Microsoft applies for scalable console patent

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Soldato
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I knew they would do something like this:

A recent patent filing suggests that Microsoft's next console
is based on the idea that it can be scaled up - or down - over time,
leading to speculation that the current notion of a console lifecycle
could be replaced with rolling hardware upgrades.

So basicaly as Microsoft once dominated the PC software market
they could possibly dominate what could become the NEW
PC market in years to come.

To me this is the step in the direction of a console / media player / pc.
The xbox360 will have a browser before its life is over
so obviously the 720 will have one.
whats next to add to the new console? "the education pack" ??
wich would include scaled down versions of office
to do your homework on?

Microsoft thats rather bloody clever..

more here: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-microsoft-scalable-platform-patent
 
Modular console, interesting.

Take an off-the-shelf PC component, put it in a proprietary case then charge 100% more than it's worth (Xbox hard drives).

Jobs a good 'un.
 
So presumably to play the latest and greatest you'd first have to buy the latest module. That's fine by me as I know I will be keeping up with the tech as I did for years as a PC gamer and many gamers here will do the same.

Surely would lead to confusion in the highstreet though?
 
They might do with what they do with games that support kinect, just stick an Enhanced for... label on the boxes.
 
Could work so that if graphics card A is plugged in, the game locks the settings into "Low", if graphics card B is plugged in, the game locks the settings into "Medium", etc etc.

So every game is programmed to just 'up' the settings when newer parts are plugged in. Isn't the worst idea if that's how it would work. People who want the cheapest route can still play the game, but it just won't look as good as those who spend more.

Pretty much the situation with a PC. Budget build or high-end build.
 
Dont like this idea, will cause developers to just opt to use better hardware than try to improve the software side of things costing the consumer more. If I wanted scaleable gaming I'd go back to pc gaming.
 
Im sorry but this idea is stupid, lazy developers will always go for easiest option of the highest headroom, consumers will be forced to feel like they have to upgrade to enjoy the latest games.

Considering the efforts taking by good devs to eek out performance each generation this just seems to be a cop out to allow devs to make any old **** however badly designed it is and however many patches it needs to get it to work as required...

Im sure MS are doing this just to get the patent in place - be interesting to see how its worded so it doesnt technically cover PCs

EDIT: Reading some of that link reminds me of the 3DO when it talks about possible OEM customisations...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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Plainsong said:
So presumably to play the latest and greatest you'd first have to buy the latest module. That's fine by me as I know I will be keeping up with the tech as I did for years as a PC gamer and many gamers here will do the same.

Surely would lead to confusion in the highstreet though?
Click to expand...

the games would be scalable as well as the hardware so the consumer
would be able to play anygame on any iteration of the xbox720.
i spose they could "point out" via dasboard adverts "play your games even better with the new "whatever" upgrades.
 
How will old games scale up when an upgrade is out? How would they use newer versions of DX without devs being involved in patching them (efficiencies would be easy, new DX commands would need involvement)? Why would devs be interested in updating games theyve already released and resolved their profit from, as far as they care youve bought the game already so what value is there for them to update it, especially if theyve got the sequel to that game around the corner?

Theres a few holes when it comes to LOD but far more when you think of scaling old games up without dev support and that seems essential to me to sell these upgrades, as its pointless have a back catalogue that cant take advantage of them. Be interesting to see the value of the sequel when the previous game potentially can be graphical improved to similar standards...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
The whole point of consoles is they aren't fragmented like the PC market. They will become useless if this is the case. Why not just buy a controller and link it up to your computer? If it's all going cloud based then why not just make Xbox Live into Microsoft Gaming Live (Zone for the oldies)
 
Nymins said:
Could work so that if graphics card A is plugged in, the game locks the settings into "Low", if graphics card B is plugged in, the game locks the settings into "Medium", etc etc.

So every game is programmed to just 'up' the settings when newer parts are plugged in. Isn't the worst idea if that's how it would work. People who want the cheapest route can still play the game, but it just won't look as good as those who spend more.
Click to expand...

This isn't too crazy actually. Will require a bit of extra effort from devs but not a massive amount (especially if the game is going to PC as well)
 
Moduler console has been done before so wouldnt it be prior Art if the patent was challenged. ps3 and 360 already has the hd module expandable. N64 with its Rampack and even cd32 with its Expansion slot for hd/cpu/ram (and maybe in future with indivision rtg gfx). I think PC Engine was a moduler console too with various addons.

I dont know about devs going direct to the highest level hardware modules. I guess it depends how well they sell. Im ure they would rarther develop for the larger install base then spend time making it work for a minority that baught an upgrade. Although 32x comes to mind. Reasonable support untill they decided no one was buying it. SegaCD32x, sega's ******* child with so much to give but cost too much for joe gamer;)
 
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How about if it was a case of play your games at SD, 720p or 1080p and beyond, the the interchangeable graphics cards?
 
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