Micorosoft statement on the news
"We do not believe the recent reports about HD DVD will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. As weve long stated, we believe it is games that sell consoles and Xbox 360 continues to have the largest next-gen games library with the most exclusives and best selling games in the industry."
"We will wait until we hear from Toshiba before announcing any specific plans"
No link as it was in my email box but I am sure on web sites have quoted this and it is what they have said
So they are being coy and its not a no yet on blu ray and as most know it normally means they are in talks and sorting it behind the scenes and when the deals are done links severed and tied and dots ticked they will announce stuff
MS will join the blu ray group will be the next announcement after the 100% official Toshiba announcement they are dropping hd-dvd as marketing and making but support it for xx long etc
All the questions to MS will then be asked about a player for the 360 and pester them, they will then announce an external one and then probably for one of the newer versions of the 360 at the end of the year or next then announce it will be inside the machine as a player only.
The next gen machines though will be the key pointing task
Sony cant stop MS and wont Stop ms in terms of movie and media use despite what SteveF thinks
BUT there is a case when it comes to gaming, Blu Ray has more space and that and a hardrive is a good thing for games but the question then holds that what will MS do or be allowed to do.
I could see a few options
- Toshiba will pull out but MS by rights and what not to the HD-DVD format and for the next gen machine create a machine with a player that plays both blu-ray and hd-dvd (which already exist) and produce their games on the hd-dvd format and would allow backwards comptability with dvd and dvd games as well as hd-dvd movies.
- Use dvd still and have a blu ray player
I think if either they cant use a blu ray player for games due to Sony then the simple solution would to stick to dvd but I think even now dvd is pushing it in terms of use and they should not choose this in the next gen machine, it would be the wrong one
- Throw a lot of money and offers around and be able to use the blu ray format for the games as well as the media, Possible but as said a lot of cash would be thrown about but considering Sony doing better but still crap as a company and who could do with some money especially after the ps3 and blu ray money pits to first deal with their cock up on the ps3 and then the push for both so if MS who has a bottomless pit of cash throws money at Sony and the blu ray group as well as already being part of the group after the deals being talked over as we speak I think they could be allowed
Despite what SteveF says (sorry again m8ery, lol - hugs
) It would be good and in the best interest for Sony to do this and in terms of the gaming industry each side does not hate each other as many would assume and both strive to take gaming to the next level and help the people who matter - the game developers and I think the game developers would also have something to say
I think option one is the most likley but option 3 probably the better and possible
SteveF:
Sorry m8 about all the thread as your a clever guy and scientist but you do take it to the other level when its not needed and I am not as smart as you I admit and in the area of your stuff you know your sh*t But you do go over the top when its not needed and I was deliberately being dumb while sticking on the topic matter at hand to a degree
I still avoided all the tech and hardware side you were trying to get into but as I tried to show that is not the point of the matter or the issue it is the industry and gaming and thanks to the people I know and leach information off as I like to learn and know everything I know a bit of what things go on and mean if not the very detailed leagal bits etc
Things are panning out as I said and think they are already And I hope this post is a bit more detailed for you and does show what I said is possible (and will happen) and everything is shaping up to run this way
With the other thread of cool info about the different versions of the 360 an internal player was to be hd-dvd hence MS being Coy at the moment as it means to change plans and peruse the backup plans other teams were doing (talking to the blu ray group which MS being MS will have started when the first signs were there)
MS will have had the idea with the HD-DVD group to put the player in the machine to help bolster things but MS would have looked at the other option of course BUT would hope HD-DVD would win and this was their aim to help bolster that and 360 sales But HD-DVD has fallen over faster then anyone really expected and very early in terms of consumer impact was ever really made
See Nexus Can post actual well thought out posts
Oh to add, On the desicion by Toshiba while it is not 101% official still yet the BBC has done a report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7250068.stmAnd they do not normally do things until they are 101% certain often leading them to be a bit slower on the news then everyone else but even if they stick their neck out it is safe to say its going to happen
