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 Forum index » Diversions » Console/Video Game Discussion
Xbox 360
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Grifter_7
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 		From Gamespy

Part 1 of 2

Raymond M. Padilla wrote:
We Got Next - Part One (Xbox)
GameSpy reveals details on the next Xbox console.

For several GameSpy editors, Game Developers Conference (GDC) is one of the best and most enjoyable events held each year. One of the primary reasons for GameSpy's GDC love is that the editors get to interact with some of the best talents in the business. Recently, some of GameSpy's friends in the development community shared a ton of details on Microsoft's next console system. Keep in mind that all of this information is based off of alpha development kits and current projections for the final hardware. Everything is subject to change. In the first part of our Xbox expose, I'll cover the console's hardware components and software goals. Since the final name of the next Xbox hasn't been revealed yet, I'll refer to the system by its codename, Xenon.

The Guts of the Next Box

# CPU - Xenon's CPU has three 3.0 GHz PowerPC cores. Each core is capable of two instructions per cycle and has an L1 cache with 32 KB for data and 32 KB for instructions. The three cores share 1 MB of L2 cache. Alpha 2 developer kits currently have two cores instead of three.

# GPU - Xenon's GPU is a generation beyond the ATI X800. Its clock speed is 500 MHz and it supports Shader 3.0. Developers are currently working with an alpha 2 GPU. Beta GPU units are expected by May and the final GPU is slated for a summer release. The final GPU will be more powerful than anything on the market today; in game terms, it would handle a game like Half-Life 2 with ease.

# System Memory - Xenon will have 256 MB of system RAM. Keep in mind that this number should not be equated to typical PC RAM. The Xbox has 64 MB of system RAM and is a very capable machine.

# Optical Drive - As many have speculated, Xenon will not use Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Games will come on dual-layer DVD-9 discs. While the media is the same as that of the current Xbox, the usable space on each disc is up to 7 GB. The drive is slated to run at 12X.

# Memory Units - Xenon will use 64 MB to 1,024 MB memory cards. 8 MB is reserved for system use, leaving a 56 MB to 1,016 MB for user data.

# Hard Drive - As many have speculated, Xenon's hard drive is optional. 2 GB of the drive will be used as game cache. The final drive size is still being determined.

# Camera - Xenon will have a USB 2.0 camera. It's capable of 1.2 megapixel 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 - Xenon does not have an audio chip in the 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.

Raymond's Reaction - The Xenon is an extremely impressive piece of hardware. It will allow gamers to see things like complex lighting in gameplay, amazing details through high-level shading (impeccable clouds, fur, grass, cloth, water, marble, ground, etc.), incredible textures, and new post effects (increased motion blur, heat distortion, depth of field, light blooms, etc.).

While people have already been correctly speculating about the removable hard drive and the standard DVD media, I was surprised at the inclusion of the camera. I haven't heard a single rumbling about a Xenon camera prior to GDC. The optional hard drive is a bit understandable; the only gamers that care about it will buy it anyway, while casual gamers won't care about the performance and convenience gains a drive offers. The standard DVD isn't too surprising considering that HD-DVD drives will be too expensive for inclusion in a console system in 2005.

The Software

Microsoft is requiring developers to make all Xenon titles Live enabled. One of the key reasons for this will be revealed in the second part of this story.

Developers are being instructed to plan their games for high-definition. The baseline is 720p at 1280x720 for gameplay and video clips, 16:9 aspect ratio, 5.1 Surround Sound, and anti-aliasing. These features are the current minimum requirement.

All Xenon games can be played using custom soundtracks. Owners can also play their own music directly. Supported formats are MP3 and WMA. Files can be encoded up to 320Kbps CBR or VBR stereo. The system is branded a Music Player Service.

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.

Raymond's Reaction - Mandatory Live "awareness" isn't a big surprise. Online is one area where Microsoft is trouncing the competition. Microsoft's progression with online console gaming has progressed wonderfully (see Halo 2) and the future plans are even more interesting. (Again, see part two of this feature tomorrow for more information.)

It's nice to see that Microsoft is being aggressive with HD performance. Having all games run at 720p (potentially) makes for an incredibly engrossing experience -- particularly owners of HDTV sets. Users with standard televisions needn't worry; 16:9 content will be letterboxed to fit within a 4:3 aspect ratio by default. Developers are being instructed to make sure that any critical text will fit into and look good in 4:3.


Part 2 of 2

Follow this link for the second part: CLICK HERE
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:47 am
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ubercado
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 		Cool Drool
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Dasro_Kast
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Ubercado wrote:
Cool Drool


Precisely. I was very curious to see exactly what kind of upgrades Microsoft would be planning software-wise. Verrrrry interesting.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:53 pm
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Grifter_7
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 		Screen shots of the User Interface for the Xenon (Codename for Xbox 2 until offical name is release). Also the name Xbox 360 is now in doubt after a slide from last night's press conference showed the name "Xbox Next."
To see Video of J Allard's key note speech check out TeamXbox.com





* Grifter's Notes: Note above in the picture that HALO 2 is one of the games that showes up... Does this mean they have made the Xenon backwards compatible???




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PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:03 am
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Fenwicked
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 		... d00d...
In the "Home" view, under the "Content Sensitive Panel," they mention community-created content... Drool
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:25 pm
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weephun
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 		Review Rating!!!! finally a quick and easy way to avoid playing with jerks. YAAAA!!!!
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:40 pm
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fugitivesoldier
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 		I can't wait for the live video cams during gameplay.

See the look on their faces as their Hog kisses your rocket.
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Dasro_Kast
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Grifter_7 wrote:


* Grifter's Notes: Note above in the picture that HALO 2 is one of the games that showes up... Does this mean they have made the Xenon backwards compatible???



Wasn't there a rumor floating around that on the version of XBOX next that comes with an HD there would be bundled a special High Def version of Halo 2? That could be what that's from. But actually, they also show Forza motorsports as well, which is an XBOX title.

But this is all very intriguing...perhaps it will not be as easy to avoid purchasing an xbox next right away as I once thought.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:18 pm
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water10
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 		I'm really hoping the 720p games will be converted to 1080i on the fly! Otherwise, I'm screwed, just like most CRT owners!

The interfaces look really cool though. And Live enabled for every game is a huge plus! I only hope this doesn't intimidate game developers! Some games are just made to be played single player. Maybe they'll have only basic Live function.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:41 pm
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ubercado
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 		must...have...more...information

can't...wait...till...E3....

Seriously, if what they are planning is actually implemented in the new version of Xbox then I will truly be impressed

and VERY broke Very Happy
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Mike_Was
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 		Xbox Next
All this "Gamer Profile" stuff is just fluff. I'll be impressed if it loads the damn maps without choking.
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DreamOfTheRood
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 		Almost everything in that article is worthy of my jaw-dropping excitement; in fact, I've only got one bone to pick with MS's plans with the box. It's quite simple: I don't want to see my opponent giving me the finger when he pawns me to the highest bidder. Hell, I don't even want to hear him, but the benefits of a headset far outweigh the disadvantages.

That camera thing will be much more of a nuisance than a benefit in competitive games.
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Fenwicked
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 		Yeah, I'm with you on that one. I'm very worried about how the camera will be... let's just say "misused"...
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:50 pm
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thunderclap8
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 		hmm good point on the camera. Hopefully there'll be an equivalent of mute...

And I'm glad to see the parental controls heavily beefed up. Now if only parents would actually use it...
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SuperJerms
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 		Exactly. Not to bring the legislation thread over here, but just imagine the result of involving cameras with poorly enforced parental supervision. Or imagine pedophiles buying children's games, knowing that at least 5% of children's parents won't be policing the XBL like they should. shudder.

But if they don't use the cameras for webcam potential, people will cry "neutered!" Seems like a lose-lose to me.


Backwards compatibility is a must. I know I'm not the only one who just bought the xbox to play h2. I probably won't pay 350 for this device until at least three years from now, and I absolutely will not buy it if it's not backwards-compatible. I can't be alone here.

Although, it would change my mind substantially if that harddrive doubles as an IPod and PVR. Assuming the drive can function as the xbox drive, an open-format player of at least 30 gb, and a decent PVR all at the same time...that'd require at least 120 gb, right?
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 1:18 am
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