>> From seattlepi.com:
[QUOTE]
The Internet is abuzz with a rumor that Microsoft's Project Natal add-on for Xbox 360 actually is the company's next video-game console.
But according to one Microsoft spokeswoman, that's not the case.
As I reported last week, Project Natal - which allows players to use their bodies to control a game, without a hand-held device - is hardware designed to extend the life of the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 was released in 2005 and Microsoft is hoping its lifespan will stretch into 2015. The spokeswoman said Natal is not about a new console.
[/QUOTE]
I really never expected for the 360 to even last this long, i mean with the rapid advancements in hardware technology and availability most pc's these days have more power than 360's.
I had initially though MS would want to stay competitive with the pc market as they can enjoy games like Crysis, but i guess MS and Sony dont see them as like-for-like competitors. Which is good news for all of us i suppose
I don't really think they do view PC's as competitors. There are pro's and cons to both systems. And really, the 360 still has potential that I think developers haven't fully tapped into yet. Crysis has great graphics, we all know that. BUT, a lot of computers couldn't take advantage of that so what was the point. I know that I for one didn't buy it because the rig to play it would have been too much for me to invest.
The computers that can really push the limits the 360 sets cost a pretty penny. You have to pay upwards of $1000 or more to get a really good computer that competes against the 360.
SO...why pay that much when you can pay $200 and get the 360 and be done with it?
Originally posted by jcalton88: I don't really think they do view PC's as competitors. There are pro's and cons to both systems. And really, the 360 still has potential that I think developers haven't fully tapped into yet. Crysis has great graphics, we all know that. BUT, a lot of computers couldn't take advantage of that so what was the point. I know that I for one didn't buy it because the rig to play it would have been too much for me to invest.
The computers that can really push the limits the 360 sets cost a pretty penny. You have to pay upwards of $1000 or more to get a really good computer that competes against the 360.
SO...why pay that much when you can pay $200 and get the 360 and be done with it?
Yeah i know what you mean, but its only going 1 way and pc's are getting cheaper and better everyday, there comes a certain point where the 360 is outdated, i jsut though that would be sooner rather than later
Yeah, I imagine it won't take too long before its outdated. But things like the Natal will make it last. Something like that for PC would take longer to develop just because it has to be compatible to so many different setups.
I think that is where the biggest advantage lies. When developing something for PC you have to think about different RAM, different Graphics cards, different everything. Especially for hardcore gamers, no two rigs are alike. When developing for the 360 or PS3 you know exactly what setup they are going to have, so it is easier and cheaper to develop for.
the thing is, with all the improvements in computer technology over the last few years, there has only been minute improvements in actual recognizable performance. We are reaching a threshold where improvements in technology do not correlate with improvements in performance. Thus, large improvements are likely to come from innovations in coding algorithms and development methodology than from hardware improvements.
