Microsoft confirm 360 MMO's allowed to require a hard drive

[Zeus]

Microsoft has confirmed that its studios are working on server based titles for the Xbox 360 which are allowed to request the use of a hard drive in order to run. This comes as something of a surprise, as an executive commented some weeks back that they would never take such a move.

<center><A href="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/stor360.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/stor3601.jpg"></center></a>


In an unsurprising move (and already a precedent set by Final Fantasy XI, but ignored since), Microsoft confirmed at its Gamefest 2007 that studios working on server-based titles for Xbox 360 are allowed to require the hard drive for their games to run. Games allowed to participate in server-based's "bent rules" is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Microsoft will be asking developers to come up with a set amount of hard drive space to set aside for each game. For example, if World of Warcraft came to Xbox 360, Blizzard would have to tell Microsoft "the game's going to need 4GB of space," even if the game won't necessary install 4GB of content at the start.

"We can't guess how much space you're going to need for your updates, and, if anything's going to keep you from expanding indefinitely, it won't be us, as much as market forces," said Ian Lewis, software design engineer at Microsoft. "Feel free to require 30GB for your game; that's just going to make your potential audience a lot smaller."


News Source: <a href="http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3161942" target="_blank">1UP</a>

[kayjay]

i knew it from the beginning. i always thought MS will have you buy a HDD in some future time.

[loliix]

We have grown used to Microsoft statements.. You name it, consoles don't need an HD format and then movies in HD-DVD it is, 1080p is useless and then major feature.. 1080p, HDMI is a gimmick and then.. HDMI makes way to all SKU's (eventually), failure rate bellow average and then.. admitted some issues and given a 3 year extended warranty as apology.

I think it isn't needed that much effort to figure out the value of Microsoft official comments. Flip-Flop to you to..

[Trashcat]

FFXI on PS2 required HDD, how many people had a HDD in their PS2 back then?

[faceless]

how is this even news?

MS already said MMO's could require the HDD since they announced FFXI with Square years ago...

this is just a reaffirming of their position.

[Deap]

Oh for Christ's sake, MMO's are different to standard games. Of course they are going to require a HDD.

If you are getting on your high horse about "Microsoft breaking their promises" you really are just looking for a reason to hate them.

[gangley]

About time, I wished all the games for the 360 needed a hdd, it will make for better games anyway and for the people with core packs well just buy a god damn hdd for your 360.

[felixm477]

a surprise? zeus are u trying to start a fire? its not a surprise its EXPECTED that MMO titles use and require a hard drive, i expect no less from titles like FFXI. theres a difference between the regular slew of console games running off a disc and MMO titles that everyone knows will require a hdd in order to get passed read speeds and other bottlenecks that would plague them since they dont do as many "loading" screens as games like madden or RFOM

[CZroe]

Microsoft has confirmed that its studios are working on server based titles for the Xbox 360 which are allowed to request the use of a hard drive in order to run. This comes as something of a surprise, as an executive commented some weeks back that they would never take such a move.

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News Source: <a href="http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3161942" target="_blank">1UP</a>

Microsoft never said any such thing. In fact, they couldn't because an MMO has been available all along that has required the HDD: Final Fantasy XI for the XBOX 360.

FFXI on PS2 required HDD, how many people had a HDD in their PS2 back then?

Umm, it required it on the XBOX 360 too... for well over a year! Yes, MMOs have required a HDD on the XBOX 360 all along.

[ku16610]

Lol , enjoy being fleeced by ms again.
Next well get to buy operating systems that are unfinished and wait for downloads to fix em. Doh

[felixm477]

Lol , enjoy being fleeced by ms again.
Next well get to buy operating systems that are unfinished and wait for downloads to fix em. Doh

very funny fleeced? i find this way more acceptable even though zeus has spinned this negatively. its CERTAINLY much better then having a console REMOVE hdd support ENTIRELY when it has popular games that required it...say PS2 ;)

[xrippa]

FFXI on PS2 required HDD, how many people had a HDD in their PS2 back then?

The HDD came with FFXI.

[DanASBO]

Microsoft never said any such thing. In fact, they couldn't because an MMO has been available all along that has required the HDD: Final Fantasy XI for the XBOX 360.



:D

How are you not sick of repeating yourself? lol

It's like the whole world is putting their fingers in their ears and not listening, lol

[foundmy]

I am sure that the m$ heads were quoted as stating no games will ever require a HDD. now are see this. maybe they ment "no non-MMO games" or "mmos are not games". not sure, but sure looks like they screwed the pooch on this one.

who needs 1080P? well they do now.
who needs HDMI? well they do now.
who needs HDDS? well they do now.
who needs Hi-def movies? well they got that now.
who needs RROD? well sucks becuase we got that now.

Don't worry a new xbox360 will be released with hd-dvd built in, in March 2008.
Xbox360 TOTAL, and it will come with a box of TOTAL cereal.

[felixm477]

The HDD came with FFXI.
yea but SOCOM didnt and a few other HDD japanese titles aswell so the user had to purchase the 99$ FFXI package to get one. then later we got the adapter but alot of ppl had a hard time getting hard drives to fit into the adapter, i had to break the casing internally to get the ide connectors flexible enough to fit my WD drive.

[sigma8]

FFXI on PS2 required HDD, how many people had a HDD in their PS2 back then?

And how happy was Square when Sony made the redesigned PS2 which could not accommodate a HDD.

[sigma8]

I am sure that the m$ heads were quoted as stating no games will ever require a HDD. now are see this. maybe they ment "no non-MMO games" or "mmos are not games". not sure, but sure looks like they screwed the pooch on this one.

who needs 1080P? well they do now.
who needs HDMI? well they do now.
who needs HDDS? well they do now.
who needs Hi-def movies? well they got that now.
who needs RROD? well sucks becuase we got that now.

Don't worry a new xbox360 will be released with hd-dvd built in, in March 2008.
Xbox360 TOTAL, and it will come with a box of TOTAL cereal.

Your post is actually a pretty concise summary of how "rushed" the 360 was to market. They rushed it to market, feature-poor, and shoddy craftsmanship to boot. And they are fixing all these issues one at a time.. The funny thing, is that they are hardware things. So they have to release (or replace) new models for everything..

Sony rushed the Blu-ray to market, and have suffered a bit for it...but at least it's firmware upgradeable.. At least they got their hardware right.

[felixm477]

I am sure that the m$ heads were quoted as stating no games will ever require a HDD. now are see this. maybe they ment "no non-MMO games" or "mmos are not games". not sure, but sure looks like they screwed the pooch on this one.

who needs 1080P? well they do now.
who needs HDMI? well they do now.
who needs HDDS? well they do now.
who needs Hi-def movies? well they got that now.
who needs RROD? well sucks becuase we got that now.

Don't worry a new xbox360 will be released with hd-dvd built in, in March 2008.
Xbox360 TOTAL, and it will come with a box of TOTAL cereal.

theyve never made a mistake all that u mention before has been said by MS as "its not needed NOW" meaning they can refuse it and later add it without any backlash. they never stated it will NEVER be needed and that they will NEVER think about adding it.

1080p > they stated the xbox 360 was fully capable of processing 1080p but they didnt see the need for it at the time (2 years ago almost)

HDMI > also stated as not being needed at the time 1080p was achievable thru their VGA/Comp connectors, later stated as them listening to the demand for hdmi (alot of ppl wanted it and Sony fanboys even said it was needed) lets make up are minds fanboys do u want it or not?

HDD > MS has stated its not required buy games it doesnt take a genious to take note that FFXI was out well before this and there are certain games that will require a HDD same as the logic that an MMORPG released on the 360 will require a seperate subscription fee and not require a live gold account. MMO's are games that require Installs same as their pc equivalents. Optical storage read access isnt fast enough for that type of gaming.

HD MOVIES > again MS doesnt care too much for movies on their console they made an addon to please whoever wanted to use it and to make it affordable. MS has obviously little interest in HD-DVD compare them to sony, sony makes 20 times the public anouncements about bluray movies than MS does with HD-DVD. MS wants to push the GAMING console not their HD media player.

RROD > no comment ive never experienced one and neither have my friends. ill rank it right in there with DRE's and Burning Laser diodes from other consoles ;)

[felixm477]

Your post is actually a pretty concise summary of how "rushed" the 360 was to market. They rushed it to market, feature-poor, and shoddy craftsmanship to boot. And they are fixing all these issues one at a time.. The funny thing, is that they are hardware things. So they have to release (or replace) new models for everything..

Sony rushed the Blu-ray to market, and have suffered a bit for it...but at least it's firmware upgradeable.. At least they got their hardware right.

in that case mightaswell call every devices that uses FW updates and revisions as being "rushed" PS3 included. one can argue throwing out the EE and later playing musical chairs with prices,features,and sku's as a clear sign of "rushing" a console. MS has handled keeping with demand just as much as Sony and Nintendo have. they are no different...

[CZroe]

:D

How are you not sick of repeating yourself? lol

It's like the whole world is putting their fingers in their ears and not listening, lol

I know. I had to repeat it twice in that very post! People are so convinced that MS said this. :)

[grapeape]

in that case mightaswell call every devices that uses FW updates and revisions as being "rushed" PS3 included. one can argue throwing out the EE and later playing musical chairs with prices,features,and sku's as a clear sign of "rushing" a console. MS has handled keeping with demand just as much as Sony and Nintendo have. they are no different...

He's trying to say blu-ray was rushed, which is undeniable. There are now several blu-ray players out there that are not going to be compatable with future disks due to firmware limitations (the ps3 isnt one of them its uprgadable) after october all blu-ray players have to support a secondary video decoder and secondary audio decoders (both were standard on HD-DVD from launch) as well as full implimentation of the java virtual machine so that they can fully support extra features. The format has been "evolved" three times already doing nothing but adding features that other formats have enjoyed for years. IMHO thats rushed.

[Landall]

My personal opinion:

Why in the hell would I want to invest in a company that takes such a shoddy approach at marketing and production of their console? I honestly would buy a 360 for Bioshock, Halo 3, and Gears of War. Not to mention Lost Odyssey, Eternal Sonata, and Mass Effect. However, consoles aren't meant to be hardware revised so often and for such minute upgrades. A PC does not have such limitations because no matter the design it always has your fundamental necessities. I'll still be able to use the internet and save data to my HDD regardless of the means or size. I think M$ is confusing the gaming industry with that of the PC. Coupled with the fact they're a software company at origin, it's not wonder why we see such poor business tactic. What they are good at is marketing to the uninformed and frankly less-intelligent consumer.

Honestly, why would I buy a 360 if six months later it would be obsolete in comparison to a newer end SKU with a plethora of hardware upgrades? Prior to that newly adorned SKU, you can bet that there'll be plenty of revised versions of existing models. Some will have HDMI, some wont. Some will have HDDs, others wont. Can't M$ just get their **** together and manufacture a product that's reliable and concise? I want a product that has at least a 5 - 6 year life cycle. I don't want to keep investing in a console that's just released "ZCan Ultimate version 6.2". Give me a finalized product that wont break just from playing it.

[foundmy]

grapeape: ya i see what you are saying, sony rushed the blu-ray even before it had all the features, but since the ps3 is upgradable its all good. atleat those upgrades are FREE and can be stored on the HDD, since its software.

but microsoft rushed their hardware, so now we are not dealing with FREE upgrades since its hardware. that is the thing, there was no vision of what the next-gen is coming. HDMI was out since 2003/2004 but microsoft didn't put itin, why? oh becuase they can have the lemmings that go get a new HDTV now, have to buy a new xbox360 to replace their old one. hey this is not Windows 98 to Windows 98SE again is it? oh yes it is. lemmings. if they got their hardware almost good from the start then great but they rushed hardware and did HARDWARE changes and not software. now m$ could do a trade-in free upgrade, that would be nice. but again, who needs all this and now they turn around and put it on there.

like HD_DVD if they wanted a gaming console why put HD-DVD. tell people to go get a HD-DVD player and not go into the market which blu-ray is taking over. but if they were smart they could of had HD-DVD drives in the xbox360 so games can use that space and people could of had it all in one. but nope.

[grapeape]

grapeape: ya i see what you are saying, sony rushed the blu-ray even before it had all the features, but since the ps3 is upgradable its all good. atleat those upgrades are FREE and can be stored on the HDD, since its software.

but microsoft rushed their hardware, so now we are not dealing with FREE upgrades since its hardware. that is the thing, there was no vision of what the next-gen is coming. HDMI was out since 2003/2004 but microsoft didn't put itin, why? oh becuase they can have the lemmings that go get a new HDTV now, have to buy a new xbox360 to replace their old one. hey this is not Windows 98 to Windows 98SE again is it? oh yes it is. lemmings. if they got their hardware almost good from the start then great but they rushed hardware and did HARDWARE changes and not software. now m$ could do a trade-in free upgrade, that would be nice. but again, who needs all this and now they turn around and put it on there.

like HD_DVD if they wanted a gaming console why put HD-DVD. tell people to go get a HD-DVD player and not go into the market which blu-ray is taking over. but if they were smart they could of had HD-DVD drives in the xbox360 so games can use that space and people could of had it all in one. but nope.

I dunno I just see it as option for those that want it, I dont use my HDTV with my 360 but it only has composite and vga anyway, an HDMI cable in the box just seems like 30-50 dollars tacked on to the price that I didnt need to spend. Im one of the few here that doesnt pirate but I also seem to be one the few that refuses to put hdmi in my home while I still have a choice, which I find really odd. I mainly refuse to use it due to content restrictions (broadcast flag is my major beef) but eventually there will be enough sheep that buy into it that I wont have any choice.

I agree that the HD-DVD addon is pointless, but frankly I think MS sees it as pointless too...they never advertise the thing other than a little bit of promo when the dropped the price and I have yet to see one sell. I think MS sees the future more in media streaming and if HD-DVD died tomorrow I dont think you would see anyone at MS shed a tear.

I havent had problems with my 360 (I guess I was one of the lucky 66%) but I certainly see its a real problem, alot of the blame can be put on the board design but also the decision to go eco friendly with lead free solder was a nice gesture to the environment but a huge mistake for reliabilty...I would imagine if the ps3 hadnt gone with regular ol solder and flux like usual they would probably face "design issues" as well. It doesnt get brought up much but the solder really is the heart of the overheating issue IMHO.

[sigma8]

HDMI > also stated as not being needed at the time 1080p was achievable thru their VGA/Comp connectors, later stated as them listening to the demand for hdmi (alot of ppl wanted it and Sony fanboys even said it was needed) lets make up are minds fanboys do u want it or not?What are you talking about? Who ever said the HDMI was _bad_? The only people I've ever seen say that HDMI was useless were Xbox 360 owners with Core or Premium systems.

HDD > MS has stated its not required buy games it doesnt take a genious to take note that FFXI was out well before this and there are certain games that will require a HDD same as the logic that an MMORPG released on the 360 will require a seperate subscription fee and not require a live gold account. MMO's are games that require Installs same as their pc equivalents. Optical storage read access isnt fast enough for that type of gaming.None of this changes the fact that developers are forced into a hole: do we want to go all out and make a game that requires a HDD? Because if we do, that will limit our audience, as there are lots of 360 owners without hard drives.. Or do we go ahead and make the game as we want to make it?

HD MOVIES > again MS doesnt care too much for movies on their console they made an addon to please whoever wanted to use it and to make it affordable. MS has obviously little interest in HD-DVD compare them to sony, sony makes 20 times the public anouncements about bluray movies than MS does with HD-DVD. MS wants to push the GAMING console not their HD media player.

MS is the puppet-master behind Toshiba. MS did not want Java as an integral component of next-gen media, so they pushed Toshiba--even when Toshiba was ready to join the blu-ray camp.

RROD > no comment ive never experienced one and neither have my friends. ill rank it right in there with DRE's and Burning Laser diodes from other consoles ;)

Yeah, chalk it up like that. There is a billion $$ of MS cash that says you're wrong.

[gudrun]

Phuck you Microsoft! Lies... They said before that the 360 never needed HDMI either but oops changed that too didn't they. :mad:

[cardboardbox]

Microsoft never said any such thing. In fact, they couldn't because an MMO has been available all along that has required the HDD: Final Fantasy XI for the XBOX 360.

here we go again...

[CZroe]

here we go again...

Or rather, here you go again imagining things you can't source or quote. LAUGHABLE.

[Blades]

Umm...

Shouldn't you already have a hard drive anyways, by now. The memory cards are a rip off. I saw that from the beginning. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. It was stupid of MS not to just put out a hard drive only system in the first place. It worked well for Xbox1. So hopefully it doesn't come as a major shock to anyone.

[cardboardbox]

Or rather, here you go again imagining things you can't source or quote. LAUGHABLE.Or rather, here you go again defending Microsoft so much that you cant even comprehend simple sentences. INSANE.

[CZroe]

Or rather, here you go again defending Microsoft so much that you cant even comprehend simple sentences. INSANE.

DEFENDING Microsoft? Are you crazy? I have no loyalty to the company. I own NO Microsoft consoles. I DO, on the other hand, own a PS3. I own TWO PS3s. You, on the OTHER hand, have a very, very, VERY, basic comprehension problem: You can't tell the difference between the reporter misreporting and an actual quote from Microsoft, even when the misreporting directly conflicts with a DIRECT QUOTE from Microsoft. You even came in and said "Microsoft said that no games will require the HDD" and then REFUSED to answer "Where did they say that?" That's the question you should have asked yourself before ever questioning me or anyone else.

[cardboardbox]

DEFENDING Microsoft? Are you crazy? I have no loyalty to the company. I own NO Microsoft consoles. I DO, on the other hand, own a PS3. I own TWO PS3s. You, on the OTHER hand, have a very, very, VERY, basic comprehension problem: You can't tell the difference between the reporter misreporting and an actual quote from Microsoft, even when the misreporting directly conflicts with a DIRECT QUOTE from Microsoft. You even came in and said "Microsoft said that no games will require the HDD" and then REFUSED to answer "Where did they say that?" That's the question you should have asked yourself before ever questioning me or anyone else.I never said that. But this is too much fun! I'll get the popcorn!