Xbox 2 coming in 2005!!
- Thread starter Spike
- Start date
CrimsonSkies
Member
"DC hit before the PS2."
Without EA.
Without EA.
Speevy said:
Sega also had no momentum coming off the failure that was the Saturn (commercial here, some of the best games ever are on that platform). MS has some serious momentum with XBox, and if they can translate that to the Xenon successfully, then their lead could be formidible.
one bird in hand is better than two in the bush. its good that xbox is capable but aside from a few games like otogi 1/2, PDO, outrun 2, KUF, xbox games arent very stylish or full of flare.Speevy said:
not saying Halo 1/2 is bad or anything, but xbox could have used more eastern exclusives. its a waste of power.
Mr_Furious
Member
So the Xbox lacks "culture" but it sure isn't the Xbox's fault
+ headstart
- cutting short the current generation possibly too soon?
+ puts pressure on Sony though
- projects moved from X-BOX to Xenon
+ gaining momentum
- possibly no BC...will be a major blow to momentum
+ will focus on a strong launch line up though
- they lose the power edge they had this generation
+ not much of a power difference, in the end, though
- people might be expecting more from the Xenon than MS is willing to pack-in this time
+ if they're smart they'll offer a HD/BC/extra features add-on option to satisfy whiners/naysayers
- Sony hype train
+ counter with Halo 3 announcement, save it for when PS3 launches
+ could get big push from the entertainment industry which could choose HD-DVD over BR since, due to Xenon, HD-DVD will be in a major product before BR (this is suppossing HD-DVD is in Xenon)
+ could get a big push from 3RD parties (especially Western) who want to "even the scales" so that Sony & MS will both have large profitable portions of the market to profit off of (Genisis VS SNES) and so they can use that as a bargaining advantage as MS & Sony will likely go into bidding wars for support/exclussives
+ better footing in online gaming, which should matter more next generation
- they will underestimate Nintendo even moreso than they did this generation, be forwarned, Revolution will not be another purple lunchbox
This comes alot down to games. X-BOX was strong for Tom Clansey games, PC ports, FPS's, sports & Star Wars games. What I expect MS (if they're smart) to have lined up at/near Xenon launch:
Perfect Dark
It's really hard to tell, but I think this has GOT to be a give in. I mean, alot of people would want Halo 3 or whatever, but I think it's more realistic to give Bungie more time on number 3 while letting RARE *finally* step up and do something...they have to have something good to show after all this time.
Madden
EA is gonna support all three equally I think, but with Xenon having a headstart the best version of Madden will be on Xenon (as well as Xenon Live) EA could be finding a new "home" on MS consoles...why...'cos they'll likely port thier new builds/models/engines from what they started on Xenon to PS3 & Revolution...instead of PS2 to X-BOX.
GTA
Instead of porting San Andreas to X-BOX, why not wait 'til Xenon launch and do an online GTA with even better graphics and more hype? That way Take2/RockStar will be saying to Sony: "hey, our price just went up on the next exclussive". 3RD parties will use this time, this launch, to play MS & Sony against each other to bargain *cough*buy*cough* thier games. Don't think they won't, 'cos you know they will.
Splinter Cell
It's a damn garaunteed give-in. Splinter Cell wouldn't be so hyped today without MS/X-BOX, UbiSoft will throw a major Splinter Cell game Xenon's way and I see it coming at/near launch in a big way.
Star Wars Episode III
I could see MS potentially making this title(s) *major* for Xenon. Xenon (with it's headstart) will have the best looking version of a Episode III game and riding off of the movies garaunteed success I can see Lucas Arts & . Factor 5 also displayed alot of interest in working with MS, and KOTOR did well on X-BOX...I see big things for MS & Lucas Arts in the future.
DOOM 3
I think that the X-BOX version will be moved to Xenon's launch. It may still come to X-BOX, but I just see an even better Xenon version in the works for Xenon.
new franchise(s)
This is usually the time for companies to risk new idea's. With the aboved games likely coming at/near launch I can see 3RD parties very willing to cash in on the momentum by filling in the gaps. MS in house will also likely be filling in the other gaps as well. There could be a couple of X-BOX projects also moved to Xenon, which sucks for X-BOX, but could really set Xenon up for an even stronger launch.
So there we go, my assessment of Xenon's launch...good and bad. And if it comes down to games, then I'd say they're gonna do well.
- cutting short the current generation possibly too soon?
+ puts pressure on Sony though
- projects moved from X-BOX to Xenon
+ gaining momentum
- possibly no BC...will be a major blow to momentum
+ will focus on a strong launch line up though
- they lose the power edge they had this generation
+ not much of a power difference, in the end, though
- people might be expecting more from the Xenon than MS is willing to pack-in this time
+ if they're smart they'll offer a HD/BC/extra features add-on option to satisfy whiners/naysayers
- Sony hype train
+ counter with Halo 3 announcement, save it for when PS3 launches
+ could get big push from the entertainment industry which could choose HD-DVD over BR since, due to Xenon, HD-DVD will be in a major product before BR (this is suppossing HD-DVD is in Xenon)
+ could get a big push from 3RD parties (especially Western) who want to "even the scales" so that Sony & MS will both have large profitable portions of the market to profit off of (Genisis VS SNES) and so they can use that as a bargaining advantage as MS & Sony will likely go into bidding wars for support/exclussives
+ better footing in online gaming, which should matter more next generation
- they will underestimate Nintendo even moreso than they did this generation, be forwarned, Revolution will not be another purple lunchbox
This comes alot down to games. X-BOX was strong for Tom Clansey games, PC ports, FPS's, sports & Star Wars games. What I expect MS (if they're smart) to have lined up at/near Xenon launch:
Perfect Dark
It's really hard to tell, but I think this has GOT to be a give in. I mean, alot of people would want Halo 3 or whatever, but I think it's more realistic to give Bungie more time on number 3 while letting RARE *finally* step up and do something...they have to have something good to show after all this time.
Madden
EA is gonna support all three equally I think, but with Xenon having a headstart the best version of Madden will be on Xenon (as well as Xenon Live) EA could be finding a new "home" on MS consoles...why...'cos they'll likely port thier new builds/models/engines from what they started on Xenon to PS3 & Revolution...instead of PS2 to X-BOX.
GTA
Instead of porting San Andreas to X-BOX, why not wait 'til Xenon launch and do an online GTA with even better graphics and more hype? That way Take2/RockStar will be saying to Sony: "hey, our price just went up on the next exclussive". 3RD parties will use this time, this launch, to play MS & Sony against each other to bargain *cough*buy*cough* thier games. Don't think they won't, 'cos you know they will.
Splinter Cell
It's a damn garaunteed give-in. Splinter Cell wouldn't be so hyped today without MS/X-BOX, UbiSoft will throw a major Splinter Cell game Xenon's way and I see it coming at/near launch in a big way.
Star Wars Episode III
I could see MS potentially making this title(s) *major* for Xenon. Xenon (with it's headstart) will have the best looking version of a Episode III game and riding off of the movies garaunteed success I can see Lucas Arts & . Factor 5 also displayed alot of interest in working with MS, and KOTOR did well on X-BOX...I see big things for MS & Lucas Arts in the future.
DOOM 3
I think that the X-BOX version will be moved to Xenon's launch. It may still come to X-BOX, but I just see an even better Xenon version in the works for Xenon.
new franchise(s)
This is usually the time for companies to risk new idea's. With the aboved games likely coming at/near launch I can see 3RD parties very willing to cash in on the momentum by filling in the gaps. MS in house will also likely be filling in the other gaps as well. There could be a couple of X-BOX projects also moved to Xenon, which sucks for X-BOX, but could really set Xenon up for an even stronger launch.
So there we go, my assessment of Xenon's launch...good and bad. And if it comes down to games, then I'd say they're gonna do well.
Do The Mario
Unconfirmed Member
olimario said:
IAWTP
The xbox currently gets a lot of the top PS2 games plus with the first party Nintendo games you cant go wrong.
However I might buy a U.S revolution so I dont have to deal with Nintendo of Australia
I wonder if the Xbox 2 will still be more powerful then the PS3?c
Pedigree Chum
Banned
Good shit, I'll be picking one up for sure.
Do The Mario
Unconfirmed Member
Xbox 2 makes me hard
Rocket Punch
Member
Do The Mario said:
Man, I do feel sorry fo you mates... Did Iwata fire anyone down there when he visited? They should all return their paycheques if u ask me.
Do The Mario
Unconfirmed Member
And appoint me as CEO of Nintendo of Australia!huzkee said:
Awesomeness!
If MS gave the Xbox a 5 yr lifespan the best it could hope for in terms of momentum would be about what Nintendo had coming off the N64...but since its likely that MS is preempting the Xbox lifespan with an early release of XB2 next year, the XB won't have a chance to establish that momentum any further. So the momentum it has at this time is focused mostly behind Halo and more equitable sales of the XB versions of some multiplatform games as compared to the PS2 counterparts. That momentum has been slow to materialize and further has done little or nothing to slow down Sony's momentum with the PS2.GhaleonEB said:
In short, Xbox's momentum seems to be coming from the wrong market segment to translate into early momentum in the next gen that would generate a formidable lead.
Also, there's more incentive with the Xbox than with any previous console to remain behind with it, rather than jump on its next gen sequel. Between the HDD and XBL, many current XB owners have a significant investment in game saves, custom soundtracks, downloaded content and the general onling gaming scene that has been generated for XB1 titles. Unless there's a robust, comprehensive and relatively easy way to translate all or most of that to the XB2, then I'd suspect many current XB1 owners won't consider it worth the hassle at first.
With at least 5 GREAT games at launch, and 5 more within the next 3-4 months, this should work. MS knows what they have, not us. I'm sure PGR3, Madden, and Perfect Dark 0 will be part of those 5. They need an awesome RPG, and an awesome action or platformer game to fill out the launch.
Don't oversaturate the launch with FPS games. Play on xbox 1's weaknesses, namely RPG's and Nintendo type games. Keep the adult xbox/ps2 vibe, but add in a little variety that makes people who wouldn't normally want an xbox turn their heads.
Have Sega make a new Sonic game. And have True Fantasy Live Online start again to be put on Xbox 2 (maybe this is the real reason for it's sudden halted development when it was looking so promising?), or have the team make a new JRPG IP for the launch. With 2 titles like that you'll be covered for variety, at least at launch, and you can gauge the demand for games like that on a new platform.
Have a Bioware title available as well as Halo 3, a Rare title, Forza 2(assuming Forza 1 is a big hit), and another huge exclusive for PS2 launch.
Don't oversaturate the launch with FPS games. Play on xbox 1's weaknesses, namely RPG's and Nintendo type games. Keep the adult xbox/ps2 vibe, but add in a little variety that makes people who wouldn't normally want an xbox turn their heads.
Have Sega make a new Sonic game. And have True Fantasy Live Online start again to be put on Xbox 2 (maybe this is the real reason for it's sudden halted development when it was looking so promising?), or have the team make a new JRPG IP for the launch. With 2 titles like that you'll be covered for variety, at least at launch, and you can gauge the demand for games like that on a new platform.
Have a Bioware title available as well as Halo 3, a Rare title, Forza 2(assuming Forza 1 is a big hit), and another huge exclusive for PS2 launch.
Pedigree Chum
Banned
"Don't oversaturate the launch with FPS games. Play on xbox 1's weaknesses, namely RPG's and Nintendo type games. Keep the adult xbox/ps2 vibe, but add in a little variety that makes people who wouldn't normally want an xbox turn their heads."
This is very important. So many times I'll have people come in to Best Buy and ask for a system that has Adult games (for themselves) and kids games (for their kids), can I can never recommend Xbox. Jak, Ratchet, Sly make PS2 the better system for kids...with GTA's, etc, for the adults. It's a BIG factor, MS needs to push for a more balanced console next gen...don't just cater to the adults, but to all markets.
This is very important. So many times I'll have people come in to Best Buy and ask for a system that has Adult games (for themselves) and kids games (for their kids), can I can never recommend Xbox. Jak, Ratchet, Sly make PS2 the better system for kids...with GTA's, etc, for the adults. It's a BIG factor, MS needs to push for a more balanced console next gen...don't just cater to the adults, but to all markets.
radioheadrule83
Banned
I just bought an Xbox. Feeling slightly owned if true... although I had a feeling this would happen. If there's no backwards compatability I'll sell before E3/CES news hits the mags in shops.
I don't think Sony can match whatever date they're shooting for in the US. Hopefully Nintendo give the US precedence over Japan like they did with DS too. And hopefully it really is a brilliant new kind of machine.
I'll be an early adopter on Nintendo's machine if history is anything to go by, and I'll probably pick up Xenon. I'm wait and see on Sony's launch line up..
I don't think Sony can match whatever date they're shooting for in the US. Hopefully Nintendo give the US precedence over Japan like they did with DS too. And hopefully it really is a brilliant new kind of machine.
I'll be an early adopter on Nintendo's machine if history is anything to go by, and I'll probably pick up Xenon. I'm wait and see on Sony's launch line up..
At this point , Xbox is getting more western third party exclusives and overall better western first party games than Sony. I think the Xbox 2 can be very successful in US based on the strength of its western support alone, while PS3 will probably be very successful in japan. If MS wants to be number one, it has to beat sony in Europe, which is their fortress.
My guess is Xbox 2 will have many more western exclusives because the system will have better tools and better support and MS has great relationship with developers (they're a software company, after all). MS entering the console arena brought a huge pool of talent (namely PC developers) to consoles, I predict this will continue, continuing in high quality 3rd party titles for Xbox 2. I don't think they have a chance in japan, but (third party) japanese games are irrelevant for the most part in US , mostly due to the western developers being much better now.
I expect Live's slow growth curve picking up also, but don't think it will reach the mainstream just yet.
My guess is Xbox 2 will have many more western exclusives because the system will have better tools and better support and MS has great relationship with developers (they're a software company, after all). MS entering the console arena brought a huge pool of talent (namely PC developers) to consoles, I predict this will continue, continuing in high quality 3rd party titles for Xbox 2. I don't think they have a chance in japan, but (third party) japanese games are irrelevant for the most part in US , mostly due to the western developers being much better now.
I expect Live's slow growth curve picking up also, but don't think it will reach the mainstream just yet.
soundwave05
Member
Having a regular XBox is still worth it. Xenon likely won't be backwards compatible and you can still the mod the hell outta your XBox and use it for years as an all-in-one NES/SNES/Genny/arcade etc. emulator.
You know as much as people say the consoles will all be about equally powerful ... I say Sony will make you guys eat your words.
No way in hell does Kutaragi allow PS3 to come to market after Xenon without being considerably more powerful. I would also expect full blown Blu-Ray functionality, including high definition movie playback.
If you thought they were crazy with PSP, I think they'll go even further with PS3.
Sony should definitely invest in a FPS franchise of their own though. This has been two generations in a row that they've been burned by the FPS genre (GoldenEye on the N64, now Halo/Halo 2 on the XBox), a lot of PSX/PS2 owners have bought an N64 or XBox primarily for those games.
Crytek (Far Cry) wouldn't be a bad addition to Sony's 2nd party roster. And yes, I would expect Grand Theft Auto Next (probably online) a go for PS3 launch.
You know as much as people say the consoles will all be about equally powerful ... I say Sony will make you guys eat your words.
No way in hell does Kutaragi allow PS3 to come to market after Xenon without being considerably more powerful. I would also expect full blown Blu-Ray functionality, including high definition movie playback.
If you thought they were crazy with PSP, I think they'll go even further with PS3.
Sony should definitely invest in a FPS franchise of their own though. This has been two generations in a row that they've been burned by the FPS genre (GoldenEye on the N64, now Halo/Halo 2 on the XBox), a lot of PSX/PS2 owners have bought an N64 or XBox primarily for those games.
Crytek (Far Cry) wouldn't be a bad addition to Sony's 2nd party roster. And yes, I would expect Grand Theft Auto Next (probably online) a go for PS3 launch.
Saturn also came out before the Playstation.Speevy said:
Sony has been second to the market twice in a row, and been #1 twice in a row.
Such a reductive thesis that examiness on only one tiny aspect of a console's lifespan is bound to fail. At the end of the day there are a million more far-more-important things that will determine whether or not a system becomes the market leader.
Do The Mario
Unconfirmed Member
When I buy an Xbox 2 my current Xbox will be converted into a gaming museum!
Also it would be interesting if Sony skipped half a generation, and produced a console vastly superior to the Xenon.
I just dont think it would be affordable!
Also it would be interesting if Sony skipped half a generation, and produced a console vastly superior to the Xenon.
I just dont think it would be affordable!
MightyHedgehog
Member
About which systems came into the generation first and their relative success...it doesn't matter all that much if the software isn't the kind people want. It's all going to come down to the kind of software and marketing the system gets.
teh_pwn said:
It will be much more powerful than that. The CPU itself is mightly impressive, it's also a quite "radical" architecture compared to the Xbox. The graphics processor alone will be probably ~2x faster than the best ones currently available, and it's going to have 3 3.0+ghz powercp cores.
My guess is that MS expects PS3 will have a very powerful CPU (sony's betting the farm on that obviously) so they went overboard with the specs. CELL is a completely new architechture and it's doubtful if the tools sony has (if it has any yet) will be up to par or the games might take forever to develop and take full advantage of the architecture. MS already has its tools running on PPC architecture I believe, so they have the edge in that.
Come now, you know damn well that early GT5 shots will look aeons ahead of anything else, just like the supersized supersampled promo shots did on PS2.DCharlie said:Sony hype picks up - screen shots of GT5 (2014 release, but still, best to get em out early!) - no perceivable difference between PS3 and Xb2.
They have already been saying this to BOTH Sony and MS for the past couple of months.
Thats a bold statement. Based purely on the lead times? Its quite possible that PS3 blows Xbox2 away power wise. Its difficult to know right now what they are planning apart from the CPU.
Of course, its also possible that PS3 is a steaming turd (although less likely)
Another bold statement. You should have put a minus in saying exactly the opposite to balance things out.
I'm interested in Xbox2, and I'll watch with pleasure all the Sony Marketing tricks of the trade coming out in force to reduce its impact. 2H05 is going to be fun
Warm Machine
Member
Seriously, playing Halo 2, Gotham 2, and Rallisport 2 I really don't think the Xbox needs a successor until 2006. The graphics are more than fine and will stand up pretty well for another 2 years.
Microsoft has pretty decent market penetration in North America. It is pretty amazing that the Xbox has sold 1 to 3 against the PS2. There is still time to make great games on the system and there is time to start turning a decent profit.
Regardless, I am excited about the next gen but I won't accept anything less than 720p standard resolution.
Microsoft has pretty decent market penetration in North America. It is pretty amazing that the Xbox has sold 1 to 3 against the PS2. There is still time to make great games on the system and there is time to start turning a decent profit.
Regardless, I am excited about the next gen but I won't accept anything less than 720p standard resolution.
soundwave05
Member
I dunno, I played more Zelda: Majora's Mask and Final Fantasy IX than any of my PS2 launch titles.
I bet Sony will have PS3 tech demos/system unveiling at or around E3 2005 as well, as will Nintendo in all likelyhood with Revolution, so don't assume that only XBox 2 will get the spotlight.
I bet Sony will have PS3 tech demos/system unveiling at or around E3 2005 as well, as will Nintendo in all likelyhood with Revolution, so don't assume that only XBox 2 will get the spotlight.
Shogmaster
Member
CrimsonSkies said:
Helloo McFly? First Halo?
People here are only discussing in terms of US.
Sony and Microsoft are actually really close in the schedule IMO.
Microsoft will unveil Xbox2 in January,Sony will unveil PS3 in March 2005.
Both will be at the E3 2005 and Kutaragi even promised the PS3 to be playable there.
At the end of 2005 MS launches Xbox2 in Usa,Sony does the same with PS3 in Japan (or only 3 months later by March 2006).
Hence the situation is really similar,they simply have different priorities since one is an american company and the other a japanese.
The development time is the same too,Sony won't have an effective temporal advantage to change or tune up its hardware to make it better than Xenon.If PS3 really ends up to be more powerful than Xbox2 it will be only because Sony has been able to develop a better technology.
Sony and Microsoft are actually really close in the schedule IMO.
Microsoft will unveil Xbox2 in January,Sony will unveil PS3 in March 2005.
Both will be at the E3 2005 and Kutaragi even promised the PS3 to be playable there.
At the end of 2005 MS launches Xbox2 in Usa,Sony does the same with PS3 in Japan (or only 3 months later by March 2006).
Hence the situation is really similar,they simply have different priorities since one is an american company and the other a japanese.
The development time is the same too,Sony won't have an effective temporal advantage to change or tune up its hardware to make it better than Xenon.If PS3 really ends up to be more powerful than Xbox2 it will be only because Sony has been able to develop a better technology.
MS main advantage for E3 will be that developers will have had much longer with the X2DK and prebeta hardware. IIRC the first dual G5 with R420 have been shipped about 9 months ago to devs, with loads of documentation and of course the first APIs. And since the dev environment is still mostly the same as for the current Xbox I'm sure they did not lose much time having to learn using new tools/compilers and started working right.
Personally I just *can't* what to see PGR3 running. PGR2 is the game I spend the most time playing this gen (online of course) and Bizarre will have had 2 years to work on the new one (compare it to 10 months for MSR -> PGR1)
Personally I just *can't* what to see PGR3 running. PGR2 is the game I spend the most time playing this gen (online of course) and Bizarre will have had 2 years to work on the new one (compare it to 10 months for MSR -> PGR1)
The only big launch title I can imagine for Xenon would be Halo 3, and I highly doubt they'll be able to get it out in time. I guess there's the new Perfect Dark too, but I'm not convinced it would be a "big" title (and would anyone trust Rare to deliver at a very set date nowadays?). But I only see Halo 3 as a possible system seller, unless something unexpected happens. Like a next-gen GTA being released for Xenon.
Shogmaster
Member
Blimblim said:
With 6 Power PC cores, hopefully Bizzare can afford from extra cycles to the opposing cars' AIs this time around. :lol
Midas said:
You mean like Killzone?
I don't think it's that easy though...this is not only about selling a game, it's about selling a console too. At launch, when it's most expensive at that. Getting people to buy a console for a game they haven't even seen, that's nigh impossible unless the title is familiar and popular.
Project Midway
Member
Maybe Bungie did Halo 3 in parallel with Halo 2 and thats why Halo 2 ends like it ends... *wants to believe*Kiriku said:
=)
PGR3 for Xbox2? Awesome! I've read that on Kikizo a few months back, but it's nice to hear it repeated again.
I think that they should move back Forza Motorsports to an Xbox 2 title. I don't think it would do too well releasing near GT4. It would sell better as an early Xbox 2 title. Then they could also make it 60 FPS
I think that they should move back Forza Motorsports to an Xbox 2 title. I don't think it would do too well releasing near GT4. It would sell better as an early Xbox 2 title. Then they could also make it 60 FPS