Microsoft Xenon

[Kipkip]

Microsoft's next console, codename Xenon and which I will refer it to, will be coming out by the end of this year. Names for the console are rumored to be XboxNext, Xbox 360, Xbox 2, and Xenon. During Game Developers Conference, GDC, people shared the infomation from the alpha development kits. Everything below may be changed before the final released.

Xenon is expected to have the following:
CPU - Three 3.0 GHz PowerPC cores with L1 cache with 32 KB for data and 32 KB for instructions and all three share 1MB of L2 cache.
GPU(Graphics Processing Unit) - The Xenon's will be one generation ahead of the ATI X800 clocking at 500MHz. The final release of the GPU will be more powerful than anything out there which means it can handle Half-Life 2 with ease.
System Memory - 256MB of RAM.
Optical Drive(CD Drive) - Xenon will not be using the Blu-Ray or HD-DVD format as speculated to cut down the cost. The Xenon will be using the dual-layer DVD-9 discs storing up to 7GB. The speed will be at 12x.
Memory Units - Xenon will have memory cards from 64MB to 1,024MB. *MB will be used for system reasource leaving 56 MB to 1,016 MB for user data.
Hard Drive - As speculated, the Xenon will have an optional drive for those who want it. 2 GB of the drive will be used as game cache. The storage size of the drive has yet to be determind.
Camera - The Xenon will include a USB 2.0 camera capable of 1.2 megapixels still shots and VGA video. Photos can be used in-game and for gamer profiles. The camera can also be used for video chat. It's unknown if the Xenon camera will allow for EyeToy-like gameplay. Developers are currently using a simulated camera driver.
Sound Chip - None, in traditional sense. Decompression is handled by hardware, while the rest of the chores are handled by software. DirectSound3D has been dropped in favor of X3DAudio. The former was deemed too inflexible.
Games - All games are required to be Xbox Live compatible. The minimum requirements is 720p at 1280x720 for gameplay and video clips, 16:9 aspect ratio, 5.1 Surround Sound, and anti-aliasing. All games will be able to use the custom soundtrack feature. For gameplay movies, Xenon uses Xenon Motion Video (XMV). XMV is based on Windows Media 9 and uses the mandatory codec for HD-DVD. The goal for video is 720p running at 30 frames per second with 5.1 Surround Sound.

All infomation is from GameSpy's We Got Next: Part One. Will update as the rest of the series comes out.

My Comments: Wow! The Xenon is going to be an impresive system just as the Xbox was. Camera included. What's your thoughts? I can't wait until the end of the year release.

 

[Wario Man]

*sigh*...Xbox was a failure, this will be too
Microsoft was meant for computers, not video game consoles
There were hardly any good games for Xbox, most of the good ones were multi-console
games anyway (except Halo, thats probably the only thing that kept the Xbox alive)
So, yeah, overall it's probably gonna be another flop.
If anything they should call it "NextBox"

 

[Dawson]

I prefer the name XBoxNext out of all the rumored names, but I think they're all pretty crappy. I fully expect that this will packed to the limit with graphical power and that'll be it's selling point. I hope they get the size of the console and controllers right this time. I'm not sure about all the games being required to be compatible with XBox Live. Some games are just supposed to be single player only.

 

[fudge01]

Sparkchu, true true it was a failure they should just give it up they can't make a good game console, heck if they tried to make a handheld i would be laughing for the rest opf my life it would be so crap

 

[Wario Man]

heck if they tried to make a handheld i would be laughing for the rest opf my life it would be so crap

Now, That would be a sight to see
"Microsoft HandComp!"
"Microsoft PortaBox!"
XD

 

[Kipkip]

*sigh*...Xbox was a failure, this will be too
Microsoft was meant for computers, not video game consoles
There were hardly any good games for Xbox, most of the good ones were multi-console
games anyway (except Halo, thats probably the only thing that kept the Xbox alive)
So, yeah, overall it's probably gonna be another flop.
If anything they should call it "NextBox"

Evidence of this being true? The Xbox, right now, is the best selling console. There are many games that are good for the Xbox. Here's a few:
- Halo
- Halo 2
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2
- Tom Clancy Rainbow Six 3
- Splinter Cell Series
- Fable
- Dead or Alive 3
- Burnout 3: Takedown
- Ninja Gaiden
- Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
- Project Gotham Racing 1 and 2
- Mechassault 2
- Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
I'm just beginning, want me to continue?

 

[Wario Man]

Like I said, most of those are multi-console games, meaning they're also on systems other than the Xbox
So, unless microsoft gets wise and starts making some games only for their console (like Halo), then they're not going to skyrocket off the charts
other systems are capable of going online
other systems have a sort of camera feature or are going to
and I seriously doubt that the Xbox is beating the PS2 and the NGC is sales.

Originally posted by Kip-kip:
Evidence of this being true?

How does anyone have proof of their opinion?
How do you have proof that this won't be another flop?
You can never tell the hardcore facts unless the system is out.
Many systems have made an attempt at console sequels (I.E. The Sega Dreamcast), with high hopes of it being revolutionary, and almost all have either merged with Nintendo or Sony due to sales failures.
Same thing with Handhelds
Remember Neo Geo pocket? The Game Gear? Failures.

PS how did I recieve a loss of reputation? I did not flame anybody, I'm having a wholesome debate >=<

 

[MystiKal]

Uhh out of all those games Kip Kip listed 4 of them are for other systems, and yes Microsoft is killing other systems in sales I should know I work at GameStop. >:F

 

[FullMetalPipsqueak]

I dont think this sounds to promising, but I am waiting more for the PS3. I heard the GFX on that console will be awesome!

 

[fudge01]

anyways most of those games are crap anyways most of em would probally take a day to 3 days to finished -_-;

 

[Happy Dude]

*sigh*...Xbox was a failure, this will be too
Microsoft was meant for computers, not video game consoles
There were hardly any good games for Xbox, most of the good ones were multi-console
games anyway (except Halo, thats probably the only thing that kept the Xbox alive)
So, yeah, overall it's probably gonna be another flop.
If anything they should call it "NextBox"

Xbox was not a failure.The Ps2 was a faliure.Okay i'll stop there befor this turns into a flame war.But really xbox is the best seller.

 

[Dawson]

I wouldn't say the XBox was a failure, it just had a poor start. When it was released the main forcus and talking point wasn't the games or the console's power it was the size of the console and it's huge controllers. Once people got passed that and with the release of the smaller controller people realised that the XBox was a cool console.

If Microsoft get the design right and market it well with a strong launch line up, then there's no reason for it to not be the most successful of the Big 3.

 

[Kipkip]

anyways most of those games are crap anyways most of em would probally take a day to 3 days to finished -_-;

If you were a gamer, not fanboy, or have visted any gaming site with reviews of those games, you would know that they are some of the best games to come out of the Xbox.

Xbox was not a failure.The Ps2 was a faliure.Okay i'll stop there befor this turns into a flame war.But really xbox is the best seller.

The PS2 was hardly a failure if it sold the most systems. None of the systems were failures, but the Gamecube was really close but was saved by the Wal-Mart buyers.

If Microsoft get the design right and market it well with a strong launch line up, then there's no reason for it to not be the most successful of the Big 3.

The Xbox launch was crappy, so they should've learned to make a good, strong launch this time around.

 

[Allstories]

If Microsoft makes a portable they should call it the X-BRICK.

 

[MystiKal]

Lately at work we have been saleing a bunch of X-Boxs with Live it's been popular.

 

[Kipkip]

Here's Part Two:

Microsoft Supports Profiling

Whether the games are single player or multiplayer, all Xenon titles tie into a new gamer profile feature. Think of it as a universal profile for each gamer that uses the system; the gamer profiles are the player's single identity across all Xenon games. Similar to how a single Windows XP machine can be set up for multiple users, each Xenon system will house profiles for every gamer it serves. This feature is fantastic for households with multiple gamers, since each player's settings can be saved in his or her profile and selected when the system boots.

The system is very flexible. You're able to choose universal settings while making exceptions for individual games. You can set your profile to automatically set inverted controls and yellow uniforms if that's your preference, but if for some reason you prefer to play Splinter Cell with a standard look and orange uniforms you can change the setting for just that title.

The settings are available online and offline. System settings can be brought up in every Xenon title. The profile is also where you make your privacy and opt-in selections.

The profile also records achievements and something dubbed "Gamer Cred." Achievements are game-specific tasks, such as beating a certain boss or completing a level in a certain amount of time. Achievements can be awarded online and offline; the baseline is for every game to award at least five achievements. Gamer Cred is how much you're awarded for each achievement. The more games you play and the better you do, the more Gamer Cred you'll earn. Microsoft's is suggesting that developers award at least 1000 Gamer Cred points per title.

Parents will be pleased to learn that the profile system includes extensive parental controls and privileges. The system lets parents decide what games their kids are allowed to play, as well as if their children are allowed to share their profile and chat with other players. Software controls allow parents to select multiplayer restrictions.

Last, but not least, is the" Gamer Card." Think of it as an at-a-glance gamer profile. The Gamer Card allows other online players to quickly see another's Gamertag, title, Gamer Creds, reputation rating, gamer zone, country, and title. It's a virtual membership card that helps gamers find people to play with. If you think you've found a match then you can select the Gamer Card to view that player's full profile to make sure.



Raymond's Reaction - While impressive hardware specs obviously lead to a more powerful console, additions like the gamer profile can have a bigger impact on the user experience. It's great that multiple users can turn on the livingroom Xenon and have it boot so that all their settings are active. It's fantastic that gamers no longer have to change settings each time they buy a new game in their favorite genre. And it's subtly powerful that gamers can make exceptions to their settings as they see fit. This feature is all about personalizing the console experience and it should work quite well.

The achievement options are excellent. It's a way for players to be competitive, earn bragging rights, and attain additional satisfaction for playing games. Rewarding the player is always a good thing and awarding Gamer Cred gives players a higher sense of accomplishment that can be shared with or showed off to the Xenon community.

As extensive as the gamer profile is, it's nice that there's a quick way to check out other players with the Gamer Card.

Cumin' Atcha Live

As I noted in part one of this feature, all Xenon titles will be Live enabled. The console itself will have system-enabled Live features including:

# Friends management
# Access to recent players
# Message center
# Game invite management
# User notifications
# Gamer profile
# One-on-one voice chat
# Downloads
# Feedback
# Sign-in

It will be easier than ever for players to communicate with others on Xenon. Players no longer need to create custom message centers for each game. The message center manages player-to-player messages, friend invites, game invites, open P2P messaging, service-to-player messages, and title-to-player messages. Players can also communicate via voice and video chat.

All online multiplayer games are required to have social and ranked matches. Social matches rely on affiliate list tracking. Each player can be in contact with 1500 others, including friends, recent players, and preferred players.

Downloads will be managed from a central system user interface. They will appear as offers to the player in a download marketplace. Free and premium downloads will be supported. Developers will be able to send players to the marketplace and notify them when new content is available.

As I mentioned when I was discussing the Gamer Card, other players can see your various profile stats quickly. One of the most pertinent stats to Live is player reputation. Players will be able to grade, compliment, and complain about other players. Reviews are tied to a player's own experience as well. It's unclear how the whole system will be policed. It's a great feature, but one that can be taken advantage of and seems difficult to arbitrate. The complaint system is managed by Microsoft customer service.



Raymond's Reaction - Microsoft is taking all the great exciting features of Xbox Live, adding some enhancements, and tying it all together in a clean way. Its goal here is to make online console gaming easier in order to expand the audience. The unified Live experience definitely makes online gaming more accessible, while still allowing developers to make game-specific customizations.

I'm quite intrigued by the concept of a download marketplace. As the content library grows, console download shopping can be another activity gamers can use Xenon for. If Microsoft adds user reviews for downloadable content then the download marketplace might turn into a micro-Amazon.com. Seeing a lot of positive user reviews for a download might get gamers interested in a title they didn't consider before.

In Conclusion

In many ways, the gamer profile and Live features are more interesting than the hardware specs. Even before this article, everyone knew that Microsoft would be releasing a more powerful system. Gamers didn't really know or never thought about how the company would make playing console games different. These features show how Microsoft is changing the console experience by increasing personalization and ease of use. Sony hasn't discussed much of anything regarding the PlayStation 3, while Nintendo promises something radically different with its next system. Microsoft seems to be employing a sound strategy of building on the experience that millions of consumers enjoy while simultaneously making it easier for more of them to get in to.

The Gamer's Profile sounds very interesting. It's what every gamer wants. :D

 

[Wario Man]

Um, R&C:Up Your Arsenal has all of those "Live" features, and it's for PS2

 

[MystiKal]

You know this thread isnt for bashing the X-Box you fanboy, and Live has way more features then PS2 Online.

 

[Wario Man]

bashing? fanboy?
uh-huh
Somebody do something before this becomes a flame war
And, I said Ratchet and clank has those features, not PS2 online in general

 

[Kipkip]

Um, R&C:Up Your Arsenal has all of those "Live" features, and it's for PS2

But when the Xenon comes out, every game on it will have these features online AND offline. Though there really isn't much of a purpose for having it offline.