Xbox One hardware Updates

[Paragon_X]

 

Quote

Microsoft may start releasing optional hardware upgrades for Xbox One rather than rolling out all-new consoles, according to Xbox boss Phil Spencer. Polygon reports that the executive's presentation at the Xbox Spring Showcase event teased out a surprising new direction for the system.

"We see on other platforms whether it be mobile or PC that you get a continuous innovation that you rarely see on console," Spencer said. "Consoles lock the hardware and the software platforms together at the beginning of the generation. Then you ride the generation out for seven or so years, while other ecosystems are getting better, faster, stronger."

 

Well, this is gonna be interesting.In my opinion everything will depend on the pricing of those optional upgrades if it indeed this is going to happen. It is also really interesting to see how they will implement those upgrades since as far as I know there is no PCIe on the board. This could also mean the APU is upgradable?

 

 

 

 

 

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[beebskadoo]

So what is to stop a game developer from releasing a game that only works with the updated console? forcing people who own the original to buy the new one...just stupid in my opinion. This goes back to when Microsoft said that 792P was more than good enough for gaming on the XboxOne and that the difference in hardware performance between them and the PS4 would be negligible...this to me shows Microsoft eating their words, because if it was good enough to begin with why change it so quickly?

[Ashaira]

12 minutes ago, beebskadoo said:

So what is to stop a game developer from releasing a game that only works with the updated console? forcing people who own the original to buy the new one...just stupid in my opinion. This goes back to when Microsoft said that 792P was more than good enough for gaming on the XboxOne and that the difference in hardware performance between them and the PS4 would be negligible...this to me shows Microsoft eating their words, because if it was good enough to begin with why change it so quickly?

well microsoft will prob enforce minimums and a dev would want the game to at least be playable on even the lowest spec for a bigger audience.

[SaladFingers]

" Consoles lock the hardware and the software platforms together at the beginning of the generation. Then you ride the generation out for seven or so years, while other ecosystems are getting better, faster, stronger. "

 

Well, Phil. Does the word "PC" ring any bells? So you are trying to make the X-box be like a PC? Better idea: Just focus on PCs then.

[Trik'Stari]

4 hours ago, SaladFingers said:

" Consoles lock the hardware and the software platforms together at the beginning of the generation. Then you ride the generation out for seven or so years, while other ecosystems are getting better, faster, stronger. "

 

Well, Phil. Does the word "PC" ring any bells? So you are trying to make the X-box be like a PC? Better idea: Just focus on PCs then.

^this.

 

Just admit it already, consoles are dead. They serve no purpose anymore.

[SaladFingers]

5 minutes ago, Trik'Stari said:

^this.

 

Just admit it already, consoles are dead. They serve no purpose anymore.

Exactly, if they want to make it upgrade-able then guess what - small factor PCs (HTPC case, anyone?). All those people going on about how consoles are simpler to use need to remember one thing: It's still an OS running on certain hardware. Companies like Valve are already doing the first steps to tackle this. MS has their new fancy Windows Games thing in Win10, why not just improve the interface and maybe even make a "Windows 10 Gaming" variable? Windows 10 is already fragmented into many different versions anyway. So what's the excuse for trapping customers into a single config in 2016?

[Trik'Stari]

1 minute ago, SaladFingers said:

Exactly, if they want to make it upgrade-able then guess what - small factor PCs (HTPC case, anyone?). All those people going on about how consoles are simpler to use need to remember one thing: It's still an OS running on certain hardware. Companies like Valve are already doing the first steps to tackle this. MS has their new fancy Windows Games thing in Win10, why not just improve the interface and maybe even make a "Windows Gaming" variable? Windows 10 is already fragmented into many different versions anyway. 

I'd like to see that happen, but I also know that M$ is retarded enough to completely screw it up and make a generally terrible experience. Not to mention probably trying to charge that Xbox Live Gold subscription, for which you basically get nothing in return, that you don't already get with an ISP subscription.

[IhazHedont]

So ... when we hear that it's easier to develop a game on console because of the locked ecosystem, what will it be if everyone has a different platform ?

The game will automaticly run better ? Or graphic options may be coming on consoles ?

If developers have more work because they have to build the game for different configurations, does this mean PC port will be even crappier because they won't be as dedicated as now ?

 

What's the difference between a upgradable console, and a HTPC then ?

[SaladFingers]

Just now, Trik'Stari said:

I'd like to see that happen, but I also know that M$ is retarded enough to completely screw it up and make a generally terrible experience. Not to mention probably trying to charge that Xbox Live Gold subscription, for which you basically get nothing in return, that you don't already get with an ISP subscription.

So their solution is,

1) Make an HTPC box that can be upgraded just like a PC.

2) Give it a name (X-Box), just like most pre-built PCs.

2) Put a specialized OS to it just like on a PC.

3) Make exclusive games for it, just like they do on PC.

 

I didn't know I had an X-box sitting on my desk already!!! I'll go grab some "X" sticker and slap it on.

 

Oh, the irony.

[Trik'Stari]

1 minute ago, SaladFingers said:

So their solution is,

1) Make an HTPC box that can be upgraded just like a PC.

2) Give it a name (X-Box), just like most pre-built PCs.

2) Put a specialized OS to it just like on a PC.

3) Make exclusive games for it, just like they do on PC.

 

I didn't know I had an X-box sitting on my desk already!!! I'll go grab some "X" sticker and slap it on.

 

Oh, the irony.

As long as I can still mod the crap out of games, play in 5760x1080, and don't have to pay the bullshit xbox live gold subscription, I'm fine with that.

 

Chances are, they will go the Apple route and make it so you can only use "approved hardware".

[SaladFingers]

2 minutes ago, IhazHedont said:

What's the difference between a upgradable console, and a HTPC then ?

Practically zero, but slapping a "console!" sticker and they can get away with charging monthly fees and keeping their fanboy armies tuned.

[GarnetDevil]

If I want an upgradeable console I'd buy a PC instead

If I want a mobile upgradeable console I'd buy an HTPC instead

 

It's like Xbox One just surrendered to PC

[brownninja97]

5 hours ago, beebskadoo said:

So what is to stop a game developer from releasing a game that only works with the updated console? forcing people who own the original to buy the new one...just stupid in my opinion. This goes back to when Microsoft said that 792P was more than good enough for gaming on the XboxOne and that the difference in hardware performance between them and the PS4 would be negligible...this to me shows Microsoft eating their words, because if it was good enough to begin with why change it so quickly?

No they likely will not do something like that. What they are more likely to do is something like rush the port. 

 

Best example of what i mean is call of duty on the ps3 or xbox 360, something like that is highly to happen. 

[AHaskin14]

This will really mess up the console ecosystem.

[Doobeedoo]

Microsoft said multiple times they want to focus on PC gaming and all, with all unified ecosystem, why not simply make next XB a PC with certain hardware without any custom hardware and just simplified version of Windows.

[MEC-777]

Since the current Xbox one's hardware is all non-interchangeable (all soldered to the board), they will have to release a new version with socketed APUs and/or separate socketed CPU/GPUs and ram slots etc..... which then makes them fully fledged PCs.

 

Yeah, this is kind of dumb. lol 

 

If you want an upgradeable console, just get/build a PC!

[themodernagenb]

I feel like no one here understands why people buy consoles.

Having different SKUs of a console doesn't make it a PC. Having a good, better, best tier doesn't make it a PC. Making it upgradable doesn't make it a PC.

[Trik'Stari]

7 minutes ago, themodernagenb said:

I feel like no one here understands why people buy consoles.

Having different SKUs of a console doesn't make it a PC. Having a good, better, best tier doesn't make it a PC. Making it upgradable doesn't make it a PC.

Exclusives + ease of use.

 

That's really all there is. Which is humorous considering one of them is harmful to the industry, and the other one only applies because they don't move their gaming software over to PC as a steam-like platform.

 

Consoles have no reason to exist anymore. Hardware has gotten to the point that you don't need it. And with VR quickly becoming a thing, you're going to need the more powerful hardware that a modular system can offer.

 

Consoles really aren't easier to use. You can just set everything to automatic and go. Driver updates etc. Even consoles have updates and bugs that take time to get fixed. The real difference is just that you can do more on a PC than you can on a console

[Unhelpful]

2 hours ago, Trik'Stari said:

^this.

 

Just admit it already, consoles are dead. They serve no purpose anymore.

I like my Wii U

[Trik'Stari]

Just now, JoeyDM said:

I like my Wii U

Nintendo really doesn't count, because they're in their own little world, and are never going to be relevant.

 

Not saying that I wouldn't love to see them bring their games to PC. I would absolutely love that, but we all know. It ain't ever gonna happen.

[MEC-777]

IMO, Nintendo is the ONLY one still doing a console properly. Why? Because they are not trying to compete with PC!

 

They just simply make a console with exclusives, take it or leave it. 
 

Also, I've said this before in many other console vs PC threads; we must understand - things that people attach value and worth to, varies greatly among individuals. It's not ultimately about the cost or the graphics or upgradeability or the frame rates etc. It's ultimately about personal preference. Saying things like "consoles have no reason to exist" only applies to your own personal preference. People who play and enjoy them on a daily basis would disagree and that only applies to their own personal preference. 

[patrick3027]

[Misanthrope]

10 hours ago, beebskadoo said:

So what is to stop a game developer from releasing a game that only works with the updated console? 

A lack of common sense?

 

Seriously they might have to introduce the advanced technology of variable game settings the user wouldnt even know about, the horror!

[Nineshadow]

10 hours ago, beebskadoo said:

So what is to stop a game developer from releasing a game that only works with the updated console? forcing people who own the original to buy the new one...just stupid in my opinion. This goes back to when Microsoft said that 792P was more than good enough for gaming on the XboxOne and that the difference in hardware performance between them and the PS4 would be negligible...this to me shows Microsoft eating their words, because if it was good enough to begin with why change it so quickly?

Given the fact that the updated hardware would basically be more powerful variants of the older consoles, it shouldn't really be a problem. It will probably not run as well , but that is expected. Also , you can't forget the unified platform Microsoft is going with these days. If a game could work on all PCs , why shouldn't it work on the console?

[ChineseChef]

This would be relatively easy to do.  Just make the Xbox a chassis with mobo, and the stock one comes with the base cpu/gpu/ram.  Then sell Xbox certified upgrades.  The key would be to keep the options very limited.  Only allow set amounts of ram, such as 8 or 12 or 16.  Then only allow cpu model x, y, or z.  Then video card x, y, or z.  You could give the cpu and gpu different names for the different tiers, but they would have to be simple names and easily understood which is good/better/best.  Then every 2 years you release a new tier. 

 

Developers could easily just have preset graphics settings for each tier of parts, or simply base it off of your lowest tiered part.  Base parts = base settings, mid tier parts = mid tier settings.  That way the user simply gets the best experience they are able to, and doesn't have to worry about or mess with settings.  The console could still boot up straight to the custom OS like they do now.  It would be really easy to implement, and every seven or 8 years they simply release the new Mobo/Chassis combo.  And the new mobo/chassis would basically be the "new model".