Do you think Microsoft will use bluray with theyre next console?

[Altorin]

I was thinking. Why is it that no one complains about multiple discs for PC games?

most PC games with multiple discs don't require disc changing except during installation. If you're talking about back in the day when they did, people did complain about it. a lot. I'm not sure about the PS3 (if the PS3 even has them, which I doubt), but the 360's multiple disc games all require disc changing, making them a major pain in the ass, compounded by the fact when you're at your computer, the disc drive is right in front of you, on your console the disc drive could be (and probably is) across the room

 

[ferv0r]

The question is, how long will Blu-Ray last? I think the disc itself is in need of replacement. Alot of people are getting their movies via streaming and digital distribution is pretty big on PC's so outside of console gaming, discs are being used less and less.

Netflix has announced a price increase because more people are streaming than ever before. OnLive is pushing gaming into a streaming direction as well and there is no reason that can't work on consoles. The next console you buy may be a streaming box that hooks up to your TV.

I know that alot of people don't have broadband and many have bandwidth caps but that hasn't stopped Digital Distribution on the PC and it hasn't stopped streaming of movies. Eventually, the barrier of entry will become a broadband internet connection (unlimited or high cap) instead of an expensive console.

The question you are raising is the big question for MANY players in the entertainment industry. No one really knows. It's just speculation at this point.

Every year, streaming will become more mainstream. But I really do think it's going to be a while before it is widespread enough to render physical media obsolete. Bandwidth is a real issue, as well. Streaming 1080p everywhere and people downloading massively huge games all the time?

If we're talking about a small country like S. Korea or Japan where most of the population is bunched together in cities, it's relatively easy to push new technologies into the mainstream. On the other hand, getting widespread high bandwidth to the majority of the USA will take much longer.

I'm certain that the next console generation will still be primarily reliant on physical media for the games. I don't see any reason why Blu-ray wouldn't still be the primary distribution method for high definition gaming and videos.

Of course, I could totally be wrong. In fact, I hope I'm wrong. I hope there is a great technological breakthrough in the next few years that grants cheap widespread massive bandwidth to everyone.

 

[ferv0r]

It's not really a big complaint...having to switch discs. Some people just like complaining.

It's still a negative, though, especially as games balloon in size.

I remember the old days (OLD, OLD) when games came on a dozen floppies or a half dozen discs. Yes, I'm old. That was a pain. Floppies sucked the worst because those damn things didn't last or got corrupted so easily.

 

[dsmops2003]

No Microsoft and others will eventually move off of a physical medium. The next media war will be who is controlling the clouds. Valve and other streaming providers will move to a console interface but retain the digital purchase model. It wont happen anytime soon as fat internet capabilities are still somewhat limited. However, as we all start gaining access to faster/cheaper internet the cost savings of doing a digital distribution will make more sense to software developers/providers.

 

[ferv0r]

No Microsoft and others will eventually move off of a physical medium. The next media war will be who is controlling the clouds. Valve and other streaming providers will move to a console interface but retain the digital purchase model. It wont happen anytime soon as fat internet capabilities are still somewhat limited. However, as we all start gaining access to faster/cheaper internet the cost savings of doing a digital distribution will make more sense to software developers/providers.

Yes, we know. The question is whether that will happen before the next console cycle.

Do you think it will happen within the next 3 to 5 years? I highly doubt it.

The next consoles will have physical media...very likely blu-ray. They will also expand their network services even further. Live already has some mainstream games for sale (Burnout Paradise, Civ Revolution, etc.) I'm sure more full games and not just XBL will be available for sale via download.

 

[Timmibal]

With Download caps and bandwidth limitations becoming the norm, I'd say the odds are against no physical media unless something radical changes.

I'm guessing you're from America? Download caps are something that we aussies have had to deal with from day dot. One point I will begrugingly give our telcos, they do have pretty good competition which means that high-end caps and unlimited plans are getting cheaper. In 5 years I do expect most data to be direct download, even here in the technologically retarded shadow of the labour gubbmint.

As far as download throttling goes, do you REALLY think that MS is not going to have itself on the 'open the goddamn floodgates' list for every ISP in the world?

 

[ferv0r]

I wonder how much total bandwidth is even available? What capacity is the Internet running at right now? It's been a while since I've seen numbers.

How fast is that capacity projected to grow in the coming years?

I really should look this up.

By the way, another major reason why the next consoles will still have physical media is because there are tons of countries out there (for example, all of South America) that are years behind.

 

[thelonewolf266]

can anyone who said that it won't happen because sony owns blu-ray please provide a link to a web page which has evidence of this cause i thought they just backed blu ray like microsoft backed the HD-DVD if that is the case then they would be incredibly stupid not to use blu ray in the next console as some point have already pointed that games are being made that just don't fit on to a dvd like metal gear solid 4 for example

 

[Omegatronacles]

The two options I foresee them using with their new console is most likely going to be either heavy reliance on digital distribution or Solid State Drives, not bigger than say a credit card, which you would use not unlike the first three generations of Nintendo consoles.

This exactly. Either we'll go back to a 'cartridge' style format to discourage pirating while still giving people physical media, or we'll go completely digital distribution. One thing's for sure, no way in hell Microsoft is gonna PAY Sony and company for a Blu-Ray license.

Cartridge! I hope you like paying exorbitant prices for games. Chips aren't cheap.
That was one of N64's main issues here ($120 for a game - yeah, I'm not paying that).

You evidently don't live in Australia. $110 is the RRP for most AAA games here.

OT: If they use a physical media drive in the next console, it will probably be HVD rather than Blu Ray. Yeah, I said HVD. Look it up.

 

[Captain Awesome]

I was thinking. Why is it that no one complains about multiple discs for PC games?

If you're gaming on a PC, chances are you're sitting in front of it so access is right there, whereas with a console it's likely to be THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM.

 

[Captain Awesome]

I was thinking. Why is it that no one complains about multiple discs for PC games?

If you're gaming on a PC, chances are you're sitting in front of it so access is right there, whereas with a console it's likely to be THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM.

Oh my, crossing the room is such a pain.

This isn't my complaint, I'm offering up potential reasons.

 

[Hunter65416]

Would microsoft develop a new disk format just for their games?

 

[Danzaivar]

No. It's owned by Sony.

Completely false.

BD

lol good one.

Blu-Ray was developed and is owned by the "Blu-ray Disc Association." the members of the BDA are Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Thomson, LG Electronics, Hitachi, Sharp, and Samsung.

So yes, they do own part of Blu-ray and would thus benefit from a Xbox 720 with Blu-ray tech.

The point of BDA is to promote the use and spread of blu-ray. They wouldn't stop Microsoft from using it.

It's like Pepsi stopping cans because Coca-Cola employs the guy who invented the ring-pull.

I don't think Pepsi would use a ring pull if they had to pay Coke a royalty for every can they make.

They would when the alternative is plastic bottles (Or, DVD's), which Coca Cola (Or Sony) also helped develop and are entitled to royalties for using.

Or are they not using DVD's now?

 

[Fenring]

No. It's owned by Sony.

Completely false.

BD

lol good one.

Blu-Ray was developed and is owned by the "Blu-ray Disc Association." the members of the BDA are Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Thomson, LG Electronics, Hitachi, Sharp, and Samsung.

So yes, they do own part of Blu-ray and would thus benefit from a Xbox 720 with Blu-ray tech.

The point of BDA is to promote the use and spread of blu-ray. They wouldn't stop Microsoft from using it.

It's like Pepsi stopping cans because Coca-Cola employs the guy who invented the ring-pull.

I don't think Pepsi would use a ring pull if they had to pay Coke a royalty for every can they make.

They would when the alternative is plastic bottles (Or, DVD's), which Coca Cola (Or Sony) also helped develop and are entitled to royalties for using.

Or are they not using DVD's now?

Yes they are, but I'm just going to guess they don't pay royalties to Sony or the DVD standard was too commonplace for them to care.