EDD is Microsoft's Apple core? Next gen console implications.

[Squilliam]

Rainbird said:

Squilliam said:

It's a supplement argument!

Compare a launch console with 20GB and the old operation system to the same price in hardware from today. You've got 20GB vs 250GB of space, vastly more reliable console, new operating system, Kinect etc. Just because it performs similar functions and plays most of the same games doesn't mean it hasn't evolved.

What basis do you have for people to actually become alienated in a real sense as opposed to loud mouth internet whiners just making a bunch of noise? Noone is forced to buy a new revision of an Apple device for instance so why would people feel compelled to buy a new revision of a console unless it actually offered them something they wanted which the current console they had didn't? I didn't even say that they would offer yearly revisions, just that they could offer them as frequently as that. Most likely every two years or every three years would be the right frequency.

I totally agree about evolving the box in the way that has happened with the 360, new stuff but never at the expense of the user. But I don't think bringing a new hardware revision that can alienate old revisions will be a success, not with the sales Microsoft have seen so far. Either developers will simply ignore the added benefits from the revision (so they don't alienate potential users) or users who realize that they can't play games they want to play on their hardware will buy a competing product where they can play games without fearing that their hardware will become obsolete every other year.

If they're going to do biyearly revisions (or whenever) that add to the power and functionality of the system, they might as well go all out and make it a PC box. A Windows box! It's all coming together now!

Im not talking about a revision which adds little to the hardware experience. Consider this scenario:

In Q4 2012 they release a new console. Since 3D adoption is very small they decide not to give it major support at release due to cost and performance reasons, they instead decide to maximise 2D performance with weakened 3D performance for those who want it. 

2014/5: 3D technology is now cheap enough and user adoption is starting to get quite high. So they release a revision to the Xbox next which supports 3D fully at 1080P HD which gives the best user experience in 3D along with a few other features and they reduce the price of the original revision whilst discontinuing the Xbox 360.

How does this look bad? It gives people who want high performance 3D a console and it gives people who are satisfied with what they have a console at a lower price, it means people from both ends of the market can have a current console without having to rely on obsolete hardware.