Xbox 360 Unveiled
Ryan Stutt
Dose

"This is going to be the entertainment product of the decade."
-Jason Anderson, Group Marketing Manager, Microsoft Canada


Talk about painting yourself into a corner. But then, this is Microsoft we're talking about: They aren't fans of flying under the radar, are they? And rightly so. The company’s first foray into the home video game system, the Xbox, has been a huge success. They've earned the right to crow a little.

But while video game consoles are big business, they are also the subject of rumour and speculation, while gamers speculate and geeks wet-dream about what they can look forward to playing next.

With so much misinformation out there about the new Xbox gaming console, Dose decided to sit down with Xbox 360 (yes, that's the name) representatives to get the skinny on the next-generation video game console. We’ve got all you want to know about the new Xbox:

When does it come out?

Nothing is official yet, but the Internet — mother of all rumours and half-truths — pegs the launch date in November 2005, and Microsoft reps say they're aiming for a "holiday launch."

Is it true the inner Microsoft office code name for the new system was Xbox FOS ("f*** Off Sony")?

"That is not true, the code name has always been Xenon," Jason Anderson said. His associate Craig Tullett added with a chuckle, "It may be the new code name, now that you brought it up."

How much is it?

Well, frankly, they're not saying. Rumours have it being around $300 US. A lot will depend on what Nintendo's Revolution system and the PlayStation 3 go for. Chances are, pricing will be announced by the fall.

What's the name Xbox 360 mean? Why not just call it Xbox 2?

"You’ve got this gamer that's at the centre of everything and immersed in this amazing experience of games, digital music and online," Anderson says. "It seems only logical to us that the name would be Xbox 360. We like to think it's the simple fact that Sony is releasing PlayStation 3 and releasing Xbox 2 would make it sound inferior.

How much of an improvement is this on the old Xbox?

Kills the old Xbox, brings it back to life and kills it again. Screens that were shown to us were, frankly, jaw dropping and they weren't even completed games yet. If it delivers what it says it will — in a seamless, bug-free way — this is going to be a huge advancement in gaming and integrating your PC with your home entertainment system.

What's so great about it?

Check out the tech specs, poindexter: built in wireless controllers, which are rechargeable; Three times the processor power; USB ports to connect peripherals (cameras, MP3 players) to it; Portable hard drive that you can connect to your PC; and you can download music, movies and other media to play on your TV through your console with a regular-style remote. Also, the DVD drive will play just about every disc format a regular DVD player will. You’ve got a video camera for online trash talking during multiplayer play. Oh, and did we mention every game will allow you to customize the soundtrack? It's pretty pimp.

Portable hard drive? How big is it?

It comes with a standard 20 gigabyte hard drive. Don't be surprised if some bigger drives are available as soon as it launches.

What about the rumour that the portable hard drive was also going to function like an iPod?

Not true. It's just a hard drive.

How many games?

Ten to 16 titles will be available for the holiday season launch, with another 140 in development with various release dates.

Which games?

Expected launch titles include: Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, Gears of War and Ghost Recon 3. All other titles are unconfirmed, but word has it that Bungie Studios (makers of Halo) are working on a title for the 360 as well. Halo 3 perhaps?

Can I play my old Xbox games on this thing?

They haven't decided yet. Basically, e-mail Microsoft with requests for the new system to be backward compatible if you want that feature available. When asked, Anderson said it "hadn't been decided yet," but it sounded like a no.

What about online play?

Xbox Live is a huge part of the new system. Look for a much bigger emphasis on online play, including more customization. You can surf around on Xbox Live for free with the new system to talk to people and shop for stuff, but you'll have to subscribe to play online. The circle Xbox 360 logo in the middle of the controller isn't just product placement — it's the button that automatically takes you to the Xbox Live pop-up screen at any time you want. Also, the online games will have smart "matchmaking" features, so you can play against people at your skill level, and not just überdorks who play 24-hours a day.

Is it true that Bill Gates brands all Microsoft employees with the mark of the beast?

None were visible when this interview was conducted, though it seemed at times like they were speaking in tongues.


DOSE.ca



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Even a fart like me can claim excitement for the upcoming release. And rightly so. Say what you will about MS, they know their stuff, and this console has been marketed so well that just about everyone into games is talking up a buzz about it.

But.. no backwards compatibility? That's gotta hurt.

They are not sure if it will be backwards compatible!

Come on when this thing come out I don't want to keep my old system just to play shenmue or Chaos Theory!

No kidding, it would really suck having to keep that old bulky thing around just for Halo or whatever.

Although I stood firm and did not buy XBOX when it came out, and instead went for the PS2 I think I'm gonna cave in and buy the 360

ok, now its time to see what sony's system is gonna have.

Very true we need to compare the 2 . PS3 vs x-box 360.

They called the 'XBOX2' an XBOX360 instead because they say it is a superior machine to PS3 and calling it XBOX2 would make it sound inferior.

So far, they might be right.
But we cannot make judgements yet. While Xbox has really gone off the handle and marketed this thing to the very best, Sony has kept it's trap firmly shut with the PS3 and nothing at all has been leaked. Why?

Could it be they are embarrased with their machine compared to the Xbox360? Or...

i doubt thats why. im sure the PS3 is gonna be awsome. but the Xbox 360 sounds freakin amazing. i gotta say that i am really considering making that the first new system i wanna buy.

That's what i ment by my 'or...' it could be that PS3 has something killer underwraps. Who knows.

I like that whole 'the xbox logo on the controller is a button that directly connects to to online play' that's awesome.

No Backwards compaability will indeed hurt them but with so many bloody features its bound to sell, sell sell.

Indeed, Sony have been very quite about the PS3 while Nintendo( dont forget about them) and Microsoft have been letting things leak left, right and centre!

I think maybe sony is embarrassed about the development of the PS3 its not like they have a history of making good systems anyway. They stole the technology from Nintendo to make the ps1 and still Sega Saturn and the 64 and even bleem out performed the ps1. The PS2 is inferior to both the X-box and Gamecube and some of its specs cant hold up to even the Dreamcast.

I don't see any reason to hold sony that high of an anticipation for PS3, even their mp3's suck but I love their DV cameras

Sweet............makes me wish I went and bought an Xbox

The XBOX is, to simply put it, the best consle on the Market.

The Play Station was amongst the first of it's kind, therefore was always that with a head start. Although the technology was pretty basic, the PS2, with it's slick new design and promise of more new game releases than any over consles stole the crowd.

...But the XBOX has changed all that. It's a superior machine, with hundreds of exclusive games that the PS2 cannot offer.

Buy it, and see what gaming is really all about.




....And don't get me started on the GC. It's the DeVIL.

im assuming that for online play, you will still have to have a high speed connection.

Not really. You need broadband.

yeah well, when i say "high-speed" i mean DSL or cable.

i have crap dial-up and i cannot get DSL in my area.

Ouch! That hurts!

Anyways, XBOX 360 looks awesome, but I can't wait for the PS3. Maybe Sony doesn't wanna show it until the time is right. I believe Sony will show it on the E3.

This years's E3 will be awesome.

Hmm. I must admit, the xbox 360 looks pretty damn good, but I tihnk the same thing is going to happen with the previous consoles. the ps3 will have the better games, the xbox 360 will have the better graphics. Thats why im always torn between the 2 consoles. But ill buy both, just cause i wanna pla ff13 and halo 3.

yeah i bet ff13 is gonna rock.

and i can only imagine what halo 3 is gonna be like

hopefully it will actually be good this time.

PS3 and Xbox 360 are at the top of my list for the next systems i wanna buy. i will only have so much money, so it will be a tough deciscion to make. i will probably go with the PS3 at first cuz it will most likely have the bigger and better selection of games. but i guess we will have to wait and see.

I'm feelin for all 3 consoles....depends on who sells more. I'll delay my purchase of a next generation console until I see which the public likes most.

i delay my purchase till the price goes down lol


but now that the info is out, it looks like the 360 has nothing on ps3

This is going to be a tough choice.

I love the idea of linking my Xbox up to my PC. That is the future of home entertainment, and Microsoft knows it.

The PS3's specs are amazing, and it's hard to argue with the amount of licenses Sony is able to maintain.

The Revolution is kind of a wild card; you know Nintendo will produce great 1st party software, but will they get support? On the other hand, downloadable games from all their previous systems = I'm already sold on it.

The next 1-2 years should be very exciting.

if u ask me, MS still has catching up to do
sony still will be the market leader, evn if they console
touches down first.

A crap rehash that I will buy, thinking it's god.

Has anyone made the joke yet that it is called 360 because it will do a turn around and sell very well? Sorry.