Microsoft's 3 generation plan for the Xbox, will it work?

[jetrii]

markers said:

jetrii said:

thekitchensink said:
Pretty well-reasoned--I hadn't thought about some of that stuff before. That said, Sony definitely won't repeat this generation's blunders, either.

 

 

Although I agree that both companies will be smarter, Sony is stuck with the Cell processor whether they want to or not. Switch CPUs and backwards compatability is impossible due to its architecture. Also, if they switch, developers will be ticked off that they spent so much time on an architecture that provides them 0 benefit for the future. 

Microsoft on the other hand is free to stick in a power7 based CPU that will provide power, simplicity, and a very large existing codebase. A console generation could very well be decided by developers, not consumers, especially as development costs soar.

Sony may have something up its sleeve though. I really don't care who dominates as long as it isn't Nintendo (unless they decide to come out with a powerful console)

 

whats wrong with the cell processor? the processor is going to pay off in the long run, whether its in the later years of the ps3 or in the next generation ps4. once developers start getting the hang of the cell its going to be just as easy to develope for than other consoles.

Cell processor sacrificed simplicity and ease of programming to overcome a multi-core barrier at the time. That barrier has pretty much been solved. Funny thing? IBM's early plans for the Cell 2 processor would greatly improve its power but will make it incompatible with code for the Cell 1. Granted, specs aren't anywhere near final but that possibility alone is scary.

I also said for better or for worse. It may be a good thing, it may not. Time will tell. Point is that Microsoft is free to pick the architecture they want, Sony doesn't have as much freedom.