'Market doesn’t need Blu-ray', says UK Xbox boss Options

[Xbox-Scene]

'Market doesn’t need Blu-ray', says UK Xbox boss Posted by XanTium | March 26 12:24 EST | News Category: Xbox360

From gamesindustry.biz: [QUOTE] Speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz, UK boss Neil Thompson dismissed suggestions that the PlayStation 3's in-built Blu-ray drive gives the machine a tactical advantage over Xbox 360. "Do I want to make people pay £200 extra for a machine with discs that have storage space I don't need? My answer's no, I don't need to do that today," Thompson said. "And I don't think I'm going to need to do that for quite a while." "I'm not sure the market has moved to high definition [movies] yet," he said. "And if and when it does, then the way that we've constructed the offering we've made means we'll be able to go whichever way we want." "This is about the architecture of the hardware. With the PS3 you've got a big, heavy truck that requires a big, heavy engine. With Xbox you've got a much more nimble box that uses software in the architecture of the box in a much more nimble way." [/QUOTE] Full Story: gamesindustry.biz

[TeamDevil]

This reminds me of the AOL ex-CEO that said broadband was just a phase, dial up is all we'll ever need.

"Darn that game is short."
" There was only so much space to fit out HD-content."

Games will continue to load slower and slower because they have to spend more and more time uncompressing the data.

This post has been edited by TeamDevil: Mar 26 2007, 05:57 PM

[Textbook]

But you can't add on to dial up to make it as fast as broadband. I agree with what Microsoft has done. With the PS3, you're forced into BR even if you won't use it. And you're paying for it regardless. With Xbox 360, you don't HAVE to have it, but the option is there. I thought choice was a good thing?

[jabroniekilla]

I agree with what Textbook says. If the ps3 was $200 less and didnt come with blu-ray, I would buy it. I like the fact I didnt have to drop $600 on my 360.

[C o s m o]

I think it's a good point, too, that the market has not moved to High Desnsity discs (HD-DVD/Blu-Ray).
I don't have either of the players, and don't mean to until I know there is a solid format with staying power. DVD sales are strong, and there really is enough room on game discs (for now...today) so long as game companies don't go crazy with HD cut scenes.

Heck, by the time the format BS is settled, Xbox 720 and PS4 might be ready to go
Then they can include the right drive for the established format.

[The Zep Man]

Blu-ray movies will be released more around the world in a year. Also, in a year the prices of Blu-ray players will drop below the price of the Playstation 3. People who buy a Playstation 3 because it can play those shiny, rare and expensive movie discs are just wasting money.

I still remember the first batch of PS2's and their 'famous' DVD drives...

This post has been edited by The Zep Man: Mar 26 2007, 06:53 PM

[zequal]

i think blu-ray is good, would you really like to be forced toswitch to another disc while playing a game or watching a movie in full HD? it's almost like the swedish tv channel "tv4" with its "starwars syndrome"... lets say that you're watching starwars episode 5: the empire strikes back. and when darth vader says "luke... i am your..." TIME FOR COMMERCIALS!!! and everybody goes "wtf!!! screw tv4!!" and changing channel to "svt1" where "lord of the rings" is on (with no commercials). and they goes "yeeey" even if the "lord of the rings" is incredibly long, its very nice to see it with no commercials.

[dr_roy]

a big heavy engine? like the 360 psu?

[jaynigs]

Riiiiight, so blu-ray not required, but microsoft are releasing a HD DVD addon?

Why do they make these statements? if they are wrong, it only makes them look stupid, and personally i do think they are wrong, HD Films are just as required as HD games, and bluray is obviously ideal for storing a full length movie and more. Those with High Def tvs want HD everything! ... well i do anyway lol

Besides, if the market hasn't fully moved to HD movies "yet" it won't be very long. Very short sighted comment by microsoft and perhaps showing some inexperience in this field, its not like they understand consumer needs. *cough* DRM *cough*

[lando786]

that sounds like acknowledging a loss sure market doesn't need BR maybe its because they didn't want our HD-DVD c'mon how about that crap about market not moving to HD yet but that doesnt stop em from selling HD content over Xbox Live now does it? as for options i had the option to buy a 360 did I? nope great console though. My point is that to each his own.. Market doesnt need BR but if they want it they can buy it if not they can look elsewhere, its not like the worlds gonna end over 1 persons opinion

[gamekill]

"With Xbox you've got a much more nimble box that uses software in the architecture of the box in a much more nimble way."

wtf...! Ok the PS3 is freaking HUGE, but can anyone honestly say the X360 is really that different?? Both are monsters. If you wanna say slim or elegant, take a look at the Wii. I'm not talking about horsepower but looks.

[thax]

Games will continue to load slower and slower because they have to spend more and more time uncompressing the data.

Games load faster with better compression because I/O from disc is very slow.

[running_wild]

I don't see why they can't spread games over a few discs - surely we gamers aren't so lazy that we can't get up the change a disc every couple of hours? Heh.

Just throwing this out there too - Apparently Blu-Ray and the like have increased seek times as well - So load times increase either way (Compression Or Greater capacity discs).

[Aerok]

Do you guys remember when microsoft also said market did not need HDMI...

[Helliano]

Do you guys remember when microsoft also said market did not need HDMI...

Well basicly we dont.... only "lazy" people care about having audio/video in the same cable. After all HDMI isnt the best solution for audio at this moment.