By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

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

Groucho on 30 January 2009

What makes you think that MS cares about the hardcore demographic, when their goal is to protect their other interests (Windows, Office), from a livingroom invasion?

MS cares about the whole picture. If they had to choose which portion of the console demographic to ignore (which they don't, really), it'd probably be the hardcore one, not the casual one.

MS is gearing up for an assault on Nintendo territory next gen -- they've given Sony a lot of trouble, won't go to extremes to continue that effort, when Nintendo is looming so hugely.  You said "3. Dominate the industry" -- hasn't Nintendo already proven that "hardcore gamer" does NOT equal "the industry"?



Around the Network
jetrii on 30 January 2009
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.



Good news Everyone!

I've invented a device which makes you read this in your head, in my voice!

Shadowblind on 30 January 2009
Groucho said:

What makes you think that MS cares about the hardcore demographic, when their goal is to protect their other interests (Windows, Office), from a livingroom invasion?

MS cares about the whole picture. If they had to choose which portion of the console demographic to ignore (which they don't, really), it'd probably be the hardcore one, not the casual one.

MS is gearing up for an assault on Nintendo territory next gen -- they've given Sony a lot of trouble, won't go to extremes to continue that effort, when Nintendo is looming so hugely.  You said "3. Dominate the industry" -- hasn't Nintendo already proven that "hardcore gamer" does NOT equal "the industry"?

Because they aren't just in this anymore to stop Sony, they did that all good and well. They are in this for the money now, and now that they have started making profits off of the industry, its only going to help them progress in the future, and its one more massive industry Microsoft has succeded in.

 

What makes us think MS still cares about the hardcore is the fact that Halo, its ultimate end-all be-all franchise for MS, and all its massive franchises (NG, Gears of War, Mass Effect) are all hardcore. They wouldn't give up they're best chance at making money, although next gen they will undoubtly have more casual games as well.

 



GOTY Contestants this year: Dead Space 2, Dark Souls, Tales of Graces f. Everything else can suck it.

madskillz on 30 January 2009

MS is all about dominating. Billy G$ wanted to dethrone Sony. He's doing a great job. Took him the trojan Xbox, the RROD but he's done an impressive job. Not once before it was released could anyone have foreseen the 360 would be holding off the PS3 by this much 3 years into this gen. No one could have predicted the Wii - well, the Ninny Revolution's success either.

I think they don't see Ninny as comp right now - though they wanted to win this gen, but there's next.

The success this gen will fuel a serious fight next gen.



FaRmLaNd on 30 January 2009

Microsoft will continue to push the casual market heavily (and its slowly working) until next gen. At which point they will have a strong foothold in said market. I don't expect them to abandon the core market either as they do so well in it. Its a question of getting the balance right.

I also expect the next xbox to be rock solid in regards to its reliability and it'll be cheap when it launches.



Around the Network
Squilliam on 30 January 2009

At this point in time whilst we may understand the goal, we don't really know what the means to that end will be. What we do know is that keeping ahold of their Xbox Live userbase will be a key priority for them and expanding their core services along the lines of Xbox Live as well.

So really, im pretty much stumped as to coming up with specifics as to what they might do because there are so many potential winning scenarios and cards to play, like for example they could use Virtual reality/3d, Windows on the console with a new interface, pushing utility software like education/fitness and even connectivity with other devices like cars for transfering media.



Tease.

jetrii on 30 January 2009

I know it's a long shot, but when has Microsoft settled for second place? If they genuinely want something, they typically get it.



Good news Everyone!

I've invented a device which makes you read this in your head, in my voice!

halogamer1989 on 30 January 2009
madskillz said:
MS is all about dominating. Billy G$ wanted to dethrone Sony. He's doing a great job. Took him the trojan Xbox, the RROD but he's done an impressive job. Not once before it was released could anyone have foreseen the 360 would be holding off the PS3 by this much 3 years into this gen. No one could have predicted the Wii - well, the Ninny Revolution's success either.

I think they don't see Ninny as comp right now - though they wanted to win this gen, but there's next.

The success this gen will fuel a serious fight next gen.

I agree with you OP.  BTW, madskillz it is not even Bill anymore.  Steve Ballmer has the reins!  Instead of developers x1000...XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 



madskillz on 31 January 2009
halogamer1989 said:
madskillz said:
MS is all about dominating. Billy G$ wanted to dethrone Sony. He's doing a great job. Took him the trojan Xbox, the RROD but he's done an impressive job. Not once before it was released could anyone have foreseen the 360 would be holding off the PS3 by this much 3 years into this gen. No one could have predicted the Wii - well, the Ninny Revolution's success either.

I think they don't see Ninny as comp right now - though they wanted to win this gen, but there's next.

The success this gen will fuel a serious fight next gen.

I agree with you OP. BTW, madskillz it is not even Bill anymore. Steve Ballmer has the reins! Instead of developers x1000...XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX XBOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What up, Halogamer? What do you think about Steele leading you guys (and gals)?

It was Billy's vision - his baby, right? He may be gone, but the DirectX Box - yeah, I know - was all his.

 



madskillz on 31 January 2009
Squilliam said:

At this point in time whilst we may understand the goal, we don't really know what the means to that end will be. What we do know is that keeping ahold of their Xbox Live userbase will be a key priority for them and expanding their core services along the lines of Xbox Live as well.

So really, im pretty much stumped as to coming up with specifics as to what they might do because there are so many potential winning scenarios and cards to play, like for example they could use Virtual reality/3d, Windows on the console with a new interface, pushing utility software like education/fitness and even connectivity with other devices like cars for transfering media.

I can really, really see a console that will be able to browse the Web, access other network desktops and the like. I do think the nextBox will have Blu Ray - for bigger storage, but M$ will really, really push LIVE, downloads and online movie streaming.

I also think it will include hard-learned lessons from the RROD too.