predict how actual Xbox Next will differ from leaked specs

Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but this is for eastcore (i kinda stopped reading at the last page and fast-forwarded the last one),
I remember talking to Faf about this and apparently the required space to store a very high resolution model ends up being higher that the space required to store a texture/normal map that achieves similar results (obviously without the benefit of being real geometry).
Displacement maps can help us with that, but in the end saying "if there is not enough RAM, dump the textures and put lots of polygons instead" is wrong.

 

Max payne 2 is a great example of texturing, I'd rather have texturing power than poly power... but like someone before me said, it will come down to marketing to some degree.

 

Mmmm i don't know about that, i mean Jak2 and 3 are amazing examples of what can be done with lots and lots of geometry without super high res textures, and i love the look of that. Some of the areas are so packed full of polygon details it's unbelievable, if it weren't for the IQ it could be mistaken for CGI sometimes, with all those things moving at the same time, and the amazingly intricated architectures like the lagoon huts in Jak2.
But next gen we'll be getting more of that geometry AND high res textures anyway so i'm happy.

 

Never was a jak fan... gimmie pitfall on the Mega-CD anyday . Platformers just feel better 2d IMO.

 

Instead of Jak, you could then take Ratchet & Clank that features very similar graphics style and detail as Jak.
It's not a platformer, but a 3rd person shooter... just like Max Payne!

 

True enough - it takes a lot of polys to replace texture detail.

 

Of course, unless one was to generate geometry on the fly procedurally, but we have also talked about this many times and the uses are limited to a few "natural" elements and the results vary.
In the end, not much can replace the good old "Lots of RAM" approach, as we do things nowadays. And even if we had different rendering methods, most other methods end up using even more RAM than what we use today so we're back from square 1.

 

If used correctly, a tree with procedural leaves that blow in the wind could do a lot for a scene.

It could down right amaze...

 

When should he be giving his speech? Isn't it today?

 

I thought his speech was opening CES also. I see CES news at Toms Hardware, but no info on Gates and his speech. Any links?

 

microsoft keynote at 18.30 las vegas time

 

His speech is at 6:30 PM Pacific Time.

Here is a link of Gates holding what looks like an MP3 player and if you watch the computer screen long enough you'll see a picture of a guy playing xbox live in a bedroom.

The Future Is Here

 

Booorring. Basically there was no decent information. So, it will (once again) be all about networking, and co-operation between different devices and media types.

Oh, and Xbox2 will be HDTV level device.

 

Terrible. Absolutely wretched. Half the stuff didn't work and they only showed an old demo of Forza to exemplify Xbox gaming in 2005.

If Conan had not been there, people would have walked out.

 

Yikes...

edit: Wow... you weren't kidding...

 

I was half tuning in, but did I see the Blue Screen of Doom ?

 

I'm not interested in XBOX2 anymore. I don't want it to connect to the pc, don't want to run messenger on it, don't want to store pictures on it, don't want that media center stuff, i just want to play games - probably on the PS3 then.

 

BSOD

Hehehe...

 

Like your pro-PS3 bias was ever in doubt.

 

Hang on, so knowing that software based features that you don't have to use are available for a system means you won't be able to enjoy games on it any more? Knowing that someone, somewhere is linking their Xenon up to a PC and using messenger is going to spoil DoA4 for you?

Knowing that people could web browse on the Dreamcast didn't stop me enjoying Phantasy Star Online, and knowing that someone out there was running Linux on a PS2 didn't stop me enjoying lots of multiplayer Tiger Woods.

Anyway, if PS3 goes for the connectivity angle - which Sony have strongly hinted at, and many Sony advocates have pushed as a pro for the machine - looks like you'll be left with Revolution ...

BTW, did AOL ever come to the PS2 as planned?