Xbox 360 could get Blu-ray - Sony

By Ellie Gibson Published 7 March, 2008

No such plans actually - Microsoft.

A senior Sony executive has claimed Microsoft is in talks about bringing Blu-ray technology to Xbox 360 - but Microsoft says it has no plans to do so.

According to the Financial Times it all started when Stan Glasgow, president of Sony Electronics US, made a speech at a "media dinner". He said Microsoft and Apple are both having a chat with Sony about how they can incorporate Blu-ray tech into their products.

The news comes two weeks after Microsoft's corporate vice president of Live, Software and Services, John Schappert, told Eurogamer that the HD-DVD add-on's poor attach rate - just 3 percent - might dissuade Microsoft from releasing another high-definition disc drive add-on.

We love teh gaymes iz not tru, said Microsoft in a statement. Or more specifically: "We have made no such announcement. Games are what are driving consumers to purchase game consoles and we remain focused on providing the largest library of blockbuster games available." That clears everything up then.

Later in his speech Glasgow said he's not worried about digital downloads overtaking Blu-ray, what with bandwidth limitations and the fact consumers like having discs anyway. "Downloading will build over time, but this will be over a period of years," he observed. He also predicted the cost of Blu-ray players will drop to USD 299 before the end of the year, falling to USD 200 by 2010.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (97) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Triggerhappytel #1 4 years ago

    MS would probably claim it's a natural progression for the console, but if this happens it will be a bitter pill for them to swallow.

  • RazorObsession #2 4 years ago

    Well it makes sense. External drives for those that have old 360's, internal drives for some kind of super elite version.

    If MS data compression is as good as they say it is, they will still be able to fit games on DVD dual layered or otherwise, if not then the space would be welcomed by developers, and early adopters will simply have to suck it.

    Having said all that, not even having a plain old DVD drive hasn't hurt Wii sales none.

  • Bealsy #3 4 years ago

    "bitter pill to swallow"

    ?

    They're just covering their backs, I don't think they really give a shit about what disc based media won.

  • Daymare #4 4 years ago

    "...to drop to as low as USD 299 by the end of the year..."

    They call that low?

  • Brogan #5 4 years ago

    Makes sense really, not too sure why the Sony man has come out and talked about it so early. at the moment the only thing that really has me temped by the PS£ is the blu-ray play back (was thinking about picking one up this month as i just got a fat cheque i didn't know was coming my way and did a fuckton of OT last month) but i think i'll wait and see now if MS brings a blu-ray add on. So that's at least one sale lost before the end of the finance year, not like the PS3 in a place where they can be throwing them away.

  • Steroyd #6 4 years ago

    Wii doesn't use HD...

  • LeD #7 4 years ago

    I *think* that if MS release a Blu-Ray add-on, I might go for it, upgrade my 360 to an Elite, and sell my PS3, given that I use it exclusively for Blu-Ray playback at the moment.

  • Les #8 4 years ago

    "Having said all that, not even having a plain old DVD drive hasn't hurt Wii sales none."

    That's because most people already have a DVD player and using the Wii as one doesn't make much sense. Using a console for movie playback only makes sense if it does the job better than your current player (so upscaling features or a next gen format).

  • Carlo #9 4 years ago

    LeD, you'd *replace* your PS3 for a BD add-on for your 360? Their'd be no way I'd risk starting to watch a film on the 360, and it rrod on me making me have to wait for it to be fixed.

    Buy a BD-ROM your your PC media center (if you have one) or a stand-alone BD player. Or just keep the BD player you already have, and not buy any of this years great games coming out for it.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #10 4 years ago

    early adopters will simply have to suck it

    Given Microsoft's continued vehement support of consoles without hard drives, I doubt they're going to abandon 18 million customers by releasing games on incompatible discs.

  • Darren #11 4 years ago

    @Carlo - I agree with you, I certainly wouldn't sell my PS3 for an Xbox 360 with a BD add-on as I like the fact that its a self-contained unit, it's quiet and has a disc slot feeder; makes it seem like a quality piece of modern electronics equipment that belongs in the living room rather than a cheap plastic toy that doesn't. ;)
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 09:30

  • LeD #12 4 years ago

    It's just that from a gaming point of view, the PS3 has given me so very little so far, that I couldn't justify it keeping it for the sake of Blu-Ray playback. If MS come forward and offer me a solution, I'll be very tempted to go for it.

  • mattigan #13 4 years ago

    LeD, you'd *replace* your PS3 for a BD add-on for your 360? Their'd be no way I'd risk starting to watch a film on the 360, and it rrod on me making me have to wait for it to be fixed.

    ARE YOU SERIOUS that is one of the mose itiotic comments I've read this year!!!!

    Will the world end if your watching of a film gets interrupted?

    In that case, better get a backup generator in just in case theres a power cut while your watching your uninteruptable film, and while you're at it better have the fire brigade on standby in case your house gets struck by lightening and burns down while you are engrossed in the movie, you can never be too sure!!

  • JonFE #14 4 years ago

    mattigan, you should know by now that the chances of an x360 RRoDing are greater than the disruptions you describe there :-s

    Great post, by the way :-)

  • LeD #15 4 years ago

    The reliability of the 360 has greatly improved, it's just a spook story now and a lot of FUD. A moot point, as it were.

  • allywidd #16 4 years ago

    I can't see Sony allowing MS to use BD for games and another add on would just piss me off, another couple of hundred to shell out (if I had a 360).
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 09:13

  • mattigan #17 4 years ago

    Obviously I was exaggerating for comic effect, the point still stands though.

  • Gaol #18 4 years ago

    "It's just that from a gaming point of view, the PS3 has given me so very little so far, that I couldn't justify it keeping it for the sake of Blu-Ray playback."

    Buy some fecking games for it then. These posts leave me incredulous. I've got a PS3 and PC and have been stowed under since November. How many games are you getting through?

  • BadBoyBonner #19 4 years ago

    SKY HD for the win.

    /Goes back to watching all 6 StarWars films in HD.

  • space_ace #20 4 years ago

    it's "hd dvd", not "hd-dvd"

  • Gaol #21 4 years ago

    ""Buy some fecking games for it then."

    If there were any decent exclusives, or even ports, on the PS3 I'm sure he would. As it is 360 still pisses over PS3 on the games front from a great height. "

    Fanboy drivel.

    Edit: Too much swearing.
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 14:04

  • Les #22 4 years ago

    “Obviously I was exaggerating for comic effect, the point still stands though.”

    No, it doesn’t (your point at least; please don’t make me explain). Though the comic effect was nice. ;)

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #23 4 years ago

    Due to the fact the 360 only has a HDMI 1.2 port on the back of it, theres no chance it will match the quality of the PS3 blu-ray player, unless of course they release a super-elite with built in drive, built in hard drive ( required for Blueray Live Features ) and a new HDMI 1.3a port.

  • bad09 #24 4 years ago

    OK Sony we GET IT, you won the format war good for you! Now please shut up about it. I'll pick up BR when I'm good and ready. For now I'm enjoying cheap HD with HD DVD fire sales, thanks BDA! ;)

  • LeD #25 4 years ago

    "Buy some fecking games for it then."

    Gaol, I did buy a few: RFoM, HS, RR7, Folklore, and a couple of the PSN. Still nothing compared to the 30 games I own on my 360, and nothing that comes close to Mass Effect, Gears of War, Crackdown, Dead Rising, etc.
    I keep waiting for that elusive game that signals the PS3 coming of age.

  • Les #26 4 years ago

    "misinformed fanboy"

    Not being able to see reality is something different from not knowing reality... Fanboys are often the best informed people around. They just interpret it differently... ;)

  • Carlo #27 4 years ago

    "The reliability of the 360 has greatly improved,"

    Got any proof of that?

  • Greebo #28 4 years ago


    Of course Sony runs its divisions like separate companies.

    It's quite possible that the arm responsible for Ps3 would be very unhappy for the 360 to have blu-ray tech in it.

    It's also possible that MS are keeping their options open and talks like this can take years to lead to results, so maybe it's just an option for the Xbox 720!?

  • Les #29 4 years ago

    "As unrealistic as it is, I would love a new 360 to be released with Blu-ray, built in wifi, and 200+GB hard drive."

    MS must be doing something right: A lot of their customers around here seem interested in re-buying the machine... ;)

  • mcmonkeyplc #30 4 years ago

    Lovely...no need to buy a PS3 ever then!

  • bad09 #31 4 years ago

    A lot of people go on about the RROD issue and I honestly cannot see the big deal (I'm not being a fanboy, honest!), These guys never seem to add that if it did happen within 3 years it would be fixed for absolutely no cost to you. Most of my CD/DVD based consoles have developed some kind of problem within 3 years but this time I have a 3 year warranty so if it happens I'm covered and game/watch movies with no worries on my 360.

    So what's the big problem with RROD again?

  • Les #32 4 years ago

    "Of course Sony runs its divisions like separate companies."

    They're definitely working towards shared goals. Blu-Ray in PS3 can definitely be beneficial for games but being a trojan horse for establishing Blu-Ray as a movie format was just as (and maybe even more) important.

    A Blu-Ray add-on or internal drive for 360 will not be used for games. 360 is too far in its life cycle to warrant such a 180. If it's just an add-on, the lost potential PS3 sales for Sony might be relatively minor: people that already own a 360 are unlikely to get a PS3 as well unless they're really hardcore. But on the other hand it will lead to a bigger installed base for Blu-Ray and more movie sales. An internal drive might pose a bigger threat to PS3 sales though, as that would be mostly relevant to first time console buyers (though reading around these comments sections might lead one to think otherwise) and make the PS3 loose one of its advantages over 360.

  • Salvia #33 4 years ago

    "So what's the big problem with RROD again? "

    The fact that it took over a year for MS to acknowledge the problem. The fact that IIRC the 3 year cover only applies to very specific instances of the RROD. The fact that some people have been through 7 machines. The fact that MS are still not doing anything about it (I'm sure they would have had new kit for GDC and some of these RRODed as previously reported...yes yes they were in booths where it gets hot but then again so were PS3s and Wiis but there were no reports of those melting down).

  • Greebo #34 4 years ago

    I don't think us 360 owners can claim that the build quality of the machine is in the same league as the Ps3s.

    My PS3 definitely feels better put together, but if I could only keep one I'd keep the 360 at the moment and that has melted on me once!

    Just gives it character! ;-)

    As a Ps3 fanboy argument though, it's all pretty weak. A few of us might have a week or so without the console whilst it's repaired for free, but it's nothing compared to the hours of superb gaming it's provided so far and I no longer switch it on wondering if those dreaded lights will appear!

    Edited: For clarity
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 10:22

  • Psiloc #35 4 years ago

    "A lot of people go on about the RROD issue and I honestly cannot see the big deal (I'm not being a fanboy, honest!), These guys never seem to add that if it did happen within 3 years it would be fixed for absolutely no cost to you."

    IIRC, they don't fix it for you, they send you back somebody elses refurbished unit. That's what I hate about it personally when I try to look after my stuff yet most other people seem to prefer their 360s bright yellow and smelly.

    TBF it's also a lot of money for something that (seems to be) made so cheaply.

  • Les #36 4 years ago

    "So what's the big problem with RROD again?"

    The big problem is the big problem. That there are means to mitigate the issue is nice and makes the inconvenience a little more bearable but the issue shouldn't be there in the first place.

    The fact that people seem so eager to downplay the issue shows how successful the console manufacturers are in creating an emotional bond between the buyer and the console (as well as that people can survive a few weeks without it; imagine the same thing happening to your refrigirator or TV).

  • Greebo #37 4 years ago


    Part of the reason for downplaying it, is that it's otherwise a great console.

    I'd be a lot more angry if I'd been through several before I got a working one, but to have to replace it once was quickly forgotten, especially this winter when there have been so many great releases to play!

  • bad09 #38 4 years ago

    @ Salvia

    Yeah but they DID acknowledge the problem and they DID extend the warranty and they DID redesign the machine. All companies make mistakes be they in their manufacturing, their service etc, in my eyes Sony have made a few whoppers (no rumble, price, PSN, lack of good exclusives etc) but for me any company that puts it's hands up and rectifies it's errors I put more trust in them not less.

    Sony are fixing their errors (slowly!) so I am now considering a purchase this year and the same applies to MS, yeah they rushed 360 out to combat Sony (let's be honest with the PS brand they had to) but they looked after us with the extended warranty so personally I have no problem with it.

    As for some going through 7 360s, I hear the same stories but never once MET someone who went through so many. I also find it hard to believe because my 360 get used hard (I play games far too much!) and I only got one RROD (last October) since buying at launch. Even that was due to 2 seven hour sessions on H3 (told you I play too much!), it always makes we wonder how they treat their consoles.

  • Gaol #39 4 years ago

    OK since November, off top of my head (I'm not at home) I bought Ratchet, CoD4, Uncharted, Assassins Creed, GHIII, DMC4, Oblivion GOTY. Still got Burnout to get. Some great games there. A lot of 'PS3 doesn't have enough games' posts read to me like 'I don't really need the two machines'.

    I also have a PC and for what its worth agree that Gears is a class apart from all of those games except DMC4. I'll be picking up Mass Effect in May. So I'm really happy with my PC/PS3 combo. Anyone buying both a 360 and PS3 should realize that 90% of the games will be available on both.

  • miiiguel #40 4 years ago

    It's funny how some Sony kids said "Sony would never let MS have a Blu-Ray on their games box"; like we don't know that Sony main goal was and is Blu-Ray.

    It's also funny every time a "threatning news" spawns, so the RRoD post pop-up like mushrooms. It's passe, and you gotta admit better have a temperamental box than a shallow one.
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 10:42

  • bad09 #41 4 years ago

    @ Les

    "The fact that people seem so eager to downplay the issue shows how successful the console manufacturers are in creating an emotional bond between the buyer and the console (as well as that people can survive a few weeks without it; imagine the same thing happening to your refrigirator or TV)."

    Emotional bond? No it's just I accept things can and do go wrong ESPECIALLY in electronics and if I deal with a company the deals with those problems efficiently I tend to use that company more. If that is an emotional bond then I'm all for it!

    Let's not forget I can do without it for a couple of weeks because at the end of the day...it's just a games console, there are other things to do ;)
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 10:47

  • Xerx3s #42 4 years ago

    "LeD, you'd *replace* your PS3 for a BD add-on for your 360? Their'd be no way I'd risk starting to watch a film on the 360, and it rrod on me making me have to wait for it to be fixed."

    Haha! yes because looking at it gives it a rrod! Tjees. My launch model has not crashed in over 1,5 years - all my attempts to make it go rrod so I have an excuse to buy a hdmi one have failed. The 360 has hardware problems but nothing like you pretend it to be.

  • AmySamey #43 4 years ago

    I have to agree with Greebo, the majority of people certainly don't go through 6 or 7 systems, mine borked once, I received it back within nine days and MS sent me a free wireless pad in apology for the failure, the system they sent back has had no problems for the last year and has been left on over night on many occasions. The only people who actually seem to have a massive problem with RRoD are the few poor people who really have had extremely bad luck with multiple replacements and those who just want to use it in console pissing matches who've never even owned the system (Les springs to mind)...

  • Les #44 4 years ago

    "A lot of 'PS3 doesn't have enough games' posts read to me like 'I don't really need the two machines'. "

    Which is a very intelligent position to hold.

  • smirny #45 4 years ago

    blu-ray for XBOX III...

  • agparrot #46 4 years ago

    At this stage, I can't see myself plumping for a BD addon, and I'm not sure why it would have a larger uptake than the hd dvd did, which was a very, very small percentage of 360 owners, IIRC - something like 1%?

    As the cost of any BD addon is likely to come in at over £200, it seems crazy to plump for this when you could get a firmware updateable, whisper quiet, shiny black PS3, which I *am* planning to eventually pick up at some point in the future, for just a little more money.

    Especially when it also plays games and has the prospect of PlayTV and stuff.

  • miiiguel #47 4 years ago

    The comments in a nut shell:

    "360 might get my beautifull Blu-Ray? Oh yeah? yeah?!! But RRoD for you asshole! 7 times and shit (so I heard, on the int3rtn3tz!!!, take that"

  • Darren #48 4 years ago

    If Microsoft really do want to give Xbox 360 owners the choice they said they gave them by offering an HD DVD add-on for the console then they'll have to release a BD equivalent at some point. BD is only going to grow in popularity over the next few years, thanks to the increase in the number of people owning HDTVs, and with the Xbox 360 being around for at least another three years, it wouldn't make sense to ignore it, not if Microsoft want the Xbox 360 to offer a *complete* HD experience. Sadly their Video Marketplace falls a long way short of *any* HD DVD or BD movie: 720p only, mainly stereo sound, no subtitles and no extras to speak off, a lengthy download time and you don't get to keep them.

    While DVD will still suit many for years to come, the one million Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on owners proved that there *is* an interest in hi-def movies and what will those people do come June 2008 when no more HD DVD movies are released? They might consider buying a standalone BD player or even a PS3 so by not supporting BD, Microsoft may indirectly boost sales of Sony's console for those people still deciding which of the two consoles to buy and for those who want a HD movie player.

  • IronGiant #49 4 years ago

    It's a win win situation for Sony and egg on face for MS.. they had a huge HDDVD presentation ready which was ditched after the Warner announcement. Their attempt to derail the physical HD format has failed and i'm bloody glad, i will always prefer a physical medium over files stored on a PC etc.

    Regarding selling a PS3 due to lack of games, you really should try Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank, UT3, Warhawk, Motorstorm, Everybody Golf etc. Yes the 360 has a better library but the machine has been available a lot longer.. anyone not excited by MGS4, Wipeout, Killzone2, Valkyrie of The Battlefield, FFXIII, Motorstorm2, White Knight Story, God of War3, Little Big Planet, GT5, Resistance2, new Team ICO game, Heavy Rain, Infamous and the potential of Home is either a fanboi in denial or not a gamer at all.

    I wouldn't sell any of my consoles and just need a DS to complete the set! :)

  • miiiguel #50 4 years ago

    Oh My God and Lair 2, too!

  • bad09 #51 4 years ago

    Darren

    Actually they only sold about 300,000. There were over a million total HD DVD owners. Sadly 360 owners didn't give a toss about HD movies.

  • Kill_Crazy #52 4 years ago

    DILLIGAF.

  • Les #53 4 years ago

    "The only people who actually seem to have a massive problem with RRoD are the few poor people who really have had extremely bad luck with multiple replacements and those who just want to use it in console pissing matches who've never even owned the system (Les springs to mind)..."

    I don't have a problem with RRoD as like you point out I don’t own a 360. And if the people that it concerns don’t (want to) see it as a problem, than it’s not a problem for them. It’s a problem for MS and the people that do not like their stuff to break down.

    The only reason I interfere in discussions like these is the extremely poor logic people use or the hoops they jump through to try to convince themselves and others that this really isn’t a problem for anyone.

    But let's get back to Blu-Ray.

  • Greebo #54 4 years ago


    "Sadly 360 owners didn't give a toss about HD movies."

    I don't think it's really down to that.

    HD is still largely being picked up by early adoptors, although I agree that it will get more popular in time.

    The 360 add on was not 'cool' enough to appeal to that group and movie buffs are generally going to be happy to spend a bit more to get a nice standalone (and quiet) piece of tech for their money.

    Also - most of the AV mags gave it very poor reviews compared to standalone HD DVD players.

  • miiiguel #55 4 years ago

    Bu it does seem to be a problem for you Les, by the times you talk about it, in the most non-related topics.

  • Foxclose #56 4 years ago

    I don't need two consoles - in my case the Xbox 360!

  • bad09 #57 4 years ago

    @ Greebo

    Possibly true, but I reckon it's just a lack of interest for now. Look at how cheap the add was before Tosh cut their prices, it was the cheapest way to experience HD movies, yet all those 360 owners wouldn't bite.

    That may change but people just don't care because it's too expensive isn't a big enough leap in tech for most. Hell, I love movies more than games and have hundreds of DVDs (I had hundreds of VHS to) I'm a real geek with movie tech but I'm still not that bothered, yeah I think HD is great and the way forward but I'm not exactly rushing to get BR and I only got HD DVD last December. If people like me are not rushing the mass market is even further away for BR.

    Sure BR is selling well but only down to being forced with PS3 other than that BR would be as dead as HD DVD. That's why MS may not do a BR add on, it simply may not be worth it.

    Maybe these talks are about the next MS console (game format)? I really don't see MS bothering with BR add on for movies this gen, not after HD DVD flopped the way it did.

    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 11:41

  • banjo21 #58 4 years ago

    Nice result. Be good to see both consoles with the agreed format for HD disc based viewing going forward.
    Well done MS.

    See - you dont have to slag off either console - it is possible just to say well done :)

  • SeesThroughAll #59 4 years ago

    Smart move for MS. If BD is the next optical storage standard, the next XBox may well use it.

  • Greebo #60 4 years ago

    "I'm a real geek with movie tech but I'm still not that bothered, yeah I think HD is great and the way forward but I'm not exactly rushing to get BR and I only got HD DVD last December. If people like me are not rushing the mass market is even further away for BR. "

    Yeah, I think we're on the same chapter if not the same page :-)

    I'm a bit of a gadget nut and although I have an HD set up it's only because I felt like a treat after getting a surprise bonus.

    After watching a number of blu-rays and upscaled DVD's via PS3 I've realised that whilst the difference is there it doesn't excite me as much as I thought it would - if geeky types like me aren't rushing for it, I don't think Joe Public necessarily will.

    I read last year that 60% of HDTV purchasers think they are now watching HD, not realising you need an HD source!

    EDIT: Spelling
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 11:53

  • miiiguel #61 4 years ago

    Anyway, if anyone thinks that Blu-Ray can be the real next optical media storage, without MS "blessing" is probably high already. Such system must come holding hands and singing along with Windows. Sad, but true.

  • Darren #62 4 years ago

    bad09 - "Darren

    Actually they only sold about 300,000. There were over a million total HD DVD owners. Sadly 360 owners didn't give a toss about HD movies."

    Yes, you're correct about the figure, my bad. Whatever, if Xbox 360 owners really aren't bothered about high-definition movies then why are Microsoft offering downloadable HD movies and making a big thing about them? ;)

    I suspect that the HD DVD add-on might have sold more units had that been the *only* HD format but it was up against BD which had more studio support and thus a larger choice of movies anyway. Also HD DVD was very poorly promoted. Now that BD is the only HD format with a future, I suspect that such an add-on would sell far better but obviously not every Xbox 360 owner will want one. We really don't know how many of the 10 million PS3s that have been sold are actually used for watching BD movies on either but it's clearly a higher proportion than Xbox 360/HD DVD because Sony's machine comes with playback built-in and doesn't require you to purchase something extra.

  • muscleblade #63 4 years ago

    "Actually they only sold about 300,000. There were over a million total HD DVD owners. Sadly 360 owners didn't give a toss about HD movies. "

    Of course not we are too busy playing all the great games. No time for movies.

  • DrDamn #64 4 years ago

    @Xerx3s
    "Haha! yes because looking at it gives it a rrod!"

    Wasn't there something ages ago about playing a HD-DVD is one of the most intensive things you can get your 360 to do in terms of CPU utilisation? Presumably similar for Blu-ray. If so then a valid if a little pessimistic view point. I think if your machine is going to RROD playing a movie it will have eventually done it with some of the more intensive games (GoW for example).

    Yes there was ... link
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 12:15

  • Les #65 4 years ago

    "I read last year that 60% of HDTV purchasers think they are now watching HD, not realising you need an HD source!"

    True. 99% of HDTV buyers only get one because it's the only type that's still for sale and the 99% of the people that owned one for a couple of years bought it because it was flat.

    As for the difference between regular (upscaled) DVD and Blu-Ray, personally I didn't expect it to be so big (though the quality of the Blu-Ray transfer can vary from disc to disc, just like DVD). I don't think it adds much to the enjoyment of a movie but it's hard to go back once you've seen it.

  • miiiguel #66 4 years ago

    "So far the talk has been about Blu-Ray movies, but what about Blu-Ray games. Developers haven't come close to exploiting that extra storage yet, when they do, where does that leave the 360?"

    I honestly don't know wich system has the bigger game so far. Is it any PS3 or Lost Odyssey or Blue Dragon on the 360. I also think devs and mainly publishers, look at games not in a artistic/technological side only but mostly to have a profit. So I think the installed base will play a major role, and the "attach rate" of each system. In the end they will probably think: "shall we do a 50gb game to sell 1 million, or a multi-disk one to sell 7 million ?"

  • marrax #67 4 years ago

    Can we get vote going on this ?

    Would you buy a blue- ray addon for say £150 ?

    YES / NO

  • AmySamey #68 4 years ago

    No, just wait for the PS3 to become worthwhile.

  • smirny #69 4 years ago

    /

  • Darren #70 4 years ago

    @marrax - Well I wouldn't buy it because I already own a PS3. Besides I didn't buy the HD DVD add-on for my Xbox 360 because it was exactly that, an add-on that looks ugly (IMO), has its own power brick and at the time of release didn't support HDMI either. Oh and it connects up to a noisy and somewhat unreliable console so if that goes then so would my means of watching HD movies while it was away for a month being repaired (again). Had HD DVD become the dominant format, I would have bought a standalone player without a doubt but definitely NOT the 360 add-on.

  • Xerx3s #71 4 years ago

    "Smart move for MS. If BD is the next optical storage standard, the next XBox may well use it."

    This is very much true. I don't think that this will make a huge difference this generation but once BRD becomes standard and pushes DVD out of the way (in say 3-4 years or so) there is no doubt in my mind that brd will become the new games standard next generation. Not simply because it holds so much data but because it will be the most cost effective thing to do.

    Unless the next generation has no optical drive anymore which might happen considering the current rate of solid storage developments. Dell is already at the point where they sell SS HDD's in their laptops.

    EDIT: Thinking about it, SS media would be ideal now that they become very cheap. Never again a problem in maximum disc size.
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 12:55

  • Darren #72 4 years ago

    I find the Xbox 360's low-res looking dashboard, which looks no different at 1080p to 576p, functional but rather workmanlike and plain (and the Guide itself and the notices that appear when you unlock an Achievement or a Friend goes on//offline look horribly blurry on my HDTV). I much prefer the PS3's XMB which looks minimalistic yet sleek and modern not to mention hi-res looking. Combined with the free Themes you can download (which are completely customisable), it's almost sexy (I said almost!!!). I guess it's purely a matter of taste but I have loads of content on my 160 GB HDD PS3 and it is all easy to access within seconds and doesn't look messy at all. You can display stuff by folders you know? ;) LOL

  • Darren #73 4 years ago

    irnchriz - "Remember that old troll mark Rein from Epic "I dont think we will be able to squeeze all of the maps onto the 360 version because it uses DVD'

    UT III - Blu-Ray, disc space used LESS THAN 6GB"

    That's because the game doesn't install the opening HD cinematic nor any of the audio, both of which would almost certainly an extra gigabyte or two - the Xbox 360's DVD format only offers 7.2 GB of space for developers, the rest is used for system files, etc. Besides the PS3 doesn't install *all* the data anyway, only the stuff that's used often. I hardly think Mark Rein would lie about the 360's DVD limitations if it wasn't true; after all Epic are responsible for Gears of War on that machine! :p

  • Darren #74 4 years ago

    @irnchriz - Oh puuuuuuuuuuuurlease, don't give me that "try using a superior HDTV crap". The Xbox 360's dashboard is designed for use on a standard CRT TV and it shows in the chunky fonts, etc, it uses even at 720p. Also the Guide looks that way because the 360 only reserves 20 MB of memory for it during games hence it's blurry poorly scaled looks. I've seen the Xbox 360 running on a professionally calibrated Samsung LE-26R41BD, a Samsung LE-46M87BD and Sony KDL-32D3000 HDTVs (the latter is the one I own) and it looks exactly the same and nowhere near as sharp and crisp as the PS3's XMB IMO, which renders the interface at 576p, 720p *and* 1080p rather than upscaling it from the 720p max. that the 360 supports. As I said it's purely a matter of taste so please don't patronise me by suggesting the differences are down the quality of the HDTV; if that was the case then the PS3's XMB wouldn't look very good on the same TV either, now would it? ;)

  • Les #75 4 years ago

    "EDIT: Thinking about it, SS media would be ideal now that they become very cheap. Never again a problem in maximum disc size."

    Given your last comment, I take it you mean cartridge (SS) based games (if you mean SS instead of HDD there will still be a maximum dics size). I don't see this happening anytime soon. It will be quite some time, if ever, that SS media will be cheaper than optical formats. I don't think DLC for games will really take off before internet connections are fast enough to download even the biggest games within a few minutes. That would remove the need for a huge local storage space: People would only put the games they are currently playing on the local HDD/SS. But given the huge cost of the required infrastructure, this is not something that will be realised within the next few console cycles.

  • Vice.Destroyer #76 4 years ago

    Slightly off-topic, but how embarrassing would it have been to have the Xbox 360 have a HD DVD drive as standard and then having the HD DVD format crash and burn? Although, if the Xbox 360 had HD DVD as standard, maybe Blu Ray wouldn't have won, who knows.

    But the question remains, that would have been awful, no?

  • Darren #77 4 years ago

    @irnchriz - How do you know that UTIII only used 5.6 GB of space on the BD? I'm not doubting you as such, just wondering where you got your facts. As I said above I hardly think Mark Rein would lie about not being able to fit the 360 version onto a DVD if it wasn't true; why would he given that Epic make the Gears of War games for the 360? There may be technical reasons you're not aware of that make it true or it may be that Epic decided to remove a lot of maps from both games so that the two games have identical content and so the 360 version will fit on a single DVD! We don't know for sure because we don't know all the facts.

    And pray tell what does GT5 Prologue's resolution have to do with anything apart from the fact that it *is* 1080p since that definition is a measure of the game's VERTICAL resolution only and doesn't take into account the horizontal one at all, i.e. 720p is still 720p even if it's 1024x720 or 1280x720. So 1440x1080 and 1920x1080 are still technially 1080p according the HD definitions. Now if you'd said that GT5 Prologue wasn't 1920x1080 then you'd have been absolutely spot on. ;)

  • BartonFink #78 4 years ago

    Cool, great to see Carlo trundling out the usual rrod stuff those 100 failures really cut deep and a cameo from foxclose to boot.
    All is well with the world.

  • Les #79 4 years ago

    "But the question remains, that would have been awful, no?"

    Not really, the machine would still play games.

  • Darren #80 4 years ago

    @farticusmaximus - Yes, that's a good point and one I'd not really considered, mainly because I don't actually play games online much anyway so it's not something I've missed much to be honest... except for perhaps the odd occasion someone has sent me a message while I've been in a game. Visually I just find the PS3's XMB more appealing but I remember hating the screenshots I saw prior to owning the console last March; I thought it looked piss poor compared with the Xbox 360's colourful dashboard. A year of use has swayed my opinion though and I do love the fact that you can customise the interface far more than the 360, including the icons and fonts plus even add sound-effects! That's the kind of customisation Microsoft promised for the 360 but actually didn't deliver.

  • DrDamn #81 4 years ago

    @irnchriz
    RE: XMB vs Dashboard

    I prefer the XMB. Much more stylish and usable interface - aside from messaging/friends functionality which you mentioned. What I like about it compared to the dashboard is that it is essentially uncluttered and it's quick. The 360 has a far superior game selection but consider what you need to do on boot up to play an XBLA game on the system. Wait for boot and load all the new adverts for you, switch to games blade, select my game library, pick the live arcade tab, wait for it to list the games - which takes far too long, select your game from the list, select play. WTF were they thinking? The last dashboard update seemed to make it a lot worse when live is overloaded too.

    Btw, If you have too much under a particular list in the XMB you can tag the items with an album title and group by that. (For example demos, full games, PSN games etc).

    @Miiiguel
    "Anyway, if anyone thinks that Blu-Ray can be the real next optical media storage, without MS "blessing" is probably high already. Such system must come holding hands and singing along with Windows. Sad, but true"

    Not so sure about that. It's a storage device. Wouldn't they have to actively not support it? Anyone could write some drivers surely?

    As to the general argument. No the 360 doesn't need Blu-ray - built in or otherwise. Primarily it is a games machine and has shown it can do just as well without the extra storage. If needs be then there will be ways around it, similar to the fact there are ways for devs to work around the generally slower seek and read times on a blu-ray. Perhaps an add-on will happen at some point. That would only be a disruptive measure on MS part though.

  • penhalion #82 4 years ago

    It's not for the 360 is all I'm saying ;) .........

  • Gaol #83 4 years ago

    Sony have already confirmed in-game XMB this Summer.

    About bloody time too.

  • DrDamn #84 4 years ago

    Worth pointing out that when I say I prefer the XMB it is from a use and cosmetic perspective. In terms of actual functionality the dashboard is well ahead and its baffling why Sony have not included obvious stuff like that mentioned by Farticus. I suspect Home has taken precedence.

  • Foxclose #85 4 years ago

    I think MSFT should allow it to be used for certain games. ;)

  • SeesThroughAll #86 4 years ago

    Anyway, if anyone thinks that Blu-Ray can be the real next optical media storage, without MS "blessing" is probably high already. Such system must come holding hands and singing along with Windows. Sad, but true.

    Indeed sad, but not true.

    There are plenty of laptops around running Windows Vista, with a BD drive, and shockingly enough, it is supported.

    Why wouldn't the BDA want Windows to support their format?

  • zuljin #87 4 years ago

    @Gaol
    "Sony have already confirmed in-game XMB this Summer."

    Link?

    For the past 3 firmware updates people have been getting their panties in a twist because in-game XMB was "announced to be in". Of course its going to come eventually, but I've not ever seen a single statement from any Sony source announcing a date or even confirming the rumour.

  • Les #88 4 years ago

    "Anyway, if anyone thinks that Blu-Ray can be the real next optical media storage, without MS "blessing" is probably high already."

    Like SeesThroughAll already mentioned, not true. Otherwise Blu-Ray wouldn't have been able to win the format war in the first place. All MS can do now is allow Windows drivers to be released (not sure whether their certification program actually allows them to exclude drivers; if so the EU will sooner or later come knocking on their door again). And they might even implement Blu-Ray support into the Windows core via a Service Pack or other update.

  • cyber_nicco #89 4 years ago

    "No, it doesn’t (your point at least; please don’t make me explain). Though the comic effect was nice. ;)"


    Wrong, wrong, wrong. I've had two power outages since I've had my 360, and no problems with the 360.

    Mattigan, shame on you for caving in - it wasn't even an exageration.

  • Gaol #90 4 years ago

    @zuljin

    http://ww w.mcvuk.com/news/29797/In-game-...

    http://ww w.gamesradar.com/ps3/playstatio...
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/08 @ 17:26

  • Les #91 4 years ago

    "Wrong, wrong, wrong. I've had two power outages since I've had my 360, and no problems with the 360."

    Wow, you live in the US or something?! In the developed world the risk of a power outage in general is negligible... ;)

    And I might add that it was but one of his exagerations. :)

  • zuljin #92 4 years ago

    @Gaol
    Please, read those links.

    All they say is "Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer".

    No ingame XMB. For all you know it really may just be sending messages, or even just text presets. Queue a fair number of people going "but we were promised in-game XMB". Yes, I do honestly hope he is reffering to in-game XMB (I have a huge friends list I would like to access just for Warhawk), but please do not make assumptions beyond what people say.

  • Les #93 4 years ago

    "but we were promised in-game XMB"

    I can't imagine Sony ever delivering a full XMB in-game. It would be utterly pointless and a waste of scarce memory. The only thing people need in-game are friends lists and communications. Just add those two items to the PS menu. Why it takes them so long is beyond me.

  • TedMoseby #94 4 years ago

    I would have loved to have bought the 360 HD-DVD add-on if it had been launched properly. Instead, it turned out to be some sort of mythical hunt for one - the version that came bundled with King Kong and the remote - no shops had them, or if they did, it was only one or two units, which probably went straight to the staff anyway, and the public never got a look in.

    Jump forward a couple of months, and the unit is finally fully available, but sans King Kong (and the full media remote if I remember correctly) - but for the same price. It simply smacked of the consumer not being cared about at all, and it was enough to put me (and many others by the sound of it) off. If it had launched "correctly", I'm sure there would have been many more than the 300,000 sales.

    There's been a few times since that launch where I've thought about picking one up, but even with the price drop to £99.99, it just seemed like too little too late. I saw one in the local GameStation reduced to £39.99 after the Toshiba announcement, but for now, I'll just sit it out.

  • keith123 #95 4 years ago

    I'd buy a Blu-Ray add on now. Previously I wouldn't have bought either until one of them won the battle, makes sense.
    Lots more ppl would be willing to buy one now that the format war is over.

  • Calgon #96 4 years ago

    I wont, I couldnt care less these days, why buy old releases on Blu-Ray again? Its a waste IMO, so you are left with how many new releases are worth owning... plus you need a HDTV or its pointless(so Id wait a good few years yet). Id say the demand just isnt that high yet for mass market, I could be wrong but I guess this year we'll see, now that Blu-Ray has no competitor theres no excuses.
    Edited by 1 at 09/03/08 @ 21:14

  • Les #97 4 years ago

    "That would only be a disruptive measure on MS part though."

    No, not really. There'll be little sales lost to Sony while it'll establish Blu-Ray better as a movie format. Basically a win-win for MS and Sony.