Microsoft To Unify PC and Xbox One Platforms

[DEAD7]

According to The Guardian, Microsoft is planning to end fixed console hardware for the Xbox One as a move towards one ecosystem running Unified Windows Applications. The head of the company's Xbox division, Phil Spencer, said that the Universal Windows Platform would be central to the company's gaming strategy. "That is our focus going forward," he told reporters. "Building out a complete gaming ecosystem for Universal Windows Applications." What this could mean is that the Xbox One becomes more like a PC, with Microsoft releasing updated versions at regular intervals with more powerful processors and graphics hardware. In theory, because games will be written as UWAs, older titles will remain compatible with the new machines.

 

[kevm3]

I really don't want to see Microsoft any heavier in the PC gaming space. I already know they are going to try to slip their subscription services into the PC arena like when they had that games for windows live.

 

[Vandelay]

I figured this was their endgame back when they first jumped in the console business.

Will users be able to update individual components on their own. I like the open architecture and the personalization that you can have with a PC. The problem was all the different hardware component combinations you can have and the complexity and the loss of performance or functionality. It'll be interesting to see how they pull that off without basically just having a PC anyway.

It doesn't make sense to have all these electronics in the home that basically can be combined into one unit.

 

[DEAD7]

I figured this was their endgame back when they first jumped in the console business.

Will users be able to update individual components on their own. I like the open architecture and the personalization that you can have with a PC. The problem was all the different hardware component combinations you can have and the complexity and the loss of performance or functionality. It'll be interesting to see how they pull that off without basically just having a PC anyway.

It doesn't make sense to have all these electronics in the home that basically can be combined into one unit.

This is the million dollar question.

 

[Vandelay]

This is the million dollar question.

Perhaps every component won't be upgradeable. Maybe just the Ram, video and hard drive space. And those upgradeable components will only be from chipset or hardware manufacturers contracted with Microsoft. And to take it a step further, perhaps you could only take it to an authorized service center or void the warranty.

Everything else could be integrated into the motherboard. Realistically, sound, Ethernet, and various other peripherals very rarely need to be upgraded. I've been out of the loop, but has soundcard technology been updated since the 90's?

This would allow you to keep the price of the system cheap, because you have backwards compatibility to 5000+ games already, which you still could play on Xbox live, and avoid the 2-300 dollar upcharge all those other components bring.

 

[Brown_Pride]

Makes you wonder if they are going to get into proprietary hardware for PC's? How are the software developers going to deal with this considering the larger more effective ones have cross platform software. I do see the point in having ONE piece of electronics to sorta run entertainment but in most cases a computer is still needed.

Something inherently shady to a giant corporation consolidating industries and marketshare that always worries me.

 

[Brown_Pride]

Perhaps every component won't be upgradeable. Maybe just the Ram, video and hard drive space. And those upgradeable components will only be from chipset or hardware manufacturers contracted with Microsoft. And to take it a step further, perhaps you could only take it to an authorized service center or void the warranty.

Everything else could be integrated into the motherboard. Realistically, sound, Ethernet, and various other peripherals very rarely need to be upgraded. I've been out of the loop, but has soundcard technology been updated since the 90's?

This would allow you to keep the price of the system cheap, because you have backwards compatibility to 5000+ games already, which you still could play on Xbox live, and avoid the 2-300 dollar upcharge all those other components bring.

I don't like that shyt at all to be honest. They are basically going to try to monopolize a sector of hardware and trap you into their specific services. They'll blacklist your Xbox if you get offbrand ram, or shyt I wonder if the TPP has any say into the ability to upgrade a system with NON-proprietary or contracted components, I seam to remember that being in there somewhere...towards the back.

 

[Vandelay]

I don't like that shyt at all to be honest. They are basically going to try to monopolize a sector of hardware and trap you into their specific services. They'll blacklist your Xbox if you get offbrand ram, or shyt I wonder if the TPP has any say into the ability to upgrade a system with NON-proprietary or contracted components, I seam to remember that being in there somewhere...towards the back.

Well just as long as they don't eradicate PCs, I don't see the problem. I remember when piracy and Napster jumping off, there was talk about closing the architecture on PC's and making it impossible to upgrade or work on it yourself. That's what I take issue with.

 

[Calmye]

This is going to be bad

 

[Calmye]

I really don't want to see Microsoft any heavier in the PC gaming space. I already know they are going to try to slip their subscription services into the PC arena like when they had that games for windows live.

Are alot of PC games free to play online?

 

[tmonster]

translation
microsoft wants your pc to be in contact with microsoft constantly in order to work?

 

[Brown_Pride]

Well just as long as they eradicate PCs, I don't see the problem. I remember when piracy and Napster jumping off, there was talk about closing the architecture on PC's and making it impossible to upgrade or work on it yourself. That's what I take issue with.

why on earth would you want to eradicate PC's?

 

[kevm3]

Are alot of PC games free to play online?

There's no pay to play wall like there is on consoles, which is why I vastly prefer pc gaming among other reasons. If you wanted to play SFV right now, you don't have to pay Microsoft or Sony any money to use your own bandwidth to play other people.

 

[Vandelay]

why on earth would you want to eradicate PC's?

I'm not saying, I want to, but...

Of course they couldn't eradicate it completely, but it would offer more control for the usage of PC hardware.

Eliminate hacking, force users to upgrade, cutback on piracy...the benefits for business and government would be tremendous.

They could very easily close the architecture of PC's from the big manufacturers and flatten the product line and not much would change for 95% of computer users.


EDIT: I just saw I didn't type "don't"

 

[Calmye]

There's no pay to play wall like there is on consoles, which is why I vastly prefer pc gaming among other reasons. If you wanted to play SFV right now, you don't have to pay Microsoft or Sony any money to use your own bandwidth to play other people.

Damn nice. But the gaming computer s cost a couple grand to have a legit gaming experience?