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[BocoDragon]

It says networked together not daisy chained. You put your new cool xbox top box in bedroom. Put your durango in the living room. When you put a 360 disc into your durango it connects to new xbox slim baby top box and start playing your old 360 games. Still don't completely buy this though. I'm still betting on durango having BC internally. Still better option then no BC like PS4.

It also says its networked "like the HD-DVD add-on". I don't think they're implying connection over LAN with that word necessarily.

 

[Wizman23]

I'm confused. Is Durango now a full fledged old school console that its sole purpose is to play games and nothing else? Do I need both consoles to get the entire new xbox experience? I couldn't care less about BC but having to buy the add on for Netflix, HBO GO, etc...would suck. It seems like something huge is still missing from this story.

 

[60_gig_PS3]

I dont think this rumor is correct. What it sounds like is there will be a low cost $150 SKU that doesn't play durango games but offers most of the other features and can play 360 games. That would make more sense to me.

 

[Liamario]

Durango will be always online, but its not necessary for playing locally; exactly like the current gen then.....

 

[Opus Angelorum]

Sounds complicated, bulky and expensive.

Take the disc drive out of the 360 Slim and there isn't much else to it.

 

[RSTEIN]

MS, always thinking ahead. Why buy 1 console when we can make you buy 2?

How is Microsoft making people buy two consoles?

 

[Beer Monkey]

You don't have to buy the games digitally... you put the 360 games on the Durango, and the console streams the disc data to the add-on.

360 can play games via USB so Durango can definitely feed the 360 Mini data fast enough for the Mini to play it.

Durango can emulate the 360 wireless controller and send your inputs to the Mini over the air.

360 mini can send audio and video output to Durango via HDMI, then Durango can merge/overlay it and output it via its own HDMI output.

There's nothing here that can't be done. Nothing. Durango needs an HDMI input and a USB output.

One set of controllers. One input on your TV or receiver.

I wish Sony had thought of it. Fuck Gakai most of the PS3 games won't ever even be licensed for it and they don't seem to give a fuck about PSN games.

 

[Soriku]

How would it have "full BC" without a disc drive? It would mean buying all your PS3 games twice.

Similarly to this rumor, you would plug it into your PS4 and then put your PS3 discs in your PS4 drive to play them.

 

[C4Lukins]

So $600 if you want backwards compatibility?

It beats the duct taping a PS3 and PS4 together for backwards compatibility option.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Impossible. Always online was the only problem people had.

Nah, the narrative will shift back to ads, Gold, having to buy an add on for BC, TV functionality, Kinect, games as a secondary focus, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Phonomezer]

I like this idea. The new X360 sku:
- $99 w/ no disc drive
- can buy XBLA and 360 games digitally as a standalone
- can only play 360 discs if hooked to Durango to use its drive
- seamless 360 play through Durango via disk or digital

Definitely encourages existing 360 folks to spend an extra $99 for the new sku:
- can sell off old 360 and controllers
- only need one controller, interface, box (new sku stack), and TV connection to handle 360 and Durango games

I'm guessing the new 360 SKU will be cushioning some of the loss they'll be taking on Durango.

 

[Dai101]

I wonder if the 'HDMI Input' mentioned in the earlier leaks would be used to facilitate using an existing 360 in place of the newer 'mini 360'?

That would be great. My Elite is still rocking

 

[MisterNoisy]

Let me spell it out for you

DURANGO DOES NOT HAVE BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY (according to this info)

if you are relying on buying a separate XBox360 Mini which will be running the games and streaming the data to TV via Durango. It is not a solution for backward compatibility because it is the same, heck even worst than just keeping your the Xbox360 you already own because it doesn't have a disc drive so you lose all your existing disc games.

If you are worried about bandwidth caps, buying a console that doesn't have a disc drive and replies upon you downloading huge files from the internet is not for you. Keep your current disc based console and play your disc games.

You can contort your mind and twist it to any extent you want but again DURANGO does not have native backwards compatibility just like PS4.

Why would you lose your disc-based games? It reads like you toss a 360 disc in the Durango drive to play them. Basically you buy Durango and if you want it, a fairly inexpensive add-on device to enable back-compat.

 

[SenjutsuSage]

Considering the big stink made over always online, I'm stunned this new information isn't in the thread title, that Durango doesn't need to be always online and can play games offline.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

I wonder if Microsoft is aiming to make the Durango like one of those Hopper boxes from Dish. You could buy multiple Xbox Minis(Joeys) that sync with the durango and can all access your media.

 

[BRocknRolla]

Instead, this functionality will come from the other unit that will be networked with the Durango to provide this

Ok, so it's a device you connect to Durango to use.

It may be possible they will design both consoles to be stackable.

Wait... If it's an add-on, wouldn't it make sense to make it stackable? So it may be a connected device? Maybe that's just aesthetics though.

Putting in an Xbox 360 disc into Durango will prompt the user to attach the supporting device that is sold separately. By separating the two devices and their functions it will ensure price competitiveness for both pieces of hardware

Ok. So does that mean the add-on doesn't have a disk drive? So if it is stand alone, it's only use will by XLBA, which is still a benefit, but not a total 360.

The price goal of the smaller Xbox is $149 or lower and it is likely to not have a disc drive and would require a network connection.

What? $149 for a box that only plays XBLA titles? Can't you practically buy a whole 360 for that? So maybe it does have a disk drive... Otherwise that seems mighty expensive.

Read the article. It requires the Durango to play 360 games.

So after reading those points, I guess I'm not settled. It definitely sounds like it connects, but whether it only works with the Durango is questionable. $150 for an add-on just for backwards compatibility sounds like an expensive prospect, but maybe that makes sense given that it's probably a pretty niche market. Then again, if it is standalone, I think it would be a pretty compelling buy for a lot of people just looking for a media box if it actually is fully featured. If it's without a disc drive? Well, then somewhat less so.

 

[something fishy]

This will be next gen's HDDVD player addon

being able to play a library of hundreds or thousands of games from day one means it's not really... it isn't going to die because it has no content.

 

[gofreak]

I'm confused. Is Durango now a full fledged old school console that its sole purpose is to play games and nothing else? Do I need both consoles to get the entire new xbox experience? I couldn't care less about BC but having to buy the add on for Netflix, HBO GO, etc...would suck. It seems like something huge is still missing from this story.

No, all that stuff will be on Durango on its own.

Only purpose for a 360 alongside Durango will be to remote play 360 software.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

The new Xbox would have to be pretty small for this to seem desirable.

 

[mocoworm]

If it doesn't have a disk drive, where do I put my game disks to play them?

In your Durango. Read the article.

 

[Trevelyon]

So essentially their solution for Durango owners who want to play their 360 games on the console...is to sell you another 360and attach it to your Durango...

..and people are lapping it up?

Wow...Yep.. Microsoft have won if they can get away with that.

Options mayne, options. I'm not head over heels for add-ons as history goes, but if you're that deep into the 360 stuff and the mini itself is compact (this is key here) and complementary to the Durango hardware and the price is spot on.

Why the hell not, I ain't going to fight it or brow beat anyone who wants it.

 

[Liamario]

Reading fail. Ignore me

 

[jmood88]

Lol at vg leaks trying to backtrack on the always online thing. "It's technically always online but everything else we said isn't correct."

 

[razgriz417]

If this is the case, there's still a major problem in the end: the amount of consumers that can be reached. I.e. a lot of people who don't have online connections / have limited connections would still be put out of the possibility of buying Durango.

I'm not saying I'd choose this setup over the PS4 but it makes sense given MS' focus on competing more with Apple and Roku for an entertainment center console. I personally don't have cable so I would be missing out on all the functions that Durango has as a cable box and while I do disagree this focus, it is a valid one at least in the US. As for other countries and markets, I have no idea what MS will do

I bet it will be something like this:

1. Must have a working internet connection + Kinect 2.0 enabled to start up Durango

2. Must have a working internet connection + Kinect 2.0 enabled to start a game

3. When you're playing the game, the always-online connection is lifted, but you still have to have Kinect 2.0 enabled at all times

I'm thinking the majority of the Durangos "killer new" functions will require a working internet connection and that Kinect 2.0 will have to be plugged in at all times. I would assume regular offline gaming would still work but you'd lose access to social features and whatever other connectivity features they come up with. Barring the machine from booting up or functioning without an internet connection really does sound impractical imo

 

[Neuromancer]

I don't really understand this at all but if it means I can play next gen games offline that's all I care about.

 

[Spongebob]

This setup sounds to bulky and expensive.

 

[Uno Venova]

Lol at vg leaks trying to backtrack on the always online thing. "It's technically always online but everything else we said isn't correct."

I'm not sure if VGleaks was the one who put that out there, EDGE was if I remember right.

 

[LumpOfCole]

I still think the Durango's always-online is a fatal mistake and will likely go with PS4 (if I get a console at all), but optional BC add-on component is really the best solution. Not everyone wants it, so why force everyone to pay for it? I'd rather a $500 console be $500 of new parts and not $400 of new parts along with $100 of old parts.

 

[GavinGT]

Silly me, I always thought 'backwards compatibility' meant I could take the games I bought for my game console and play them on the next version of the console. This sounds like I have to re-buy my games. Am I missing something?

They need a new term for this, because 'backwards compatibility' means something else.

Let's wait until all the facts are in. If this rumor bears out, there would be multiple potential ways we've already discussed to play Xbox 360 discs through your Durango:

- connect a current model Xbox 360 to Durango (rumor doesn't mention this, but I don't see why not)
- install disc to 360 mini by putting disc in Durango tray, data gets transferred to 360 mini HDD

I still think the Durango's always-online is a fatal mistake and will likely go with PS4 (if I get a console at all), but optional BC add-on component is really the best solution. Not everyone wants it, so why force everyone to pay for it? I'd rather a $500 console be $500 of new parts and not $400 of new parts along with $100 of old parts.

You're not reading carefully enough. The rumor basically says "always online" is a marketing term rather than a requirement.

 

[TriGen]

So $600 if you want backwards compatibility?

That sounds like it, but I posted this in the other thread:

I now wonder if the $500 or $300 sub rumor is wrong. The way it's worded is that Microsoft is doing this to control costs. It seems like Durango could be less than $500 without the BC add-on/set-top feature stuff. Maybe $400, then another $100 for the add-on? That would be nice. Though, I guess pricing will depend on competition, so maybe nothing's set in stone.

If the article is correct that MS is doing this to lower cost I think there's a chance they launch under $500. It's hard to believe that they were targeting $600 to begin with, so lowering the cost would seem to be getting under $500 not $600, but we'll see.

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

Reading fail. Ignore me

It does, read the article.

 

[Bsigg12]

I'm confused. Is Durango now a full fledged old school console that its sole purpose is to play games and nothing else? Do I need both consoles to get the entire new xbox experience? I couldn't care less about BC but having to buy the add on for Netflix, HBO GO, etc...would suck. It seems like something huge is still missing from this story.

So Durango is the next gen system proper. If you just want the next gen experience with no BC, stop here.

The Mini, as were dubbing it, is a new 360 that acts like an Apple TV. It can act as a standalone product that functions purely on digital content. However, if you connect it to the Durango, it will act as a BC enabler.

 

[chris0701]

I don't know what 360's have what AV output possibilities, but they could all stream AV back to Durango over the network and let it pump it to the TV.

Think, again, of remote play on handhelds or cloud streaming. Everything gets fed back and forth over the network. You don't need anything majorly proprietary in terms of hardware input/output.

It would make sense if Durango have AV "input", for example, HDMI input.

LAN serves as push 360 disc data to 360 STB.

 

[BigDug13]

If I can interface my Rockband instruments into the new box and all my DLC transfers over, and online is not required, then I'm down.

Question...if the disc is being inserted into the Durango and the mini-box is doing the heavy lifting of playing it like a 360 game, why is it required to be connected to the internet during this process?

 

[Soriku]

Nvm

 

[dancrane212]

My understanding of the devices;

XBOX360 Mini device
- No disc drive, so it's essentially useless as a standalone XBOX for gaming, but good for TV functionality alone
- Requires an internet connection to function
- Access to the XBL marketplace and whatnot (so it can play downloadable titles)
- Will share some features of the Durango TV (IPTV) functionality (to combat Apple TV)
- Required to play 360 games, when connected with the Durango, can NOT play 360 discs when not connected


Durango
- The new 'new' XBOX
- Plays Durango games etc, uses Kinect functionality
- Will not play 360 games, you must hook up the Mini device once you insert a 360 disk to play (you put the 360 disc in the Durango disc tray, but it runs only when connected with the Mini)
- Requires an internet connection for TV functionality
- Plays used games
- Plays offline games

I wonder if the mini is the "needs a Kinect to function" device.

 

[Beer Monkey]

I'm really starting to think some people are just mad that Microsoft isn't dumb enough to hand most of their market over to PS4 and guarantee the single console future.

 

[Devilgunman]

So for a price, you can get rid of the ol 360 and buy the tiny 360 to attach to Durango to play 360 game? Very smart move. I can see many 360 owners double-dip on that tiny 360.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Let me spell it out for you

DURANGO DOES NOT HAVE BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY (according to this info)

if you are relying on buying a separate XBox360 Mini which will be running the games and streaming the data to TV via Durango. It is not a solution for backward compatibility because it is the same, heck even worst than just keeping the Xbox360 you already own because it doesn't have a disc drive so you lose all your existing disc games.

If you are worried about bandwidth caps, buying a console that doesn't have a disc drive and replies upon you downloading huge files from the internet is not for you. Keep your current disc based console and play your disc games.

You can contort your mind and twist it to any extent you want but again DURANGO does not have native backwards compatibility just like PS4.

You need to calm down, you're not making much sense.

Firstly, I never claimed the Durango had native BC.

Secondly, Why would I lose my existed disc games? Is it hard to read the OP? Did you even bother reading the OP? Not doing so is frowned upon.

Thirdly, I'm not worried about data or bandwidth caps, I was merely pointing a benefit to having an optional, hardware based solution to one that's stream based and all the risks such a solution carries.

 

[Call Me Maybe]

This I am okay with

 

[Jac_Solar]

Read again. Both Durango and X360 must be always online, but it seems not for local gaming.

Must be always online, but not for local gaming? Doesn't that contradict itself?

 

[kingocfs]

I think they Durango's always-online is still a fatal mistake, but optional BC add-on component is really the best solution. Not everyone wants it, so why force everyone to pay for it? I'd rather a $500 console be $500 of new parts and not $400 of new parts along with $100 of old parts.

The article is clearly trying to tell you that you'll be able to play your games offline on this new machine. The BC will require a connection.

 

[btkadams]

the tv stuff sounds cool, but isn't the trend moving away from cable? isn't this a really big investment for something that more and more people won't be able to use?

 

[Meier]

As long as I can play used games (aka rentals in my case), I'm cool. If they take that away, I'm out for the foreseeable future.

 

[teiresias]

This whole thing sounds like it will be exceedingly difficult to market to lay people. I mean we're talking about a market that often doesn't realize WiiU isn't an add-on for the original Wii after all.

I also don't get why they'd require the internet connection for the BC through the small box if it's connected directly to Durango and using it basically as an external optical drive.

 

[gofreak]

It would make sense if Durango have AV "input", for example, HDMI input.

But then you cannot use that for connecting your cable box or whatever...I think?

Doing it over the network would keep the hdmi-in free for other devices, and would also work with all 360s.

 

[Reiko]

Nah, the narrative will shift back to ads, Gold, having to buy an add on for BC, TV functionality, Kinect, games as a secondary focus, etc, etc, etc.

Scratch another one off so far.

https://twitter.com/PeeeThree/status/321389723790741504

 

[Opus Angelorum]

Anyone who thinks the mini could be bulky, go look at a 360 Slim tear down.

 

[BRocknRolla]

Nah, the narrative will shift back to ads, Gold, having to buy an add on for BC, TV functionality, Kinect, games as a secondary focus, etc, etc, etc.

Still relevant complaints/concerns. But it is great to hear always-on might not be required for standard use.

 

[link1201]

Why? I guess I have trouble understanding why buying additional $150 hardware would be better than built in streaming BC if they both require a broadband connection anyway.

Some people who really don't care about BC like myself will be happy if this is the case because they don't have to pay the extra cost for BC.