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XBox (Games)

New Xbox Titles Through 2007 59

Posted by Zonk from the quite-a-commitment dept.
Despite the fact that the next generation of the Xbox console is expected out before the end of the year, via Evil Avatar a story stating that Microsoft is committed to the original Xbox through 2007. From the article: "A Microsoft spokeswoman told Reuters that 2007 is not a hard stop, but rather a guideline for the last releases of new games developed for the Xbox. Microsoft has not said whether its next console will be compatible with the current Xbox."
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New Xbox Titles Through 2007 More

New Xbox Titles Through 2007

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  • I think this is a sign of... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by keeleysam ( 792221 ) on Saturday April 09, 2005 @12:46PM (#12187990) Homepage Journal
    No backward comptibilty in the Xbox (2/Next), as this seems kind of early to state this, makes me think that high profile titles for Xbox may even come out after Xbox NExt comes out.

    Maybe they will even cross release games?
    • And on top of that I'd also suspect this means the Xbox 360 hardware is going to cost a lot for quite a while... I'm thinking it'll take well over a year to go below $300.

      • It would be a bad move for Microsoft to release their next console above the $299 mark. They need market share and they need it before the PS3 is released (which could happen anytime between march and november 2006).

        That means the Xbox has less than a year to take the advantage and convince enough gamers to buy it. This, combined with a pricedrop coinciding with Christmas 2006 may give it enough userbase to compete head to head with the PS3 when it is released because the PS3 *will* sell in huge numbers.

        A
    • I dunno, to me it's the sign of the opposite; backward compatibility so non-Xbox owners are attracted to both the Xbox and Xbox2 games.

      But this is just a good step overall for them to make. Not everyone want to buy next-gen consoles as soon as they come out. They should sell a lot of games this way.

      But most AAA titles will probably be directed to selling XBox2s.

    • Re:I think this is a sign of... (Score:2, Interesting)

      by Anonymous Coward
      Rumours are that a large team is working on a cross compiler to recompile the top XBox titles. Updates will be available via broadband if you insert an original XBox title into the XBox2. Download can be stored on the memory cards of the XBox2. As they are based on SD Cards 1GB is less than $50 when its being released.

    • Re:I think this is a sign of... (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward
      I think the opposite, just look at the PSOne release schedule for 2000-2004. The PS2 is backwards compatible, and games continue to come out for both systems. Cross-releases continued to happen between Playstation consoles as recent as 6 months ago, although more of the PSOne releases are from EA Sports than anyone else in the last year or two.

      http://www.us.playstation.com/games.aspx?id=SLUS -0 1585
      http://www.us.playstation.com/games.aspx?id= SLUS-2 1051
    • I see it more as a sign that there will be backward compatability. Why make new games for xbox that xbox 360 users won't be able to play on that console? They used Forza at the GDC to show off some of xbox 360's new features. It's very plausable that they just didn't want to show off any new games yet, but what if Forza will operate like that on 360? Of course, I believe the first explanation is much more plausible.

  • Upgrade Cycle (Score:1, Insightful)

    by furry_wookie ( 8361 )

    It would seem that Microsoft thinks they can get people on the ole upgrade cycle just like they do for their other products.

    Whats next?

    XBOX 2006, XBOX.net 2007, XBOX.sp2 2008?

    XBOXse 2009?

    I wonder if people will fall for it? I mean are there not people who still use their PS1? and Gamecubes and expect a few more years out of their PS2?

    • Re:Upgrade Cycle (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Jicksta ( 760596 ) on Saturday April 09, 2005 @01:16PM (#12188162) Homepage
      In two years, with Xbox support starting falling off, the Xbox homebrew scene will have had two years (from now) to have developed and refined their software.

      Since I'm pressed for time, I'll keep the list of interesting advancements brief:
      • XBox Media Center [sf.net], already one of the most popular SF.net projects, will be by far the sweetest media suite for any platform.
      • Someone may port the Blackdown Java VM to the Xbox, allowing for any presently developed Java program to be ran on the exotic Xbox.
      • The OpenXDK [sourceforge.net] may be just as functional as its official counterpart, allowing for LEGAL xbox homebrew development.
      • Add about a few dozen more fun homebrew games to the current selection.
      Granted, these are all ifs and maybes, but Xbox hacking will be here to stay, with or without Microsoft's support.

      • Re:Upgrade Cycle (Score:3, Informative)

        by gl4ss ( 559668 )
        well.. if you install linux on the baby.. why wouldn't you have java on the spot already _now_?(and without a real os at the back of things.. why would you want java anyways?)

        the big problem with legal xbox development is that you can't get it to run on the xbox without modding it.

        but looking on the bright side.. the current xboxes will be able to play nes games and other such emulators conviently to the foreseeable future way past the official lifespan of the xbox.

        • Re:Upgrade Cycle (Score:3, Informative)

          by Jicksta ( 760596 )
          As a well-trainer xbox hacker, Gentoo Linux PC user, GentooX (Gentoo on Xbox) user, and Java developer, I believe I can speak with some merit here... :)

          "the big problem with legal xbox development is that you can't get it to run on the xbox without modding it."

          Actually, there are many "soft-mod" exploits in games such as MechAssault and 007: Agent Under Fire which allow you to boot unsigned code and ultimately flash your TSOP and EEPROM with a third party BIOS.

          Running GentooX for only interpreted code
          • *Actually, there are many "soft-mod" exploits in games such as MechAssault and 007: Agent Under Fire which allow you to boot unsigned code and ultimately flash your TSOP and EEPROM with a third party BIOS.*

            well - that's just as well 'modding' as well(and don't you need to short some leg inside the case as well?). that is not trivial for a normal user.

            • "well - that's just as well 'modding' as well(and don't you need to short some leg inside the case as well?). that is not trivial for a normal user."

              Actually, instructions are available on http://www.xbox-linux.org/ [xbox-linux.org] for the soft-mod exploit. It's as easy as going out, buying the game required and an adaptor cable for your USB pendrive to copy the save onto the xbox. It will ruin Xbox Live compatibility, but based on the assumption you wont be using the xbox for those games any more. It is trivial for t
              • Also, no need to "short" a "leg" inside the case. :) Flashing the default MS BIOS might void the warranty though; it's not a hardware mod but I don't think you would stand a chance if you sent the xbox in for repair.

              • It's as easy as going out, buying the game required and an adaptor cable for your USB pendrive to copy the save onto the xbox.

                Haven't newer versions of those games been corrected so as not to have the savegame buffer overflows that the soft-mods exploit? And are such adapter cables sold in national chains such as Best Buy and EB Games?

                • Not sure on the corrections, but there's always ebay or pre-owned sections in games shops to try and grab an older version. As for the cables, I've only seen them once in a retail shop (A local Gamestation here in the UK). They are however readily available on the net, and I'd presume someone with the intent to install linux on their Xbox might also be capable of making their own (as simple as matching coloured wires and joining them together for a quick bodge job).

                  • I'd presume someone with the intent to install linux on their Xbox might also be capable of making their own (as simple as matching coloured wires and joining them together for a quick bodge job).

                    You'd be surprised at how many competent Linux system administrators and homebrew game developers can't solder worth a.

                    • Bare the wires, stick em together with electrical tape :P A true bodge job.
                    • I made my own when I softmodded my XBox. All you need is an extra little break off point (the last 5 inches or so that connects to the XBox from the controller) and a USB cable. Cut em both open and match the wires for either an XBox Controller -> USB adapter (use it for gamepads sometimes), or a USB -> Xbox adapter (usable w/ a thumb drive or USB keyboard) if you have a USB extension cable. Tape it all up with electric tape and you're good to go. Good thing you don't need to solder, too. If there
    • I see it more as a reason not to buy Xbox2/Next/360 until 2007. Especially since there is talk that the new console will *not* be backwards compatible.

    • Re:Upgrade Cycle (Score:5, Insightful)

      by NanoGator ( 522640 ) on Saturday April 09, 2005 @04:01PM (#12188962) Homepage Journal
      "It would seem that Microsoft thinks they can get people on the ole upgrade cycle just like they do for their other products.

      Whats next?

      XBOX 2006, XBOX.net 2007, XBOX.sp2 2008?"

      WTH are you talking about? There's at least 4 years between the XBOX and XBOX 2. In the mean time, they're saying "We'll continue to support the original XBOX for 6 years". This isn't good news for current XBOX users?

      Maybe I'm just really tired here, but the only reason I can figure that this was modded up is that there's some expectation that the XBOX will follow the Windows business model. Never mind that it hasn't done that in all the years it has been around. Never mind that it's a game console firmly established in a market with a 5 year life cycle. Never mind that game consoles are not OS's and that Microsoft would actually be smart enough to not try to market them the same. No no no, let's assume MS is greedy and incompetent. Afterall, that's how they became a 20+ billion dollar company.
    • Out here in Europe, I'm still waiting for my Xbox N.

  • This was just posted on Xbox-Scene.com too: Xbox 360 rumors [xbox-scene.com].
    • I love the idea of downloadable games. That is until we find out it's "Pong 2006" for $45(US).

      Seriously though... Isn't this what Sony already said they'd end up doing? Then again it is M$ style to steal the competition's ideas, market them better, and PROFIT! I just can't wait to see the next gen battle. This maybe the jump-off point for one of the three compeititors.

  • Backwards-compatibility: more likely than not (Score:5, Interesting)

    by gxw ( 95938 ) on Saturday April 09, 2005 @01:37PM (#12188269)
    Consider: Nintendo announced at the Game Developer's Conference in SF last month that the Nintendo Revolution (codename) will be backwards compatible with the GameCube...

    Consider: It has been previously confirmed that the PS3 will be backwards compatible: http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/02/ 1517232 [slashdot.org]...

    Consider: development of XBOX software through at least 2007 provides opportunity for gateway games (like the new Zelda game that is coming out for the GameCube shortly before Revolution comes out; those that see the new Zelda on friend's GameCube may run out and purchase a Revolution to play it)...

    Consider: all of the hard drives in the original XBOXes will eventually fail, in a few short years -- guaranteed (moving parts and all). Which is easier to imagine: backwards compatibility, or repairing millions of old XBOXes?

    Imagine: the marketing nightmare that lack of XBOX backwards compatibility would generate, in face of the competition...

    The lack of a hard-drive is not a significant problem for backwards compatibility, but the lack of the white/black buttons on the new controller may be. While few games use them well, some games depend on them, including Bioware's Knights of the Old Republic. Perhaps backwards compatibility will require software updates/patches for the games?
    • Perhaps backwards compatibility will require software updates/patches for the games?

      That's a contradiction ;)
    • "...the lack of the white/black buttons on the new controller may be[a problem]"

      Hmmm, perhaps the Xbox2s will support XBox controllers the same way PS2s supports PS1 controllers.

    • Re:Backwards-compatibility: more likely than not (Score:4, Interesting)

      by Golias ( 176380 ) on Sunday April 10, 2005 @04:29PM (#12195803)
      Rubbish.

      Everybody talks about backwards compatibility like it will save (or kill) the second X-Box.

      If playing our old games on the new system was a priority, nobody would ever change platforms.

      Repeat: If playing our old games on the new system was a priority, nobody would ever change platforms.

      How many Sega owners looked at the PS2 and said, "hmmm... Grand Theft Auto 3 looks very cool, but the PS2 can't play my old Soul Calibur disk, so forget it"?

      Microsoft's success or failure with the new X-Box comes down to one thing and one thing only:

      If the flagship games they line up for it are good enough to be worth buying the console, people will buy the console. If not, they won't.

      The ability to play an old X-Box copy of Splinter Cell on it will make zero difference to anybody, apart from a few screaming know-it-alls on Internet chat forums.

      • Re:Backwards-compatibility: more likely than not (Score:1, Interesting)

        by Anonymous Coward
        If playing our old games on the new system was a priority, nobody would ever change platforms.

        Repeat: If playing our old games on the new system was a priority, nobody would ever change platforms.

        Saying a thing twice does not make it true.

        What is true is this: if playing our old games on the new system was the only priority, nobody would ever change platforms.

        That does not mean that playing old games on the new system is never a priority.

        Look at it this way. Sony went to some lengths to make sure the

  • Wait on a sec... (Score:2, Informative)

    by xshariq ( 841571 )
    I think it's not a bad idea, I mean yeah who wants to play old school xbox when you can play the brand new super cool xbox 2! but they're some people who like to play old games on their new system. This may cause them not to 'mod' their xbox 2 or whatever, it's like "oh damn! I can't play halo/halo2 on my xbox 2...this sucks!"

    • This may cause them not to 'mod' their xbox 2 or whatever, it's like "oh damn! I can't play halo/halo2 on my xbox 2...this sucks!"

      I've played Halo 2 [wikipedia.org] on an unmodded original PlayStation. (Photo evidence [jk0.org])

  • This is not a new tactic. (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Dash'n'SlashDot ( 841636 ) <(moc.liamg) (ta) (drazzahmilc)> on Saturday April 09, 2005 @10:09PM (#12190740) Homepage
    On December 10, 1994, most kids were playing second and third generation SNES games, but also on this day, the final NES game was released: Wario's Woods and Nintendo finally retired the system, several years AFTER the SNES took center stage. More recently, third-party developers developed games for the PS1, albeit for a younger audience. Microsoft is just getting this information out in the open before release trying to keep the sales of the Xbox going even though a newer system is nigh.
    • The NES had an abnormally long lifespan - surviving (just barely) until the 32-bit era. The Sega Saturn was released in Japan on November 22, 1994, and the Sony Playstation was released in Japan on December 3, 1994.

      So did the Super Famicom, actually. Nintendo and Capcom both released some games for the system in 1998.

      Other than that, no mainstream console has lasted as long. The NeoGeo doesn't count, as it was a niche product from the beginning.

      I doubt that there will be new XBox titles as late as 200
      • People are falling for the M$ marketing bait again. When M$ claims they will continue release games until 2007, you need to look at their history.

        Their history saids M$ had lied way too many times about when the end support. win98, winME, winNT4... the list is a mile long. They have never EVER claim a end-of-life date, and stuck to it. Why would they do it for xbox?!

        • Re:This is not a new tactic. (Score:2, Interesting)

          by Anonymous Coward
          Are you even trying to make sense? In every single one of the cases you cite, Microsoft actually continued to support the system after they had claimed they would abandon support for it! And you're trying to make out this means they will stop supporting XBox earlier than they said they would?

          Either you're a very smart troll, or a blithering idiot. My money's on the latter.

  • No big deal... (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Taulin ( 569009 ) on Sunday April 10, 2005 @12:50AM (#12191445) Homepage Journal
    PS1 titles were still coming out several years or more after PS2 came out. Why all the fuss? I bet MS even gives a royaly break for those developing Xbox1 titles after XBox2's release.
  • Well at least the $400 or so I spent modding my Xbox a few months back won't go to a complete waste.

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