Starsiege Tribes - The Xbox 2: Inside and Out

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The Xbox 2: Inside and Out

dryd(takethisout)

2004-09-12, 1:55 pm

WWWWWWWW0000000WWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Adrian

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The Xbox 2: Inside and Out – Part II
By: César A. Berardini - "Cesar"
Aug. 4th, 2004

Table of Contents - Part II
Introduction
Size Does Matter - The Xbox Design

*The Hard Disk Debate
*Backward Compatibility
*The Controller
*XNA
*Who's In?
*When will the Xbox 2 ship?

Introduction

In the first part of our extensive look at the Xbox 2, we covered the
fundamental aspects of the hardware, such as the processor, the
graphic chip, and memory. In this second part we'll discuss the more
controversial topics, including backward compatibility, the inclusion
(or lack) of a built-in hard drive, the potential release date, and
what the Xbox successor might look like.

Size Does Matter

One of the main criticisms regarding the Xbox was its gargantuan size
when compared with other consoles. Historically, videogame consoles
have been much smaller than other consumer electronics (TVs, VCRs, DVD
players). The Xbox design seemed like something from the 80s,
resembling a large Betamax machine more so than a videogame console.

Chances are the next Xbox will be more like a slim DVD player and it
might even take on their grey, metallic look; the new trend in
consumer electronics. Black, as seen in the PlayStation 2 and the
Xbox, appears to be a thing of the past. We have proof of this when
Sony released the PSX, a highly modified PS2. The PSX took on the
appearance of Sony's other hardware with a modern, metallic design.
This year, the PlayStation 2 also received a facelift in the form of
the Satin Silver model.

Americans like big electronics, but unfortunately the rest of the
world doesn't. This is even more evident in Japan, where the size of
electronics really is an issue. So, after redesigning the Xbox
controller for Japan and then making it the default controller for all
territories, Microsoft knows that it is important that the next Xbox
be smaller than its predecessor in order to appeal to a broader
audience. The next Xbox will ship in a time where iPods, SFF
computers, and portable DVD players are a common thing.

The reduction in size might be another reason why Microsoft chose
IBM's technology. One of the key features that distinguish PowerPC
processors (when compared to its competitors) is the amount of power
consumed; which also implies heat dissipation and therefore the need
for cooling hardware. The current generation of processors offered by
Intel dissipates as much as 100 Watts, making necessary the use of big
heatsinks that are unacceptable on a small enclosure, like the one
needed for a reduced Xbox.

This is where IBM's technology comes in handy. Tests conducted earlier
this year showed that the PowerPC 970FX processor (found in the second
generation Apple PowerMac G5 computers) dissipate as much as 60 Watts
in a typical workload; that is almost half the heat dissipated by its
x86 counterparts. It is worth noting that the PowerPC 970FX processor
was the first chip built using silicon-on-insulator (SOI), copper
wiring and strained silicon technologies. By using these processes,
the chip not only outperforms its elder brother, the IBM POWER4
processor, but also uses less power while still operating at equal or
even higher clock speeds. IBM has reported that the implementation of
Silicon-On-Insulator techniques on strained silicon reduces leaked
current (the cause of increased heat) by 20%. On top of that, this
processor features a technology called PowerTune which allows the chip
to operate on significantly reduced power by controlling the processor
frequency and voltage.

All these technologies led to the use of advanced 64-bit processors in
Apple's 1U rack-mount Xserve servers and will soon be used in
PowerBook portables. For those who don't know, the 1U is a form factor
that represents the thickness of the server is just 1.75 inches.

We hope the Xbox 2 mimics this design and also has an anodized
aluminum case…

__

The Hard Drive Debate

When the rumored Xbox 2 specs were first leaked, it had some shocking
info. The Xbox successor might not have a hard drive?! Boom! D'oh!
Ahhhhhhhhhh! The Xbox community cried foul. The industry was
astonished. How could one of the most distinguishing features of the
Xbox be left out for its successor?

At that time, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney made his opinion known, "For
a console to really have a useful online component, it has to have the
hard drive to store downloaded maps and other data.''

As if there weren't enough flames to extinguish, M-Systems' Dov Moran
provided a bold statement, "Microsoft has taken the hard disk out of
its Xbox." If he was just another crazy analyst, his comment would
have passed unnoticed, but it came from the President and CEO of the
company chosen to develop custom flash memory units for the Xbox
successor. We are not talking about the typical memory units used to
save some game files, but instead a new type of solid state device.
"What we're going to offer for the Xbox doesn't currently exist,"
Ronit Maor, Chief Financial Officer of the Israel-based unit of
M-Systems, told to C|Net.

It is hard to tell exactly what Microsoft will do in regards to the
hard drive. Could it be possible that Microsoft will follow Sony and
offer a hard drive as a separate accessory? Past experiences have
demonstrated that only a small percentage of the install base
purchases these types of accessories.

Why would Microsoft take the hard drive out of the Xbox? In order to
reduce costs? The size of the console? It's hard to come up with a
solid conclusion because there are still missing pieces of the puzzle.
Microsoft might have another plan and the solid state solution
M-Systems is working on might hold the key.

Rumors are a plenty when it comes to next-gen hardware. At one point
there was a crazy rumor earlier this year claiming Microsoft has an
iPod killer in the works. It had been reported that J. Allard revealed
that Microsoft was planning a portable hard drive that could be used
as both a music player and an Xbox 2 storage device. The same rumor
also claimed this device would be sold under what is known as a "razor
and blades" business model, in which a master product is sold at a
loss because the profit is in the consumables; music and downloadable
content in this case. This is the same business model videogames
follow, with hardware sold at a subsidized price which is offset by
the games.

It's hard to believe that an executive would spill the beans on
high-level plans, but the rumor could be based on some real facts. It
is no secret that everyone wants to copy Apple and its successful
iTunes money-making cow by offering their own online music stores. In
fact, Microsoft is currently working hard on a MSN Digital Music
store.

But still, would Microsoft take the risk of removing the HDD of a
console, expecting that all those who want to play online or download
new content will purchase an add-on? Aside from the limitations for
online-related content, how would developers reduce loading times and
deal with data that is larger than the system memory? One of the key
advantages the current Xbox offers to developers is the possibility to
store data on the fly which will be streamed later from the hard drive
to system memory. This allows developers to make create huge,
expansive worlds and offer a continuous gaming experience without
those ugly "Loading…" screens that other consoles are known for.

All these questions are impossible to answer as of yet. The leaked
documents claim the inclusion of a HDD hasn't been decided and it will
depend on what Sony does with the PlayStation 3. So far, the only
information from Sony comes from SCEI Europe's COO David Reeves who
mentioned that Sony might offer two versions of the PlayStation 3; one
for those who simply want a gaming machine, and another version that
will act as an all-in-one home entertainment hub.

If that's the case, it is difficult to believe Microsoft would follow
Sony on this one. In the past, Microsoft has clearly pronounced their
stance on this matter with a vision that the Xbox would act as an
amplifier of a PC loaded with Windows Media Center software, rather
than being the central hardware. Microsoft sees the PC as the
all-in-one home entertainment hub.

To sum things up, nobody knows exactly what Microsoft will do with the
Xbox 2's storage features or the way it will deal with downloadable
content. There are even more questions to be answered, like whether
the Xbox 2 will use a standard DVD drive or instead feature a next
generation format, such as the HD-DVD standard.

Backward Compatibility

Another hot topic. Will the Xbox successor be backward compatible with
its predecessor? The official word, as we reported here, is that "it's
far too early to speculate about specifics, including backward
compatibility." Gee, that clears things up.

A feature introduced this generation by the PlayStation 2, backward
compatibility allowed PS2 gamers to play most of the original
PlayStation games on the new hardware. You can bet the PlayStation 3
will be backward compatible and it will be over two generations (PS
and PS2). Some say this feature was one of the reasons the PlayStation
2 reached such a big install base in a short time, although I believe
the major factor was its ability to play DVD movies. This made the PS2
a DVD player that was cheaper than current DVD players available at
that time. A lot of people, including those who never play videogames,
used simple reasoning: Should I buy a DVD player or a DVD player that
also play games? The answer led to more PlayStation 2 consoles playing
The Matrix DVD movie than Gran Turismo 3.

The real question here is, do we need backward compatibility? How
often would you play old games once next generation titles were
available? With a console that now costs $150 (which will probably
drop when next-gen consoles debut) would it be better to keep the
generation of consoles separate than trying to mesh them into one?

While some think it doesn't make or break a system, others believe it
is an important feature. Some even think that including this feature
"compromises the future at the expense of the past".

Technically, backward compatibility is possible. There will be enough
computational power in the next generation to emulate the Xbox
videogame system on the Xbox 2 hardware, even if the processor
architectures are different. Last year, Microsoft acquired the Virtual
PC technology from Connectix Corporation. Virtual PC lets Power
architectures run Windows applications, making it possible to run
existing Xbox games, designed for the x86 architecture, on the Xbox 2.

However, the way Microsoft designed the Xbox, puts a dark cloud over
backward compatibility. Put in simple terms, Microsoft paid other
companies to use their parts for use in the Xbox. Both nVIDIA and
Intel basically sold parts to Microsoft for the Xbox, but those
companies still own the IP behind the hardware. The problem Microsoft
faces, if they want the Xbox successor to be backward compatible, is
that they'd have to license the x86 architecture from Intel and the
graphic technologies from nVIDIA for use in future Xbox products.
Unless a new licensing agreement is agreed upon, there won't be
backward compatibility in the next Xbox and it won't be due to
hardware restrictions. The business world is funny and there's no
telling what agreements will be forged, but from all of the current
information it is extremely unlikely that the Xbox successor will
support backward compatibility.

Happily, the new approach Microsoft is taking with the design of the
Xbox 2 opens up the possibility of backward compatibility for the
third generation Xbox. Under the new model, Microsoft licenses
technology designs that give the software giant more flexibility in
the design and manufacturing process; from custom modifications of
existing PC hardware to the use of the technology in the future.

__

The Controller

One thing everyone agrees on is that the Xbox controller is an
excellent piece of hardware. We're of course talking about the
controller S, and not that original Duke controller. Many developers
have commented that the S is the best first-person shooter controller
on any platform. It is so good, that with XNA, Microsoft will let PC
developers use the Xbox controller on PC games.

We don't believe there will be huge modifications for the next Xbox
controller, although there are rumors that Microsoft will remove the
black and white buttons. The rumors claim these two small buttons will
be eliminated, because of their hard to reach placement.

Finally, the latest talk mentions that Microsoft might add two
shoulder buttons to replace the black and white buttons. Two shoulders
buttons, as seen on the GameCube and PlayStation controllers, sound
like a nice trade-off and would provide more options to those
developers creating a multiplatform title.

One feature that we'd like to see is a wireless headset offered as a
default configuration. We don't think a wireless controller as the
pack-in peripheral is practical due to the high costs, but we'd like
to see wireless technology featured in a cable-free headset.

XNA

XNA is Microsoft's next generation development initiative, which
offers a common framework for the development of PC and Xbox games.
XNA combines both existing Xbox and PC development tools such as
DirectX, the High-Level Shader Language (HLSL), XACT, PIX, the Xaudio
API and Visual Studio, allowing game developers to use one single
toolset to develop their applications. Aside from all the marketing
associated with XNA, which emphasizes Microsoft's software strategy
against Sony's hardware, XNA is a new approach to standardize game
development.

Think of XNA as a translator that speaks several languages. Right now
it speaks two languages, PC and Xbox. But in the future it could learn
any other language: Mac, Nintendo, Sony, etc. It is worth noting that
this common development environment concept is not something new. A
good example is Microsoft's own DirectX API.

Before DirectX, game developers had to make their code compatible with
specific hardware. If you made games compatible with the Voodoo
graphic chip or SoundBlaster sound card it might have a hard time
running on other technologies. Once the DirectX API arrived,
developers knew that by making their code DirectX compatible, their
games would run on every device supported by the API. So, if the API
supports several types of graphic chips and sound cards, the
application will run on all of them and no longer requires coding for
each specific piece of hardware; although small optimizations might be
required. A similar thing happens with Java and its virtual machine.
Developers code for Java and then the virtual machine guarantees the
java application will run wherever that universal translator is
installed, no matter if that is a x86, or a SPAC processor using a
Windows NT or Unix OS. Another example is Microsoft .Net solution that
allows developers to code in whatever language they know, whether it
is C#, C++ or Visual Basic, and then reutilizes that code (or part of
that code) in a different language.

The great thing about XNA is that it offers something never seen
before: a common toolset to develop games for different platforms. We
are no longer talking about different hardware devices like in
DirectX; but instead entire platforms. Code once, run on different
platforms. This is what Microsoft is betting on to win the next
generation battle.

Will XNA becomes the Windows of videogame development and follow the
Internet Explorer, Office, and Windows Media Player monopolies? It's
hard to believe that Sony or Nintendo would adopt this initiative and
let Microsoft's empire grow. Therefore, we think XNA will be
restricted to the PC and Xbox platforms for a while.

__

Who's In?

Although Microsoft is mum about the next generation Xbox, developers
and publishers have already starting talking about their plans for the
future consoles. Even first and second party studios have confirmed
they are already working on next-generation Xbox games.

Activision confirmed in its latest conference call that they are
already working on next-generation titles and they were even more
specific in relation to its Neversoft Studio; the creators of the Tony
Hawk series. Activision not only confirmed there's a Tony Hawk title
in the works for the next generation but also announced that Neversoft
is working on a new intellectual property (that is not a sports title)
slated for release in fiscal 2006 (Jul-05 through Jun-06). As we
announced here, Neversoft is already looking for a person to port
their existing engine to the Xbox successor.

Day 1 Studios has also confirmed, through its jobs page, that they are
working on an unnamed Xbox 2 project and last month Jon Kimmich, a
former Microsoft Game Studios employee, joined the company to lead the
development team in the creation of this title. Check out our
exclusive interview with Jon. Another first party developer working on
a next-gen Xbox games is Digital Anvil, the developer of Brute Force.
The Texas-based Studio has already specified on its job page that
they're looking for a programmer to work on an unannounced Xbox 2
title.

Probably, the most interesting next-generation projects in the works
so far are those from Epic and Digital Extremes. These long-time
partners, who have teamed up in the past to create several Unreal
titles, are working for the very first time on different projects that
have one thing in common. They are not Unreal titles.

Digital Extremes announced earlier this year an impressive-looking
title: Dark Sector. Better said, they updated the status of the
long-time delayed Dark Sector by releasing a teaser trailer of the
game. To our surprise, DE revealed at the end of the teaser that this
title won't use Epic's Unreal engine but an in-house technology simply
known as the Dark Sector engine. They also emphasized the footage seen
in this trailer is 100% in-game.

But without a doubt, the best next-gen candy we've tasted is the new
Unreal Engine 3. Epic Games has made it clear that the first game Epic
is creating with this technology isn't in the Unreal franchise and
that version three of the Unreal engine doesn't have to be associated
with an Unreal 3 game. In an interview with Eurogamer, Epic suggested
their UE3-based game will ship on the Xbox successor. In fact, the
designs seen at GDC and in E3 2004 demos belong to this unannounced
project.

When will the Xbox 2 ship?

The release date for the Xbox successor is a complete mystery.
Industry insiders claim the console will ship in time for the
Christmas 2005 season. If that's the case, the Xbox will have only a
four year life cycle, so that's why a 2006 release date sounds more
likely.

So far, Microsoft has reiterated that this time Sony won't get a head
start. "This generation we were statistically out of the playoffs
before we even laced up our shoes," concedes J Allard, vice president
in charge of Xbox Live. "Next season, there won't be an 18-month head
start. We'll be neck and neck right out of the gate, and Xbox Live
will give us a huge online head start."

One thing is for sure; Microsoft won't let Sony launch its PlayStation
3 before the Xbox 2. So the real question here is, will Microsoft
launch the Xbox 2 before or along side with Sony's next console?

Sony has only promised a playable PlayStation 3 by E3 2005 and that
the console will be unveiled before the expo, but the actual ship date
is unknown. A main determining factor will be the PS3's
state-of-the-art processor; the Cell. Later this year, Toshiba will
begin trial production of the chip at its Yokohama, Japan factory and
the first workstations powered by a version of the Cell processor are
expected to be available by the end of the year. Considering these
dates, it is possible that the PlayStation 3 could reach the Japanese
market in the spring of 2006 at the earliest, with a potential fall
release in North America.

With that in mind, the Xbox 2 would have the end of 2005 and first
half of 2006 to launch in order to go head-to-head with Sony. Last
month, Steve Ballmer said there won't an Xbox 2 in fiscal year 2005,
which basically puts the release date of the Xbox successor in the
timeframe mentioned above.

It is worth noting that the release date will also influence the
hardware specs, with a 2006 release date making it easier for
Microsoft to include more system memory or a media drive that supports
the HD-DVD standard.

Epilogue

So that's all folks. That is the Xbox 2 (at least from our take) in a
nutshell. It's still too early to discuss small details, such as the
audio chip, the controller ports or the kind of Ethernet interface
(standard or Wi-Fi ready). Now it is time for Microsoft to make an
official announcement to hush all of this speculation. With Sony and
Nintendo already confirming playable versions of their next generation
machines for E3 2005, we expect an announcement by Microsoft early
next year, probably at CES 2005.

If you happened to miss part one of our look into the Xbox 2, be sure
to check it out here. Also, get involved in our Xbox 2 discussions in
the TeamXbox forums.

>^,,^

2004-09-12, 1:55 pm

dryd(takethisout)" <"dryd(takethisout) wrote:

quote:

> WWWWWWWW0000000WWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> ~Adrian

I gather you were muchly impressed. ;)

--

quote:

>^,,^< Miracle/DkAngel