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[The Omega Man]

Microsoft is probably preparing for a shock an awe conference. Updated specs, games no one has heard of or seen, a beautiful console, fast UI. All of that will just shatter PS4's momentum in a single day.

If this happens it will be a glorious day that will live in history, MS originally planned to debut the console in April, something must has happened at the last minute.
I have a feeling that the hardware is going to surprise us the most and it's going to be a more powerful machine than the PS4, I am pretty confident that they are going to show new exclusive games that developers have been preparing for years for this new console.

 

[Izick]

Without a doubt Microsoft is going to try and drop bombs on Tuesday. It's the beginning of a console generation and if you can't win your core over at the start, you're setting yourself up for failure. Nintendo is in that exact position right now with the Wii U struggling to win anybody over.

Most definitely. The last thing either of them want is a Wii U situation, but I think the Wii U is where it is due to a multitude of reasons.

 

[Bleedorang3]

Sony could do exactly the same though.

But most of the Sony fans in the thread where it was announced seemed to decry it as some sort of scam by Microsoft.

 

[Monty Mole]

Without a doubt Microsoft is going to try and drop bombs on Tuesday. It's the beginning of a console generation and if you can't win your core over at the start, you're setting yourself up for failure. Nintendo is in that exact position right now with the Wii U struggling to win anybody over.

Sony hasn't revealed all its cards yet, and I imagine MS will save a lot of the meat for E3.

 

[Maximilian Kolbe]

The way that article makes it sound is that every 720 will use that subsidized model

No chance,not everyone have credit card

 

[Marleyman]

If this happens it will be a glorious day that will live in history, MS originally planned to debut the console in April, something must has happened at the last minute.
I have a feeling that the hardware is going to surprise us the most and it's going to be a more powerful machine than the PS4, I am pretty confident that they are going to show new exclusive games that developers have been preparing for years for this new console.

If any of this happens this will be the best launch ever.

 

[DopeyFish]

To include any anti-used procedure(s) that require(s) activation codes to be paid for?

There are many ways to have a system which is fair and doesn't impact the majority of scenarios

Industry needs to move forward...

 

[Linkified]

No chance,not everyone have credit card

Direct Debit?

 

[Snaku]

If this happens it will be a glorious day that will live in history, MS originally planned to debut the console in April, something must has happened at the last minute.
I have a feeling that the hardware is going to surprise us the most and it's going to be a more powerful machine than the PS4, I am pretty confident that they are going to show new exclusive games that developers have been preparing for years for this new console.

Nintendo made themselves irrelevant by underpowering their console so drastically. Without the insane casual adoption rate of the original Wii developers can afford to ignore the Wii U entirely.

 

[Izick]

IF the event was delayed, and that's not certain, than my money would be on that they wanted to nail down the final hardware design of the console.

 

[Baconsammy]

If this happens it will be a glorious day that will live in history, MS originally planned to debut the console in April, something must has happened at the last minute.
I have a feeling that the hardware is going to surprise us the most and it's going to be a more powerful machine than the PS4, I am pretty confident that they are going to show new exclusive games that developers have been preparing for years for this new console.

Depends on the rumors you believe. Some claim Sony's conference made them shit their pants. Some say they delayed it due to contracts not being finalized for content/features they're including with the console.

 

[Dark_AnNiaLatOr]

If this happens it will be a glorious day that will live in history, MS originally planned to debut the console in April, something must has happened at the last minute.
I have a feeling that the hardware is going to surprise us the most and it's going to be a more powerful machine than the PS4, I am pretty confident that they are going to show new exclusive games that developers have been preparing for years for this new console.

These are words of hype that can shake any man.

 

[SniperHunter]

Well, I for one hope so. Competition, that's what it's good for, to give us more value for our money. That way Sony can scramble to one up Microsoft again and it's a win win for gamers. I just hope Microsoft doesn't sink too far in to the pay wall rubbish that ends up costing me more for stuff that should be standard.

Sony can't react in anyway now, way too late (in terms of specs and console features). But both will save a lot of announcements for e3 conference

 

[Linkified]

There are many ways to have a system which is fair and doesn't impact the majority of scenarios

Industry needs to move forward...

Consumers wouldn't buy it, retailers wouldn't stock it. Industry doesn't move forward in that regard, they regress backwards.

 

[Krisprolls]

But most of the Sony fans in the thread where it was announced seemed to decry it as some sort of scam by Microsoft.

Not at all. What is a scam is paying for p2p online gaming nowadays.

A subscription model is nice, but it must stay an option. It mustn't be required.

 

[Baconsammy]

Nintendo made themselves irrelevant by underpowering their console so drastically. Without the insane casual adoption rate of the original Wii developers can afford to ignore the Wii U entirely.

They're relevant in the big picture since they're still selling consoles that compete with sales of the PS3/360/PS4/Xbox, but they made themselves irrelevant when it comes to next gen gaming. Their poor decisions have once again led to their console being abandoned by third parties. You lose third parties and you lose any hope you had of being the go-to console for core gamers.

 

[abadguy]

Why MS would have used game DRM when they don't even try to block used games now?

That's been something that always puzzled me about these rumors. MS has never once through this whole gen made a big fuss about used games, yet all of a sudden they were going to take such drastic measures to block them?( according to the rumors.)

 

[ari]

Without a doubt Microsoft is going to try and drop bombs on Tuesday. It's the beginning of a console generation and if you can't win your core over at the start, you're setting yourself up for failure. Nintendo is in that exact position right now with the Wii U struggling to win anybody over.

Thing is, once Nintendo games start rolling out and the price drops happen, the console will only pick up momentum.

 

[Maximilian Kolbe]

Direct Debit?

Then how is that means subsidized model?or i need go to game store every month for subsidization?that's pretty annoying.

 

[specialguy]

Sony could do exactly the same though.

But they would have to do it with PS+, which seems less "mandatory" than Gold.

I guess it would make PS+ one step closer to being a defacto pay for online service. everybody who wants cheap ps4 now has to pay for ps+ whether they want to or not.

 

[Alx]

And will if they think it's working out in MS's favor. Last thing Sony wants though is to spend another generation playing catchup with all the new stuff MS added.

You need a good amount of cash to do that, though. At the moment you sell the hardware, you're selling it at a big loss, and will only get your money back (with benefits) a few months/years later. It's interesting in the long term, but you must be able to let your finances take a hit at first.

 

[nib95]

Sony can't react in anyway now, way too late (in terms of specs and console features). But both will save a lot of announcements for e3 conference

I meant with games. Right now I really want Microsoft to bump up the specs of the dev kits and rumoured retail units. To me, it doesn't seem like a big enough jump. I hope they don't try and drown this out simply by buying off lots of third party exclusives. I am certain that early on in this new generation, visual differences will be slight, but if the hardware differences are as rumoured, mid to end tier games are going to start showing up differences, and I don't want one platform to hold up the other. If both are close in power, it's more ideal imo. I for one just want the best looking Halo, Forza etc possible.

 

[PhatSaqs]

A subscription model is nice, but it must stay an option. It mustn't be required.

Pretty much. There's ZERO chance they go contract only.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Then how is that means subsidized model?or i need go to game store every month for subsidization?that's pretty annoying.

What? A direct debit means an agreed upon amount is automatically withdrawn from your account every month. You don't need to do the game store every month.

 

[Linkified]

Then how is that means subsidized model?or i need go to game store every month for subsidization?that's pretty annoying.

Nope you set it up with your bank they take the money out automatically? Or you could use a debit card or even a credit card.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

Consumers wouldn't buy it, retailers wouldn't stock it. Industry doesn't move forward in that regard, they regress backwards.

Consumers are already buying it when they are the ones responsible for the insane growth of digital purchases on their PCs, phones, tablets, and gaming devices. Physical retail for software is dying compared to the monster growth of digital sales, none of which you can resell. Retailers don't have choice when they want people to come to them and buy from them. They all stock the physical devices which are completely DD platforms.

 

[ari]

Not at all. What is a scam is paying for p2p online gaming nowadays.

A subscription model is nice, but it must stay an option. It mustn't be required.

People do not think its a scam. If you do, go to the inferior psn.

 

[statham]

If this happens it will be a glorious day that will live in history, MS originally planned to debut the console in April, something must has happened at the last minute.

Or, the original plan was to announce the May event in April, and insiders hearing bits/pieces thought is was a April event.

 

[fluffydelusions]

Something needs to be made of these gifs

 

[Maximilian Kolbe]

What? A direct debit means an agreed upon amount is automatically withdrawn from your account every month. You don't need to do the game store every month.

Not everyone have bank account

 

[DopeyFish]

Consumers wouldn't buy it, retailers wouldn't stock it. Industry doesn't move forward in that regard, they regress backwards.

lol, ok there.

So a developer wouldn't develop for it despite being more protected?
A retailer won't stock it despite being more protected and having more incentive?
A consumer wouldn't buy it despite having more license freedom than ever before and getting equal value as before?

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

No chance,not everyone have credit card

Extremely unlikely. Many people don't want to sign such contracts, and perhaps more importantly, it would prevent distribution of the next Xbox in countries not officially supported by Microsoft. Even in countries with official distribution channels it would present a logistical nightmare.

By the way, watching the X06 conference something occurred to me - could the rumored “family game set on an island with Pixar movie-style graphic” be the next Viva Pinata? Trouble in Paradise even supported scanning in of special codes with the Live Vision camera, and something similar (scanning in a player model with Kinect) is being suggested for this game.

Then again, it might not even exist, perhaps everything was made up.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Let's not do the spec talk again please. While not entirely impossible, it's not likely that MS have upgraded the specs from those leaked.

I'm looking forward to seeing what their end goal is with their current specs. Another generation where both consoles do exactly the same thing would be disastrous.

 

[Linkified]

Consumers are already buying it when they are the ones responsible for the insane growth of digital purchases on their PCs, phones, tablets, and gaming devices. Physical retail for software is dying compared to the monster growth of digital sales, none of which you can resell. Retailers don't have choice when they want people to come to them and buy from them. They all stock those the physical devices which are completely DD platforms.

So which retailer is going to sell the platform initially then? Retailers can put their foot down ...

 

[SniperHunter]

I meant with games. Right now I really want Microsoft to bump up the specs of the dev kits and rumoured retail units. To me, it doesn't seem like a big enough jump. I hope they don't try and drown this out simply by buying off lots of third party exclusives. I am certain that early on in this new generation, visual differences will be slight, but if the hardware differences are as rumoured, mid to end tier games are going to start showing up differences, and I don't want one platform to hold up the other. If both are close in power, it's more ideal imo. I for one just want the best looking Halo, Forza etc possible.

Like I said yesterday, both consoles are rather weak. I bought a graphics card last year that is more power than Xbox Durango and PS4 COMBINED lol....

I see what you are getting at though, I am a Sony fan and I saw the shitacular third party games on both PS2 and PS3. It sucks!!! >_<

 

[TRios Zen]

Or, the original plan was to announce the May event in April, and insiders hearing bits/pieces thought is was a April event.

Likely this will be one of life's great mysteries (we'll never know).

 

[Monty Mole]

Not everyone have bank account

I don't think Microsoft gives a shit about people who don't have a bank account, nor kids with parents without bank accounts. Not exactly the target demographic of most businesses, apart from discount food stores, pawn brokers and debt management companies.

The worse thing is that the next Xbox is unlikely to work unless you have electricity. Fucking ridiculous.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Not everyone have bank account

So they buy the console at the full RRP as they normally would. A subsidised model won't be the only one available at launch.

 

[shandy706]

IF the event was delayed, and that's not certain, than my money would be on that they wanted to nail down the final hardware design of the console.

Looking at patents and multiple spec "leaks", I believe there were two or three functional/Alpha designs. It's possible Microsoft was going with their mid-range design (while having option #1 a lower tech and option #3 a higher tech option on the table). February may have told them that they need to switch to their third model as the final hardware design.

The delay may have been a reaction in hardware (that was already designed if needed) and approach.

I could see a company with Microsoft's money having multiple options vs having to stick with a single idea and no options after seeing the competition.

 

[Maximilian Kolbe]

So they buy the console at the full RRP as they normally would. A subsidised model won't be the only one available at launch.

Well you should notice what he said first

The way that article makes it sound is that every 720 will use that subsidized model

 

[DopeyFish]

Looking at patents and multiple spec "leaks", I believe there were two or three functional/Alpha designs. It's possible Microsoft was going with their mid-range design (while having option #1 a lower tech and option #3 a higher tech option on the table). February may have told them that they need to switch to their third model as the final hardware design.

The delay may have been a reaction in hardware (that was already designed if needed) and approach.

I could see a company with Microsoft's money having multiply options vs having to stick with a single idea and no options after seeing the competition.

There we go, finally someone who agrees with me

 

[MightyHedgehog]

So which retailer is going to sell the platform initially then? Retailers can put their foot down ...

Yeah, right. Walmart, Target, Amazon, Best Buy, etc. all sell these platforms now. They don't want to lose out on their cut of system and peripheral sales, accessories, and subscription/prepaid cards. Big games will still get disc versions, but most software will be DD only. They don't have a choice unless they want to be less relevant to the consumer.

 

[NemesisPrime]

Nintendo made themselves irrelevant by underpowering their console so drastically. Without the insane casual adoption rate of the original Wii developers can afford to ignore the Wii U entirely.

TBH I don't think it is power... just lack of games and a name that sounds like the original console.

 

[Linkified]

lol, ok there.

So a developer wouldn't develop for it despite being more protected?
A retailer won't stock it despite being more protected and having more incentive?
A consumer wouldn't buy it despite having more license freedom than ever before and getting equal value as before?

Retailer more incentive? Really?
Consumer more license freedom? Really?

Really, really? C'mon son...

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Well you should notice what he said first

That's crazy talk. MS wouldn't be so stupid. It will be an option, nothing more.

 

[Monty Mole]

Well you should notice what he said first

That won't happen. It'll be like phones. Buy the console, or get it on a contract.

As for the "always online" rumours, my guess is Xbox on a contract will require you to be online to play your games, so it can check you've made your payments. Xbox not on a contract has no such restriction.

 

[Broman1978]

I wouldnt mind if the Xbox 720 looked almost like Xbox 360 Slim Tbh..
Replace the disctray and add a PS3 style slot tray and I would be happy=)

 

[Salaadin]

Listening to Podcast Beyond, Colin (I think it was Colin) seems excited for what MS has to show and thinks that whatever they have is going to be a big deal. He kinda got me hyped a little bit.

The worse thing is that the next Xbox is unlikely to work unless you have electricity. Fucking ridiculous.

Sweet Billy, is that you?

Looking at patents and multiple spec "leaks", I believe there were two or three functional/Alpha designs. It's possible Microsoft was going with their mid-range design (while having option #1 a lower tech and option #3 a higher tech option on the table). February may have told them that they need to switch to their third model as the final hardware design.

The delay may have been a reaction in hardware (that was already designed if needed) and approach.

I could see a company with Microsoft's money having multiple options vs having to stick with a single idea and no options after seeing the competition.

This seems to be the likely scenario. At least I think so.

 

[PhatSaqs]

People do not think its a scam. If you do, go to the inferior psn.

 

[nib95]

TBH I don't think it is power... just lack of games and a name that sounds like the original console.

Power too imo. Lets be honest, the motion control craze finished a while back, now you can get motion control but with better hardware and better visuals on the other consoles. I for one am not interested in buying a next gen console with old gen tech and visuals. The last few years have increasingly highlighted the technical ineptitudes of current gen hardware along with all the graphical flaws. Part of the reason people are interested in the next gen consoles is to overcome those graphical deficiencies.