Microsoft Docs Indicate Future Xbox 360 Support For USB Storage 130
Internal Microsoft documents obtained by Joystiq indicate that its Xbox 360 console will gain support for USB storage devices some time this Spring.
"According to the document, the USB mass storage device must be at least 1GB and the system will do a compatibility check. 'The system partition occupies 512 MB of space, and by default the consumer partition occupies the remainder of the device capacity, or 16 GB, whichever is smaller.' Upon inserting a blank USB storage device, 'consumers are offered two choices: "Configure now" or "Customize."' The 'Configure now' option will use 'the entire device capacity, up to the maximum of 512 MB plus 16 GB,' meaning, regardless of the overall size of the device you're using, the Xbox will only enable 16 GB of usable, non-system storage. The 'Customize' option will allow you to 'preserve some pre-existing, non-console data on the device' such as music."
There have also been rumors of a new, smaller form factor for the 360, and hacker Ben Heck has given his thoughts on some leaked motherboard pictures.
Re:Oy (Score:3, Informative)
For comparison I've upgraded my PS3 with a 320GB internal drive for installing games and recording TV, and I regularly connect up external USB drives to transfer media or save games. Any FAT32 formatted drive works, including my 500GB Passport.
Microsoft are really fucking people over here. Big surprise..
Re:Ha Ha... (Score:3, Informative)
Go check your PS3 box or any of the game cases, they'll have the region logo on the back it's a little square with a portion of a globe and a number.
I've yet to see a game disc that enforces this, however Downloaded content IS region locked, though only to the account (IE: you can use European content on a US console if you're signed in with a European registered PSN account).
Already has mass storage support (Score:5, Informative)
My xbox 360 has a 250GB external USB drive attached to it that is used to store copies of home movies.
Although the article isn't as clear as it could be, this is really about adding support for Xbox downloadable content to use USB storage.
Oh, and for a laugh - currently the Xbox can't read NTFS format drives. FAT isn't suitable. So... use a mac, format as HFS+, and the xbox will happily use them.
Re:No more expensive memory cards? (Score:2, Informative)
Read the comment you're replying to, dumbass:
"You could also swap hard disks, but that doesnt allow you and your buddy to both use your own profiles at the same time)"
Re:Ha Ha... (Score:2, Informative)
PS3 games DONT have region encoding...
The region label on the cover only shows the "intended" region where the game is meant to be played, but the hardware does not lock out a USA disc in a European PS3.
However, there may be a region issues in terms of Online/Downloadable content. However, thats entirely in the software and is up to the publisher.
Re:How to not trust a nondedicated server? (Score:3, Informative)
Maybe it has changed, but for a long time, most games had "dedicated" servers.
Yes, you had to trust the server admin, but at least they would have incentive to "play honest" - otherwise no one would use their server. Since dedicated server admins usually have a bit more invested into hosting a server (in terms of bandwidth, etc), they're less likely to screw around.
Client-side cheaters, on the other hand, can be douchebaggy on any server.
Also, as someone else said, a lot of games have hosted servers for non-MMOs. See battle.net for Diablo II as an older example.
Re:Ha Ha... (Score:1, Informative)
Try using a jewelers screwdriver set (you know, the ones made for tiny screws) and you won't have any problems at all. Frankly, it's scary (and sad) to watch those YouTube videos where people are using their 8" Phillips head screwdriver to work with small parts.