wraggster
May 20th, 2013, 14:35
The new Xbox console will launch in early November (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-25-next-xbox-to-be-released-in-early-november-report), veteran Microsoft analyst Paul Thurrot has reported - he who previously leaked the console's 21st May announcement date.
http://images.eurogamer.net/2013/articles/1/5/8/0/9/9/7/136878761864.jpg/EG11/resize/300x-1/quality/91Microsoft's next Xbox birthing tent.
The same source claims that the console will be released at two price points - $499 and $299 - with the latter including a fixed two-year Xbox Live Gold subscription.
Like most subscription models, the $10 monthly charge will make this price option the more costly over time, although will obviously offer a cheaper initial outlay.
The console will come with a new, upgraded version of Kinect, dubbed Kinect 2.0. There's no escaping it this time - all machines are expected to ship with a Kinect sensor already in the box.
As for the machine's name, we've heard conflicting reports. The machine may well just be named Xbox (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-09-next-xbox-wont-be-backwards-compatible), a move that would fit the brand's transition into a wider entertainment moniker.
Less likely are the long-running rumours (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-10-next-xbox-to-be-called-xbox-infinity-report) surrounding the name Xbox Infinity, the only "proof" of which has ever been that if you turn the symbol for Infinity on its side, you get the 8 of Windows 8. It's a neat tie-in to Microsoft's current operating system but might age quite quickly - what version of Windows will be present by the end of the next Xbox's life-cycle is anyone's guess.
The gamesSo, what will you be able to play on your new Xbox? Already-announced cross-generational titles are sure-fire bets - Bungie's intriguing Destiny (although Sony has snagged some exclusive content) for example, as well as Ubisoft's Watch Dogs and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag.
We already know some of next year's multi-platform releases, too - triple-A titles such as Thief and The Witcher 3. A third Mafia game (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-07-mafia-3-heading-to-next-xbox-ps4-report) is also said to be in-development.
Mega-publisher EA is reportedly a key supporter of the next Xbox, and we expect to see several titles from its upcoming line-up shown on stage. Battlefield 4 is a dead cert, perhaps accompanied by a first showing of this year's Need for Speed.
17 minutes of Battlefield 4, running at 60FPS.
Another good bet is Respawn's new game, likely named Titan (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-16-respawn-registers-trademark-for-titan), an online sci-fi shooter that pits soldiers against Titan mechs. It's rumoured that Titan will include some level of Xbox-exclusivity (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-30-respawn-game-is-reportedly-an-always-online-xbox-exclusive), although it's hard to believe the multiformat-focused EA will publish it just for Microsoft's machine. More likely is some form of timed-exclusivity, or an early/exclusive DLC programme similar to Sony's current Battlefield 3 deal.
Tomorrow may also bring the first look at Crytek's Kinect-exclusive action title Ryse (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-09-cryteks-ryse-now-a-next-gen-release-report), development of which was shifted to the next Xbox.
From Microsoft's own studios, a new Forza with "super life-like" graphics (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-11-forza-and-ryse-to-be-next-xbox-launch-titles) will reportedly launch alongside the console, made by series creator Turn 10.
Rare is known to be working on several projects for the next Xbox (Kinect Sports 3?), while a number of Lionhead job listings have revealed the developer to be staffing up for a new RPG franchise which contains MMO-esque features (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-16-lionhead-making-mmo-like-new-ip-for-next-xbox-report).
Finally, it's been a while since we've heard from Alan Wake developer Remedy, which washiring in March last year (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-22-alan-wake-dev-starts-work-on-next-gen-project) for a mysterious next-gen project. Have we seen the last of their moody protagonist? A new set of ARG-related scribblings (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-06-04-new-alan-wake-game-teased-by-developer) last year suggested not.
The capabilitieshttp://images.eurogamer.net/2013/articles//a/1/5/8/0/9/9/7/eurogamer-hbq50x.jpg/EG11/resize/300x-1/quality/91One person will be excited, at least.
Next Xbox tentative specsDigital Foundry dissected the next Xbox's specs (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/df-hardware-next-gen-xbox-specs-leak) in detail back in January, but here's a brief run-down.
A complete, top-to-bottom list of Durango features for your reading pleasure.
Central Processing Unit:
x64 Architecture
Eight CPU cores running at 1.6GHz
Each CPU thread has its own 32 KB L1 instruction cache and 32 KB L1 data cache
Each module of four CPU cores has a 2 MB L2 cache resulting in a total of 4 MB of L2 cache
each core has one fully independent hardware thread with no shared execution resources
each hardware thread can issue two instructions per clock
Graphics Core:
custom D3D11.1 class 800-MHz graphics processor
12 shader cores providing a total of 768 threads
Each thread can perform one scalar multiplication and addition operation (MADD) per clock cycle
At peak performance, the GPU can effectively issue 1.2 trillion floating-point operations per second
High-fidelity Natural User Interface (NUI) sensor is always present
Storage and Memory:
8GB of DDR3 RAM (68GB/s bandwidth)
32MB of fast embedded SRAM (ESRAM) (102GB/s)
From the GPU's perspective the bandwidths of system memory and ESRAM are parallel providing combined peak bandwidth of 170GB/sec.
Hard drive is always present
50GB 6x Blu-ray drive
Networking:
Gigabit Ethernet
WiFi and WiFi Direct
Hardware Accelerators:
Move engines
Image, video, and audio codecs
Kinect multichannel echo cancellation (MEC) hardware
Cryptography engines for encryption and decryption, and hashing
There's no doubting that the next Xbox will be a powerful machine, although technical specifications obtained earlier this year and published by Digital Foundry (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/df-hardware-next-gen-xbox-specs-leak) suggest it will lack in several areas, such as GPU and RAM, when compared to PlayStation 4.
"Essentially it's the exact same CPU at the same clock-speed and it has the same amount of RAM but a different type," Digital Foundry's blacksmith of the future Rich Leadbetter explained to us. "Generally PS4 has a considerable bandwidth advantage - it can transfer data around the system much more quickly.
"The GPU has the same architecture, defined by the amount of compute units it has - PS4 has 18, the next Xbox has 12, which translates to 1.8 teraflops of compute power vs. 1.2." How this all translates into gameplay, however, will be another matter.
Also notable in the console's technical read-outs are mentions of an HDMI input, used for connecting the console to your cable TV box (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-10-the-next-xbox-will-be-fully-integrated-into-your-tv-via-a-cable-box-connection-report). Microsoft is pushing the console's use as a multimedia device, able to record and store your TV programs and overlay its features and UI on top of your existing telly channels.
Back compatibility is unlikely (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-09-next-xbox-wont-be-backwards-compatible) due to the next Xbox's switch to x86 PC-style architecture. But some form of support for your Xbox 360 games is not impossible.
"Entirely different hardware configurations don't make backwards-compatibility easy," Leadbetter continued. "That said, you could say the same thing about the transition from Xbox to Xbox 360, where Microsoft made efforts to ensure that a significant catalogue of older Xbox titles designed with x86/Nvidia hardware in mind worked pretty well on the PowerPC/AMD combo in the Xbox 360.
http://images.eurogamer.net/2013/articles//a/1/5/8/0/9/9/7/eurogamer-7dqj9g.jpg/EG11/resize/300x-1/quality/91Microsoft Points are on the way out, reports suggest, to be replaced with gift cards for real money amounts.
"Given enough time and resources, a similar form of backwards compatibility could perhaps be implemented on Durango, but the sheer time and effort required to provide flawless compatibility with a handful of titles, let alone a whole library makes this rather unlikely."
But Microsoft seems keen to keep the Xbox 360 alive for the time being, at least. A new budget-priced Xbox 360 model, code-named "Stingray" is rumoured to be due for release later this year (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-08-next-xbox-reveal-due-21st-may-costs-USD500-or-USD300-with-a-subscription-reports-suggest). Priced just $99 (£65), this may be a cheap alternative for those looking to catch up on some of the best that the Xbox 360 still has to offer.
Much has been rumoured of the console's potentially "always online" nature - that you won't even be able to boot a single-player game without first connecting to the internet. But an internal Microsoft memo (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-06-microsoft-next-xbox-wont-require-an-internet-connection-for-single-player-games-report) published online earlier this month seems to have cleared up much of the speculation. It's good news:
"Durango [the codename for the next Xbox] is designed to deliver the future of entertainment while engineered to be tolerant of today's Internet," the document explained. "There are a number of scenarios that our users expect to work without an Internet connection, and those should 'just work' regardless of their current connection status. Those include, but are not limited to: playing a Blu-ray disc, watching live TV, and yes playing a single-player game."
That said, the memo did not rule out online checks that might block second hand or pirated games - one of the main reasons Microsoft might have considered an always-online console. In fact, technical documentation dated from last year (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-03-20-next-xbox-games-run-from-hard-drive-discs-not-supported-post-install-report) suggested that the next Xbox would require games to be run directly from the hard drive, with discs useless after an initial install.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-17-the-next-xbox-everything-we-know-so-far
http://images.eurogamer.net/2013/articles/1/5/8/0/9/9/7/136878761864.jpg/EG11/resize/300x-1/quality/91Microsoft's next Xbox birthing tent.
The same source claims that the console will be released at two price points - $499 and $299 - with the latter including a fixed two-year Xbox Live Gold subscription.
Like most subscription models, the $10 monthly charge will make this price option the more costly over time, although will obviously offer a cheaper initial outlay.
The console will come with a new, upgraded version of Kinect, dubbed Kinect 2.0. There's no escaping it this time - all machines are expected to ship with a Kinect sensor already in the box.
As for the machine's name, we've heard conflicting reports. The machine may well just be named Xbox (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-09-next-xbox-wont-be-backwards-compatible), a move that would fit the brand's transition into a wider entertainment moniker.
Less likely are the long-running rumours (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-10-next-xbox-to-be-called-xbox-infinity-report) surrounding the name Xbox Infinity, the only "proof" of which has ever been that if you turn the symbol for Infinity on its side, you get the 8 of Windows 8. It's a neat tie-in to Microsoft's current operating system but might age quite quickly - what version of Windows will be present by the end of the next Xbox's life-cycle is anyone's guess.
The gamesSo, what will you be able to play on your new Xbox? Already-announced cross-generational titles are sure-fire bets - Bungie's intriguing Destiny (although Sony has snagged some exclusive content) for example, as well as Ubisoft's Watch Dogs and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag.
We already know some of next year's multi-platform releases, too - triple-A titles such as Thief and The Witcher 3. A third Mafia game (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-07-mafia-3-heading-to-next-xbox-ps4-report) is also said to be in-development.
Mega-publisher EA is reportedly a key supporter of the next Xbox, and we expect to see several titles from its upcoming line-up shown on stage. Battlefield 4 is a dead cert, perhaps accompanied by a first showing of this year's Need for Speed.
17 minutes of Battlefield 4, running at 60FPS.
Another good bet is Respawn's new game, likely named Titan (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-16-respawn-registers-trademark-for-titan), an online sci-fi shooter that pits soldiers against Titan mechs. It's rumoured that Titan will include some level of Xbox-exclusivity (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-30-respawn-game-is-reportedly-an-always-online-xbox-exclusive), although it's hard to believe the multiformat-focused EA will publish it just for Microsoft's machine. More likely is some form of timed-exclusivity, or an early/exclusive DLC programme similar to Sony's current Battlefield 3 deal.
Tomorrow may also bring the first look at Crytek's Kinect-exclusive action title Ryse (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-09-cryteks-ryse-now-a-next-gen-release-report), development of which was shifted to the next Xbox.
From Microsoft's own studios, a new Forza with "super life-like" graphics (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-11-forza-and-ryse-to-be-next-xbox-launch-titles) will reportedly launch alongside the console, made by series creator Turn 10.
Rare is known to be working on several projects for the next Xbox (Kinect Sports 3?), while a number of Lionhead job listings have revealed the developer to be staffing up for a new RPG franchise which contains MMO-esque features (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-16-lionhead-making-mmo-like-new-ip-for-next-xbox-report).
Finally, it's been a while since we've heard from Alan Wake developer Remedy, which washiring in March last year (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-22-alan-wake-dev-starts-work-on-next-gen-project) for a mysterious next-gen project. Have we seen the last of their moody protagonist? A new set of ARG-related scribblings (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-06-04-new-alan-wake-game-teased-by-developer) last year suggested not.
The capabilitieshttp://images.eurogamer.net/2013/articles//a/1/5/8/0/9/9/7/eurogamer-hbq50x.jpg/EG11/resize/300x-1/quality/91One person will be excited, at least.
Next Xbox tentative specsDigital Foundry dissected the next Xbox's specs (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/df-hardware-next-gen-xbox-specs-leak) in detail back in January, but here's a brief run-down.
A complete, top-to-bottom list of Durango features for your reading pleasure.
Central Processing Unit:
x64 Architecture
Eight CPU cores running at 1.6GHz
Each CPU thread has its own 32 KB L1 instruction cache and 32 KB L1 data cache
Each module of four CPU cores has a 2 MB L2 cache resulting in a total of 4 MB of L2 cache
each core has one fully independent hardware thread with no shared execution resources
each hardware thread can issue two instructions per clock
Graphics Core:
custom D3D11.1 class 800-MHz graphics processor
12 shader cores providing a total of 768 threads
Each thread can perform one scalar multiplication and addition operation (MADD) per clock cycle
At peak performance, the GPU can effectively issue 1.2 trillion floating-point operations per second
High-fidelity Natural User Interface (NUI) sensor is always present
Storage and Memory:
8GB of DDR3 RAM (68GB/s bandwidth)
32MB of fast embedded SRAM (ESRAM) (102GB/s)
From the GPU's perspective the bandwidths of system memory and ESRAM are parallel providing combined peak bandwidth of 170GB/sec.
Hard drive is always present
50GB 6x Blu-ray drive
Networking:
Gigabit Ethernet
WiFi and WiFi Direct
Hardware Accelerators:
Move engines
Image, video, and audio codecs
Kinect multichannel echo cancellation (MEC) hardware
Cryptography engines for encryption and decryption, and hashing
There's no doubting that the next Xbox will be a powerful machine, although technical specifications obtained earlier this year and published by Digital Foundry (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/df-hardware-next-gen-xbox-specs-leak) suggest it will lack in several areas, such as GPU and RAM, when compared to PlayStation 4.
"Essentially it's the exact same CPU at the same clock-speed and it has the same amount of RAM but a different type," Digital Foundry's blacksmith of the future Rich Leadbetter explained to us. "Generally PS4 has a considerable bandwidth advantage - it can transfer data around the system much more quickly.
"The GPU has the same architecture, defined by the amount of compute units it has - PS4 has 18, the next Xbox has 12, which translates to 1.8 teraflops of compute power vs. 1.2." How this all translates into gameplay, however, will be another matter.
Also notable in the console's technical read-outs are mentions of an HDMI input, used for connecting the console to your cable TV box (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-10-the-next-xbox-will-be-fully-integrated-into-your-tv-via-a-cable-box-connection-report). Microsoft is pushing the console's use as a multimedia device, able to record and store your TV programs and overlay its features and UI on top of your existing telly channels.
Back compatibility is unlikely (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-09-next-xbox-wont-be-backwards-compatible) due to the next Xbox's switch to x86 PC-style architecture. But some form of support for your Xbox 360 games is not impossible.
"Entirely different hardware configurations don't make backwards-compatibility easy," Leadbetter continued. "That said, you could say the same thing about the transition from Xbox to Xbox 360, where Microsoft made efforts to ensure that a significant catalogue of older Xbox titles designed with x86/Nvidia hardware in mind worked pretty well on the PowerPC/AMD combo in the Xbox 360.
http://images.eurogamer.net/2013/articles//a/1/5/8/0/9/9/7/eurogamer-7dqj9g.jpg/EG11/resize/300x-1/quality/91Microsoft Points are on the way out, reports suggest, to be replaced with gift cards for real money amounts.
"Given enough time and resources, a similar form of backwards compatibility could perhaps be implemented on Durango, but the sheer time and effort required to provide flawless compatibility with a handful of titles, let alone a whole library makes this rather unlikely."
But Microsoft seems keen to keep the Xbox 360 alive for the time being, at least. A new budget-priced Xbox 360 model, code-named "Stingray" is rumoured to be due for release later this year (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-08-next-xbox-reveal-due-21st-may-costs-USD500-or-USD300-with-a-subscription-reports-suggest). Priced just $99 (£65), this may be a cheap alternative for those looking to catch up on some of the best that the Xbox 360 still has to offer.
Much has been rumoured of the console's potentially "always online" nature - that you won't even be able to boot a single-player game without first connecting to the internet. But an internal Microsoft memo (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-06-microsoft-next-xbox-wont-require-an-internet-connection-for-single-player-games-report) published online earlier this month seems to have cleared up much of the speculation. It's good news:
"Durango [the codename for the next Xbox] is designed to deliver the future of entertainment while engineered to be tolerant of today's Internet," the document explained. "There are a number of scenarios that our users expect to work without an Internet connection, and those should 'just work' regardless of their current connection status. Those include, but are not limited to: playing a Blu-ray disc, watching live TV, and yes playing a single-player game."
That said, the memo did not rule out online checks that might block second hand or pirated games - one of the main reasons Microsoft might have considered an always-online console. In fact, technical documentation dated from last year (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-03-20-next-xbox-games-run-from-hard-drive-discs-not-supported-post-install-report) suggested that the next Xbox would require games to be run directly from the hard drive, with discs useless after an initial install.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-17-the-next-xbox-everything-we-know-so-far