Where is MS Taking the 360?

The Inquirer has an article up asking the question where is Microsoft taking the 360? The author had a chance to sit down with UK Xbox head man Stephen McGill to get a sense of what they want to do. From the article: "You gotta love the PR hype and mud slinging that goes on during the run up to a really, really major competitive product launch. Sony and Microsoft are at loggerheads over their upcoming next-generation releases, and while we have all the tech specs (relatively) nailed and the hype about what will make each console Gods Gift to 14 Year Olds, what about the actual direction in which the two companies are pulling their franchises?"

Re:V-chips

[Suddenly_Dead]

Eh, the Xbox had a parental lock as well. You could set maximum game ratings (ESRB) and movie ratings, protected by a password.

I'm not sure, but I wouldn't doubt that the PS2 had the feature as well.

huh?

[AaronBrethorst]

The author of the FA refers to an XML development standard that will ease writing software for the XBox 360. I'm guessing he's actually referring to XNA and XNA Studio [microsoft.com].

Re:V-chips

[Suddenly_Dead]

Actually, I Googled it, and this does sort of add something new. Apparently, when you set up a profile for the system (it supports multiple user accounts, sort of like a PC, for storing seperated save games and settings in a house with multiple gamers), you can set the person's age. If the parent wishes, they can instruct the Xbox 360 to automatically restrict games based on the age.

It's not really any different functionally from the old way, it must makes it easier and doesn't require knowledge of the ESRB. Sounds like a pain though, I used to play T rated games when I was younger than 13 and have grown up fine. Parents setting blocks based on their kids' maturity level would still be best, but I suppose all can't be bothered.

It's definately going to be hyped though. That's already begun.