Xbox360 Public Preview Program

simo182 said:
Did anyone else get in? Looks like the 19th for me, should have a new HD by then so I'll be able to take advantage of better.
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Emptied spam folder before reading this post!!!! By the sounds of it, if you are in then you get an auto update tonight, So fingers still crossed. Would be nice to load Gears of War 2 to HDD. I am curious as to whether the background textures load any faster at the beginning of levels, from HDD instead of DVD.


rp2000
 
I would hope that that is one of the benefits of it, would be excellent if that is the case. Could it not just be an issue with the engine itself? Or am I talking nonsense?

I have started noticing the noise of my 360 now. I was playing fable and could here it while I was in my toilet with the door closed. Comparing that to the noise while I was playing Mirror's Edge demo and the difference is really big.
 
simo182 said:
I would hope that that is one of the benefits of it, would be excellent if that is the case. Could it not just be an issue with the engine itself? Or am I talking nonsense?

I have started noticing the noise of my 360 now. I was playing fable and could here it while I was in my toilet with the door closed. Comparing that to the noise while I was playing Mirror's Edge demo and the difference is really big.
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Fable 2 is an extreme tbh. I find the noise unbearable in it, yet Gears of War 2 is probably near half the volume in terms of disc spinning noise.

The textures in Gears is a problem inherent with UE3, but UT3 on PS3 (using the older version of the engine that gears 1 was based on). Had an optional installation to HDD which reduced this effect.

It is possible that loading the whole game from a HDD might make it disappear or negligible?

Minor point, just wanted to point out that there are (potential) benefits apart from noise, from loading games to HDD?


rp2000
 
simo182 said:
I would hope that that is one of the benefits of it, would be excellent if that is the case. Could it not just be an issue with the engine itself? Or am I talking nonsense?

I have started noticing the noise of my 360 now. I was playing fable and could here it while I was in my toilet with the door closed. Comparing that to the noise while I was playing Mirror's Edge demo and the difference is really big.
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Fable 2 does access the disk a lot more often than most games. Also, since Mirrors Edge was downloaded onto your hard drive, it doesn't access the disk drive so the only noise is from the consoles fans.

Installing games to the HDD should reduce the texture loading problems. Since it can access the HDD faster than the DVD, in theory it should work.
 
Nymins said:
Fable 2 does access the disk a lot more often than most games. Also, since Mirrors Edge was downloaded onto your hard drive, it doesn't access the disk drive so the only noise is from the consoles fans.
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Yeah that is why I'm looking forward to being able to install any game.
 
Well I've been playing around with this for a few days and I have to say it does help. Framerate on games that drop don't really improve, but loads in some cases do.

For example.
Oblivion /w GOTY content
- before 30 seconds to load content, 30 secs load for new game
- after 25 seconds to load content, 17 seconds load for new game

Mass Effect
- slightly shorter new game loads
- constumes on character/inventory load/create character (start game) show much quicker

Overlord
- quicker initial loads

Havent played around enough to see if the level texture loading in games is much quicker atm tho, just a quick check. Am hoping this will improve the sometimes ridiculous Halo3 multiplayer load times.
 
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Just a quick Q, do texture's load quicker when playing off the HDD?

IE is it noticable like when playing of the disk (e.g. GoW), or do they load a lot faster.
 
Sinny said:
Just a quick Q, do texture's load quicker when playing off the HDD?

IE is it noticable like when playing of the disk (e.g. GoW), or do they load a lot faster.
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They appear to load a lot faster, but havent had a chance to give a full run through of stuff yet. Gears of War does seem to load a little faster as well, I didnt notice any texture load in on the initial opening section of GOW when I was testing, as well as having slightly shorter level loading times. Wasn't a game I looked at a huge amount though.

SiD the Turtle said:
What about when you have a conversation with someone? Mass Effect was notorious for the face texture of a person to load in 20 seconds into the conversation :eek:
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Havent had a chance to get that far really. In the initial opening movie there wasnt an issue of this at all. Installing a game typically takes 5-10mins which if its a game Im going to notice a better standard of play, then hell I can deal with it. Just wanted to report back some initial findings so you guys would know even in real world gaming terms, for some games it seems to improve the experience, like not having to wait 10 seconds for someones costume to load in M.E... just seems more fluid...and of course a bit quieter.
 
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Just got an email saying I will have access at 7 tonight.

I am looking forward to giving it ago just a bit worried my 20gb HD will let it down a bit.
 
ScarySquirrel said:
I take it it's too late to sign up for this now?
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Indeed.

majornelson.com said:
NXE Preview Part Deux


I mentioned this on my last show, but now it’s time to make it happen. This week we took a look at the list of the thousands of Xbox LIVE members that originally signed up for the preview program and decided it’s time to add more members. That means that on November 8th (tomorrow) we’re going to be adding more folks to the New Xbox Experience Preview Program. If you are chosen, you will receive an email later tonight (check that spam folder!) followed by the update tomorrow evening (PT). We’re only pulling names from those that originally signed up (there is no way to sign up if you missed it, sorry) and this selection process will be at random from those that previously filled out the Connect Program Survey from my original post. The New Xbox Experience will be available to all Xbox LIVE members on November 19th.
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rp2000
 
and don't try and go for leaked version if your tempted. If you do and connect to Live they are going to ban the serial number. :p
 
Stop with this "banning" crap.

MS CAN'T and WONT ban a 360 just because it somehow got early access to the NXE. It will just not allow you to connect to live until the update rolls out.

Btw I dont have the leaked update. I'm happy waiting. I got games to play in the mean time.
 
On the Football Manager forum which is my normal hang out there is a member of the US Microsoft Xbox support team. It was him who mentioned it today as they have been getting their training all this week for the launch of the new Dash.
 
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