View Full Version : Microsoft to release Portable Gaming System! (Not the Origami)
Ecofreak
03-20-2006, 11:28 AM
Looks like the Origami wasn't the only new portable Microsoft had lined up (From Mercury News:
In a bid to capture the huge audience for handheld entertainment gadgets, Microsoft is designing a product that combines video games, music and video in one handheld device, according to sources familiar with the project.
The Microsoft product would compete with Sony, Nintendo and Apple Computer's products,
including the iPod. And Microsoft has some of its most seasoned talent from the division that created its popular Xbox 360 working on it. Game executive J Allard leads the project, and its director is Greg Gibson, who was the system designer on the Xbox 360 video game console. Bryan Lee, the finance chief on the Xbox business, is leading the business side of the project.
By anchoring its entertainment device as a handheld game player, Microsoft is starting from its position of strength in the entertainment business that it hopes Apple cannot match, even with its iPod. The game press has dubbed it an "iPod killer,'' but its functions would likely more closely resemble Sony's PlayStation Portable multimedia gaming device.
The handheld project is still in its early stages. Microsoft is still figuring out which strategy to pursue in music technology, according to sources familiar with the matter. The code name for its music service, which would be the equivalent of Apple's iTunes, is "Alexandria.''
One benefit of waiting longer is that the handheld will likely have sufficient technology in it to run a lot of original Xbox games from a few years ago. Hence, it wouldn't be hard to create a new library of games for the handheld.
Signs of activity have surfaced. Transmeta, a maker of low-power chip technology, said last year that it had assigned 30 engineers to work with Microsoft on a secret project. Transmeta's engineers work on ways to take the power out of computing chips so that they can be used in handheld devices with long battery lives.
In an interview with Business Week in January, Xbox corporate vice president Peter Moore said "it can't just be our version of the iPod'' and added the Xbox brand "is an opportunity'' if Microsoft decides to enter the mobile entertainment competition. He declined to comment on the rumor about the handheld. But sources familiar with the project confirmed its existence within the Xbox organization.
What remains to be seen is when Microsoft will launch the device. Gibson may not need a large engineering team to run the project. But his group of hardware engineers only became free last fall, when most work on the Xbox 360 was completed.
It could be 2007 before the device hits store shelves. That gives rivals such as Sony, Nintendo and Apple considerable time to consolidate their position and come up with their own new gadgets in the meantime.
I would laugh if this new portable could play all the old Xbox games yet the 360 still lacking significant backwards compatibility.
Also, if this thing is still in the early development phases I would think a 2007 launch is a tad unrealistic. That is, of course, assuming that the launch time cycles for game development mirror those of consolses.
Link: http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2006/03/microsofts_plan.html
Strell
03-20-2006, 11:36 AM
The power supply will require its own backpack, which will be sold separately.
Also it will catch on fire. On fire.
And even after your body is a smoldering pile of ashes, it will catch on fire. Again.
mtxbass1
03-20-2006, 11:42 AM
The power supply will require its own backpack, which will be sold separately.
Will this backpack have solar panels with "faulty" power cords that will need to be replaced well into the systems lifetime?
Scorch
03-20-2006, 11:56 AM
Pfft. If it was announced that it could connect to XBox Live wirelessly and worked with all XBox games, you guys would be sold.
The market's getting crowded.. eh. I can't wait to see this at E3 though, hope it's a decent size.
Peter Moore: "And not only does it play games.. for you high school and college kids, it doubles as a backpack! If you tip it on its side, it's large enough to fit your text books in it! Perfect for the student that's constantly on-the-go!"
Strell
03-20-2006, 12:14 PM
Will this backpack have solar panels with "faulty" power cords that will need to be replaced well into the systems lifetime?
Well, that all depends on what technology faults Sony's power supply backpack uses, of course. I believe they have termed it "blu-Cell" and it feeds directly on the user's blood. Kutaragi was quoted as saying "It is so beautiful."
As for XBL connectivity, yes, that will be a given. Only you will have to pay a separate license for each game in addition to your existing XBL memberships. Also, there will be Platinum and Bronze flavors. Bronze will shock the user, repeatedly. Platinum will do the same thing but emit a pleasant smell.
ryanbph
03-20-2006, 12:26 PM
while it would be nice, not interested. I don't play my ds/psp much as it is.
Apossum
03-20-2006, 12:30 PM
Pfft. If it was announced that it could connect to XBox Live wirelessly and worked with all XBox games, you guys would be sold.
Just being the length and width of a DVD would be too big and Nintendo Wi-fi FTW ;)
i'll check it out but my gut tells me this thing will fail.
Great now we'll have handheld fanboy wars....just like console fanboy wars. In all honesty though I'll wait to judge it based on when I see it and what it has to offer. I'm not sure why they are diving into this without their consoles doing a bit better in Japan...seems like they should devote more effort to the 360.
As for me personally I don't have an XBOX because I have what I need in the GC and PS2. I also am not a big fan of FPS games and Racing games which M$ seems to have an abundance of. I'll wait and see but I'm not sure it will be up my ally.
Reality's Fringe
03-20-2006, 01:31 PM
Great, now they'll have another system the Gamecube can outsell in Japan.
I'm interested to see it, and even more interested in what they'll name it. There should be a VBookie.
Ecofreak
03-20-2006, 01:32 PM
Just being the length and width of a DVD would be too big and Nintendo Wi-fi FTW ;)
Ha, I didn't think about the size of the DVD when thinking about this thing's dimensions. Portable what now?
Unless, of course, the release the games again in a smaller media like the PSP disks. Good idea, only you'd have to buy the game all over again and most likely @ full price.
And Nintendo Wi-Fi FTW ;)
LinkinPrime
03-20-2006, 01:36 PM
It’s far from done and details are sketchy, but the portable Xbox is very real. Dean Takahashi of The Mercury News breaks news this morning that Microsoft is working on a portable gaming device that will compete directly with Sony’s PSP and Nintendo’s DS.
According to the report J Allard is leading the team, with Greg Gibson (system designer for Xbox 360) and Bryan Lee (finance chief for Xbox business).
By anchoring its entertainment device as a handheld game player, Microsoft is starting from its position of strength in the entertainment business that it hopes Apple cannot match, even with its iPod. The game press has dubbed it an "iPod killer,'' but its functions would likely more closely resemble Sony's PlayStation Portable multimedia gaming device.]
Click here to read the full story (http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2006/03/microsofts_plan.html)
Source: mercurynews.com (http://www.mercurynews.com/) via joystiq.com (http://www.joystiq.com/)
EDIT: Removed Fake Pic (too much confusion)
FrankySox
03-20-2006, 01:37 PM
DAMN, if that picture is REAL it will kick serious ass. :roll:
Anyways a protable system from the Gates family is inevitable.
Mr Unoriginal
03-20-2006, 01:42 PM
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88366
Apossum
03-20-2006, 01:46 PM
Ha, I didn't think about the size of the DVD when thinking about this thing's dimensions. Portable what now?
Unless, of course, the release the games again in a smaller media like the PSP disks. Good idea, only you'd have to buy the game all over again and most likely @ full price.
And Nintendo Wi-Fi FTW ;)
most importantly, it's just too late. they'll sell a whopping 3 of them in Japan and everyone in the U.S. will already own a DS lite or PSP by that time.
On the other hand, E3 next year may sound a bit like this:
J Allard: "Um yeah, so here's our new portable, the P-box. P is for portable, get it? *laughs nervously* It's going to retail at $400, it's 10 inches by 10 inches and will come in two colors: Mountain Dew green and hot pink for girls. let's see ummm....OH YEAH, IT PLAYS TEH HALO111!!!!"
*crowd goes wild*
*the P-box sells millions in the U.S.*
Meh. I think I'm the only person I know who isn't the slightest bit interested in portable gaming. Still, I think MS has a real tough road ahead of them if they think they're going to come up with a better design than the PSP.
Strell
03-20-2006, 01:51 PM
J Allard might then add that he is not bald, that his converse shoes and leather jacket make him hip with the kids, and the first band he'll put on his PBox will be the Arctic Monkeys.
Also, Halo will be turned into a strategy card game. You will not be able to play the game unless you scan your driver's license every 45 seconds into the Pbox's built-in magnetic reader, which has already been genetically linked to your DNA. This is why it is a "card" game. Dressed up DRM. For your pleasure.
Also it will blow up iPods. It will be called an "accidental feature," but later revealed to be on purpose. This is probably why they will call it an iPod killer.
converge
03-20-2006, 01:52 PM
I think the last thing I would want to do is try to play a FPS on a portable.
Michaellvortega
03-20-2006, 01:56 PM
Hope they make enough this time to sell to everyone that wants one.
Apossum
03-20-2006, 02:00 PM
:lol: look how far apart the analog sticks are. i know it's not the real P-box, but still, that mock up is retarded.
Michaellvortega
03-20-2006, 02:01 PM
:lol: look how far apart the analog sticks are. i know it's not the real P-box, but still, that mock up is retarded.
At least there IS two anolog sticks unlike the gay PSP layout.
mtxbass1
03-20-2006, 02:07 PM
J Allard: "Um yeah, so here's our new portable, the P-box. P is for portable, get it? *laughs nervously* It's going to retail at $400, it's 10 inches by 10 inches and will come in two colors: Mountain Dew green and hot pink for girls. let's see ummm....OH YEAH, IT PLAYS TEH HALO111!!!!"
*crowd goes wild*
*the P-box sells millions in the U.S.*
:lol:
Maynard
03-20-2006, 02:12 PM
This isn't a huge April fools joke is it?
if it is man that would be hilarious
doubledown
03-20-2006, 02:14 PM
Seems April-foolish to me....especially the mock-up. Somone just split the controller in half and added a screen.
Not sure how interested I would be anyways....I have a PSP that I barely play. The last thing I played on it was Tecmo Super Bowl
SpazX
03-20-2006, 02:17 PM
God dammit, just make it play games! For the love of god, stop putting everything I don't need in my gaming system so that I can pay $100 extra, and then it won't even have any fucking storage on it so I'll have to buy something just to use it's fucking extra abilities, fuck you microsoft (and sony too).
Duo_Maxwell
03-20-2006, 02:28 PM
Rumors and speculation from an unnamed source or two don't automatically make it real... Also something that plays xbox games will be far from portable IMO, just to fit the disk in there it will already need to be bigger than the PSP.
megaseadramon
03-20-2006, 02:47 PM
J Allard: "Um yeah, so here's our new portable, the P-box. P is for portable, get it? *laughs nervously* It's going to retail at $400, it's 10 inches by 10 inches and will come in two colors: Mountain Dew green and hot pink for girls. let's see ummm....OH YEAH, IT PLAYS TEH HALO111!!!!"
*crowd goes wild*
*the P-box sells millions in the U.S.*
The sad thing is, thats the truth. The only thing thats been holding the xbox together is Halo.
Mr Unoriginal
03-20-2006, 02:49 PM
The sad thing is, thats the truth. The only thing thats been holding the xbox together is Halo.
Please say you're kidding and you don't believe this.
RAMSTORIA
03-20-2006, 02:53 PM
Great, now they'll have another system the Gamecube can outsell in Japan.
:applause:
well thats too bad they microsoft is so eager to lose money. but i predict it will be more successful than the psp when they release HALO PORTABLE!!!!!!! (btw, i dont like halo)
LinkinPrime
03-20-2006, 03:01 PM
Seems April-foolish to me....especially the mock-up. Somone just split the controller in half and added a screen.
Not sure how interested I would be anyways....I have a PSP that I barely play. The last thing I played on it was Tecmo Super Bowl
Well its a "mock up" not by MS but by someone that thought theyd be funny and make a pic of it. I dont think it was meant to be taken seriously at all. I shouldnt have included the pic. Its not April 1st people. The article is real. Pic is not.
HumanSnatcher
03-20-2006, 03:03 PM
:lol: look how far apart the analog sticks are. i know it's not the real P-box, but still, that mock up is retarded.
P-box...man that just doesn't sound right in my head lol. Just woke up so the baser functions are still active lol
Seriously though, I hope it doesn't look like that. Why would I not be suprised if they offer one without a backlighting for one amount, and one with backlighting for a 100 bucks more...
P-box...man that just doesn't sound right in my head lol. Just woke up so the baser functions are still active lol
Seriously though, I hope it doesn't look like that. Why would I not be suprised if they offer one without a backlighting for one amount, and one with backlighting for a 100 bucks more...
Well, then they'd be taking a page out of Nitendo's playbook.
I don't buy it. It's an April Fool's Day joke, coming in a week early. It plays Xbox games? Riiiiiiiight...
Well its a "mock up" not by MS but by someone that thought theyd be funny and make a pic of it. I dont think it was meant to be taken seriously at all. I shouldnt have included the pic. Its not April 1st people. The article is real. Pic is not.
Why are you jonesing for a portable Xbox so much, kid? It's like every thread around here about a potential portable Xbox is from you. Not knockin' -- just wondering. And I hate to say it, but yeah, I think it's an April Fool's joke. No, it isn't April Fool's Day ... but that's too obvious. Most people who want the gullible to believe this crap intentionally pull the prank early, and then announce it was fake on the 1st. I mean, c'mon: it plays Xbox games? On Xbox disks? No way. And with all the hoopla about Origami, nobody at Microsoft even said so much as "If you're disappointed this isn't a PXB, wait and see what else we have planned..." I don't buy it. And Microsoft stupid enough to go after another market, when it hasn't done what it set out to do in regard to Sony? That's a major division of resources, and that's dumb. If there's one thing Microsoft ain't, it's stupid.
So, in short: this is pretty obvious BS.
daroga
03-20-2006, 04:22 PM
I don't buy it. It's an April Fool's Day joke, coming in a week early. It plays Xbox games? Riiiiiiiight...
Why not? The PSP is on par more or less with the PS2.
PittsburghAfterDark
03-20-2006, 04:25 PM
Dean Takahashi isn't part of an April Fool's joke.
If you don't think MS isn't interested in competing with the PSP, DS and most importantly the iPod you're on crack.
I don't doubt this at all. However I don't think it has a chance of competing with the iPod and DS.
Now if you want to talk ultimate handheld merger? iPod enabled DS or DS capable iPod.
LinkinPrime
03-20-2006, 05:02 PM
Why are you jonesing for a portable Xbox so much, kid? It's like every thread around here about a potential portable Xbox is from you. Not knockin' -- just wondering. And I hate to say it, but yeah, I think it's an April Fool's joke. No, it isn't April Fool's Day ... but that's too obvious. Most people who want the gullible to believe this crap intentionally pull the prank early, and then announce it was fake on the 1st. I mean, c'mon: it plays Xbox games? On Xbox disks? No way. And with all the hoopla about Origami, nobody at Microsoft even said so much as "If you're disappointed this isn't a PXB, wait and see what else we have planned..." I don't buy it. And Microsoft stupid enough to go after another market, when it hasn't done what it set out to do in regard to Sony? That's a major division of resources, and that's dumb. If there's one thing Microsoft ain't, it's stupid.
So, in short: this is pretty obvious BS.
Why are you jonesing for a portable Xbox so much, kid?
Kid....I'm 25 but whatever you say old fart.
I love my XBOX and XBOX 360 and I definately love the idea of an XBOX portable system.
It's like every thread around here about a potential portable Xbox is from you.
I posted one for the Oragimi and this, sorry to "flood" the boards, if you dont like it dont read/post.
I mean, c'mon: it plays Xbox games? On Xbox disks? No way.
Yeah youve read the posts alright. They are trying to get into the portable market. Its being dubbed Portable XBOX because the company is XBOX. PSP stands for Portable Sony Playstation. Does that mean it plays PS games...NO!
Get the facts right before you start bitching and complaining.
Dr Mario Kart
03-20-2006, 05:06 PM
Isnt Rare supposed to be developing for the DS? Wouldnt that sort of...be an issue if true?
Apossum
03-20-2006, 05:18 PM
At least there ARE two anolog sticks unlike the gay PSP layout.
corrected. and it's a mock up, who says there'll be 2 sticks. hey, i agree, the psp layout could use another stick.
botticus
03-20-2006, 05:19 PM
Isnt Rare supposed to be developing for the DS? Wouldnt that sort of...be an issue if true?
MS properties (or at least stuff that they used to publish, I don't know if they owned them or not) are already showing up on the DS... Majesco developed and published Age of Kings and Mech Assault.
Oops, Majesco didn't develop Age of Kings, but they published it.
orntar
03-20-2006, 05:29 PM
PSP stands for Portable Sony Playstation. Does that mean it plays PS games...NO!
it stands for PlayStation Portable. and it will play PS games "soon"
Why not? The PSP is on par more or less with the PS2.
Sure. But it doesn't play PS2 games, per se. It plays ports. You can't just drop your copy of San Andreas into your PSP, which is what the original article is (seemingly) alleging will be the case with the "PXB."
LinkinPrime
03-20-2006, 05:49 PM
it stands for PlayStation Portable. and it will play PS games "soon"
Dude you're ruining my point. :lol:
The asshole was saying that there's no way an xbox portable can play xbox discs. All I was saying is that PSP has PS(PlayStation) in its name, and it doesnt mean it can play PSX CD-ROMS
E3:
Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers
Strell
03-20-2006, 05:59 PM
E3:
Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers Developers
RHAR! *throws a chair*
Dean Takahashi isn't part of an April Fool's joke.
Dude is the closest thing this field has to a "real" journalist, but that doesn't mean he's always right, or can't be gulled.
If you don't think MS isn't interested in competing with the PSP, DS and most importantly the iPod you're on crack.
"Not interested" and "making a smart strategic decision" are two different things. They'd love a piece of that pie. But I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say that I think they'd know that it wouldn't compete well.
I don't doubt this at all. However I don't think it has a chance of competing with the iPod and DS.
Agreed. I wouldn't mind it putting the fear of god into the PSP, though. I'm in the market for a "top end" handheld, and the no-lid, one-nub, few-game, crap-UMD PSP isn't cutting it for me.
Kid....I'm 25 but whatever you say old fart.
I love my XBOX and XBOX 360 and I definately love the idea of an XBOX portable system.
Alright, I should have said "cuz" or "son" or maybe "dawg," instead of "kid."
I posted one for the Oragimi and this, sorry to "flood" the boards, if you dont like it dont read/post.
Didn't say you were flooding. Just wondering what the deal is, since this was pretty much the exact same song and dance for the Origami.
"Xboy! Xboy! Xboy!"
"No, it isn't."
"Oh."
Yeah youve read the posts alright. They are trying to get into the portable market. Its being dubbed Portable XBOX because the company is XBOX. PSP stands for Portable Sony Playstation. Does that mean it plays PS games...NO!
Get the facts right before you start bitching and complaining.
You're right. I read the "It plays Xbox games" statement in another post, and mistakenly attributed it to the link. I've been wrong before ("Nobody is going to make shit on UMD"), but I still don't buy it.
Takahashi says, "The game press has dubbed it an "iPod killer.'' Really? The game press? Who are they calling it an "iPod killer" to, then? Themselves? And I know it was a whole 10 months ago, but I seem to recall Gates himself saying "The fact that Sony's a little distracted with [PSP] may let us do all the better in the next generation" (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/577/577825p1.html) and "Speaking from Microsoft broadly, we like that Sony is off worrying about the PSP and thinking about that while we are worried about the TV-based console, the next generation of Xbox that we are moving forward on" (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3140383) which don't sound like the statements of a man who's planning on starting a whole new division of his company in under a year.
The asshole was saying that there's no way an xbox portable can play xbox discs. All I was saying is that PSP has PS(PlayStation) in its name, and it doesnt mean it can play PSX CD-ROMS
No need to resort to name-calling just because I don't accept every rumor that pops up about your favorite company, "dawg."
road3283
03-20-2006, 06:54 PM
You know with the success of downloadable delivery systems like XBLA, itunes, cell phone games, and possible ps games on psp, I could see them move to a completely downloadable platform and forgo any type of media. I mean dvd just seems to bulky for a handheld and I can't imagine microsoft supporting umd.
There's already rumors about downloading Halo over XBLA, so why not onto their portable?
Well, in any case it should be interesting to see how this plays out. But I think they should concentrate on 360 for now.
LinkinPrime
03-20-2006, 07:32 PM
No need to resort to name-calling just because I don't accept every rumor that pops up about your favorite company, "dawg."
I'm not name calling because you dont agree/believe that it will happen. If thats all you would have said, I would have been fine with it. I start threads here to have friendly discussions, you start giving me crap and attacking me for no reason, to me youre an asshole.
in before the lock.
this thread is getting out of hand
Skylander7
03-20-2006, 10:42 PM
MS is just making a business decision.. they saw that everybody went ape shit over the posibility of Origami being a handheld gaming unit, and determined that there was demand for one.
Honestly, I don't care for portable gaming systems anymore. I think in 5 years, cellphones will continue to gain gaming ground as more functionality is added to typical cellphones. I much prefer the comfort of my home with a fully functional home theatre setup to crouching over a tiny screen. The casual gamer would much rather download PacMan on their phone than splurge for a handheld like a PSP.
However, on the plus side, maybe they could come up with some neat functionality with Windows or something. Weird stuff, like maybe remote accessing your PC's MP3 and video collection via WiFi or something. If it did much more than gaming, like communications and GPS, I'd definitely bite.
Strell
03-20-2006, 10:45 PM
The day portable gaming becomes handled almost solely on cell phones, I will stop playing them forever.
It's like putting a slip-n-slide on rocks. It works, so long as you don't mind shredded balls.
theq87
03-20-2006, 10:57 PM
It's like putting a slip-n-slide on rocks. It works, so long as you don't mind shredded balls.
Jesus, Strell...all thread long, utter brilliance.
Ikohn4ever
03-20-2006, 11:04 PM
it would be nice if it brought apple and nintendo together, I think they could make some beautiful music together.
b3b0p
03-21-2006, 12:23 PM
If they ever do ONLY downloadable media for games I will be:
1. Pissed and never buy such a system.
2. Relieved because I can get to my backlog of kick ass games and retire earlier from the help of my extra savings. In my will I'll be able leave a nice big thank you to the game industry for my long enjoyable retirement.
SpazX
03-21-2006, 12:34 PM
I don't think they could do a download only simply because enough people don't have broadband and there wouldn't be much of a market for it. Maybe in like 10 or 20 years...
Jesus, Strell...all thread long, utter brilliance.
I was just thinking the same thing. You're en fuego, guy.
munch
03-21-2006, 06:08 PM
I was just thinking the same thing. You're en fuego, guy.
That means on fire in spanish!:hot:
That means on fire in spanish!:hot:
*Throws bucket of gatorade on Strell*
Strell
03-22-2006, 02:31 PM
*Throws bucket of gatorade on Strell*
MY BEAUTIFUL FIRE!
HOW COULD YOU?
I WAS SECONDS AWAY FROM THE ORPHANAGE, AND YOU WENT AND EXTINGUISHED MY PLAN!
:(
MS is just making a business decision.. they saw that everybody went ape shit over the posibility of Origami being a handheld gaming unit, and determined that there was demand for one.
Honestly, I don't care for portable gaming systems anymore. I think in 5 years, cellphones will continue to gain gaming ground as more functionality is added to typical cellphones. I much prefer the comfort of my home with a fully functional home theatre setup to crouching over a tiny screen. The casual gamer would much rather download PacMan on their phone than splurge for a handheld like a PSP.
However, on the plus side, maybe they could come up with some neat functionality with Windows or something. Weird stuff, like maybe remote accessing your PC's MP3 and video collection via WiFi or something. If it did much more than gaming, like communications and GPS, I'd definitely bite.
I realize portable gaming isn't for everyone but now its finally at the point where it isn't about crouching over a tiny screen. The DS and PSP are for the most part consoles in your hand. I could never play a game on a cell phone.
Reality's Fringe
03-22-2006, 11:35 PM
I doubt they'll call it Xboy, and I hate that it's being thrown around so much. I will, however, admit that it sounds like the hottest gay superhero porn ever made.
Strell
03-22-2006, 11:42 PM
Xboy: My suit is just scwumptious.