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With the specifications of the X-box, and corporate backing by Microsoft, one could believe that this is the end of PC gaming as we know it. Microsoft have effectively created a 'PC in an idiot proof box'.
The X-Box runs on a Direct X API, as do Windows games. Thus in theory developers could easily port their games over to the X-Box and capitalise on that niche. However, will Microsoft want to destroy PC gaming?
It is axiomatic that the X-Box has unlimited potential as a games machine. But how far will this be exercised? Will the X-Box appear in our offices?
These questions are no doubt being debated in Microsoft HQ as we sleep, and the sole determinant on the limits of X-Box will be Microsoft. This in my mind is the one factor that may hold the X-Box back. If Microsoft feel that releasing a certain piece of software on the X-Box will prove unprofitable weighed against a PC only release, they can put a stop to it.
Games developers such as Nintendo have no corporate pressures except making their consoles desirable to the consumer. Microsoft have two considerations - and this will no doubt affect what we can do with our X-Box.
The X-Box runs on a Direct X API, as do Windows games. Thus in theory developers could easily port their games over to the X-Box and capitalise on that niche. However, will Microsoft want to destroy PC gaming?
It is axiomatic that the X-Box has unlimited potential as a games machine. But how far will this be exercised? Will the X-Box appear in our offices?
These questions are no doubt being debated in Microsoft HQ as we sleep, and the sole determinant on the limits of X-Box will be Microsoft. This in my mind is the one factor that may hold the X-Box back. If Microsoft feel that releasing a certain piece of software on the X-Box will prove unprofitable weighed against a PC only release, they can put a stop to it.
Games developers such as Nintendo have no corporate pressures except making their consoles desirable to the consumer. Microsoft have two considerations - and this will no doubt affect what we can do with our X-Box.
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I love the X-Box, I have one sitting in my living room. I am not 'Anti-XBox' in any way at all. I am neither saying that the XBox would be incomplete without microsoft office, that is absurd. The point I am trying to make is that the XBox COULD potentially run software like office if it wanted to. But as with a lot of technology these days it is constrained by its manufacturers.
The earlier point about XBox taking over PC gaming was more of a question. I was asking for feedback. I understand that there is potential for XBox to lure away PC gamers, as the XBox is much closer to the PC in architecture than any other console. PC titles are easily ported to XBox. Passing comments maybe, but I think they do need consideration.
The earlier point about XBox taking over PC gaming was more of a question. I was asking for feedback. I understand that there is potential for XBox to lure away PC gamers, as the XBox is much closer to the PC in architecture than any other console. PC titles are easily ported to XBox. Passing comments maybe, but I think they do need consideration.
Why the hell should this be the end to PC gaming? Microsoft has nothing to do with the games that are made, they don't need to have a license or be certified. There are still one hell of a lot of people who'd rather play on their PC than on a console, and since you think you're smart, you should know this.
The XBox does NOT use DirectX as it does not need to.
As for MS releasing Office etc, why would they want to? What would they gain?
The XBox is designed as a games console, and MS are getting the most out of it as a games console.
How could releasing Office help in "unleashing the potential of the XBox to it's fullest"?
There would be no point in MS releasing it. Which is why they won't.
As for MS releasing Office etc, why would they want to? What would they gain?
The XBox is designed as a games console, and MS are getting the most out of it as a games console.
How could releasing Office help in "unleashing the potential of the XBox to it's fullest"?
There would be no point in MS releasing it. Which is why they won't.
I agree, of course the XBox uses Direct X. And YH, my point was to question what would happen if MS were to release keyboards, mice, and say office for the XBox. You clearly stated that MS had no plans to release such devices for XBox...fine! The question is why microsoft choose to do this. It would be simple for MS to release this equipment, and the potential will always be there. However, microsoft will never release this equipment. Thus not unleashing the potential of the XBox to it's fullest. Why? Because they also need to think about the PC marketplace. It's all about money kid!
YH - I'm sure Xbox does use DirectX technology. I think it's actually based around DirectX, and that's actually where the name Xbox comes from.
Ok, for a start the XBox doesn't use DirectX at all. DirectX is used in Windows to help get th emost out of all the different possible hardware setups.
Different CPU's, different graphics cards, different sound cards etc. DirectX helps sort all that out.
You don't need DirectX in XBox becuase the developers know EXACTLY what's in the box, and can optimise their code accordingly.
Also, Microsoft have said that they won't be releasing a keyboard or mouse, let alone Office, for the XBox.
Microsoft will want to do all they can to make XBox a success. The fact that they set aside $500million for launch advertising compared to the $60million Nintendo have allocated shows this. Which means giving gamers what they want -> Great games.
Different CPU's, different graphics cards, different sound cards etc. DirectX helps sort all that out.
You don't need DirectX in XBox becuase the developers know EXACTLY what's in the box, and can optimise their code accordingly.
Also, Microsoft have said that they won't be releasing a keyboard or mouse, let alone Office, for the XBox.
Microsoft will want to do all they can to make XBox a success. The fact that they set aside $500million for launch advertising compared to the $60million Nintendo have allocated shows this. Which means giving gamers what they want -> Great games.
I agree the DC didnt kill PC Gaming, but the DC flopped in the sales market. My point was Microsoft are solely in charge of what they can do with the X-Box. They solely have the say in what can and can't be done with the console. Now if a piece of software that would run fine on XBox, but would, as a knock-on effect, reduce PC sales, MS could put a stop to it. Imagine, in first instance, what would happen if Microsoft released a keyboard, mouse, and a copy of Office for the XBox. Fewer people would buy PC's as they play kick-ass games and do office work for a far lower price.
Well the Dreamcast was a PC based console that ran Windows CE for some of its games, and had specially writen dev software to convert PC games to the DC.... yet that never really killed PC gaming.
PCs aren't for games. They never were, and never should be. Just because they have huge graphics cards doesn't mean they are for games. PC games are very sloppy in terms of coding - just look at the size of game installs these days. 1Gb+ sometimes. Developers know that because PC power and graphics card power will increase, all they need to do is add more and more code to do better stuff - they don't optimise.
XBox changes all of that, and it means developers can focus on one standard, and extract the maximum from the system, optimising the hell out of their code.
It is my view that a lot more people with PCs will buy an XBox (like me). I am fed up of the huge installs, crashes, bug fixes, patches, and massive hardware demands that cost you £300+ every few months just to keep up. With XBox you just slap the game in, play it, and then forget about it, knowing that in 4 years time you won't have to spend another penny on hardware to play the latest games.
I don't think it will be the end of PC gaming, but as more and more people realise that they can get their "PC type" gaming fixes from an "idiot proof" console, I think PC gaming as we know it may slow down.
XBox changes all of that, and it means developers can focus on one standard, and extract the maximum from the system, optimising the hell out of their code.
It is my view that a lot more people with PCs will buy an XBox (like me). I am fed up of the huge installs, crashes, bug fixes, patches, and massive hardware demands that cost you £300+ every few months just to keep up. With XBox you just slap the game in, play it, and then forget about it, knowing that in 4 years time you won't have to spend another penny on hardware to play the latest games.
I don't think it will be the end of PC gaming, but as more and more people realise that they can get their "PC type" gaming fixes from an "idiot proof" console, I think PC gaming as we know it may slow down.
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