Xbox 2 specs...

But can devs code right to the Xbox hardware and if so, have they been doing so?

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: dwell
But can devs code right to the Xbox hardware and if so, have they been doing so?

No, not to the 3D part of the system if they are using DirectX. They could write assembly code for the x86 processor in the machine...but that is easily emulated (already done as I said in my previous post).

 

[royaldank]

I'd like to note that I've never played a single PS1 game in PS2. I would assume a large majority of PS2 owners have never done this.

But, that isn't to say it's not a nice feature to have on the box and in the specs. Doubt many will ever use it, but would like seeing it because they figure they will.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: royaldank
I'd like to note that I've never played a single PS1 game in PS2. I would assume a large majority of PS2 owners have never done this.

But, that isn't to say it's not a nice feature to have on the box and in the specs. Doubt many will ever use it, but would like seeing it because they figure they will.

i got my PS2 because it would also play all my PS1 games. IF the PS3 can play both ps2 and ps1 games i will buy it (my PS2 died on me. bah!)

 

[omega2]

I just hope the end result will be better than the current Xbox.

 

[ErmanC]

Microsoft just SUX. I bought into the hype of XBox and got one. Was awesome for a while. Halo just beat everything on the market including PC. Then they started all this XBox 2 crap and delaying the freaking games and stuff. Then game manufacturer started going exclusive to PS2.

Several big Xbox games just kept being put off and put off. True Crime was out on PS2 before you could get it for Xbox and I finally just said screw it and quit bying their crap. Thought about Xbox live, but at this rate it won't be around for the 12 months that your subscription lasts. Half-life 2 and Halo 2 are other perfect examples.

If Microsoft would quit screwing around with 2006 hardware and just put the stupid games on the street NOW, they'd kick PS2 and Gamecube's butts all over the place.

...Not backwards compatible????... You'll see my XBox and everygame I own on Ebay on launch day, never to own another XBox again.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: ErmanC
Microsoft just SUX. I bought into the hype of XBox and got one. Was awesome for a while. Halo just beat everything on the market including PC. Then they started all this XBox 2 crap and delaying the freaking games and stuff. Then game manufacturer started going exclusive to PS2.

Several big Xbox games just kept being put off and put off. True Crime was out on PS2 before you could get it for Xbox and I finally just said screw it and quit bying their crap. Thought about Xbox live, but at this rate it won't be around for the 12 months that your subscription lasts. Half-life 2 and Halo 2 are other perfect examples.

If Microsoft would quit screwing around with 2006 hardware and just put the stupid games on the street NOW, they'd kick PS2 and Gamecube's butts all over the place.

...Not backwards compatible????... You'll see my XBox and everygame I own on Ebay on launch day, never to own another XBox again.

Hello? English comprehension not found! The reason for the delay of the games isn't XBox 2 moron. Where did you get that idea? No game manufacturer went exclusive to PS2 that wasn't already exclusive to the PS2 when the XBox came out.

True Crime was a piece of sh!t game anyway, it was meant for near simultaneous launch anyway. XBox Live will be around for years to come, especially with XBox 2. Half Life 2 was delayed by the people making it, not Microsoft. It's delayed on the PC too. Halo 2 - would you rather have a rushed game where you play the same levels in reverse like Halo 1? Moron

 

[BlamoHammer]

They should use the same 4GB HD's used in the iPod Mini. They could shrink down the size while still giving their customers the hard drive capabilities they want. Also, less HD space may limit pirating.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: dwell
If the Xbox2 does not have a hard drive built in it's dead. No hard drive means no backward compatability. Being Halo3 will not ship with the Xbox2 at launch, they will have no killer exclusives to rely on and no backward compability. What's the point of buying an entirely new system like that?

Unless Halo 2 is held back until the Xbox 2 launch

Highly doubtful, I know, but this is Microsoft we're talking about.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: AngryPirate
They should use the same 4GB HD's used in the iPod Mini. They could shrink down the size while still giving their customers the hard drive capabilities they want. Also, less HD space may limit pirating.

don't those small hdd's cost more money? Don't think MSFT wants to keep losing money on Xbox 2 like they are on the current Xbox.

 

[ErmanC]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Hello? English comprehension not found! The reason for the delay of the games isn't XBox 2 moron. Where did you get that idea? No game manufacturer went exclusive to PS2 that wasn't already exclusive to the PS2 when the XBox came out. True Crime was a piece of sh!t game anyway, it was meant for near simultaneous launch anyway. XBox Live will be around for years to come, especially with XBox 2. Half Life 2 was delayed by the people making it, not Microsoft. It's delayed on the PC too. Halo 2 - would you rather have a rushed game where you play the same levels in reverse like Halo 1? Moron

OK so you're telling me you disagree and I am misinformed. I'm cool with that, but please lay off the moron cracks. This place is too harsh as it is...

Peace

 

[StageLeft]

Incompatibility to me is of zero interest. Never has been and never will be important. They may be right about the HD. In regards to getting it out early if they can get it out a good while before the PS3, then it will definitely help. 3 months will not cut it, but closer to a year would definitely do it, though I can't see that really happening.

 

[yllus]

I hope they keep the HDD, I would think it's the way of the future. Memory cards bite and I've gotten used to ripping my own game soundtracks and snatching downloadable materials/patches.

This reminds me of the ridiculous "Cell" specs for the PS3 that got floated around. Most powerful computer ever! Oh no! Yeah right Sony fanbois.

 

[Sahakiel]

Easiest way to limit HDD size : OS or BIOS compatibility. If you want to limit copying, restrict the OS or the chipset's capability to access more than 540MB. Even 2.1GB would be okay. If it's hardwired, good luck hacking the system. You'll spend more money on parts and labor than a high-end workstation.

 

[wyvrn]

MS should go away from the computer turned console idea. It costs them too much money to try and sell a computer at console prices. 8GB hard drive was more than plenty for even hardcore games. Try a 2 GB size, try a custom motherboard with quality onboard video chipset, and maybe move to AMD processors which is more bang for buck. Only thing I would increase is ram because newer games will surely use more. Overall, the Xbox was not the most efficient system even though I LOVE mine.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
MS should go away from the computer turned console idea. It costs them too much money to try and sell a computer at console prices. 8GB hard drive was more than plenty for even hardcore games. Try a 2 GB size, try a custom motherboard with quality onboard video chipset, and maybe move to AMD processors which is more bang for buck. Only thing I would increase is ram because newer games will surely use more. Overall, the Xbox was not the most efficient system even though I LOVE mine.

Those PowerPC processors will be a lot more bang for the buck than an Athlon. Plus I'm sure MS and IBM will be creating a better deal than MS could get with AMD. Remember, AMD was originally the lead contender until out of the blue (no pub intended), IBM was announced to be the provider for the chip.

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: royaldank
I'd like to note that I've never played a single PS1 game in PS2. I would assume a large majority of PS2 owners have never done this.

But, that isn't to say it's not a nice feature to have on the box and in the specs. Doubt many will ever use it, but would like seeing it because they figure they will.

i've played more than I can remember...

 

[Ferocious]

Harddrives have proven to be a waste on game consoles.

Backwards compatibility is not that important.

I don't like the Xbox much.....but Xbox2 has caught my eye so far.

 

[BigPoppa]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: FFactory0x
well in order to be backwars compatible they would need the original NVIDIA gfx chip on board along with the new ATI chip. Wouldnt they have to pay NVIDIA for that chip in order to use it unlike ps2 which owned the ps1 chip and was able to put that onboard with the emotion engine

The PS2 runs the PS1 games through emulation...not direct hardware support. Microsoft should not even have to worry about emulation since the basis of DirectX is to build an API layer between the hardware and the top level software. This should not be an issue.

Now there is a small problem with the fact that the system will be using PowerPC chips instead of x86 chips...but I know MS can put an emulation layer to fix that problem as they own the company that already does that for Macs (forgot the name).

Incorrect. The ps2 uses a ps1 chip as it sound processor. PS1 games are directly compatible. I have no clue how sony plans to make ps3 backwards compatible. I seriously doubt it would be financially viable to put the ps2 emotion engine in the PS3.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: Ferocious
Harddrives have proven to be a waste on game consoles.

Backwards compatibility is not that important.

I don't like the Xbox much.....but Xbox2 has caught my eye so far.

How can you said HDD's are a waste on game consoles? Everyone I know who owns an XBox loves the HDD feature. I personally haven't bought one memory card for my XBox because of the HDD. I think that a built in HDD for a game console was one of the most innovative idea's yet to come. If Microsoft decides to get rid of it, I will be very dissapointed.

 

[brian_riendeau]

"The PS2 runs the PS1 games through emulation...not direct hardware support."

Wrong, the chip that controllers the input functions on the PS2 is essentially a PSOne chipset.

 

[Atlantean]

No harddrive??? not backwards compatable?!!?! I will be getting a sony ps3 then.

 

[guyver01]

THIS is the best quote:

``I can't imagine that Microsoft would be so insanely stupid as to make it incompatible,'' said Jon Peddie, an analyst at Jon Peddie Research in Tiburon.

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: KraziKid

Originally posted by: wyvrn
MS should go away from the computer turned console idea. It costs them too much money to try and sell a computer at console prices. 8GB hard drive was more than plenty for even hardcore games. Try a 2 GB size, try a custom motherboard with quality onboard video chipset, and maybe move to AMD processors which is more bang for buck. Only thing I would increase is ram because newer games will surely use more. Overall, the Xbox was not the most efficient system even though I LOVE mine.

Those PowerPC processors will be a lot more bang for the buck than an Athlon. Plus I'm sure MS and IBM will be creating a better deal than MS could get with AMD. Remember, AMD was originally the lead contender until out of the blue (no pub intended), IBM was announced to be the provider for the chip.

Last I saw, pc processors had eclipsed Motorola's in terms of raw power. Apple even announced they were thinking of using intel chips in their computers. I haven't kept up with it though, has Motorola come out with a new line of processors? (PowerPC is an apple spec, right?)

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: brian_riendeau
"The PS2 runs the PS1 games through emulation...not direct hardware support."

Wrong, the chip that controllers the input functions on the PS2 is essentially a PSOne chipset.

I stand corrected. After doing a little research I found that the IOP chip made for the PS2 does infact execute all PS/One commands with the correct module loaded. It is not the sound processor as mentioned earlier, but the IO processor as brian has said.

Regardless, given the nature of DirectX, I can't see why Microsoft would consider dropping backward compatibility.