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[Vegetable Lasagna]

This makes more sense for Microsoft than a Xbox 1.5 honestly.

An Xbox one that can run steam is far more useful and has more crossover appeal than a PS4k.

Just curious why people assume an upgradeable Xbox would even support steam or run anything other than the Xbox OS? Hopefully it doesn't and MS is the only one producing these boxes. We don't need a Steam Machine level Valve fuckup here.

 

[VincentMatts]

Just curious why people assume an upgradeable Xbox would even support steam or run anything other than the Xbox OS? Hopefully it doesn't and MS is the only one producing these boxes. We don't need a Steam Machine level Valve fuckup here.

Honestly, imo one way of "easing the pain" of this would be to tell people that there will be no next gen xbox from this point on. Only incremental upgrades like this that will always work with the games you own.

I dunno if thats doable considering HW might change, but thats what id do.

 

[leeh]

Esram is also a band aid for ddr3 bandwidth, from the looks of it the ps4k will have 200GB/S gddr5. Im pretty sure microsoft can find a way to emulate esram
in gddr5 or gddr5x

You've got to take into account the fact that the once the CPU is using RAM, that theoretical bandwidth plummets. eSRAM has different access management, you can read/write simultaneously on certain iterations.

They'd still need that thing there. Really shot themselves in the foot. Especially when its latency is tiny at literally sits on the APU. When it's dealing with frame buffers, and that code is low level I can't imagine a way they could emulate it.

Saying that, I still don't have a slightest idea how they managed to properly emulate 3.2Ghz PowerPC on 8 small x86 cores.

 

[Chittagong]

Console manufacturers have finally invented a way to battle lowering ASPs during a platform cycle. After people get used to the idea I think it will do really well.

Xbox would have pretty good branding for this thing already in the architecture, just call it the Xbox One Elite.

 

[VincentMatts]

Console manufacturers have finally invented a way to battle lowering ASPs during a platform cycle. After people get used to the idea I think it will do really well.

Xbox would have pretty good branding for this thing already in the architecture, just call it the Xbox One Elite.

Just call it Xbox, make sure all 360 and One disks & peripherals work on it perfectly (no emulation), bump up the specs and keep doing that every 3-4 years.

 

[Bizzquik]

You do realize that not everything that comes out of his mouth is the company's official position on the subject right? He said he didn't like the idea of that, not that MS would never do it. There's a difference. You you can't tell the difference that's your problem

If an Xbox One.5 is in the works - and is to be out sooner rather than later - solid planning would be well underway. Developing any iteration of a console takes internal R&D and coordination with hardware manufacturers. He would know if Microsoft was going to release a .5 version soon.

And if he knew that, he wouldn't be so dismissive in his interview with Game Informer. His word choice strikes me as a man fully committed at getting you to buy an Xbox One based on its current performance abilities for the foreseeable future.

(Having said that, I think we see the full-on, new Xbox in November 2017. But that part is just speculation.)

 

[chadskin]

Xbox would have pretty good branding for this thing already in the architecture, just call it the Xbox One Elite.

 

[RowdyReverb]

You've got to take into account the fact that the once the CPU is using RAM, that theoretical bandwidth plummets. eSRAM has different access management, you can read/write simultaneously on certain iterations.

They'd still need that thing there. Really shot themselves in the foot. Especially when its latency is tiny at literally sits on the APU. When it's dealing with frame buffers, and that code is low level I can't imagine a way they could emulate it.

Saying that, I still don't have a slightest idea how they managed to properly emulate 3.2Ghz PowerPC on 8 small x86 cores.

Why couldn't they just swap the DDR3 for GDDR5 and leave the ESRAM as it is? The APU could read/write directly to the RAM and bypass the ESRAM if need be, right?

 

[VincentMatts]

If an Xbox One.5 is in the works - and is to be out sooner rather than later - solid planning would be well underway. Developing any iteration of a console takes internal R&D and coordination with hardware manufacturers. He would know if Microsoft was going to release a .5 version soon.

And if he knew that, he wouldn't be so dismissive in his interview with Game Informer. His word choice strikes me as a man fully committed at getting you to buy an Xbox One based on its current performance abilities for the foreseeable future.

(Having said that, I think we see the full-on, new Xbox in November 2017. But that part is just speculation.)

I agree with most of what you said, that being said, he could very well "know" about whats coming and still not be a huge fan of it personally. People do have opinions and im sure he has to make a lot of decisions daily that he doesnt necessarily agree with or like. Like cancelling a game he enjoys or closing a studio like Lionhead.

You seem to think that things are either black or theyre white and reality isnt like that at all.

 

[c0de]

You've got to take into account the fact that the once the CPU is using RAM, that theoretical bandwidth plummets. eSRAM has different access management, you can read/write simultaneously on certain iterations.

They'd still need that thing there. Really shot themselves in the foot. Especially when its latency is tiny at literally sits on the APU. When it's dealing with frame buffers, and that code is low level I can't imagine a way they could emulate it.

Saying that, I still don't have a slightest idea how they managed to properly emulate 3.2Ghz PowerPC on 8 small x86 cores.

I don't think it's a big problem to put the esram also into a new “package“ for legacy reasons. Old code can still use it when necessary while new code can use a new controller for new ram which also has at least the game speed as ddr3. Yield rates should be way better now and the shrink will make it a small part on a new chip.

 

[omgwtfbentime]

I'm fairly ignorant on game development, but with Microsoft switching it's xbox one game development to work under UWP would that maybe mean developing for multiple xbox systems would be a little easier compared to whatever Sony is doing?

I'm not sure how much truth is in that but I get the feeling Microsoft would be able to pull something like that off better than Sony.

 

[Psyrgery ES]

Why couldn't they just swap the DDR3 for GDDR5 and leave the ESRAM as it is? The APU could read/write directly to the RAM and bypass the ESRAM if need be, right?

Not tech-savy, but I think you would be running into some issues here:

The ESRAM takes up a HUGE amount of die space. That's why the Xbox One GPU is so underpowered compared to that of the PS4. If Microsoft had to keep the same amount of ESRAM in the new console for backwards compatibility they would end up having the same problems they have now: The new console would be way underpowered compared to the new Ps4k because the small amount of die left would not be enough for a beefy GPU.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

The ambient noise/vibrations from the box itself could cause issue. In Kinect V2 this is why they separated it even from the Kinect main body.

Support usb microphones then.

 

[garyizraw]

Not tech-savy, but I think you would be running into some issues here:

The ESRAM takes up a HUGE amount of die space. That's why the Xbox One GPU is so underpowered compared to that of the PS4. If Microsoft had to keep the same amount of ESRAM in the new console for backwards compatibility they would end up having the same problems they have now: The new console would be way underpowered compared to the new Ps4k because the small amount of die left would not be enough for a beefy GPU.

How plausible would a current xbox one be just with the current GPU and a new GPU alongside a beefier CPU ?

 

[Chittagong]

See, it works already! Just pop that 4-5TF GPU in there and update Halo 5 and we're set.

 

[Chris1]

If an Xbox One.5 is in the works - and is to be out sooner rather than later - solid planning would be well underway. Developing any iteration of a console takes internal R&D and coordination with hardware manufacturers. He would know if Microsoft was going to release a .5 version soon.

And if he knew that, he wouldn't be so dismissive in his interview with Game Informer. His word choice strikes me as a man fully committed at getting you to buy an Xbox One based on its current performance abilities for the foreseeable future.

(Having said that, I think we see the full-on, new Xbox in November 2017. But that part is just speculation.)

I agree, you don't come out and say "I don't like this", then your company does it anyways 2 months later. Even if he didn't like it, he'd just keep his mouth shut to save the PR nightmare.

It's like when Major Nelson was on some podcast saying paid mappacks were bad and how it splits the community etc, even though he's only a PR guy and has no real say in it I had a feeling Gears DLC would be free because of that. If they ended up charging for Gears DLC, you know everyone would use his words against him in negative light towards Gears 4.

However at the same time, I don't know if they can afford to not put out another machine if Sony is and I think 2017 is too early for a next gen.

 

[MilkyJoe]

Just curious why people assume an upgradeable Xbox would even support steam or run anything other than the Xbox OS? Hopefully it doesn't and MS is the only one producing these boxes. We don't need a Steam Machine level Valve fuckup here.

I'm amazed people think there will be an upgradable Xbox...

 

[MilkyJoe]

I agree with most of what you said, that being said, he could very well "know" about whats coming and still not be a huge fan of it personally. People do have opinions and im sure he has to make a lot of decisions daily that he doesnt necessarily agree with or like. Like cancelling a game he enjoys or closing a studio like Lionhead.

You seem to think that things are either black or theyre white and reality isnt like that at all.

Companies love it when the face of their product publicly state they do not like the next new product.

 

[VincentMatts]

Companies love it when the face of their product publicly state they do not like the next new product.

Trump followers like that too.

 

[JaggedSac]

Maybe put it in the controller then.

This would be good. And even add it to the remote control peripheral.

 

[JaggedSac]

Why couldn't they just swap the DDR3 for GDDR5 and leave the ESRAM as it is? The APU could read/write directly to the RAM and bypass the ESRAM if need be, right?

They should go the Intel route and put 128mb of esram in there.

 

[Vegetable Lasagna]

I'm amazed people think there will be an upgradable Xbox...

I think it's a definite possibility. Look at the Surface Book with it's extra GPU in the detachable keyboard. A modular console like that with components that anyone can pop right on could really work.

Also, the Surface team is working on the next Xbox.

 

[VincentMatts]

I think it's a definitely possibility. Looks at the Surface Book with it's extra GPU in the detachable keyboard. A modular console like that easily plugged in components could really work.

Also, the Surface team is working on the next Xbox.

Eeeesh, is that supposed to hype me or kill my excitement

 

[Vegetable Lasagna]

Eeeesh, is that supposed to hype me or kill my excitement

It should hype you. Everything that has come out of that team since the Surface Pro 3 has been absolutely great hardware.

 

[shandy706]

Also, the Surface team is working on the next Xbox.

Eeeesh, is that supposed to hype me or kill my excitement

Depends on how deep your wallet bank account is.

 

[Doffen]

Eeeesh, is that supposed to hype me or kill my excitement

Depends if you like sexy premium hardware.

 

[VincentMatts]

Depends on how deep your wallet bank account is.

It should hype you. Everything that has come out of that team since the Surface Pro 3 has been absolutely great hardware.

Depends if you like sexy premium hardware.

True enough. I have to admit, it is pretty sweet but at that price, i just cant afford it for what id do with it.

 

[Chris1]

It should hype you. Everything that has come out of that team since the Surface Pro 3 has been absolutely great hardware.

They've also been expensive though.

I think whatever they come up with will be good and I'm excited to see what they do but there's a bit of a difference working with <$400 hardware and $1k+.

 

[Vegetable Lasagna]

They've also been expensive though.

I think whatever they come up with will be good and I'm excited to see what they do but there's a bit of a difference working with <$400 hardware and $1k+.

Yes, but the base version doesn't have to be more than $400. The base version could be the equivalent of the Xbox One as it is now. The GPU upgrades etc is where the components would be much pricier. Think of each component as a separate module just like the Surface Book keyboard. Just pop your GPU off the system base and put a new one on. It could really work well and I think that is the future of consoles imo.

 

[EvB]

Maybe put it in the controller then.

I was speculating to myself that maybe be the reason there is a built in Audio IC with the premium model's Wifi chips

 

[MacTag]

Console manufacturers have finally invented a way to battle lowering ASPs during a platform cycle. After people get used to the idea I think it will do really well.

Nintendo invented it 20 years ago with their handhelds.

 

[krang]

Xbox One slim with more consistent 360 emulation to replace the now obsolete 360. Maybe hardware-supported emulation?

Xbox Two

 

[ryan299]

I think it's a definite possibility. Look at the Surface Book with it's extra GPU in the detachable keyboard. A modular console like that with components that anyone can pop right on could really work.

Also, the Surface team is working on the next Xbox.

Hopefully they can figure out how to get rid of the power brick.

 

[ekim]

I was speculating to myself that maybe be the reason there is a built in Audio IC with the premium model's Wifi chips

I rather think that would be the mic inside of the console located where the wifi chip is ( outside of the "cage")

 

[El_Chino]

I think it's a definite possibility. Look at the Surface Book with it's extra GPU in the detachable keyboard. A modular console like that with components that anyone can pop right on could really work.

Also, the Surface team is working on the next Xbox.

Speculation or inside info?

 

[naitosan]

Microsoft has no choice unless they want to be called other "Wii" with underpowered console while PS Neo and NX being more powerful.

I could see Microsoft going like this:

Xbox One : New slim model, Family All in One Entertainment with Kinect console for $299.
Xbox Two : Brand new, pure gaming console, bundled with Elite gamepad, ultra fast SSD, VR ready (Vive or Oculus support) with more powerful hardware for $499.

Microsoft would provide trade-in program at Microsoft Stores for people who wants to upgrade to Xbox Two.

 

[Steverulez]

Speculation or inside info?

Panos Panay is now in charge of all premium hardware at Microsoft so i'd be very surprised if he/his team had literally no input in it. MS are all about synergy and divisions swimming together these days, so I bet he is involved in some way

 

[Proelite]

Microsoft has no choice unless they want to be called other "Wii" with underpowered console while PS Neo and NX being more powerful.

I could see Microsoft going like this:

Xbox One : New slim model, Family All in One Entertainment with Kinect console for $299.
Xbox Two : Brand new, pure gaming console, bundled with Elite gamepad, ultra fast SSD, VR ready (Vive or Oculus support) with more powerful hardware for $499.

Microsoft would provide trade-in program at Microsoft Stores for people who wants to upgrade to Xbox Two.

Rename Xbox Two to Three. Xbox two is the Xb1 spec leveled UWP machine that comes with kb&m for $399.

Xbox Four would be the ultra high end config. $599.

 

[civilstrife]

It's pretty obvious that Spencer's quote is just a cop out so that he can later say:

"This new Xbox is so much more than 'Xbox 1.5'. This is a full generational leap forward in hardware architecture, using advanced technologies a, b, and c. And it still plays all your One games and vice versa! This isn't Xbox 1.5, it's (Insert name here)!"

It's marketing speak and nothing more.

 

[Sarobi]

I'm telling you guys, the next xbox is a tablet.

 

[krang]

It's pretty obvious that Spencer's quote is just a cop out so that he can later say:

"This new Xbox is so much more than "Xbox 1.5". This is a full generational leap forward in hardware, using advanced technologies a, b, and c. And it still plays all your One games and vice versa! This isn't Xbox 1.5, it's (Insert name here)!"

It's marketing speak and nothing more.

That's bullshit.

Spoiler

And yet sounds an awful lot like something he would say, bless him.

 

[Theorry]

Maybe the elite was also some sort of test so see if people were up to a premium version?
Same for the controller? Dont know were the elite is also gonna stand after a xbox one 1.5 is gonna be released?

 

[krang]

Microsoft has no choice unless they want to be called other "Wii" with underpowered console while PS Neo and NX being more powerful.

I could see Microsoft going like this:

Xbox One : New slim model, Family All in One Entertainment with Kinect console for $299.
Xbox Two : Brand new, pure gaming console, bundled with Elite gamepad, ultra fast SSD, VR ready (Vive or Oculus support) with more powerful hardware for $499.

Microsoft would provide trade-in program at Microsoft Stores for people who wants to upgrade to Xbox Two.

I like this. Although I doubt it would be powerful enough for VR, include an SS drive AND have the $150 Elite pad for $499.

 

[TheSeks]

So they are making an Xbox-branded PC then, potentially?
Interesting, to say the least.

It'd fit their UWP goals.

 

[Mrbob]

I'm fairly ignorant on game development, but with Microsoft switching it's xbox one game development to work under UWP would that maybe mean developing for multiple xbox systems would be a little easier compared to whatever Sony is doing?

I'm not sure how much truth is in that but I get the feeling Microsoft would be able to pull something like that off better than Sony.

Perhaps it may be better on Xbox but looking at PC I would say whole heatedly no. UWP is a disaster on PC in its current form.

 

[PanicFreak]

They need to upgrade the controller so that you can give the Xbox voice commands without kinect. I would kill for a Xbox Media remote that had that feature.

 

[MrGerbils]

I really hope they just name it Xbox.

Or really just screw with people and name it Original Xbox.

 

[jelly]

They need to upgrade the controller so that you can give the Xbox voice commands without kinect. I would kill for a Xbox Media remote that had that feature.

Amazon and Apple seem to have done it no bother. Must be on the cards, just need to get Cortana on Xbox first.

 

[Vegetable Lasagna]

Speculation or inside info?

Panos Panay is now the head of engineering for all of Microsoft's hardware divisions. They also shutdown their Xbox R&D division in 2014 (think it was headquartered in China?) and have since moved it in house to Redmond.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

I really hope they just name it Xbox.

Or really just screw with people and name it Original Xbox.

If they just call it the Xbox 4K, they will finally be inline with Sony's numbering. That makes most sense to me. It'll also be the 4th console so there's that too.