If you have to ask, it's probably ghosts.
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Name“Box.” It’s the ultimate expression of Microsoft’s attempts to make their console more than just a console, but rather a single device that fulfills all of a home’s media needs and more (we’ll get to the “and more”). Not only does the name become more inclusive of the hardware’s widened horizons, but it rolls off the tongue more easily, and, however slightly, improves the names for those who suffer from hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia. Short, simple, and snazzy.Main SpecsProcessor: An unannounced collaboration between Microsoft and Intel resulting in a processor that has been designed exclusively for the Box. The Box will boast a dual processor setup, with each x86-64 processor sporting 16 cores with HyperThreading, expanding the 32 physical cores to a total of 64 physical and virtual cores as needed.Memory: GDDR5 16GBHDD: The Box will provide multiple storage options. All SKUs will be loaded with SSD storage, allowing for nearly instant console activation and operation. The capacities will range from 256GB in the low end model to 1TB in the premium model. The Box’s OS will be given a dedicated 128GB SSD on all models, separate from storage, to allow for OS operation, avatar items, applications, and other relevant files.OS: The Box will run Windows 8, allowing for easy development of cross-platform gameplay between PC and Box users.Optical: The Box will use a Blu-Ray drive.Core FunctionalityThe Box will retain the obvious ability to play video games, movies, music, and more. The user interface will be drastically different than what console users are accustomed to, however, with the introduction of Windows 8 as the operating platform. This opens the Box up to functionality that had been previously restricted (or in certain cases, should have been restricted) to personal computers, including word processing, database maintenance, social media, porn, and more. As a bonus, it has been confirmed that not only will the Box play used games, it will also not require a constant Internet connection…in certain cases. More on that in the “LIVE” section below.Unexpected FeatureThis week, Microsoft announced the arrival of the Pizza Hut application for the Xbox 360, allowing users to order pizzas straight from their console. This was just the first step in what has apparently been a collaboration long in the making. In a secret deal, Microsoft has acquired the technology behind the Easy-Bake Oven from Hasbro. Not only will you be able to order pizza from your Box, you’ll have it delivered from your Box.LIVEMicrosoft has done a wonderful job of providing a stable, functional online service in the form of Xbox LIVE. With Box, the connected service will be called “BoxOn.” BoxOn will come in muliple flavors for Box users:BoxOn Core: Core is the basic level of BoxOn, and allows access to the store, basic Internet access, matchmaking/chat, and access for non-Box subscription services (Hulu, Netflix, etc.). BoxOn Core is available for $9.99/year.BoxOn Advanced: Advanced is the intermediate level of BoxOn that allows all of the functionality of BoxOn Core, but adds priority placement in matchmaking, download queues, and speed allocation. BoxOn Advanced is available for $39.99/year.BoxOn Professional: Professional is the ultimate level of BoxOn. It includes all of the functionality of Core and Advanced (with higher priority placement), and includes discounts and deals on store content. BoxOn Professional is available for $69.99/year.BoxOn is not required for core functionality (playing physical media), but is required for any online interaction, including system updates and store access.PricingFinally, our totally real source has given us an advance look at the Box’s pricing range. The lowest end model of the Box will be available for a scant $249.99 at launch, with the highest end model peaking at $599.99. Full details of intermediate models are not yet available.Again, all of this information was provided by an anonymous (to you), but totally verified and legit (as far as you know) internal Microsoft source.
the ps4 announcement wasn't shown on TV, was it? (it happened only two months ago..my memory don't work too good)what celebrity is elijah wood popular circa 2005? the dude from avatar?
Maxy in the anger stage of grief. Just for extra trolling MS isn't going to reveal whether the next box is "always online" or not.
Quote from: mjemirzian on April 24, 2013, 04:52:29 PMMaxy in the anger stage of grief. Just for extra trolling MS isn't going to reveal whether the next box is "always online" or not.Believe me,the only thing that annoys me now is Dark Souls,this is all just casual talk to me.MS is going ahead with this always online thing,way too many "rumors".The only thing left is how they will spin it.
Maxy arent you from the Balkans?
It'd be pretty funny if Sony withheld bluray from MS, forcing them to rely on dd or some sort of exciting new proprietary storage tech.
lol @ maxy's devotion though
Quotelol @ maxy's devotion thoughmaybe that's because I meet the minimum requirementsTM and like watching things burnThis is all about blocking used sales,MS and Sony just have different implementations.
Price. Microsoft will initially offer two pricing models for the console, offering a standalone version for $499 and then a $299 version that requires a two-year Xbox LIVE Gold commitment at an expected price of $10 per month.
Two year XBL commitment? Wtf... Who is the target market here?
That's not even counting in inflaaation.
Its funny how the sides have flipped in regards to last minute spec buffs
Quote from: Premium Lager on April 25, 2013, 03:19:46 PMThat's not even counting in inflaaation.Really? Inflation makes a difference when it's several hundred bucks and 2 years?
Sources tell Polygon that the current version of the next-gen console includes a next-gen approach to video sharing, anti-piracy protection, social networking and a massive expansion of the Xbox 360's popular achievement system.Microsoft is also trying to come up with a system for video sharing though all of the details are still being locked down. According to our sources, currently the next Xbox will capture your gameplay as if it were a DVR, allowing you to go back and select highlights. That function can be turned on or off, or a player can set up the console to automatically capture a recording when certain in-game events occur, like a headshot or collecting a specific achievement. Auto capturing those "magic moments" will be a feature only available on next-gen games.Those videos can then be uploaded directly from the console to social sites, like YouTube, for sharing.
Sources tell Polygon that the next Xbox will indeed have some form of an always-on requirement. That will be both to support the suite of non-gaming entertainment applications that will be launched alongside the console, like streaming video services, but also as a possible anti-piracy tool. Currently, the console will support digital rights management and anti-piracy checks using an internet connection. Under Microsoft's current guidelines, which may still be changed, the decision of whether a game will require an internet connection to work and if that is a one-time authentication or a constant connection, will be left up to individual publishers.THE NEXT XBOX WILL ALLOW PUBLISHERS TO DECIDE IF THEIR GAMES SHOULD REQUIRE AN INTERNET CONNECTION TO BE PLAYED.The fact that offline gameplay, always online and one-time checks are supported, means that in the future, publishers will have much greater control over copyright protection for their games.
Another thing developers and publishers will have more control over with next-gen Xbox games is the way achievements are used and updated.With the next Xbox, developers and publishers will be able to add more achievements to a game after launch, without the need to add DLC. This is designed specifically to allow developers to tweak player behavior, perhaps urging players to check out specific areas of a game or get past a difficult spot. Next-gen achievements can also be tied to broader events, like a weekend challenge or a communal goal, like contributing a set number of kills to the bigger goal of 10,000 kills over one weekend. Companies can also create cross-title achievements, like awarding points for finishing the first chapter in two different and unrelated games published by the same company. Some of these bigger, cross-title, communal achievements will be a requirement for all titles.Microsoft is playing around with cross-platform achievements as well. Ideally, these achievements could be earned by playing a game on the next-gen system and then using a companion app, a website or maybe even by playing a specific game, like a prequel to a next-gen title, on the Xbox 360.Microsoft is also looking to adjust the way Xbox Live functions to more closely align it with the way other social networks, like Twitter or Facebook, work. The next-generation Live won't have a cap on the number of friends a person can have. The way players add friends will also change. Now instead of it being a two-way friendship only, people can choose to follow one another, sort of like Twitter.
With the next Xbox, developers and publishers will be able to add more achievements to a game after launch, without the need to add DLC. This is designed specifically to allow developers to tweak player behavior, perhaps urging players to check out specific areas of a game or get past a difficult spot
THE NEXT XBOX WILL ALLOW PUBLISHERS TO DECIDE IF THEIR GAMES SHOULD REQUIRE AN INTERNET CONNECTION TO BE PLAYED.
QuoteTHE NEXT XBOX WILL ALLOW PUBLISHERS TO DECIDE IF THEIR GAMES SHOULD REQUIRE AN INTERNET CONNECTION TO BE PLAYED.If true then its dumbass publishers we will have to look out for since Sony is apparently in the same boat (feature is there but up to publishers)
Quote from: Purple Filth on April 26, 2013, 12:02:25 PMQuoteTHE NEXT XBOX WILL ALLOW PUBLISHERS TO DECIDE IF THEIR GAMES SHOULD REQUIRE AN INTERNET CONNECTION TO BE PLAYED.If true then its dumbass publishers we will have to look out for since Sony is apparently in the same boat (feature is there but up to publishers)which is no different than this gen-- Final Fight/Magic Sword PS3, maybe something else?
Quote from: Smooth Groove on April 25, 2013, 03:36:23 PMQuote from: Premium Lager on April 25, 2013, 03:19:46 PMThat's not even counting in inflaaation.Really? Inflation makes a difference when it's several hundred bucks and 2 years?Yeah it does.With an inflation rate of like 1.5 (USA) or 3 (Netherlands) it does make a difference, since you are paying locked in prices while your money has devaluated.It's another few bucks less of a difference at worst, not to mention you could use the money you havent spent on making money (if you put the 200 bucks in an account you can even counter inflation with a bit of luck doubling your gain even).Edit: With the amount of money Japan (and some other countries) is printing at the moment the inflation will prob rise even in the near future.
I'd like it if achieves/trophies were based more on interesting challenges rather than collect-em-ups and freebies. For example, clear the game in X amount of time, or clear the game without using X, etc.
Broadly speaking, achievements aren't really there to actually challenge the player. They're mostly acting as the most simple of behavioural rewards.
