anyday.

when is this show on MTV?

585909656[/snapback]

Tomorrow... check mtv.com for local times :)

[Dazzla Veteran]

A bit more informations translated by my friend manager :

*It will be released in europe 7 days after USA

*December release in Japan

*Its released in less than six months

*Release games: Perfect Dark Zero, PGR3 and Kameo

*10-16 game titles at the release. 40 games after half a year.

*The Xbox Silver thingy is correct, it will be there, and free.

*You will be able to transfer stuff from an ipod.

*You will see TV thru your Xbox.

*It can stand up and lie down.

*When you watch DVD, some stuff in the console will automaticly shut down - so its more quiet.

*You load the batteries on the controllers up via USB-cable on Xbox. You can also use simple batteries.

*The round thingy on the controller = "The ring of light". Its actually a screen, which says if there are any updates on Xbox Live. Downl. content and such. It also says which controllers there are in your hands, which number.

*Rallisport Challenge 3 will be on Xbox 360.

*The Darkness from swedish Starbreeze (Riddick).

*Peter Moore confirms Halo 3.

[Timan Veteran]

Tomorrow... check mtv.com for local times :)

585909663[/snapback]

Tonight, 7:20hr away.

[Keito]

That's what I needed to hear! I want to pre-order please :yes:

[TheLegendOfMart]

Awesome, Project Gotham 3 + Free Xbox Live Weekends = Whats that outside place?

[Jayzee]

Here you go... my translation of first image... enjoy :woot:

This is Xbox 360!

We have tested Microsoft's console.

It is coming in less than 6 months. The start of next generation with Xbox 360. The machine will be released in USA first, 7-10 days after it is our turn in Europe and in december it is being released in Japan. It is the biggest campaign ever when it comes to release of a console. Microsoft have been working hard on holding Xbox 360 secret and have partialy suceeded. We don't know the price of the console yet as it is coming in october or november, so one of the most important aspects is still unknown.

-But we know in what price range we will put it so it sells, says Robbie Bach, Senior Vice President of Home & Entertainment. We will not make the same mistake as we did with first machine in Europe. Microsoft assures us that they have learned a bunch of important things when it comes to launch of Xbox.

Main aspect is that Microsoft wants to create perfect product with their Xbox 360. J. Allard means that original Xbox was designed as a painting, where they added layer on layer on top of the machine, while Xbox 360 is a sculpture, where they from begining had idea about how it should look like and what to contain, which they went by. He also tells us that they were the first when it comes to Xbox Live and harddrive implementation.

-It is pointless to stand still. We stake on becoming biggest actor this time, says Robbie Bach. I believe that the most of us will see a situation where Sony and Microsoft are almost equally big. Xbox 360 is a strong machine, so strong it will take long time until developers really learn how to use machine's great capacity. It also ofcourse means that it will be hard to have great number of game titles ready to premiere. Microsoft counts that there will be 10-16 titles ready for the premiere, and about 40 in the period of first 6 months. Microsoft itself will be first releasing Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo: Emelents or Power and Bizarre Creations Project and Gotham Racing 3.