Official: Xbox360 announced

[Gamos]

The ya go:

Хboх 360 System Performance - Draft
Custom IBM PowerPC-based CPU


3 symmetrical cores running at 3.2 GHz each
2 hardware threads per core; 6 hardware threads total
1 VMX-128 vector unit per core; 3 total
128 VMX-128 registers per hardware thread
1 MB L2 cache

CPU Game Math Performance


9 billion dot product operations per second

Custom ATI Graphics Processor


500 MHz
10 MB embedded DRAM
48-way parallel floating-point dynamically-scheduled shader pipelines
Unified shader architecture

Polygon Performance


500 million triangles per second

Pixel Fill Rate


16 gigasamples per second fillrate using 4X MSAA

Shader Performance


48 billion shader operations per second

Memory


512 MB GDDR3 RAM
700 MHz DDR
Unified memory architecture

Memory Bandwidth


22.4 GB/s memory interface bus bandwidth
256 GB/s memory bandwidth to EDRAM
21.6 GB/s front-side bus

Overall System Floating-Point Performance


1 TFLOP

Storage


Detachable and upgradeable 20 GB hard drive
12X dual-layer DVD-ROM
Memory unit support starting at 64 MB

I/O


Support for up to 4 wireless game (http://hardware.teamxbox.com/articles/xbox/1144/The-Xbox-360-System-Specifications/p1#) controllers
3 USB 2.0 ports
2 memory unit slots

Optimized for Online


Instant, out-of-the-box access to Xbox Live features, including Xbox Live Marketplace for downloadable content, Gamer Profile for digital identity and voice chat to talk to friends while playing games, watching movies or listening to music
Built in Ethernet Port
Wi-Fi Ready: 802.11 A, B and G
Video Camera Ready

Digital Media Support


Support for DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD, MP3 CD, JPEG Photo CD
Stream media from portable music devices, digital cameras, Windows (http://hardware.teamxbox.com/articles/xbox/1144/The-Xbox-360-System-Specifications/p1#) XP PCs
Rip music to Xbox 360 hard drive
Custom playlists in every game
Windows Media Center Extender built in
Interactive, full screen 3D visualizers

HD Game Support


All games supported at 16:9, 720p and 1080i, anti-aliasing
Standard definition and high definition video output supported

Audio


Multichannel surround sound (http://hardware.teamxbox.com/articles/xbox/1144/The-Xbox-360-System-Specifications/p1#) output
Supports 48 KHz 16-bit audio
320 independent decompression channels
32-bit audio processing
Over 256 audio channels

System Orientation


Stands vertically or horizontally

Customizable Face Plates


Interchangeable to personalize the console



More at www.teamxbox.com (http://www.teamxbox.com)

[GunJitsu]

That's going to cost a lot of money, wonder what the PS3 specs are going to be.

[[N]Haja]

EISH, either way, the new consoles are gonna be KICKASS. very tempting I must say, and with a good gaming system costing R12000 + nowdays, they could e good value for money.

[Gamos]

http://www7.tomshardware.com/game/200505121/index.html

The console will be rumoured $399. Remember that console makers actually make a loss on the hardware to have the royaltees of the games make up the difference.

I am very excited about the controllers working on the PC too. MS is slowly but surely merging the 2 markets.

Very impressive!

[Wh1tE_Tr4sH]

It's quite the POWER HOUSE..!!! Crud man, it almost makes me want to go out & get one.... when it's released that is..!! :)

[[N]Haja]

R2400 or so, you can't even get a kickass graphics card for that. Wonder if it will be able to play online, like ut2k4 and wow etc?

[Gamos]

Haj seriously mate, have you never heard of Xbox Live? With this new Xbox (mid-November release) they have an even better Live system going. Think MSN capabilities (stats, friends, game setup) all over broadband.

You can plug in Ipods, Cameras and yes, even the Sony PSP!

And Watercooled!
http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1143/Taking-a-Spin-with-the-Xbox-360/p1/

[[N]Haja]

hmmm, still, I spent so much cash on my pc, and what kinda porn you get for the x-box? :)

[|sAvAgE|]

if u read the above, it doesnt kind of say:
Optimized for Online

* Instant, out-of-the-box access to Xbox Live features, including Xbox Live Marketplace for downloadable content, Gamer Profile for digital identity and voice chat to talk to friends while playing games, watching movies or listening to music
* Built in Ethernet Port
* Wi-Fi Ready: 802.11 A, B and G
* Video Camera Ready

[Shrimp]

Not likely in SA...

[|sAvAgE|]

i dont think region really applies to the xbox live network, does it? i mean, despite the obvious latency problem, there isnt really anything else hampering it aside from getting the actual console, but perhaps this time around MS will have local support for the new machine?.

Also, dont forget the launch (re-broadcast) tonight on MTV @ 22:00 :)

[sneaky]

Thanks for heads up |sAvAgE| (member.php?u=5)

[Gamos]

From reports I've read, the MTV special is nothing but glitz and glamour, pimps and celebs, and very little about the actual console or footage of new games.

Rather grab the video from http://ourcolony.net/

[Thallium]

*starts saving for Xbox 360*

R1, R2, R3,........... Damn, still got a long way to go :(

Those specs are awesome for a game console.. i would love to get one when they come out

[sneaky]

Will the games be backward compatibile? Im seriously considering getting a XBOX for Unreal Championship II, it looks wicked. If you havent checked out theUC2 AAA vid get it here,

http://www.liandriconflict.com/downloads/UC2_AAA.zip

[Cataphract]

Do you reckon we can order them from the states and have them DHL'ed or something? If a couple of us split shipping charges, we can save some dough and get them cheaper and faster than local.

[[N]Haja]

Ye, its easy to get stuff sent over nowdays Cata. Just find a place that ships to SA and badi bing, it will be here in 2 weeks or so (gorund) and about 5-7days airmail. Or even better, if you got a mate in the USA ask him to get it shipped to him (normally free within the United States from mail order companies) and then he can repackage it, mark it gift, and send it to you, at a cheaper cost :)

[Cataphract]

"Waarom meer betaal?" sê ek mos altyd! :D

[sneaky]

Get it from Europe rather they are PAL as well and you will have fewer compatibility problems.


Gloves come off in console wars http://banner.coza.com/transpix.gif United States http://banner.coza.com/transpix.gif http://banner.coza.com/transpix.gif http://banner.coza.com/transpix.gif http://banner.coza.com/transpix.gif 13 May 2005 07:39 http://banner.coza.com/transpix.gif Microsoft took the wraps off its next generation Xbox 360 games console on Friday -- and took the gloves off in the latest round of an fight to dominate the $11-billion market.

In a star-studded launch that was scheduled to be broadcast early this morning on MTV America and presented by the Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood, the firm paraded a product it says will "kick the backsides" of its rivals.

Xbox 360, which can play videogames, DVDs, CDs and connect to the internet, is due to arrive in United States shops for Christmas but no European launch date has been confirmed. Microsoft claims it will raise the bar in gaming.

"It's certainly very important," said Nick Parker of the research firm Screen Digest. "Xbox has built up an incredible reputation with developers, so it should also have good support. But will it be the most exciting product this year? That's probably still going to be the Sony PSP [PlayStation Portable]. We don't even know when the new Xbox will launch here in Europe."

Friday's launch marks the latest strike in the battle between electronics giants seeking to dominate the gaming industry, which is now bigger business than cinema. Such announcements are usually made at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, to be held next week, but Microsoft brought it forward after its Japanese rival Sony said it planned to unveil its PlayStation 3 earlier than expected.

The Microsoft chairperson, Bill Gates, signed up a stellar guestlist including the actors Scarlett Johansson and Joseph Fiennes and the bands the Killers and Snow Patrol for the event.

With PlayStation 3 thought to be hitting the high street next year, and Nintendo unlikely to move quickly with its Revolution console, Microsoft will hope to steal a march on its rivals. Indications are that Xbox 360 will cost less than the original Xbox, which, at first, cost $557.

"I think PlayStation 3 will be more powerful," said Marcus Dyson, the publisher of the games website www.Spong.com. "But what Microsoft are planning for their online service, Xbox Live, will make it more compelling."

Microsoft will be confident that it can build on the qualified success of the original, which has sold nearly 20-million units in 3 years. Its figures outstrip the Nintendo GameCube, but lag behind the PlayStation 2, which has sold 80-million.

Xbox has been a costly venture for the Seattle-based company, with each one currently sold at a loss and the firm's home and entertainment division losing more than $1.2-billion last year. But Gates is convinced it remains a key plank in his corporation.

"Our goal in the last generation was to be in the game," he said this month. "We came out of this round a strong number two. What we've got, at some significant financial cost, was the right to play again with great credibility." - Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

[[B.Inc]=_sNaKe_=]

Hmm...don't figure I'll go much for Online mumbo, so PS3 it is for me, then. 'Sides, Sony have generally had better titles than any other console, and have even outclassed the PC in some genres.

[Gamos]

I am sure a hoarde of Nintendo fanboys will come cap you soon... :)

[Gamos]

Epic's 'Gears of War' screenies.

http://img62.echo.cx/img62/6615/barricade5fa.jpg

http://img141.echo.cx/img141/1613/fireteam30nv.jpg

HOT DAMN!

Also check out www.xbox360.com to see the console from every angle imaginable.

[sneaky]

Haj seriously mate, have you never heard of Xbox Live? With this new Xbox (mid-November release) they have an even better Live system going. Think MSN capabilities (stats, friends, game setup) all over broadband.

You can plug in Ipods, Cameras and yes, even the Sony PSP!

And Watercooled!
http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1143/Taking-a-Spin-with-the-Xbox-360/p1/

They took MSN messenger redisgined it and built it into a console :rolleyes: amazing

[sneaky]

Epic's 'Gears of War' screenies.

Now this realy is amazing Epic > All.

[VirtualForce]

Well since there arent an africa option at the region selection, I guess wh wont be seeing it in an official state here....

[<A>FluX.v2.0]

Epic > All.

holy shit damn yes

[Gamos]

MS SA will be really dumb not to look at bringing it in locally. Not only will they be the first to market, but they will essentially have the backwards compatibility of the Xbox1 too (rumoured)

But they will propably sit on their hand and pull up their shoulders - again.

[Shrimp]

/me waits patiently for PS3 as well.

I expect it will have something similar to Live anyway, it just seems that's the way things are going on Consoles.

Gamos - The only Nintendo fanboy here is |sAvAgE| :P

[|sAvAgE|]

Hmm...don't figure I'll go much for Online mumbo, so PS3 it is for me, then. 'Sides, Sony have generally had better titles than any other console, and have even outclassed the PC in some genres.
I am sure a hoarde of Nintendo fanboys will come cap you soon...
consider yourself CAPPED =_sNaKe_=

Gamos - The only Nintendo fanboy here is |sAvAgE|
damn straight (although there are alot more cube gamers in za [i could very well be the only ninty fanboy on UZA perhaps]), Nintendo ftw! Nintendo is, and always will be THE company for gaming. either way, i wont persue this "discussion" any further because i can already see the kiddie remarks that will be used to prove how "sony & ms > nintendo" and bla bla bla "go fuck yourself" (thx Scrye).

now, to go finish my beloved resident evil 4

[D>Fantom]

But they will propably sit on their hand and pull up their shoulders - again.

XBox 1 was not sold in SA in an offical capacity due to poor initial sales in Europe, and it was never re-evaluated. Europe had poor initial sales since because it launched late and had no Live support. Once Live support arrived sales improved, so we might see it here...middle sized might though

[Gamos]

Well, word from MS SA, in short is - we dunno.

The long version:
---------------------

Good Day ...

Thank you for your mail. Currently Microsoft South Africa has not been selected as a Microsoft subsidiary to distribute the Xbox gaming console. With the imminent release of Xbox 2, it is safe to say Xbox 1 will definitely not come to South Africa shores. Microsoft South Africa is currently awaiting details on the release of Xbox 2, due out in the next 18 months. Unfortunately more information is not available and Microsoft South Africa is unable to comment further.

Have a Great Day

Kind Regards
Candice Vermeulen

Customer Services Representative

Microsoft Customer Service & Support
Tel: 0860 225567 (0860 CALLMS)
Online Support: www.support.microsoft.com (http://www.support.microsoft.com/)

[Shrimp]

I'll bet it won't be brought in my MS then...

Best to wait for Euro version and order one or something then.

|sAvAgE|: :P

[Gamos]

No way Shrimp, not again. I imported a Xbox with the hopes that we will see it in SA not long after. Now I am stuck with a pirce of hardware that cost me R500 everytime I need to import a game - the same game that is R350 on PS2.

If MS SA (Numetro/Ster Kinekor or whoever else) does not bring it to SA, they can all go to hell - they missed the oppertunity.

[Shrimp]

Shame... Guess you're have to settle for a superrior and cheaper PS3 :P :P

[VirtualForce]

c'mon guys, 18 months is not to long to wait, it's just a year and a half, sheesh, give them a chance...

PS. The above is sarcasm incase anyone missed it. :P

[sneaky]

/me wishes PS3 will have wireless controls as well.

[[B.Inc]=_sNaKe_=]

/me wishes Xbox2 will be available in my country.

[Gamos]

Me wishes MTV show was watchable! What absolute bollocks! Rather grab the trailer from ourcolony.net

[Shrimp]

http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=GearsOfWar-XviD

Very short vid of Gears of War in action (presumably cut-scene action)

[<A>FluX.v2.0]

oh my word!!!!

Im gonna make a plan to get one of these little machines.

[sneaky]

Bot OT but Unreal Championship 2 is now available at Anime Worx for those who have a XBOX.

[Gamos]

I bought the latest version of the Official Xbox Magazine (it actually comes with a demo disk) and this month's copy had Unreal Championships2 demo on it.

Let me just warn those PC gamers, what they say about not being able to play FPS games on a gamepad is 100% true. I did not even manage to get the crosshair on the enemy once. A few lucky strikes in melee mode contributed to my only frags, but more often than not, 10-0 was the final score. It is horrible, horrible, horrible! I can only recommend this to people familiar with console FPS games/controlls. Me being a lefty had the control feel even more odd when I had to control the view with my right hand. Not even the biggest Unreal fan could want this game, unless you are familiar with console FPS controls.

The graphics, although very purty, is nothing better than what UT2004 can offer on full detail. For console graphics that is quite an achievement, but all in all not a feature that will have me buy it.

Then the melee fighting! Sigh, if I could master the controls, I could comment. You generally go into a 3rd person mode and swing a stick or blades around in a variety of ways. Novel idea, but not really well executed IMO and would really not fit into a PC game without being major reworking.

I will surely give it another spin but trust me, stick to PC!

[<A>FluX.v2.0]

yeah I can agree on that, its different for a console fps gamer to get on a PC and kick ass, but we are pretty much handicapped. :(

Back in the day of hldm I used to whip all my buddies on PC, one freind enjoyed the game and got it on ps2, I came around to play it one day and got my ass handed to me, because I couldnt even move correctly... damn control.

[Cataphract]

I tried Quake III on console once.

Once.

[Gamos]

Aaah, so you do understand my pain. For that matter, UC2 could be the best damn FPS the console world has ever seen, if only I could aim. :)

[Thallium]

You can get a USB adapter for the Xbox, and plug in a Keyboard and mouse. apparently it feels just like a pc in games.

[<A>FluX.v2.0]

I have heard different, apparently the mouse is a bit bugged.

[[B.Inc]=_sNaKe_=]

Ja, got QIII an UT on PS2. These were *obviously* before I saw the heaven that was "PC".

[Ragnarok]

ye the specs look amazing but I have to say Nintendo just have the better games (Zelda, Mario, RE (series), Metriode) I bay a machine for the games, not for the graphics capabilities etc. Nintendo is always inovative and origenal, but they will always be the underdog. The are the only pure gaming company out there competing, and I praise them for that!!!

[|sAvAgE|]

the XBox 360 "backwards compatibility" explained:

The news has raised more questions than it answers, however, as it suggests that gamers may need to purchase titles they already own in order to play them on an Xbox 360 - and almost certainly means that only a sub-set of Xbox games will ever be playable on the new console.
thx to neil from take2
full article: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=8996

[Zyron]

Mcft X360 + G5 ??

http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=2420&p=5