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Sources Say the Next Xbox Will Pack Six Times More GPU Power

Wed Jan 25, 2012 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Xbox 360, Xbox 720, Rumors and Speculation, Microsoft (all tags)

The new chip, provided by AMD, will be similar to the HD 6670 in specs.

If the rumors and leaks from sources across the industry are true then we'll have a brand new Xbox to look forward to at the end of this year. Lending even more credibility to the rumors is the alleged leak of details relating to the system.

The folks at IGN say that they've been able to confirm reports that the new Xbox will use a graphics chip that's pretty close to the Radeon HD 6670, which is compatible with DirectX11 and can handle 1080p HD, 3D and even multiple displays.

Use of this card would give the new Xbox six times the graphical power of the 360, which has to be getting developers excited. Even if graphical quality isn't improved dramatically, this would create freedom to make larger worlds without needing to obscure distant objects and allow for quicker rendering of large set pieces.

Source: IGN

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Sources Say the Next Xbox Will Pack Six Times More GPU Power

Wed Jan 25, 2012 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Xbox 360, Xbox 720, Rumors and Speculation, Microsoft (all tags)

The new chip, provided by AMD, will be similar to the HD 6670 in specs.

If the rumors and leaks from sources across the industry are true then we'll have a brand new Xbox to look forward to at the end of this year. Lending even more credibility to the rumors is the alleged leak of details relating to the system.

The folks at IGN say that they've been able to confirm reports that the new Xbox will use a graphics chip that's pretty close to the Radeon HD 6670, which is compatible with DirectX11 and can handle 1080p HD, 3D and even multiple displays.

Use of this card would give the new Xbox six times the graphical power of the 360, which has to be getting developers excited. Even if graphical quality isn't improved dramatically, this would create freedom to make larger worlds without needing to obscure distant objects and allow for quicker rendering of large set pieces.

Source: IGN

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Rumor: Microsoft is Ditching Microsoft Points

Tue Jan 24, 2012 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360, Microsoft Points, Rumors and Speculation (all tags)

Finally we can stop doing the math to figure out how much a game costs.

When we think of Microsoft Points we tend to think about the Xbox, but that's not the only place you need to use MS Points. If you're buying music or movies on Zune, you're using Microsoft Points. Want an app for your Windows phone? Microsoft Points.

A source with "knowledge of the company's decision" has reported that Microsoft is finally going to ditch the virtual currency system, opting for real dollars and cents instead. This move would, of course, apply to any service that currently utilizes Microsoft Points.

Microsoft is sticking with the usual on this one, stating that "Microsoft doesn’t comment on rumors and speculation."

Source: Gamespot

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Rumor: Microsoft is Ditching Microsoft Points

Tue Jan 24, 2012 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360, Microsoft Points, Rumors and Speculation (all tags)

Finally we can stop doing the math to figure out how much a game costs.

When we think of Microsoft Points we tend to think about the Xbox, but that's not the only place you need to use MS Points. If you're buying music or movies on Zune, you're using Microsoft Points. Want an app for your Windows phone? Microsoft Points.

A source with "knowledge of the company's decision" has reported that Microsoft is finally going to ditch the virtual currency system, opting for real dollars and cents instead. This move would, of course, apply to any service that currently utilizes Microsoft Points.

Microsoft is sticking with the usual on this one, stating that "Microsoft doesn’t comment on rumors and speculation."

Source: Gamespot

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CES 2012 Set New Attendance Record and Boasted 20,000 New Product Announcements

Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: CES 2012, Industry Trends, Microsoft (all tags)

This year's show was the biggest in the history of CES, which certainly bodes well for the industry.

The Consumer Electronics Show may be an industry event but in no way is it industry exclusive. In addition to buyers, execs for big companies, TV news teams and writers, non-professional bloggers and fans find their way into the show. In fact, pretty much anyone who wants to go can find a way in. This year, an additional 13,000 made it to CES.

The addition of 400 new exhibitors to the show was almost certainly instrumental in getting the number up from 140,000 attendees in 2011. All told, over 20,000 new products were announced and launched at the show and more people than ever were there to see them. That's certainly a sign of interest in the industry and something that will hopefully transform into growth.

What should be interesting to see is what happens next year. Microsoft - a CES staple for both its booth and keynote speeches - has already said that it does not plan to return next year. If other companies follow suit, CES 2013 could see a decline.

Source: PC Mag

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Apple, Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony and EA Pull SOPA Support

Tue Jan 03, 2012 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Sony, EA, Apple, SOPA, Industry Trends, Censorship (all tags)

Five major gaming companies are now allying themselves against the bill that would allow the U.S. to censor the internet.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) has been extremely controversial since it was introduced. Essentially, if put into effect, the SOPA would allow the U.S. government to eliminate advertising on, limit business to, or completely block websites that allegedly infringe on copyrights.

Initially the bill was supported by a great deal of companies but most of the big names - at least the big names in gaming - are pulling their support. The change in stance is almost certainly in response to consumer response, which has been extremely negative in most cases. Boycotts, petitions and even threats have been issued and seem to have had some effect.

In the last week or so, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Electronics, EA and Apple have pulled their names off of the SOPA, but there are plenty of supporters including the Entertainment Software Association. As Joystiq's Griffin McElroy points out though, every company belonging to the ESA has pulled their support, so it seems likely the ESA will follow suit.

Source: Joystiq

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Apple, Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony and EA Pull SOPA Support

Tue Jan 03, 2012 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Sony, EA, Apple, SOPA, Industry Trends, Censorship (all tags)

Five major gaming companies are now allying themselves against the bill that would allow the U.S. to censor the internet.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) has been extremely controversial since it was introduced. Essentially, if put into effect, the SOPA would allow the U.S. government to eliminate advertising on, limit business to, or completely block websites that allegedly infringe on copyrights.

Initially the bill was supported by a great deal of companies but most of the big names - at least the big names in gaming - are pulling their support. The change in stance is almost certainly in response to consumer response, which has been extremely negative in most cases. Boycotts, petitions and even threats have been issued and seem to have had some effect.

In the last week or so, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Electronics, EA and Apple have pulled their names off of the SOPA, but there are plenty of supporters including the Entertainment Software Association. As Joystiq's Griffin McElroy points out though, every company belonging to the ESA has pulled their support, so it seems likely the ESA will follow suit.

Source: Joystiq

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


Apple, Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony and EA Pull SOPA Support

Tue Jan 03, 2012 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Sony, EA, Apple, SOPA, Industry Trends, Censorship (all tags)

Five major gaming companies are now allying themselves against the bill that would allow the U.S. to censor the internet.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) has been extremely controversial since it was introduced. Essentially, if put into effect, the SOPA would allow the U.S. government to eliminate advertising on, limit business to, or completely block websites that allegedly infringe on copyrights.

Initially the bill was supported by a great deal of companies but most of the big names - at least the big names in gaming - are pulling their support. The change in stance is almost certainly in response to consumer response, which has been extremely negative in most cases. Boycotts, petitions and even threats have been issued and seem to have had some effect.

In the last week or so, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Electronics, EA and Apple have pulled their names off of the SOPA, but there are plenty of supporters including the Entertainment Software Association. As Joystiq's Griffin McElroy points out though, every company belonging to the ESA has pulled their support, so it seems likely the ESA will follow suit.

Source: Joystiq

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


Apple, Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony and EA Pull SOPA Support

Tue Jan 03, 2012 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Sony, EA, Apple, SOPA, Industry Trends, Censorship (all tags)

Five major gaming companies are now allying themselves against the bill that would allow the U.S. to censor the internet.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) has been extremely controversial since it was introduced. Essentially, if put into effect, the SOPA would allow the U.S. government to eliminate advertising on, limit business to, or completely block websites that allegedly infringe on copyrights.

Initially the bill was supported by a great deal of companies but most of the big names - at least the big names in gaming - are pulling their support. The change in stance is almost certainly in response to consumer response, which has been extremely negative in most cases. Boycotts, petitions and even threats have been issued and seem to have had some effect.

In the last week or so, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Electronics, EA and Apple have pulled their names off of the SOPA, but there are plenty of supporters including the Entertainment Software Association. As Joystiq's Griffin McElroy points out though, every company belonging to the ESA has pulled their support, so it seems likely the ESA will follow suit.

Source: Joystiq

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


2012 is the Last CES for Microsoft

Wed Dec 28, 2011 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Microsoft, CES 2012, Industry Trends (all tags)

The company cites poor timing as the main concern - January just isn't a good month.

Back in the day, the Consumer Electronics Show was about more than just home theater gear, phones, cameras and car audio. Before E3, CES was the place to go to see all the latest and greatest in the world of videogames.

Sadly, those days are behind us. Sony has presence at the event of course, and for whatever reason Capcom has a really nice suite every year, but Microsoft has decided that it's time to pull out. The 2012 show marks the last time that the company will be exhibiting at the show.

The reason behind it is simple, according to Microsoft communications VP Frank Shaw. "We won't have a keynote or booth after this year because our product news milestones generally don't align with the show's January timing."

It will certainly be interesting to see what kind of effect the lack of a Microsoft booth will have on the show, if any. Shaw says Microsoft won't be absent though. "We'll continue to participate in CES as a great place to connect with partners and customers across the PC, phone, and entertainment industries."

Source: GameSpot

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