750°

Xbox One is designed to be always-on for 10 years

Inside sources at Microsoft have spoken to Digital Foundry about why the Xbox One hardware is so large, and what the tangible benefits of the larger footprint are for the user.

Our information suggests the Xbox One design is based on an ambitious brief, essentially impossible to test in anything resembling real-life conditions, and so the company played it safe, putting unit reliability first. A highly placed source says that the console has been designed with a ten-year lifecycle in mind and that it is designed to be switched on for that entire period.

What's more, during that time it needs to operate almost silently in order to earn its place in the living room. It's a unique hardware challenge, and so the company opted for a large design where heat dissipation comes first. Microsoft's engineers are also aware that the company's reputation for quality hardware is still in the balance after the Red Ring of Death Xbox 360 build quality fiasco, which cost the company over a bill...

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eurogamer.net
GreenRanger3919d ago ShowReplies(3)
WeaseL3919d ago

"almost entirely silent in standby "
How many thing make a noise when in standby

NewMonday3919d ago

the PS4 is also designed to be always on (but not always on-line), manages to put much stronger hardware in a smaller box with no need for an external power brick like the XB1.

from tech reports the ESRAM source of heat in the X1.

HammadTheBeast3919d ago

Another classic Digital Foundry article based on "inside sources".

redwin3919d ago

Some people just live to disagree, but I wonder how long was the PS3 design to stay on for, 10 yrs? I should try it. Uh wait, it will brick and shut off if I don't update in that time..... Mmmmm, well, now we will never know. I'm gonna go and turn on my ps3 and leave it for 10 yrs in that corner where it's been for the last 7.

The_Con-Sept3918d ago

The PS3 and 360 waste enough power just being in standby. Now kinect is always on..... It might be miniscule amounts of kilowatts used but Dammit... The fucking kinect has to be always on. Next thing you know the controller will have to use nickel cadmium batteries only.

dedicatedtogamers3918d ago (Edited 3918d ago )

How many more "inside source" articles does Digital Foundry have? And how many more times are we going to believe them? It seems like all the negative Sony "inside sources" as well as all the positive Microsoft "inside sources" both flock to Digital Foundry, and neither end up being true.

Keep in mind, folks, that Digital Foundry was the site that claimed that a 4 Gig PS4 (before news hit that PS4 had 8 Gigs of RAM) was more powerful than an 8 Gig Xbox One.

Whatever side of the "console warzz" you're on, consider that.

Kydawg3918d ago

Sucks when you get a bad storm and the power surges! Bye bye red rings, hello lightning surge. That's not Mircosoft's fault though, it's an act of god.

Ritsujun3918d ago

Kinect2.0 down? No Xbone180 gaming for ya.

FlunkinMonkey3918d ago

@ redwin

"Some people just live to disagree, but I wonder how long was the PS3 design to stay on for, 10 yrs? I should try it. Uh wait, it will brick and shut off if I don't update in that time..... Mmmmm, well, now we will never know. I'm gonna go and turn on my ps3 and leave it for 10 yrs in that corner where it's been for the last 7."

I don't think it would be very wise to start comparing failure rates of the PS3 and the 360 there now would it buddy? ha.. I think you would be most displeased with the results.

Kydawg3918d ago (Edited 3918d ago )

Always on, always watching, always listening. Sounds lovely. Cough "sarcasm"

mark134uk3918d ago

@redwin i went through 3 xbox 360 in 2 years because of rrod ive had th fat ps3 for 5-6 years and still going

Death3918d ago

My tv is always on and always watching and listening. It's incredible that some of you are so afraid of technology.

Silly Mammo3918d ago (Edited 3918d ago )

"Xbox One is designed to be always-on for 10 years"

But Microsoft like usual will give up on the console half way through it's life cycle.

Syntax-Error3917d ago (Edited 3917d ago )

RITSUJUN <--- Is still calling it XBOX 180? How old are you? That is sooooooo old. You're calling it 180 because they changed their policies before a system launch, bow many companies have done the same thing? Let's see, Sony did the same thing in 2006 with the PS3, but they did it AFTER launch you hipster. How quickly people forget. That $600 price tag was dropped to $450 after two price reductions and SKU eliminations because the system wasn't selling. Another company that CHANGED IT'S INITIAL PLAN AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY. Grow up

mewhy323917d ago

That will be a lot of information for the NSA. I mean ten years worth of spy camera and mic kinect right in your living room for ten years is a wealth of information for the GOV. Yeah xbone.

ThanatosDMC3917d ago

They must really need to cool down the thing on standby mode too?

Gekko363917d ago

@mewhy32 Jesus H Christ, you have to Be kidding with the Kinect and the NSA story still. This is getting old.

If you buy the PSEye with the PS4 you get the same issue in America. If you have an iPhone, iPad, Surface, Linux / Windows / OSX machine with a camera, YOU GET THE SAME PROBLEM.

There is a word for people opposed to connectivity...HERMIT!

Get a grip and get laid for christ's sake!

+ Show (13) more repliesLast reply 3917d ago
QuanManChu3919d ago

To go with the new camera and the standby mode as well as wake on motion system, you can opt to install the heavy breathing app. It will make the console sound like a asthmatic stalker whenever you walk by it when it is in standby mode...enjoy... XD

Peppino73918d ago

I have a feeling it'll red ring die waaaaaay before that 10 year mark.

Mike134nl3919d ago (Edited 3919d ago )

...
"What's more, during that time it needs to operate almost silently in order to earn its place in the living room." end quote

3919d ago
gaffyh3919d ago

@Got_Banned - He's quoting it because it's just stupid if it wasn't silent in standby, and they fact they have to mention it is just ridiculous.

IcicleTrepan3919d ago

It's silly because 'standby' is being taken out of context here. When they say standby they mean the system is still on, communicating to Xbox Live and downloading updates etc. it's a special low power mode that their hardware can do. PS4 doesn't have this ability, but they are taking a different route with the more powerful hardware, while MS has less powerful hardware but extra features with lower power modes.

3919d ago
gaffyh3919d ago (Edited 3919d ago )

@Icicle - PS4 has this ability as well, because you can buy games on your phone, and they will be downloaded on your PS4 when you get home. So it does have a low power state, which means it can download updates whenever as long as it is connected to the internet.

badz1493918d ago

@Icicle Trepan

lol how clueless can you be? 'standby' is 'standby' while 'ON' is 'ON'! there's nothing in between! while in 'standby', the system is OFF, ready to be turned ON!

"When they say standby they mean the system is still on, communicating to Xbox Live and downloading updates etc."

err...you do know that the PS3 with PS+ accounts can already do THAT, since like 3 year ago, right?

"it's a special low power mode that their hardware can do. PS4 doesn't have this ability,"

WHAT?? seriously dude, you don't know what you're talking about!

3918d ago
Ausbo3918d ago

@badz149

so what if playstation has been doing it for 3 years. Live has been doing it this entire generation

Cable2kx3918d ago

@Ausbo

Since when does the Xbox 360 turns itself on and download patches and games you have in your download Que? I must have missed that update

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3918d ago
BitbyDeath3919d ago

All you'll hear is the quiet hum of Kinect as it records you

opinska3918d ago

Moron... Your mom records you lol

buynit3919d ago

Well to be fair..

How many things can do what it does and have a lot of power? What can we compare it to? A cell phone?

HammadTheBeast3919d ago

Any laptop out there which make 0 noise when on standby.

GrumpyOla3918d ago

At this day and age these features should be a given. It would be a disaster if they had the same problems as the current gen did.

Insomnia_843919d ago

My PS3 doesn't make a sound while on stand-by mode.

Microsoft trying to wow the their fanboys with meaningless words that, to those who don't know much about these stuff, sound like something big.

Elit3Nick3919d ago

two different types of "standby", on PS3 essentially just the power is on and it turns on when you press a button, with the Xbox One it is still on, downloading updates so you won't have to

gaffyh3918d ago (Edited 3918d ago )

PS3 has two different standby modes. One is just standard "waiting for controller connection" which is completely silent. The second is the remote play/scheduled update mode, which runs the PSU in a low power state, but you can hear a slight hum if you go near the PS3.

PS4 and Xbone both have additional low power chips on board, unlike PS3/360, so might be able to do a similar thing more silently.

Mkai283917d ago (Edited 3917d ago )

Yet the standby mode in the PS3 is pointless, you can't download anything in this mode so what's the point? It gives you an vain option to shut off after it downloads fully on..I could do the same and say the 360 downloads anything while on standby, but instead of staying on low power mode it just cuts off..

Major_Glitch3919d ago

"Xbox One is designed to be always-on for for 10 years." And on midnight of the last day of the tenth year, that Xbox One will explode killing everyone in a 10-mile radius.

In all seriousness though, that's pretty cool. It's good to know overheating won't be an issue with the x1.

JokesOnYou3919d ago Show
RavageX3919d ago

You don't. Words are words. They always say that(they being console makers) yet the only one I know of that hasn't had an heating issue is Nintendo.

evercast3919d ago

Time warner cable boxes. That's about it.

Tatsuya 3919d ago

well another great news about the Xbone or not,. Consider this a trend in the coming gen with this pos. I'll never support you Microsoft.

3919d ago Replies(2)
S2Killinit3918d ago

when it spies on you, it makes a lol sound. Its laughing at you for being a sucker

THEDON82z13918d ago

Now that was funny...LMAO!!!!

S2Killinit3917d ago (Edited 3917d ago )

LOL and then when it finds something really juicy about you it goes "...mmmmmmmmm" followed by a Mr. Burns "Excellent"

-Superman-3918d ago

If i had more money, i would bought both consoles but because its limited, then i take PS4
I don´t trust Microsoft. They rip off too many time...

Mounce3918d ago

I'd not know if X1 is silent or quiet unlike a 360-Launch....

But I would certainly laugh my ass off if it were the same launch noise-problem wise.

Jyndal3918d ago

Makes you wonder if Sony took the 'silent aspect' into consideration with the PS4. It may end up sounding like a B52 when it's turned on.

braydox213917d ago

remember the ps2 starting up sound? had to turn the tv down every time.

T23917d ago

It makes you wonder ? No it doesnt , Sony always makes good hardware and they already stated you can stop a game then resume exactly where you left off and plus already auto updates so yeah , nothing to see here

rela82me3918d ago

Oh boy, this is a positive xbox article, let's bring up everything we hate about this console in order to make us feel better guys!

3918d ago
1Victor3918d ago (Edited 3918d ago )

@ weaseL my lawn mower does as well as my muffler less motorcycle. OT I hope this is true and not just PR babble
@ death I wonder how old are you because my father tv is always watching him sleep and he's 69

MazzingerZ3918d ago

Hahahahaha...that must be a typo

TheXgamerLive3918d ago

Wheezy. You do realize why your an idiot, dont you?

killcole3917d ago

"developers working with the hardware tell us that in its idle and low-activity states, the unit is entirely silent" Erm...

BallsEye3917d ago

My 360 slim doesn't make any sound at all when it's on. Only if disc is spinning but I got all my games installed.

Thepcz3917d ago

it probably sounds like a vacuum cleaner when its in standby

+ Show (19) more repliesLast reply 3917d ago
KillrateOmega3919d ago (Edited 3919d ago )

"A highly placed source says that the console has been designed with a ten-year lifecycle in mind and that it is designed to be switched on for that entire period."

This seems a little ridiculous, but then again, I have seen people who just leave their Xbox 360s on for days on end, so...

slimeybrainboy3919d ago

Well if you're using you're Kinect for TV, poeple will be using it pretty much all the time.

kreate3919d ago

What happens after 10 years?

LoaMcLoa3919d ago

Complete self-destruction

TheGrimReaper3919d ago (Edited 3919d ago )

The first X1 which will reach the 10 years will send a signal to the cloud.
The cloud will distribute this signal to every X1 and in return they will release all the energy accumulated until this time to create a big EMP which will be illuminated in bright red!
This will be a true RRoD for modern society!
And out of the ashes an allmighty MS representative will arise to announce the next Xbox!
Anyone who won't buy this shall live in agony, because MS Azure cloud has infiltrated every connected device. And every device will be without function unless it is connected to a Xbox through the cloud.
Start believing!!!

...

Seriously: Nothing will happen!
What do YOU expect to happen???

kreate3918d ago (Edited 3918d ago )

@grimreaper

i expect .... the next gen consoles wont last 10 years.

at least the fat ones, when slim ones are released, idk about those since there's no news yet.

TheGrimReaper00113917d ago

@TheGrimReaper
So you're the reason I couldn't name myself TheGrimReaper! =P
Nice theory though XD

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3917d ago
pacostacos3919d ago

so its big to prevent overheating!? im okay with that

YodaCracker3919d ago

Right. Who buys a console because of its physical appearance?

RadioActiveTwinky3919d ago

As a pc gamer. I personally like to sacrifice looks for better airflow. If it means better airflow awesome. computer hardware number one enemy is Heat.

amiga-man3919d ago (Edited 3919d ago )

Of course it's size is to stop overheating I didn't need M$ to tell me that, the big ass fan and external power supply are all geared towards solving heat issues, but there is no way on earth they have come up with an elegant solution,

in fact they show how poor their hardware design is by using the most obvious solutions to the problem, I wont be getting an xbox so it makes no difference to me, I am no engineer but if you asked me for solutions to keeping heat down I would make it big with a big fan and external power supply so there is no denying as a design it is as basic as it comes

YodaCracker

Right. Who buys a console because of its physical appearance?

I work at a primary school the kids were always talking about their xboxes when I asked them what they thought of the new one they said they wern't buying it because it looked $hit lol

ironwolf3919d ago

Primary school children are sooo well known for their sense of aesthetics, their taste and their wisdom.

Clearly though, you go by their judgment.

amiga-man3918d ago

Ironwolf,
Clearly though, you go by their judgment.

What a strange thing to say, their preference has nothing to do with my judgement, I was just replying to a question from YodaCracker,

primary school children tend to follow the crowd their reasons for owning things are very different to mine, so I have no idea what your on about.

strifeblade3917d ago

i am sure you will have loads of fun playing with primary school children on the ps4 lol

amiga-man3917d ago (Edited 3917d ago )

Strifeblade

which part of I work with them did you not understand?

Grow up for gods sake.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3917d ago
ThisIsSolidSnake3919d ago ShowReplies(4)
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Bethesda Needs to Reduce the Gaps Between New Fallout and Elder Scrolls Releases

Waiting a decade for new instalments in franchises as massive as Fallout and Elder Scrolls feels like a waste.

Read Full Story >>
gamingbolt.com
-Foxtrot9h ago

Microsoft have Obsidian but I feel it's Bethesda who just don't want to play ball as they've always said they want to do it themselves.

Once MS bought Zenimax in 2020 they should have put the Outer Worlds 2 on the back burner, allow Bethesda to finish off its own Space RPG with Starfield (despite totally different tone why have two in your first party portfolio with two developers who's gameplay is a tad similar) and got Obsidian for one of their projects to make a spiritual successor to New Vegas.

When the Elder Scrolls VI is finished Bethesda can then onto the main numbered Fallout 5 themselves.

The Outer Worlds 2 started development in 2019 so putting it on the back burner wouldn't have been the end of the world, they'd have always come back to it once Fallout was done and it would have been nicely spaced out from Starfields release once they had most likely stopped supporting it and all the expansions were released.

If they did this back in 2020 when they bought Zenimax and the game had a good, steady 4 - 5 years development, you might have seen it release in 2025.

We are literally going to be waiting until 2030 at the very earliest for Fallout 5 and all they seem bothered about is pushing Fallout 76.

RaidenBlack7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

Its not just only Todd not playing ball.
Obsidian have made a name for themselves in delivering stellar RPGs, but most famous once have always been sequels/spin-offs to borrowed IPs like KOTOR 2, Neverwinter Nights 2, Fallout: New Vegas, Stick of Truth etc.
Obsidian wants to invest more in their own original IPs like Outer Worlds or Pillars of Eternity with Avowed.
Similar to what Bluepoint & inXile wants to do or Kojima is doing (i.e not involving anymore in Konami's IPs).
So yea, even if New Vegas has the most votes from 3D Fallout fans, Obsidian just wants to do their own thing, like any aspiring dev studio and MS is likely currently respecting that.
But a future Fallout game from Obsidian will surely happen. Founder Feargus Urquhart has already stated an year ago that they're eager to make a new Fallout game with Bethesda, New Vegas 2 or otherwise. Urquhart was the director of the very first 1995's Fallout game after all.
And don't forget Brian Fargo and his studio inXile, as Brian Fargo was the director of Fallout's 1988 predecessor: Wasteland

KyRo4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

Obsidian should take over the FO IP. They're do far better with it than Bethesda who hasn't made a great game for almost 15 years

Duke193h ago(Edited 3h ago)

I disagree. Part of these games is the support for the mod community. If they move to releasing a "next game" every 2 or 3 years, the modding support plummets and the franchises turn into just another run of the mill RPG.

Make the games good enough to withstand the test of time, to keep people coming back to them and expanding on them with mod support.

--Onilink--1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

I dont think anyone is saying they need to come out every 2 years (not to mention almost no game is released that quickly anymore)

By the time Fallout 5 comes out, it will be more than 15 years since Fallout 4 came out (same with ES6 coming out 15 years after Skyrim). Even if you want to use F76 as the metric for the most recent release, that one came out in 2018. It will be a miracle if F5 comes out before 2030

The point is that for a studio that doesnt seem to operate with multiple teams doing several projects at once, that their projects normally take 4-5 years as a minimum, and that now they even added Starfield to the rotation, it becomes a 15+ years waiting period between releases for each series, which doesnt make sense. Imagine that Nintendo only released a mainline Mario or Zelda game every 15 years…

They either need to start developing more than 1 project at a time, let someone else take a crack at one of the IPs or significantly reduce their development times

mandf1h ago

Yeah I’m going to say it, who cares about the modding community when making a game? Half the time developers only tolerate modders because they fix there game for them.

Skuletor2h ago

Yeah, let's all advocate for smaller gaps between series' releases, then we'll probably get headlines about how the series have dropped in quality and they could have benefited from more time in the oven. Let them cook.

SimpleSlave1h ago

"how the series have dropped in quality and they could have benefited from more time in the oven" So every Bethesda game then? Got it.

Listen, I would agree if this was about From Software or something, but Bethesda?

🤣

C'mon now. What timeline are you from?

isarai1h ago

Hows about you focus on quality, just a thought 🤷‍♂️

Sciurus_vulgaris1h ago

Bethesda [or Microsoft] would have to reallocate internal and external studios towards fallout and elder scrolls titles. Bethesda has the issue of developing 2 big IPs that are large RPGs on rotation. If you want more Fallout and Elder Scrolls, development will have to be outsourced.

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