There is a level of speculation inherent in this question, but I am trying to get a resonably facts-based discussion going here, so I apologize to the Moderators if I’ve comitted a GQ faux pas.
A few days ago I came across this article, which appears to jibe somewhat with this one.
Now, this discussion of an Xbox 2 being made into a flavor of PC running “Windows” apps is interesting, because, unless I’m mistaken, I think the Xbox 2 will be using one or more PowerPC processors, of perhaps a similar pedigree to what is being used in the current Apple G5 systems (a variant of the PowerPC970, in other words). I also read someplace that the developer boxes for Xbox 2 titles are dual-processor G5s running a stripped down version of Windows NT.
So, could all this be true? Could there be a home PC/game console hybrid running NT on PPC processors and somehow also running Windows apps? It might be possible, I suppose, to emulate Windows in such a format, given that Microsoft now owns a robust PC emulator (Virtual PC) designed to run on a G5 Mac. I do remember that, a long time ago, back in the CHRP days of the PowerPC alliance, that there was a PowerPC-native vsn. of NT that never got wide use. Could Microsoft be resurrecting that old project for a new platform? Could Mac G5s run NT natively as well?
From everything I’ve read, there are no set specs for it yet. They’re not even sure whether or not they’re keeping the HD. One neat thing being discussed is a set up where you can create a LAN with your PC, giving you access to the Box on your PC and access to the PC (and Internet I think) on the Box.
Whatever the specs, I can’t wait to get my grubby little hands on it.
It’s probably already in both your favourites, but www.engadget.com is always pretty up to date regarding what is going on with the Xbox 2.
One of the main reasons of course for scrapping the HD (assuming they do), is due to the after-market modding of the current Xbox, where a 120gb drive and a modchip can enable someone to rent games and then rip them to their HD.
Remember that Microsoft bought a company a while ago that made a PC emulator for the PowerPC platform. Such a thing could, in theory, be used to let even a PPC based Xbox-2 run windows applications.
However, Microsoft went to great pains to ensure that you couldn’t use the XBox-1 as a PC, because everyone who wanted a cheap PC would buy one and just use it as a PC, as it was about $150 cheaper than an equivalent PC when it first came out. And Microsoft loses a good chunk of money whenever anybody buys an Xbox, looking to make it back on the games. So they don’t want people to buy the Xbox and use it like a PC, they want people to buy the Xbox and then buy games to play on it.
I don’t see those dynamics changing in the near future.
All this can be done on the current 'Box. This is all a cursory search turns up, but I’m 95% sure you can do it, legally, without Windows XP Media Center Edition. I’m 100% sure you can do it with an Xbox.
You don’t want to know if you play online. They’ll ban your Xbox. So far, the ability to play online with my friends and family outweighs anything I’ve seen a mod chip offer.
As for the Xbox 2:
I WON’T buy it if it:
-Doesn’t play Xbox1 games
-Doesn’t have a hard drive
I WILL buy the fully functioning computer version if:
-I have an HDTV (highly unlikely unless there is a dramatic pricedrop over the next 2 years)
-It plays current computer games. Assuming an average “console generation” of 4-5 years, if it doesn’t play the current games smoothly, then why would I want it 5 years down the road when I can only play old dinky-ass games that everyone makes fun of and uses for coasters?
I read through the link and it looks like yuo can access media on the PC HD, but no live networking, nor access to the Box from the PC.
What I was talking about is the possibility I’ve heard of using either one for the use of the other.
I have the PC in the den. The Box is hooked up to the surround system in the family room. I can’t play the Box when someone’s watching tv or a movie, and it sounds like I can play a game on the PC from it. Also, if I want to surf the web, and my wife or nephews want to, we could do so with the router and the broadband connection using both PC and the Box.
Or is that not even being considered anymore? I know I read they were thinking of that at least up to a few months ago.
Oh, now that I don’t know about. I’d be very surpised if they did that in this upcoming generation. Microsoft has been moving towards controlling your entire home entertainment experience though so it’ll happen eventually.
If we count “generations” starting with Atari I think it would go:
That would make the current generation (PS2, GameCube, Xbox) the 6th generation of home video game consoles. There is some gray area here because some people might say that Pong was the first generation, or that Sony Playstation and Nintendo 64 were the same generation.
I predict the 7th generation will be a lot like a computer, and will interface with your computer to a certain extent, but there will be restrictions and protections in place similar to this generation.
The 8th generation will be a computer, similar to the gaming PCs that companies like Alienware make today but roughly 4-6 years ahead of them. It will be designed to run exclusively on an HDTV.
With the price of xboxes these days, even if this isn’t soon hacked, I think you’ll find people willing to buy a second xbox just to keep it stock and play xbox live when they feel like it.
Not sure if there’s a factual answer to this one, but I’ll give my own worthless opinion… :smack:
The Xbox 1 is a PC. People have ported win 3.1 to it, and possibly 98 as well. People convert the controller inputs to USB and connect keyboards and mice.
And it runs Linux really well… it’s the cheapest 600mhz (or whatever) computer on the market.
Xbox2 will likely have a shitload more security because the consoles are subsidized by the games and Microsoft doesn’t want to give away computers at -$100 each.
Just spent an hour downloading configuring and chatting to get a campaign going for Halo 2. With no luck. (Everything worked other than actually getting a game going.) The chat window was too small and the Dutch was too fast to figure it out. PM me if you can help out?
Either way, thanks for the link. Looks pretty cool.
The problem I’m (personally) having is this. I already have a PC that blows the Box out of the water, so modding would be little more than finding out how to do it. With no desire to actually mod my own. The biggie is not being able to connect to X-Box Live, which I can’t ever give up. So little chance of modding mine.
X-Box 2, however looks to be much more expensive and not a cost-loss to sell the unit. I fully expect it to go for $400-$500 easily, with people like me ready to pay it, regardless of backward compatability. (Yes, I know that’s the kiss of death, sue me).
Well, the problem [that I have] with Xboxconnect and Gamespy Arcade is that there’s no form of communication, so you might as well be playing against a computer. Sure, you can type, if your computer is right next to your xbox, but you have to put your controller down to do it and your opponent probably won’t read what you said until the game is over.
These methods are also a lot slower and buggier than Xbox Live, and I’ve found it really hard to find a game if you’re alone. Most people want at least 2 people per box in their games.
