Xbox 2 coming in 2005!!

Halo 2.5 or some kind of Halo: Double Pak (with Halo 1 and 2 remade) might be possible with new online/multiplayer modes though.

Or MS could just crack the whip and insist on Halo 3 for launch or close to launch.
 
For the Xenon to succeed, a lot depends on what is MS primary goal? Is it to build an installed user base, or is it to turn a profit.

MS can build user base by subsidising the cost of the console, like they did with the Xbox.

But if MS actually want to turn a profit this time over the 5 year cycle, it won't be so easy for them to give the console away.

The only reason the Xbox has a market in Europe, is because the cost was slashed 3 times in 12 months, and then had 3 games bundled with it.

The Blu-Ray, HD-DVD decision will also be significant. No High Definition format and Xenon will be spec light in comparision to the PS3. Choose the wrong format and you will be tard with failure. Choose Blu-Ray and give license fees to Sony!

Buzz for Blu-Ray going into Christmas '05 is going to be big. HD-DVD will be dead-on-arrival. Don't believe me? Just visit any AV/Home Theatre to see the current Blu-Ray hype.

How does the PSP effect the Xenon launch? It will be the handheld's first Christmas in the US. A lot of people will be putting dollars that way rather than to Xenon.

Finally, how does cutting short the Xbox's life effect market sentiment? Xenon will be unveiled at CES in January. That pours ice on anyone that got Halo 2 and an Xbox for Christmas. They've only got 12 months of B grade games released to look forward to, before the supply stops.
 
It's seems that MS' goals are much clearer to them than they were previously. Looking at how they're building it, the profit potential is going to be much more sound in its planning and quick to happen in their next system. Userbase growth is going to happen in the normal fashion by way of smart pricing, more effective marketing, and highly-attractive titles.

Media-type will definitely be important...to some. I personally think that the upcoming format 'war' is much too early and far too incremental a change in what they offer consumers to make it a big deal for the next 4 years...when other, superior media type have surfaced by that time.

Sony's PSP isn't going to impact Xenon in any real way, as the markets are separate, IMO. The only thing that PSP is going to have an impact on is Nintendo's and Sony's bottom line and focus.

The potential for a Xenon release at the end of next year will negatively impact the current XBOX, but I'm not so sure it'll be all that significant to consumers for the reason of forthcoming obsolescence. Game development for the current system will be affected, if it hasn't already...
 
Wow guys you act like it's all over.

About PS3 still being 1st: Noone knows that since this time PS3 is not launching early and in case Sony fucks it up in hardware or programming there is no turning back. The tables could easily turn from bad publicity.

About the Xbox2 becoming a huge success: Consider that Microsoft doesn't have the huge amount of money backing up the console this time so don't be surpised if Xbox2 doesn't turn out to be the dream console everyone is expecting it to be. Plus you're obviously speaking only for USA, since in Japan it's almost certain it will fail due to Japanese refusal to buy the console, and in Europe in case the console is unhackable like MS is saying it won't have the warm welcome it had there because of piracy.

About Revolution becoming a huge success (in case someone said it -which I doubt-): Nintendo. Unless they wake up. Which is kinda difficult. Or unless they invent something new which will revolusionize gaming. More difficult.

As far as I'm concerned all consoles have the same chances and I would not be surprised if in three years the tables have significantly turned.
 
Excellent :D Out of all the next gen consoles, this has to be the one I'm looking forward to most! I can't wait, and especially can't wait to see what the launch titles look like.

BTW guys, did you know www.xboxnext.com is registered by Microsoft?
 
Just some points to note :-

Backwards Compatibility :

Since when was this "Industry Standard"? As far as I'm aware the PS2 is the only console (one could argue GBA I guess) to offer BC. I suppose an argument could be made to suggest that the PS2 makes it industry standard, but I don't buy that.

BC is a nice to have for a feature list, and for more hardcore early-adopters, that said I do think that having the previous systems library of games is a great boon AT LAUNCH, but after that it is less important IMO.

BC could be a double edged sword for both MS AND Sony (who have not yet confirmed BC for PS3 - http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=271844&whichpage=1&#1678094
Kutaragi also confirmed that work is underway to make the PS3 compatible with previous generation PlayStations, but that challenges lie ahead. "[Backwards compatibility] is our desire and it's something we need to take on. We really want to make backwards compatibility happen--we think that's the beauty of the PS," said Kutaragi.
)

IMO Sony must (and probably will have) BC with PS3 - they introduced the concept, and may fall foul if the don't carry it forward.

MS on the other hand has Xbox Live to consider - this is where I see BC as a bit of a minefield for them - Xenon Live? Separate to Xbox Live? How will they play it? With the investment that they have made into Xbox Live, it will be interesting to see what transpires.

Xenon appears to hinge on MS's XNA platform - if this development environment is all it's been made out to be (reduces dev costs, time etc) then they may do well and have a decent launch lineup and second wave - there is only a year till the prospected launch, and if XNA is just a smoke and mirrors buzzword, then they may well suffer next November.

As far as I see it Next Gen, even more so than any before will be about the games, and less about the hardware - the costs & time to create Next Gen games will be greater than this gen all things being equal, both from a technical (multithreading, greater phsysics & AI systems) and artistic (far higher amount of Art assets & resources will be needed) POV.

Judging by the proposed specs of PS3 & Xeneon, unless the developer tools and middleware offset the increased burden of art and tech, then either all that power will be untapped and games won't look much different to Far Cry/Doom 3 hell even Riddick for that matter, or dev times will increase even more and we can all face the inevitable delay after delay.

Just my tuppence worth.
 
since in Japan it's almost certain it will fail due to Japanese refusal to buy the console, and in Europe in case the console is unhackable like MS is saying it won't have the warm welcome it had there because of piracy
XBox 1 didn't fail in Japan because Japanese refuse to buy the console. And frankly, given how bad MS handled Asian markets, they pretty much can't do any worse next gen, likely they can only do better.
As for Europe, they didn't exactly get a warm reception this time around to begin with, so I doubt it has much to do with anti-piracy either.
 
CrimsonSkies said:
I'm still not going to believe the Xbox 2 will be the weakest console next gen until I see it. I think all these companies will have powerful hardware, and each will offer a few tricks the others don't have.

Yes Microsoft will somehow stop the hardware industry from evolving to the time both PS3 and Revolution come out.


It will be a sight to behold here in GA when the xbots will be faced with the fact they will have the weakest machine......
 
Who the hell cares? I'll still be playing this winter's games by then. Hell, I'll probably be playing today's games through March. No Halo 3 at launch (which is probable since Bungie wants to do another game first) equals no sale.

By the way, who is Matt kidding? Most of his lineup of "big titles" will probably get delayed into 2006 anyway.
 
It will also, be a shock to behold for Gafers to see M$'s console saling more than Sony's machine. Prepare!!!
 
gollumsluvslave said:
Since when was this "Industry Standard"? As far as I'm aware the PS2 is the only console (one could argue GBA I guess) to offer BC.

Sure it is... if you're a youngin. ;) Atari did BC back in the day.
 
Mother: "Is the new Playstation out? The Playstation 3?"

<kid interjects>

"Mommy, I want to play Xbox!"

Store clerk: "Yes. The new Playstation 3 was just released."

Mother: "Does it play the new Xbox games?"

Store clerk: "No ma'am, it's Playstation. It only plays Playstation games."

Mother: "Oh. Well, I bought him a Playstation 2 last generation, and it had so many games. But all the games on the shelves right now say 'Xenon'."

<mother leaves with new Xbox>
 
Bluemercury said:
Yes Microsoft will somehow stop the hardware industry from evolving to the time both PS3 and Revolution come out.


It will be a sight to behold here in GA when the xbots will be faced with the fact they will have the weakest machine......


Well, as far as we know, PS3 is basically launching in Japan within a 3-month timeframe of the US launch of xbox 2. I think it's naive to assume that the 3 month difference will really make the PS3 that much more powerful of a machine. It's quite possible that Nintendo will have the overall most powerful machine this time around. If they can market it as something other than a kids toy (i.e. no purple lunchbox, a decent controller that doesn't look like something from fisher price), they could be a serious dark horse next gen.
 
Fafalada said:
XBox 1 didn't fail in Japan because Japanese refuse to buy the console. And frankly, given how bad MS handled Asian markets, they pretty much can't do any worse next gen, likely they can only do better.
As for Europe, they didn't exactly get a warm reception this time around to begin with, so I doubt it has much to do with anti-piracy either.

What did they do wrong in Japan? The great offers, the commercials and generally the hype they tried to create? I don't think they did anything wrong. And the thing with the scrached discs was just a reason the japanese found to express their feelings for the console. They're obviously biased against it.
As for the "warm welcome" I used the wrong words. Xbox didn't have a warm welcome in Europe (let's not forget the price problems) but they surely accepted it warmly after it was hacked. I for example don't know someone who has an xbox not hacked. Seriously.
 
Che said:
And the thing with the scrached discs was just a reason the japanese found to express their feelings for the console. They're obviously biased against it.
So the Xbox failing in Japan had everything to do with the bias of the Japanese consumer and nothing to do with the lack of decent Japanese support for the console (save Team Ninja and to a lesser extent outfits like From Software).

Right.
 
Bluemercury said:
Yes Microsoft will somehow stop the hardware industry from evolving to the time both PS3 and Revolution come out.


It will be a sight to behold here in GA when the xbots will be faced with the fact they will have the weakest machine......

And we all see how that has utterly crippled the PS2's ability to compete. :)

The simple fact is that even though the Xbox and Gamecube are technologically superior to the PS2, the difference isn't so huge to the "casual" naked eye to make a difference.
 
explodet said:
So the Xbox failing in Japan had everything to do with the bias of the Japanese consumer and nothing to do with the lack of decent Japanese support for the console (save Team Ninja and to a lesser extent outfits like From Software).

Right.

I'm talking hardwarewise and marketingwise.
 
Nerevar said:
It's quite possible that Nintendo will have the overall most powerful machine this time around. If they can market it as something other than a kids toy (i.e. no purple lunchbox, a decent controller that doesn't look like something from fisher price), they could be a serious dark horse next gen.

I like you <3

But seriously, i'm eager to see what Iwata does this go round. Remember gamecube was as good as launched when he took on the job. Nintendo has already shown a great deal of goodwill towards gamers as of late. They are more willing to listen to feedback from gamers (DS re-design, my nintendo, changes made to software).

Not only do they have to get the hardware right. Almost as important, the look and the image have to be totally revamped. No room for screw ups this time. Face change or face extinction. And get a new franchise going for the older crowd, or get someone to make it for them. A Goldeneye for the new generation so to speak. Fund another Retro if necessary. This too is important.
 
If Nintendo releases late with a good media format it could get all those Ports that’s the Xbox has been getting this gen.

Metal Gear and GTA games?


Nintendo’s first party titles +
Powerful console = easy to port PS3/XB2 games

Makes for a great console!
 
Chi-Town said:
And we all see how that has utterly crippled the PS2's ability to compete. :)

The simple fact is that even though the Xbox and Gamecube are technologically superior to the PS2, the difference isn't so huge to the "casual" naked eye to make a difference.

Xbox's road to a solid 2nd place is attributed to it being the technical leader. Play it down as much as you like but in North America and Europe Xbox wouldn't be in it's position if it's graphics were not superior to PS2.
 
SolidSnakex said:
Care to give reasons why?

well, they do have a new head of the company for this console release for the first time, who I don't think will repeat the mistakes the company made with Gamecube (i.e. childish design).
 
SolidSnakex said:
Care to give reasons why?

Just going by Iwata's interview comments. He's stated they will offer all the same features as their competitor's. He's shown that they can design hardware that appeals to an older demographic. The new style Zelda. The critical success of both Metroid Prime 1 and 2.

Slow steps to be sure, but needed steps nonetheless.

Give him a chance to healm his own home system before writing them off. I'm expecting to be surprised, and I think the naysayers will be too.
 
gollumsluvslave said:
Since when was this "Industry Standard"? As far as I'm aware the PS2 is the only console (one could argue GBA I guess) to offer BC. I suppose an argument could be made to suggest that the PS2 makes it industry standard, but I don't buy that.
I don't think anyone claimed it was some sort of industry standard but it is notable that three of the best selling consumer electronics products ever - the PS2, GBA and DVD - are all BC. Whether its value is short-lived or more sustained shouldn't matter for a new product that's looking to be first to market - anything that can help the product capitalize on the early start to put distance between itself and competitors' eventual releases, in terms of sales advantage, is important.
 
BC is a selling point for a lot of people, espeeeeeeeeeeeeeecially parents. i dont know how many ps2s\gbasp's ive sold to people who werent really wanting ot spend the money until i told them about the bc

releasing xbox2 during a time when xbox is doing so well without BC is going to disenfranchise alot of people.
 
kaching said:
I don't think anyone claimed it was some sort of industry standard but it is notable that three of the best selling consumer electronics products ever - the PS2, GBA and DVD - are all BC.

Also having it while another system doesn't is an advantage for the system that has it. So Sony could potentially have BC, the strongest system, the best image, the best 3rd party support ect. Why exactly would you give Sony more advantages? That's all that really is. I'd think it'd make more sense to take their advantages away rather than give them more.
 
I still think it's bad decision for the Xbox2 in 2005. Alot of people bought an Xbox with Halo or during the last year or so. They got screwed.
A console generation should last 5 years at least. Present hardware aren't pushed to their maximum yet, why jump already to new hardware? And the Xbox is especially NOT pushed. This is called "over-consumtion". I hope consoles gamers doesn't wish the console industry to go fast as the PC market and obviously get FREAKIN screwed. And get unoptimised games. You buy an Xbox2 at launch or whatever wish the next gen to arrive before 2006 then you're that clan.

Another things is that it seems obvious to me that you don't launch your console first if you aren't the leader. History so far can tell us that. Microsoft is giving itself a bigger challenge by making this early move. When the Xbox2 will launch, there will be still ALOT of money to make outta PS2 game per example. Devellopers may not want to jump all that fast. Will it be worth the cost too? The first year of a console is always slow and it may just be even slower this time around.
Microsoft is having momentum right now and should build on it a little more. People are exited, may feel screwed in 2005 and may find that there's not as many games as they hype for the Xbox2. Microsoft should hype the Xbox2 longer or they could kill their extremely important momentum they have right now.
Microsoft seems to forget that almost 80 000 000 people in this world will ask themselves this simple question that can influence ALOT who's leading the next gen: "should i wait somewhat a year more and get my PS3?"
"Playstation" is the strongest brand right now. If Sony comes up with a good machine, many people will jump on it because of their trust in the brand. "Many" on a 80 000 000 userbase means are freakin lot of people... and $$$
 
Speevy said:
Mother: "Is the new Playstation out? The Playstation 3?"

<kid interjects>

"Mommy, I want to play Xbox!"

Store clerk: "Yes. The new Playstation 3 was just released."

Mother: "Does it play the new Xbox games?"

Store clerk: "No ma'am, it's Playstation. It only plays Playstation games."

Mother: "Oh. Well, I bought him a Playstation 2 last generation, and it had so many games. But all the games on the shelves right now say 'Xenon'."

<mother leaves with new Xbox>


this is such a retarded post.
 
Wyzdom said:
I still think it's bad decision for the Xbox2 in 2005. Alot of people bought an Xbox with Halo or during the last year or so. They got screwed.
A console generation should last 5 years at least. Present hardware aren't pushed to their maximum yet, why jump already to new hardware? And the Xbox is especially NOT pushed. This is called "over-consumtion". I hope consoles gamers doesn't wish the console industry to go fast as the PC market and obviously get FREAKIN screwed. And get unoptimised games. You buy an Xbox2 at launch or whatever wish the next gen to arrive before 2006 then you're that clan.

Another things is that it seems obvious to me that you don't launch your console first if you aren't the leader. History so far can tell us that. Microsoft is giving itself a bigger challenge by making this early move. When the Xbox2 will launch, there will be still ALOT of money to make outta PS2 game per example. Devellopers may not want to jump all that fast. Will it be worth the cost too? The first year of a console is always slow and it may just be even slower this time around.
Microsoft is having momentum right now and should build on it a little more. People are exited, may feel screwed in 2005 and may find that there's not as many games as they hype for the Xbox2. Microsoft should hype the Xbox2 longer or they could kill their extremely important momentum they have right now.
Microsoft seems to forget that almost 80 000 000 people in this world will ask themselves this simple question that can influence ALOT who's leading the next gen: "should i wait somewhat a year more and get my PS3?"
"Playstation" is the strongest brand right now. If Sony comes up with a good machine, many people will jump on it because of their trust in the brand. "Many" on a 80 000 000 userbase means are freakin lot of people... and $$$

The PS3 will be launching months after the XB2 in Japan, So plenty of developers will be ready to move onto the next gen!
 
sp0rsk said:
BC is a selling point for a lot of people, espeeeeeeeeeeeeeecially parents. i dont know how many ps2s\gbasp's ive sold to people who werent really wanting ot spend the money until i told them about the bc

releasing xbox2 during a time when xbox is doing so well without BC is going to disenfranchise alot of people.


Also BC is important for collectors. Even the best kept Xbox or PS2 will eventually suffer a serious drive failure (or HDD malfunction for Xbox). If I can only play Panzer Dragoon Orta on my Xbox1 and my Xbox1 dies in 10 years, I'll be right pissed off, since my options at that point will be limited to finding another used Xbox that might still be viable.
 
Wyzdom said:
I still think it's bad decision for the Xbox2 in 2005. Alot of people bought an Xbox with Halo or during the last year or so. They got screwed.
A console generation should last 5 years at least. Present hardware aren't pushed to their maximum yet, why jump already to new hardware? And the Xbox is especially NOT pushed. This is called "over-consumtion". I hope consoles gamers doesn't wish the console industry to go fast as the PC market and obviously get FREAKIN screwed. And get unoptimised games. You buy an Xbox2 at launch or whatever wish the next gen to arrive before 2006 then you're that clan.

Wyzdom
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How can you be screwed when you got a console for $150 that has over 500 games available with many of the good games selling for $20. If I buy a Dreamcast tomorrow, will I be getting screwed?
 
What could the killer franchises be? Perfect Dark came out back in 2000. Do that many people remember the game? Really, outside of Halo there has been no huge seller for XBox. Everyone knows Halo 3 is coming, but I doubt they could have the game done in a year. I'd be suprised if Halo 3 shipped in late 2006.
 
jedimike said:
Wyzdom
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How can you be screwed when you got a console for $150 that has over 500 games available with many of the good games selling for $20. If I buy a Dreamcast tomorrow, will I be getting screwed?


youre not paying 150 for a dreamcast duder and you knwo what youre getting into.

none of these people buying xboxes know that their new systme is going to be replaced in the next 12 months.

Edit: i doubt perfect dark will be much of a selling point for anyone.
 
sp0rsk said:
youre not paying 150 for a dreamcast duder and you knwo what youre getting into.

none of these people buying xboxes know that their new systme is going to be replaced in the next 12 months.


I still don't see how your getting screwed. $150 for an Xbox is super cheap entertainment. If you buy an Xbox now, you're not buying it for Halo 6 or PGR5... you're buying it for Halo 1&2, Tom Clancy Games, Rallisports, KotoR's, etc. Even if you're getting it just for XBL, XBL will still be around when Xenon debuts.
 
sp0rsk said:
Edit: i doubt perfect dark will be much of a selling point for anyone.
Seriously. I never know why people refer to Perfect Dark like some kind of important popular franchise. It was only one game that came at the end of a dying console's lifecycle.

For the record, I don't think the PS3 will be hitting the US a few months after the Xbox2, as many people seem to be assuming.

EDIT: Also, chalk me up under "intrigued at what Nintendo's got up their sleeve". I don't think they can be automatically counted as a non-contender quite yet.
 
jedimike said:
I still don't see how your getting screwed. $150 for an Xbox is super cheap entertainment. If you buy an Xbox now, you're not buying it for Halo 6 or PGR5... you're buying it for Halo 1&2, Tom Clancy Games, Rallisports, KotoR's, etc. Even if you're getting it just for XBL, XBL will still be around when Xenon debuts.


hypothetically, if xbox 2 has no BC (like people are saying) do you really t hink these people are gonna be happy about buying all these games and a new system and 12 months later realize that they cant use them on the new one?
 
sp0rsk said:
hypothetically, if xbox 2 has no BC (like people are saying) do you really t hink these people are gonna be happy about buying all these games and a new system and 12 months later realize that they cant use them on the new one?

Yeah, like it or not, PS2 *HAS* set the expectation with the mainstream now that consoles will be backwards compatible.
 
Do The Mario said:
The PS3 will be launching months after the XB2 in Japan, So plenty of developers will be ready to move onto the next gen!

The thing is that when the PS3 is launching, the develloper swill have to move on and that's all. They would have to go with the flow. It's the same thing here as when devellopers had to chance from NES to go on SNES.

And to all people highlighting my tag, it's obviously the easier way to try to compensate for a lack of arguments ;)
You should highlight that when i speak proudly about myself... but you're unlucky, my vanity is next to none and i don't borrow any stupid ego with anything.
 
sp0rsk said:
hypothetically, if xbox 2 has no BC (like people are saying) do you really t hink these people are gonna be happy about buying all these games and a new system and 12 months later realize that they cant use them on the new one?

So every body that brought an Xbox in the last few months is going to buy an Xbox two at launch?

Why does it need to be backwards compatible they already own an Xbox?
 
Wyzdom said:
The thing is that when the PS3 is launching, the develloper swill have to move on and that's all. They would have to go with the flow. It's the same thing here as when devellopers had to chance from NES to go on SNES.

And to all people highlighting my tag, it's obviously the easier way to try to compensate for a lack of arguments ;)
You should highlight that when i speak proudly about myself... but you're unlucky, my vanity is next to none and i don't borrow any stupid ego with anything.

So three months makes a huge difference?

The Xbox will definitely have a small lead and developers would just port XB2 Titles to the PS3 upon its release.


How many good third party games do you think will come out in the three months between NA XB2 and the JAP PS3?
 
Do The Mario said:
So every body that brought an Xbox in the last few months is going to buy an Xbox two at launch?

Why does it need to be backwards compatible they already own an Xbox?

Nah it's just that when you purchase a console, you wish it will be surported and you get new games. If they feel they become the left overs after a year or so, i suppose many will feel screwed. I hear people complaining they would by the PS2 but the PS3 is coming to fast EVERYDAY. Just imagine how some people may feel about their Xbox.
Personnally i would feel screwed. I would feel like Microsoft is sending me a big middle finger.
 
Do The Mario said:
So three months makes a huge difference?

The Xbox will definitely have a small lead and developers would just port XB2 Titles to the PS3 upon its release.


How many good third party games do you think will come out in the three months between NA XB2 and the JAP PS3?

You know it will be 3 months? You lucky to know the official release dates of the Xbox2 and PS3. Can you leak it for me please?
 
Do The Mario said:
So every body that brought an Xbox in the last few months is going to buy an Xbox two at launch?

Why does it need to be backwards compatible they already own an Xbox?


1. Because PS3 will be backwards compatible and MS having fewer features will hurt it at retail.

2. Because PS2 has set the expectation with the mainstream that consoles will be backwards compatible and see that BC adds value to existing libraries. Parents like BC because it validates their earlier investment in the previous generation and it also provides for cheaper software available for the new hardware. New comers to Xbox like it because it allows them to sample the best stuff from the previous generation that they might have missed. Existing Xbox owners like it because it at the very least can reduce clutter around the TV and lets Xbox owners trade in their old hardware for the new hardware without sacrificing their Xbox library. Collectors like it because it ensures a steady supply of NEW hardware that can play legacy titles.

3. Backwards compatibility means that the generational change from Xbox1 to Xenon can be smoother. There is less incentive for developers of xbox1 games to suddenly shift it to Xenon, since Xenon owners could still (and would probably be) very likely to buy the best of the final crop of Xbox1 games.
 
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