AMD: Xbox 720 graphics will look like Avatar

[WHM MikeyD]

Some more rumours                                             Xbox 720 Chipset "in Production"
Tech report claims 'Oban' ready; predicts no console launch until 2013
January 24, 2012
by Colin Campbell
The chipset for a next generation Xbox console has been in production since last month, and will go into full production by the end of the year, according to technology news reports.

Tech site Fudzilla states, "Recent speculation that the new main System on a Chip (SoC) for the Next Xbox began production is apparently accurate; the SoC did indeed start production in late December of 2011. Sources tell us that the code name for the chip is Oban, and it is being produced by both IBM and Global Foundries for Microsoft."

The report goes on to claim that, "the power behind the next Xbox will be a PowerPC CPU that is married to an ATI Southern Islands GPU, or modified 7000 series." It adds that the console is unlikely to ship at the end of 2012, with full production gearing in December of this year.

"This first run of these 32nm Oban chips will be destined for developer consoles, so any hope for a holiday console release in 2012 seems unrealistic, according to our sources, but an announcement perhaps before the end of the year might be possible. It would seem Microsoft's strategy of getting it in 2013 is all but assured. We do think that the chips will be in production by the end of the year for consoles destined to be sold in 2013, which seems to agree with what others are saying."

Additionally, tech site SemiAccurate offers similar speculation on a production timeline, as well as analysis of the various rumors flying around.

We've already wrangled up everything we've heard so far in a recent Xbox 720 round-up, and this new information appears to support Michael Pachter's statement that "2012 launch rumors are silly" for Xbox 720.

Spotted by Develop.

[WHM MikeyD]

Update: Digital Foundry editor Richard Leadbetter has offered his thoughts on Microsoft possibly opting for a Radeon HD 6670-like GPU in the next Xbox.

"If the GPU story is true, it suggests that Microsoft is placing price-point ahead of performance," Leadbetter said.

"By PC standards, the Radeon HD 6670 is an unremarkable, entry-level enthusiast product aimed more towards the home cinema PC audience. It struggles to run Battlefield 3 at 20 frames-per-second on high settings at 1080p, and could maybe hit 30FPS in Crysis 2 at the same resolution."

"In a closed box environment with custom modifications and a dedicated development platform to support it, the chip could achieve much greater things (360 dev kits initially shipped with unremarkable X800 graphics cards, before getting X1800/X1900 upgrades). But it would be a curious choice for a platform holder looking to sustain another lengthy console lifecycle."

Original story: The graphics card (GPU) inside the next Xbox will be "akin to" the £50 Radeon HD 6670, a new report has suggested.

IGN heard from "sources close to the project" that the GPU will provide performance six times greater than Xbox 360, and 20 per cent greater than Wii U.

A Radeon HD 6670 card supports DirectX 11, multi-display output, 3D and 1080p.

Development kits matching the final system configuration of the next Xbox will be sent out in August 2012, apparently. And mass production of the Radeon HD 6670-based GPU should begin by the end of 2012.


The new console itself will ship to shops in late October or early November 2013, IGN wrote.

The release date and dev kit dates we've heard before. However, this is the most specific a report has been about the graphics card inside the next Xbox.

We heard late last year that Microsoft planned two versions of its next Xbox. Both will bundle Kinect, although one machine will be a cheap, "pared down" set-top box; the other a "more fully featured", typical new console for hardcore gamers.

Will this Radeon HD 6670-like GPU be fitted inside both models?

[XaiXo]

If that's true, consoles are finished. 6xxx series for a NEXT generation? They aren't even really this generation if they were keeping up with PCs. DX11 is a huge boon, but they should really hammer some future-proofing in there. The 6670 isn't even on the same scale as the older, now partially outdated 5870 which I run.

Consoles need to step up to future proofing (ready for stuff like DX12, AA/ASF etc.), as well as try to compete with Steam next generation. If Sony and MS just keep their online services and pricing like they are now, they're finished as far as I'm concerned. Steam is so, so much better.

[WHM Jofftastic]

People will always buy the next Gen console - Most people are not concerned with the hardware (otherwise we'd all have PC's) - but it would be nice if they pushed the boat out a bit

All speculation at the mo

[XaiXo]

People will always buy the next Gen console - Most people are not concerned with the hardware (otherwise we'd all have PC's) - but it would be nice if they pushed the boat out a bit

All speculation at the mo

The average consumer might not be concerned with hardware, but they are usually concerned about graphics, game engines and visuals. The 6670 can't even run BF3 in 1080p on high settings without dropping to like 20FPS. It's an upgrade to what we currently have, sure, but it's not future proof and will hold developers back considerably in the long run (remember that console lifespans are meant to be huge now).

[WHM MikeyD]

Report: No Used Games on Next Xbox
A bold move...but is Microsoft willing to compromise its consumer base?
January 25, 2012
by Mitch Dyer
Rumor has it the next-generation Xbox may limit exactly what kind of games you're allowed to play. According to sources speaking to Kotaku, the Xbox 360's successor will have some kind of anti-used-game enforcement. There's no explanation of what that means, but speculation surrounding the issue says the console could outright reject used-games altogether.


LA Noire used an online pass this generation. Would you buy an Xbox 3 if you couldn't play its sequel used?

Online passes are a recent staple in staving off used sales. Limiting what used buyers can access is a protective measure for publishers, much to the chagrin of parts of the gaming community. Chris Kohler of Wired argues that the death of used games is inevitable, and passes are the first step toward something exactly like a native anti-used game something integrated into consoles. He notes, of course, that digital is the future of buying games, but in the meantime we may be looking at "an interim period in which the disc as a delivery method is still around but...becomes more like a PC game, which are sold with one-time-use keys that grant one owner a license to play the game on his machine."

For all we know, if this is legitimate, such a theoretical link between a Gamertag and new game would simply negate the need for online pass redemption codes in every game. This alleged feature comes alongside talks that the Xbox 3 will also turn to blu-ray for its primary format.

Until Microsoft officially unveils details about its much-rumored new device, we're relying on speculation with strong rhetoric to figure out the future of gaming. Would a console permanently banning of used-games be a deal-breaker for you?

via Kotaku.

[WHM Jofftastic]

That's just to get more money out of us

No rentals? The little games won't get played

[WHM Velocity]

That's truely gash if it's true. 😭

[WHM Spuff]

Will be keeping my Xbox for at least 2 years before i upgrade. If its true about serial keys and rentals, XaiXo could be right in "Steeam is so, so much better." and the way to go in the future.

I don't buy many "new" games a year but have bought some decent titles used. If i am forced to buy new to try every game in the future it just might be worth buying a gaming PC to have the wow factor and the greatest delivery of graphics and gameplay. Instead of being limited to an upgrade to an Xbox which will be out of date within a year of its release.

PC's are always going to be more powerful but M$ must realise that they will lose the older customer if they bring out dated hardware even before its released, Kids will buy into it but the adults are going to be alot more reserved.

[XaiXo]

That's what people don't seem to get when we bring up the graphics cards. The 6670 is already a dated piece of hardware. It can't even play existing games at full resolution on high settings (BF3, for example).

If the whole one-use game thing is true, then it's over. Done. A lot of games will never be played, so sequels will be less popular due to nobody picking up a used copy of say, Mass Effect, and liking it enough to pick up ME2 on release. Plus, who are these people kidding? Pirates will still pirate games if they want to. All they're doing is money-grubbing from those who can't afford brand new titles.

[WHM Reaper]

I can't see how they will earn more money though.

Surely people will just buy less games, I certainly will anyway.

I will just buy the titles I know are good and will take a while to complete, because when you get the 1000gs on it you may as well bin the bloody thing.

[WHM MikeyD]

Microsoft's next home console will use Blu-ray discs, catching up with Sony's PlayStation 3, according to Kotaku sources.

The Xbox 360 currently has a DVD drive - meaning a 9GB limit per disc, compared to Blu-ray's 50GB capacity.

The site's sources also claimed that Microsoft is planning on including technology in the new machine that will somehow combat used games, though didn't provide specifics on exactly how that will work.

You might like to take that one with a pinch of salt. Retailers would be up in arms if true, as might budget-minded gamers.

As per tradition, Microsoft declined to comment on rumour and speculation.

Kotaku's report also mentioned that the system will ship with a refined version of the Kinect peripheral - as reported by Eurogamer last November.

Earlier this week, a separate report emerged claiming that Microsoft's new console is being built around a Radeon HD 6670-like GPU and will be roughly six times more powerful than the Xbox 360.

[XaiXo]

I can't see how they will earn more money though.

Surely people will just buy less games, I certainly will anyway.

I will just buy the titles I know are good and will take a while to complete, because when you get the 1000gs on it you may as well bin the bloody thing.

Used games make zero profit of any kind to developers or publishers - The entire amount goes to the store that sold it to you. Yeah, it'd mean people would buy less games as a result, but the publishers/developers don't give a shit about that, as it'd force you to buy new or not at all, rather than wait a few weeks and picking up a used copy for cheap.

The ONLY benefit for anyone other than the publishers/developers is that we'd see less access codes and DRM, but the cons are HUGE. Most game stores rely on the revenue from used games, so they'd go belly up quickly in most places. Us gamers would get less games total. Worst of all, the fact you'd HAVE to buy new copies would result in less original games selling well, as people won't want to pay the full price for an unproven game. As such, new IPs will take a hit and some will vanish entirely.

[WHM MikeyD]

Loads of reports about this now do u think we will get some sort of announcement at E3?

[WHM Spuff]

Loads of reports about this now do u think we will get some sort of announcement at E3?

Hasn't it been said that it will be on show?