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Gaming => Game News Discussion => Topic started by: Legend on Dec 04, 2019, 06:04 PM

Title: Kotaku: Microsoft Is Still Planning A Cheaper, Disc-Less Next-Gen Xbox
Post by: Legend on Dec 04, 2019, 06:04 PM
Kotaku: Microsoft Is Still Planning A Cheaper, Disc-Less Next-Gen Xbox | ResetEra (https://www.resetera.com/threads/kotaku-microsoft-is-still-planning-a-cheaper-disc-less-next-gen-xbox.157039/)

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In June, Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, a new iteration of the Xbox that the company said would "set a new bar for console power, speed and performance." What Microsoft didn't say is that it is also working on a lower-cost, disc-less version of Scarlett, code-named Lockhart, according to four people briefed on the company's plans.

 If those names sound familiar, that's because they've been floating around for a while. The earliest rumors about Microsoft's next-gen roadmap, circa 2018, suggested that Project Scarlett would consist of two Xbox models: the high-performance Anaconda and the lower-end Lockhart. In June, however, Microsoft announced that Scarlett was a single, high-end console, which led to speculation and then press reports that Lockhart had been canceled. But Kotakuhas learned that Lockhart is in fact still in the works as a cheaper, digital-only alternative to Scarlett, as the original rumors suggested.  Click to expand... Click to shrink...  
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What we don't know--and what likely isn't finalized yet--is how the pricing will shake out. But it's easiest to think of Anaconda as a successor to the Xbox One X and Lockhart as a successor to the Xbox One S, with a similar performance disparity. Game developers will be expected to support both Anaconda and Lockhart, which some are worried might hamper their ambitions for next-gen games in the coming years.  Click to expand... Click to shrink...  
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When speaking to Kotaku, one game developer briefed on Lockhart analogized it to the PlayStation 4 Pro in terms of raw graphical power, although there are other key differences that might make up for that. Lockhart is said to have a solid-state drive, like both Anaconda and Sony's upcoming PlayStation 5, which is expected to have a significant impact on loading times. Developers briefed on Lockhart also say it has a faster CPU than any current video game console, which could allow for higher frame-rates, although there are other factors that might not become clear until the console is completely finalized, such as clock speed and cooling.



 Microsoft's ideal target performances are said to be 4K resolution and 60 frames-per-second on Anaconda and 1440p resolution and 60 frames-per-second on Lockhart. (That doesn't mean that every single game on these consoles will live up to that performance--it's the target that Microsoft is pushing developers to hit.)

 Lockhart will also likely be heavily promoted with Microsoft's burgeoning xCloud streaming service and impressive Xbox Game Pass subscription, which allows users access to a huge library of games both big and small, including all new first-party games. Both of those services fit nicely with a disc-less console, and Microsoft has already packaged Xbox Game Pass with the digital-only version of the Xbox One S, which launched earlier this year.  Click to expand... Click to shrink...  
(https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_675,pg_1,q_80,w_1200/jpnquw3j5ivnxrgyt9je.jpg)    Sources: Microsoft Is Still Planning A Cheaper, Disc-Less Next-Gen Xbox  (https://kotaku.com/sources-microsoft-is-still-planning-a-cheaper-disc-le-1840203823)  In June, Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, a new iteration of the Xbox that the company said would "set a new bar for console power, speed and performance." What Microsoft didn't say is that it is also working on a lower-cost, disc-less version of Scarlett, code-named Lockhart, according to...   (https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,q_80,w_80/v4sckews2f3bzf0ztbkf.png) kotaku.com      
Title: Re: Kotaku: Microsoft Is Still Planning A Cheaper, Disc-Less Next-Gen Xbox
Post by: BananaKing on Dec 04, 2019, 06:08 PM
This just reaffirms to me that Microsoft has absolutely no interest in pushing the gaming industry forward. While of course Sony and others want to make money. They do aim to push thr medium forward and expand it. Microsoft's only interest is in making a profit  and control over the industry
Title: Re: Kotaku: Microsoft Is Still Planning A Cheaper, Disc-Less Next-Gen Xbox
Post by: Legend on Dec 04, 2019, 06:14 PM
This just reaffirms to me that Microsoft has absolutely no interest in pushing the gaming industry forward. While of course Sony and others want to make money. They do aim to push thr medium forward and expand it. Microsoft's only interest is in making a profit  and control over the industry
As Schrier said in that thread, both Microsoft and Sony in 2018 were afraid of Stadia dominating the market. I don't think there is anything sinistar with offering multiple next gen systems.
Title: Re: Kotaku: Microsoft Is Still Planning A Cheaper, Disc-Less Next-Gen Xbox
Post by: the-pi-guy on Dec 04, 2019, 06:21 PM
Not surprising with how digital and streaming are getting bigger.  
Title: Re: Kotaku: Microsoft Is Still Planning A Cheaper, Disc-Less Next-Gen Xbox
Post by: BananaKing on Dec 04, 2019, 06:25 PM
As Schrier said in that thread, both Microsoft and Sony in 2018 were afraid of Stadia dominating the market. I don't think there is anything sinistar with offering multiple next gen systems.
It's basically holding the entire generation back. From a business perspective, I completely understand it. But as a gamers point of view, this completely blows.
Title: Re: Kotaku: Microsoft Is Still Planning A Cheaper, Disc-Less Next-Gen Xbox
Post by: kitler53 on Dec 04, 2019, 07:51 PM
i will just never believe that dropping the "disc player" will have a dramatic impact on a consoles cost.  obviously it is not free but it also isn't $100 of the cost.  i think this is just wishful thinking on the part of a (relatively) few gamers.  but those gamers seems to think dropping the disc will allow the machine to cost $50 less while also significantly increasing the amount of storage.  i just don't buy that.

but whatever, if ms think it makes sense go ahead an try.  i would be curious to see the sales ratio between disc and discless console.  for a while i thought i would even like a discless console because i buy all my games digitally and almost all my TV comes from netfix but honestly,.. to lose even the option to buy a game on disc or to rent a movie from the library.   ...not worth it.  i'll stick with the disc based version so long as they offer it.


also i don't see how MS gets away with a slightly lower spec'd model.  isn't that called the x1x and been on the market for years?

Title: Re: Kotaku: Microsoft Is Still Planning A Cheaper, Disc-Less Next-Gen Xbox
Post by: the-pi-guy on Dec 04, 2019, 08:38 PM
i will just never believe that dropping the "disc player" will have a dramatic impact on a consoles cost.  obviously it is not free but it also isn't $100 of the cost.  i think this is just wishful thinking on the part of a (relatively) few gamers.  but those gamers seems to think dropping the disc will allow the machine to cost $50 less while also significantly increasing the amount of storage.  i just don't buy that.
Well the materials for the player itself and they'd be able to make it smaller then.  Save $20 on the player and a few more bucks from plastic.  

Overall I agree though.

And I'd much rather pay the probably $25 to get a disk player.