Microsoft's mistake starts to take toll

[markb84]

The xbox360's lack of HD-DVD drive has bitten back, the producers of Japanese game 'Enchant Arms' have announced that the capacity of DVD is too small for thier game and therefore they will be releasing it across two discs.

Bill Gates has now expressed a desire to make another future version of the 360 with a HD-DVD drive, this means that the first version will become defunct as soon as the new version is released as the future games will be released on HD-DVD.



Playstation 3 any one?

[Jonas]

It is disapointing that the XBOX 360 doesn't have a high capacity optical drive. However I can still see the strategy of getting the 360 out early working. Also given the publics track record of being perfectly willing to change their consoles just to have a different colour or size maybe they are gambeling that a large chunk of buyers would be prepared to by two over a period of 18 months?

[CarlB]

I disagree that the first version of the console will become defunct if an HD-DVD version is released at a later date. Publishers will want to hit the largest installed user base with their titles, so it is more likely that games will be released on multiple discs (if required, and most will only need one standard DVD). I would predict the HD-DVD is primarily targetted at movie content, though there could be dual DVD/HD-DVD games releases I guess.



I really don't think there will be any *solely* HD-DVD game titles.

[markb84]

I would predict the HD-DVD is primarily targetted at movie content,




Bill Gates seems to think that it was "a mistake not allowing prevsion for higher capacity games"

[holtehero]

I think they will also release an add on HD-DVD drive (probably with an HDMI interface on the back of it)



They will already have a large base of installed users, who would want to add HD-DVD capabilities to the machine.



What i guess that depends on is whether the architecture and digital output could handle such an upgrade

[Nic Rhodes]

I thought BG was on record saying that there never will be HD DVD on the 360 for games. I think it is probably a good call as well if the Sony mess is anything to go by. PS3 in 2008 anyone?

[ikaruga]

It takes long enough to develop a game to 'fill' a regular DVD anyway - How many studios will have the budget, time and resources to make more content than can fit on a regular DVD-ROM..? It's main use will clearly be to store large amounts of nice-looking FMV sequences.

[Jonas]

It takes long enough to develop a game to 'fill' a regular DVD anyway - How many studios will have the budget, time and resources to make more content than can fit on a regular DVD-ROM..? It's main use will clearly be to store large amounts of nice-looking FMV sequences.




That's a good point, I dind't realise how many games where still CD based on the current XBOX until I got to the bottom of why my XBOX only had problems with a few game disks. Turns out that that a dying XBOX DVD drive will continue to read CDs for quite some time.

[Jeff]

I'm sure MS are doing the right thing by getting the new Xbox out early even if it means a regular DVD rom. By the time the PS3 is released there will be loads of games and I'm sure a £100 price drop will be on the cards.