XBOX to become more "PC-like"

Deleted member 110222

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Interesting article, though I have to admit after the first 5 or so paragraphs I skimmed it so I'll have to ask you OP.

With regards to Xbox becoming upgradable, are we going to see a gap form between players who are wealthier and games become inaccessible to players who only have the base form of Xbox?

If it turns out to be the same kind of market as PC hardware? Yes, that will happen.
 

Deleted member 110222

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I would agree with this if my PS4 hadn't become a dust collector, apart from the odd exclusive I find the system very sterile .
I can't see the one getting upgrades it would confuse the general public too much,maybe the next xbox .

No offence, but you do understand how modular & simple PC building is, right?

One year ago I knew nothing. 11 months ago I knew everything about the internals of my PC. I'm thinking of learning more about software now, maybe even basic coding.

My point is, I'm an idiot. But I have no problem maintaining my rig. If I get confused, there's a Google search & YouTube video for every issue.

The same would happen with Xbox, heck, likely easier as you'd have one of the biggest companies in the world helping you out.
 
The biggest issues here is that Microsoft really has no idea how to communicate. A buddy of mine on twitter (and a writer for windows Central) just told me that what we have now is nothing more then "doubt/speculation/fears"


They bring something big, but the same time they stay fuzzy, and unclear. Lots of console gamers think now.. "what the hell are we going to do with this half information."


Though, my educated guess:

I dont think this will be a annual thing, those hardware upgrades wont come in monthly basis. I honnestly think those upgrade stay optional, and i think it will be around a 4 year cycle. And i think, this will be cheaper then buying a new console in a whole.

But what i also think, is that we console gamers, must keep in mind, that eventually we wont have a dedicated games console form Microsoft after the next console, or after the one that comes after.

I always said that eventually XboxOne will be merged in to the PC gaming world, with the same ease of acces we have now, but modulair like the PC is now aswell. Cheaper, less powerfull, easy to use like the X1 now. But with the same games, you buy one Windows10 game, and you will be able to play it on a windows10 pc, and on a XboxOne.

All i can say is we should not panic now, we got a littlebit of info, and if i know Microsoft a littlebit, they wont force dedicated Console players with 6 monthly hardware upgrades. they just wont.

I think regarding games, that the game will have some sort of graphics slider, or that the game it self will detect that you have extra hardware installed in your console, so it enables "advanced graphics" but you will still be playing over XboxLive, and you will still be playing with the same friends.


One thing is for sure, i am not worried ànymore that the XboxOne wont be able to play Elite Dangerous season 3 and 4 ect ect.. Cus, it will after upgrades.
 
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No offence, but you do understand how modular & simple PC building is, right?

One year ago I knew nothing. 11 months ago I knew everything about the internals of my PC. I'm thinking of learning more about software now, maybe even basic coding.

My point is, I'm an idiot. But I have no problem maintaining my rig. If I get confused, there's a Google search & YouTube video for every issue.

The same would happen with Xbox, heck, likely easier as you'd have one of the biggest companies in the world helping you out.

I know the basics, my point was more at the general market. I had to have a ten minute talk with one of my pals the other day about how to buy and use Microsoft points for his lads birthday and he's a solicitor (so no soul but not stupid ). I've just read the article on eurogamer and I'll believe it when it's on sale in the shop.
 

Deleted member 110222

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I know the basics, my point was more at the general market. I had to have a ten minute talk with one of my pals the other day about how to buy and use Microsoft points for his lads birthday and he's a solicitor (so no soul but not stupid ). I've just read the article on eurogamer and I'll believe it when it's on sale in the shop.

Everyone has the capacity to learn. Time was when people didn't know how to plug in & use their NES. Customers will evolve with the market. They always do. :)

Obviously I ain't sayin' this is definitely happenin', but I do think Microsoft really wants to close the gap between consoles, tablets, and PC's. Give it a couple years, I think we'll see the first upgradeable console.
 
As a primarily console only gamer, this sounds like good and bad news wrapped up in a big maybe. While cross-platform play between PC and console sounds nice, there have always been arguments about the balance issue. Maybe not in regards to E:D but definitely when it comes to FPS's. I would hold off on any opinion until we see what MS plans. Again this is all a big maybe, and this may all change in the next couple years. We were told no way to backward compatibility, and then BAM its a thing.
 
I hate the idea. I buy consoles for the simplicity of NOT having to upgrade parts. I will be thoroughly annoyed if it comes to the point where I have to start swapping parts on my Xbox to play the newest and latest games. I tried doing that with a PC a while back and gaming is just not that important in my life to drop all of this money into it. Consoles have made it bearable in the sense that they are a one time investment. But not if this becomes a thing. It is simply, in my opinion, ludicrous to have to upgrade your specs every few months simply to have marginally sharper graphics or more boom booms on your screen at once.

I dont think I will be the only person who is opposed to this plan. Now, if Microsoft re-released the Xbox a few years from now with upgraded hardware and had a trade in/rebate program where you pay a discounted cost and they give you the fancy new console then refurbish the one you traded with new tech and so on and so forth, I would be open to that idea. But it's M$ were talking about here. They could probably make a new superior XB1 for 50 dollars and try selling it for 600. Now with Kinect 3.0 which plays the game for you! Clowns.

End rant. Sorry this is a touchy subject for a casual gamer such as myself.

I totally respect this even if I want to upgrade my own XB1.

I think again, it comes down to this admission that the XB1 launched weak and is only looking weaker the longer it's on the market. If they can squeeze a tad more power out of it over the next 4yrs that's great. But if they can't, the only "death of consoles" happening here is their own.

Which is a shame, cause I've loved the xbox platform for so long.
 

Deleted member 110222

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As a primarily console only gamer, this sounds like good and bad news wrapped up in a big maybe. While cross-platform play between PC and console sounds nice, there have always been arguments about the balance issue. Maybe not in regards to E:D but definitely when it comes to FPS's. I would hold off on any opinion until we see what MS plans. Again this is all a big maybe, and this may all change in the next couple years. We were told no way to backward compatibility, and then BAM its a thing.

I hope console upgrades happen. Most of my friends on Xbox ask me about my rig and its specs', the crazy game-changin' mods on Skyrim & Fallout that I use, etc., and I tell 'em.

Then they go on to explain how they wish upgrades were available on consoles.

Thing is even casual gamers are starting to look at the amazing stuff a PC can do, and consoles are starting to play catch-up. It started with mods on Fallout 4 Xbox... Mods have always been desired by a huge number of console players, but the reason they don't exist legitimately is mainly because console hardware can't keep up. But now Microsoft want to allow mods on console to an extent, starting with Fallout 4. But what of the next Fallout, or TES? They're going to need to allow hardware upgrades eventually, for this vision alone.
 
I think it would be quite easy to implement a system like they already had for the 360. Modular drives to easily select capacity, and introduce modular "Packs" that contain the APU at different levels, or a discreet CPU/GPU combo. They could be offered at different levels, and various games would perform best at some levels, and fairly on the base model.

The only problem would be parties where some git swaps out your Plantinum GPU with a potato for lulz.
 
I totally respect this even if I want to upgrade my own XB1.

I think again, it comes down to this admission that the XB1 launched weak and is only looking weaker the longer it's on the market. If they can squeeze a tad more power out of it over the next 4yrs that's great. But if they can't, the only "death of consoles" happening here is their own.

Which is a shame, cause I've loved the xbox platform for so long.
I love Xbox as well. Had one of the originals and was hooked. Now, if in a few years they release upgraded components for a reasonable price that is a one time fee to upgrade the console and then That'll be the end, I would consider this. I'm not unreasonable and I realize technology quickly outpaces itself these days. But I will not support it becoming like a PC, needing newer and better components every few months. Xbox 360 lasted 8 years and worked perfect in my opinion. No reason XB1 can't do the same without becoming PC-like n
 
As long as they continue to support the original XB1*, I'm not worried.

And if XB2 comes out 3 years from now, allowing me to fly my future Cutter in all its majestic 4K glory, then.....I'll get saving.

I wouldn't expect FD to say much on this, this news is barely a week old and FD have bigger, 2.1-shaped fish to fry.

* They will. Reading certain forums you'd think my XB1 would refuse to turn on today.
 
I don't see how they can upgrade the current XB1 that we all have, since it wasn't designed to be upgradeable. So what does that mean going forward?

I suspect that there is going to be a NEW version of the XB1 that may employ some kind of plug and play modules that can be swapped in and out of the chassis. Similar as others have said to the upgradeable drive options on the 360.

But as far as I know, the current XB1 machine we all have right now does not have any provision for upgrading like this. It would need to be cracked open and new components installed.

Seems like a real can of worms if you ask me. (trying to upgrade the existing console hardware)

Personally, I am all for a more powerful XB1, and will buy whatever that is when its available because I can always use more performance and higher frame rates, especially on ED. I've gotten more than my $$ worth out of the XB1 I have right now, so buying a new version is a no brainer for me. Whether it be a whole new redesigned version with upgradeable modules, or some kind of retrofit.

Thing is... The way I have this XB1 integrated into our home theater, I am not really interested in having to send the thing off to MS for the upgrades and be without a primary component in our setup. I doubt they will be user installable. Would be nice if they were, since I have build plenty of PCs in my day. Can't imagine the XB1 being all the different inside. I've never had a reason to open mine up, especially since it voids the warranty if you do right? :)
 
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Closer integration between XBOX and Windows is only good from my persective.

I've never been a fan of Sony.

Can't say I'm a massive fan of Microsoft either.

It's a clever ploy... think of all the PC games that never make it to PS or XBox. Now they will be on Xbox at least.



Anyways, more importantly, I'd really, really love to hear from Frontier how this affects us as XBOX Elite players.
 
Closer integration between XBOX and Windows is only good from my persective.

I've never been a fan of Sony.

Can't say I'm a massive fan of Microsoft either.

It's a clever ploy... think of all the PC games that never make it to PS or XBox. Now they will be on Xbox at least.



Anyways, more importantly, I'd really, really love to hear from Frontier how this affects us as XBOX Elite players.

The biggest fear I have in that regard is that FD might shelve the whole XB1/Horizons project and just wait until this new stuff comes out. Much less work for them! Would totally SUCK for us! Likely add a year or more to us getting Horizons.
 
I agree and so much better said than I had.

To add onto that, we don't use the xb1 for games and that's it, we got the Netflix and the like going on, bumping up the hardware will benefit those as well particularly going to 4k to improve upscaling etc.

I like the modularity idea of the Xbox1, I hope it gets applied to existing systems vs requiring new boxes to provide the capability. I LOVE the Halo SE I got.
 
Thing is... The way I have this XB1 integrated into our home theater, I am not really interested in having to send the thing off to MS for the upgrades and be without a primary component in our setup. I doubt they will be user installable. Would be nice if they were, since I have build plenty of PCs in my day. Can't imagine the XB1 being all the different inside. I've never had a reason to open mine up, especially since it voids the warranty if you do right? :)

I wouldn't want to send mine off either, it runs all the entertainment in my living room.

As far the second part. Yes it voids your warranty and yes it's just a computer inside a plastic shell. I've never opened up an Xbox one but I've completely disassembled a 360.
 

Deleted member 110222

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Not important at all, but I wonder how they'll deal with the aesthetics?

Will everything just be MoBo Green, or something cool like my black & red PC parts with dragons on them?
 
The constant "need" to upgrade is mostly overstated and is just marketing by hardware makers trying to make PC owners desperate for "cutting edge" graphics.

A modest PC will be able to turn out High settings now and will settle into Medium for many years to come. Furthermore, sensible upgrades will keep it performing longer than you thought possible.

For example, I've got a 10 year old Dell that has been through a lot with me. I've upgraded almost everything one component at a time. First the RAM, then HDD > SSD and finally a GPU update. Now, it has been relegated to Media Center duty and has found a nice home in my A/V cabinet. However, in a pinch, I can hook up a controller and get it to run Elite Dangerous or Skyrim on Med->High settings with many graphics/texture mods. Sure, the GTX 970 rig across the room likes to throw shade at the old girl now and again (some such about being a custom build instead of a pre-built from a website).

My guess is that Xbox One upgrades will be moderately priced and spaced apart by 1-2 years. Folks putting aside 10 dollars a month should be good to go for each upgrade.
 
I would agree with this if my PS4 hadn't become a dust collector, apart from the odd exclusive I find the system very sterile .
I can't see the one getting upgrades it would confuse the general public too much,maybe the next xbox .

yea i also have a ps4 and i really feel it was more a failed experiment than anything elsefor me, i didnt wanna purchase another sony gaming console , but certain friends wanted to try that route. we pretty much all have abandoned ps4 and mine is also jus a quiet box watching in envy as my xbox 1 slowly heats up everyday from hours of use. i hope this adds up to better performing console overall for microsoft and will remain optimistic until i hear something really worrying.
 
Effectively what they are saying they want to do is something that Commodore did all those years ago with the Amiga...

Ladies & gentlemen we are heading into the 80's!

I.e. something like this:

http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/product.aspx?id=60

Which updated added a far more powerful Motorola 68020 processor to the A500 & 4Mb of RAM by simply plugging it into the expansion port on the side of the machine. No updates or extra power cords necessary.

I suppose something along similar lines could be used on versions of the XB1 & plugged into an expansion port...

Or maybe they will go Sega's way i.e the Mega CD & 32X...

Nice & easy to do for consumers but damn ugly to look at in both cases!
 
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