All consoles are guilty of targeting one key demographic. XBOX was aiming for the teen group big time, its one big piece of the pie. A piece of pie that Nintendo failed at targeting, they tried…but I wouldn’t consider them the winner nor XBOX for that matter. Sony still the dominator of that market, but XBOX sure took some of that fan base to there camp. In regards to XB2, I don’t see them changing their formula at all. Do you think they are going to target the kiddy group? No way. That’s such a marginal pie which surges during holiday seasons and isn’t steady. XB2 I’m sure will once again target the “teen America” group, and why shouldn’t they? It’s a profitable demographic. What hurt XB wasn’t there demographic, but brand loyalty. …not going to get into international market. SONY has a huge fan base. Microsoft needs that base for XB2 to be a success.

5.1 shouldn't be that big a deal -- most Xbox games do that as it is, right? The impression I got is that titles had to be Live-aware, but that was built into the system and wouldn't sap away much in the way of developer resources. High def could require more time to build more detailed models to take advantage, but I don't know if it would really alienate developers, and I don't think developing for the next iterations of the PS2/GCN would be remarkably different in that respect...and I don't think developing for 720p output would be much worse than a high res computer game.

I wouldn't be surprised if all three consoles were designed to have their games in hi def and 5.1 surround as standard.

I'm really liking the idea of the Live components in all games. If you've ever watched the .hack anime, this news really reminds me of that show's setting.

Well that's your opinion and the other guys obviously. I'm sure if the microsoft execs agreed with you they would have quit long ago. Thankfully they don't .

To be honest I don't think think Sony, and in particular MS, will be showing all that much concern with what N has planned. Of course they will no doubt copy any useful technologies like the wavebird if they think it's a good idea.

Also I think MS will be trying to carve out new markets with pc users (who don't currently play games) and female gamers (who might only play card games and flash). Either way I think the total number of ps3,xb2, and revolution sold this time round will exceed the current generation significantly.

On the 2nd place thing, I can't really see MS not being more successful, probably significantly, in sales with the xb2 compared to the box. N will have to pull something amazing out to surpass their success with the GC this time round, but there's still time of course. So if we're just talking 2nd place then I'll put my money on MS .

the sooner they release xbox2 the sooner it will drop in price so I can get one.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03...s_6120151.html
Mainly talks about the zelda trailer (see other thread) but there's a bit on the revolution down the bottom:

Gamespot.com
Last but certainly not least, the at-times controversial executive Revolution. Confirming earlier rumors, Iwata said the device would have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, "which will allow users around the world to connect with one another wirelessly." While he carefully avoided the word "online," Iwata implied that Nintendo will apparently reverse its long-standing policy of abstaining from online gaming with its forthcoming machine, saying it would have sort of the same Wi-Fi functions as the soon-to-be-online DS. He also said development kits for the device would be sent out by the time of the E3 expo in May, and that it would be backward compatible with GameCube titles.

Iwata also let the audience peer into the guts of the Revolution, which he more elegantly referred to as the device's "technological heart." Like the next Xbox, it will be powered by a custom central processor from IBM, in this case code-named "Broadway." It will also sport a graphics card--code-named "Hollywood"--from ATI, which is also making the GPU for the next Xbox. "We're excited to be developing the graphics chip set for Revolution, which continues our long-standing relationship with Nintendo," said ATI president and CEO Dave Orton in a statement.

I was only stating that the so- call 5 year rule is just that a rule. If MS goe4s ahead and release a new console this christmas, Big deal so it's 12 to 11 months early. I don't see a problem with this. I love the fact that HD will be taken advantage.

And your statement that Sony would release a new console in 2006 has never been stated by Sony.

Your last statement was wrong. The Video market is dynamic market. One innovative game (i.e. GTA3/4) can really boost a system sells(you seems to have forgotten the Nintendo years). The market I feel is big enough for three system, Sony and MS are certainly going for the same group. Nintendo the family market. Any company can make marketing mistake.

And this TV (Sanyo HT30744) just dropped in price to $562 at Wal-Mart, which is a crazy insane price for a widescreen HDTV with a built-in tuner. Good, good stuff.

It sounds great, but I won't be buying it right away. I bought my Xbox end of 2003, and I still have a LOT of games on it I want to play...

Plus, being cheap, I won't buy a new console at "launch" prices. I'll wait until it's under $200. Ironic, since that's also my price-point for video cards for my PC ; )

Sony and Nintendo are both on for backwards compatibility.. I know there's been rumors that Xbox Next will be, but nothing has been confirmed yet. This is a big factor for me.. I felt a bit burned on my Xbox purchase but I still have a handful of exclusives that I've kept the system for.. "apparently" (I won't beleive it until I see it) X2 is going to have stronger Japanese support, so that on top of being able to play those handful of games will really help me decide on a purchase.

I thought the thinking was, if the hard-drive isn't included in the basic package, how could Xbox 1 games play on xbox2? Not to mention that because of the HD, it's not like I can just sell my Xbox 1, since how would I transfer all the saves?

One option is that the dvd drive will have a significantly higher read speed and then using the extra ram for some OS level caching may be enough to manage it. The flash memory would be enough for save games.

The other option is that xb1 emulation will only be available with the purchase of the optional HD.

Its possible that saves might be transferable via the network (even if it's just a cable between the 2 units).

Of course the feature might not make it at all which would suck.

Well, if they are planning on streaming MP3's for the customizable sdtk off your networked PC(since their is no hard drive, may be a safe bet), save games and d/l content could be kept on your existing PC.

This to me sounds very realistic. They seem to be building this around Live, and to have Live you need BB, and usually if you have BB it is safe to assume you already have a PC. Only problem with this is that I'm sure Mac users will be left out in the cold on software support.

Some revolution stuff which is interesting:
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03...s_6121264.html
"Pointing out that development costs continue to rise, developers have expressed concern about creating games for the console. Iwata said Nintendo will do everything it can to lower the costs and he revealed that one of the solutions is that fact that Revolution will use the same application program interfaces (APIs) as the GameCube. "

""For the next-generation console, we plan to introduce a friendly user interface so that, for example, a mother who's watching her child playing a game might say, 'Oh, I'd like to try that too’. However, user interfaces are devices that can be easily imitated by other companies, so I can't reveal any details right now," he said. "

"In closing, when asked if he thought HDTV output would be one of the key specs of the Revolution, Iwata declined to comment since it touched on the subject of the machine's hardware. However, he did say it was his own personal opinion that HDTV compliance would add little value, since he felt HDTVs probably won't proliferate widely during the three-to-five-year lifespan he sees the Revolution having. "

I hope something got lost in the translation here.

Three to five years? Three?

He doesn't think HDTVs will be widespread by 2010-11? Walmart already sells HDTVs for under $1000 now. Now fast-forward things five years...

No HD is a deal breaker for me.

I dunno, even as TVs get cheaper, how many people will buy a new TV if the old one is working fine? I don't think HD is such a big deal to a ton of people who won't even want to pay extra for the HD signal. Of course, early adopters of game systems usually buy new tvs. But then I guess the kids get the old, non HD ones to play their nintendo on.

I do wonder if all systems will come default with component cables, and if you only have composite you'll have to buy a "low-def" pack. Although now that you can buy a 30 inch LCD TV for under 1000, who knows how low the low-end will go.

The three-year window is the shocker. If he publically says that he only sees his next system lasting three years, I'm not sure I'm going to invest in it.

You would hope he means that they are thinking about not mandating HD support (ala MS). As in those companies that wish to implement HD support for the revolution will do so (presumably most).

The 3 year thing seems a little odd too..

The GameCube supported HD, I honestly can't see that being left out of the Revolution. However, I don't think Nintendo figures it will be a selling point so it probably won't be mandatory.

The Revolution is going to support computer monitors out of the box, this is a clear indication that it will support resolutions beyond standard TV. This quote it likely a poor one and not very accurate.

Nintendo has always fought for a 5 year lifespan, even critizing those companies that aim to erase it, do you honestly believe Nintendo would go on record before showing hardware that they think its only going to last 3 years?

Wow. Just...wow. There is no shortage of excellent games for the Xbox (exclusive ones at that). Halo and Halo 2 are both must haves. I am guessing you are a Nintendo guy? If so, I can definitely see how the Xbox doesn't appeal to you...

Why the hatred of game companies? You don't like their stuff don't buy it, but if other people are enjoying it and the company is making money how is that a bad thing?

This is probably not the thread for an xbox bash session but I'll just point out a few quickies.
-Not everyone owns a high endish pc, xbox is cheaper.
-Halo was exclusive to xbox for quite sometime, and Halo 2 still is exclusive.
-There are a few genres/games that are not necessarily well covered by PC, the snk classics, dead or alive, ninja gaiden ...

Theres no doubt that the xbox has made an impact into sony's mindshare, if perhaps not their market share (still 20 mill to 80 mill isn't a disaster).

If you want to be constructive, how about listing the genres or types of games (maybe name some series etc.) that you would like to see on xbox 2 to make you buy one?

cheers

And then I think there are a lot of gamers like me, who bought the Xbox as a second console and mostly buy multiplatform games on Xbox to take advantage of Dolby Digital, improved graphics, and Xbox Live. So while the PS2 can play most of the same games and has more unique titles, my Xbox still gets plenty of use (as does my Gamecube, my GBA, my PSP, and even my Nintendo DS on occasion).