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Does Xbox One have Secret Sauce in it? DirectX 12 a Game Changer?

Microsoft has announced that for the first time in five years, a new DirectX 12 is about to be unveiled at GDC on March 20th 2014. It's been suggested that the Xbox One would not work with DirectX12 because it would require a hardware upgrade since the XB1 is running DirectX 11. But new developments suggest that the Xbox One may in fact be using DirectX 12 in some fashion.

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lifeisgamesok3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

To my knowledge Microsoft has never came out and stated the specs of its gpu

It was only rumored to be the equivalent of a 7000 series

MS hasn't elaborated on the 15 co-processors enough though we know what they are 9 audio, encode and decode compressors 4 move engines that can shoot bits of data at a high speed

Kingthrash3603701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

smh....man see this is why sony fanboys talk about the res differance...things like this.
x1 and ps4 have both launched, have both been taken apart we know what hardware is in there and we know who has the most power of the 2.
no, this comment isnt a who's the "BEST" comment...but really guys wth is dx gunna do for the x1.
i'm not saying it wont do anything but dx12 is more of a pc thing no? and its software, so what will it do. make things easier? that coo but when on one hand you say "res dosent matter" then get all hyped about a "secret sauce".like its supposed to change what the x1 is made out of, of like its gunna "unlock" some secret area in the console to make it up to its competitors standard.
how's that good business? why release a weaker console, then let it become stronger later with a secret sauce? yeah they rushed it, we knew that back in june but you cant change the hardware...we all know that esram bottleneck is whats holding x1 back and dx12 (sadly) wont change that.

truth is ms released a weaker console, with a more media aimed goal than gaming. it looks good on paper but when it dosent sale as projected, things start to get overhyped...even the small things like a software update.

pro tip: nothing wrong with a weaker console...my honest opinion...but if your weaker imbrace it and put out some awsometitles like nintendo...
it just goes bad when you say "the x1 is the most powerful console" or announce an announcement and when you announce it you say "we bought gears, and we have unannounced titles in the works"
that kinda pissed me off because i woke up early in the morning to see what it was and it was a longtime (dying...play judment) franchise and "UNANNOUNCED GAMES IN THE WORKS".... they announced unannounced games.....-.- over hypeing the obvious things...
not sating gears is small but nobody thought gears would end up anywhere but on x1...
if you gunna announce something let it be you bought mario or somethin...smh man rant over...mabad guys

Dudebro903701d ago

Direct x is not a "PC thing"

Its called an Xbox...where the x stands for...direct x.

SliceOfTruth8883701d ago

The problem is that anyone who thinks xbone xants handle 1080p is a fool. There is some issue developers are having converting last Gen to next Gen. Once developers fully understand they will push some incredible stuff. Just like ps4 will I mean how ignorant can anyone be thinking Xbox or ps4 is even close to showing their power

cozomel3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

Man, you fanboys never learn. Always getting your hopes up just to be let down, i guess y'all are used to being let down by MS and the X1. DX is just a generic API and what would be preferred is a API built specifically for the system, not a broad generic API like DX. Its been a known fact in the PC world that DX loses you alot of graphics cards performance. Hence why AMD made Mantle and Valve SteamOS and NV CUDA. Tell me, the X1 uses DX11 right now and how impressive has that been so far? The Ps4 and X1 are almost the same exact system except for some difference, that are all where it matters the most, in the GPU and bandwidth department

Xb1: 1.18TF (12 CUs) for games
Xb1: 768 Shaders
Xb1: 48 Texture units
Xb1: 16 ROPS
Xb1: 2 ACE/16 queues
Xb1: 13.65GPixels/s
Xb1: 40.90GTexels/s

PS4: 1.84TF GPU (18 CUs) for games +56% more
PS4: 1152 Shaders +50.5%
PS4: 72 Texture units +50%
PS4: 32 ROPS + 100%
PS4: 8 ACE/64 queues 400%
PS4: 25.60GPixels/s +88%
PS4: 57.60GTexels/s +40%

Jumper093701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

RAM, ESRAM and the GPU is holding the Xbone back.

@SliceOfTruth888
There is nothing to understand. The Console is weaker, period.
You Xbone Fans have to accept that already. it wont get better later down the Generation

nightsurge3700d ago

@cozomel

The Xbox One gpu reserved for games is now 1.29 teraflops. 8% was freed up recently in an update. Just making sure you had all your facts straight since it seemed like you were just copy/pasting old specs.

xActionBasturdx3700d ago

Why do people constantly copy and paste specs without the slightest idea what they mean...i own a ps4 but everytime i see someone copy and paste specs i cringe a little everytime

GameNameFame3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

Wow. Don't fanboys understand DirecX is just is just drivers?

I mean really every new processing feature on dx12 will be on OpenGL and PS4.

Dx11 stuff are already on opengl and people say it is even more powerful due to efficiency.

Lolol. It is just pure desperation of wanting their hardware be stronger.

TheGreatAndPowerful3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

"Unless MS planned ahead and got DX12 functionality in the GPU of the XB1, that'd mean that DX12 would purely be a software upgrade and wouldn't necessitate new hardware.
Either that or it's a half-truth and the XB1 will only support certain parts of DX12 like how Windows 7 supports about half the new features in DX11.2"
http://www.reddit.com/r/Gam...

kopicha3700d ago

xbots are really funny. when games announced running lower res or fps they say it dont matter. its the games that matter. and even making claims of 720 actually look better than 1080. and all those res n fps dont matter because its the game that matters. now in this article the bots are here to rejoice over the "secret sauce" that all just assume it is going to change anything. seriously dont be such a loser. keep to your words and stay in your stance. you dont even know what you actually want. it seems like xbots and m$ are just a bunch of 180s

MysticStrummer3700d ago

(Before PS4 and XB1 are revealed)

XB fan - "Sony can't afford to make a more powerful console than MS"

(PS4 and XB1 are revealed)

XB fan - "Secret sauce"

(PS4 and XB1 specs are revealed)

XB fan - "Cloud"

(First PS4 and XB1 games are released)

XB fan - "Can't tell the difference"

(DirectX 12 announced for XB1)

XB fan - "Secret sauce"
_______

I sense a pattern...

Unspoken3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

The spec war is over. Both consoles are sub par gaming machines and no magic will change that fact.

But what can be done is to improve what is already existing. Microsoft is taking advantage of their PC expertise and improving the console in other ways....how about we overclock? Check. New API for better game engines and improved performance? Check. Consistent updates to the OS and user interface, graphic filters, controller firmware? Checks across the board.

To me it appears as though even with the less powerful console, MS is doing what it can to extract the best performance out of it.

Wizard_King3700d ago

I love this secret sauce BS fro MS so much.

How people actually believe them is what gets me.

So many dumb ignorant people.

snp3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

@nightsurge

True, but on the flip side he also didn't 'deduct' anything from either the kinect/non kinect scenario's.

If Kinect is in use, actually take off 10% from the GPU specs, and even when it's not in use 2% needs to be deducted from the XBox1 GPU specs - and consequently be added to the '% margin' on the PS4 side.

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 3700d ago
B-radical3701d ago

X1 gpu specs were announced at hotchips. But thats not to say directx 12 wasnt made for x1.

im begining to think x1 was suppose to be released this year. And that it was initially was suppose to be directx 12 but api wasnt ready.

expect to hear talk at gdc about data move engines

Alan_Shore3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

Very plausible.....I guess. Maybe directx 12 wasn't ready ps4 was releasing MS felt heat so they released early.

MS must make it clear at the game developers conference if DX12 on xbox one is merely an update or if xbox one was made for DX12

SonofGod3701d ago

Be careful with what you're saying here.. logic will not be tolerated here on N4G.

Sony is god

cozomel3701d ago

^^^

Says the worshipper of all things MS. And funny how a supposed Sony website, wink, wink, has way more agrees for the xbox fanboys comments than the Sony ones. Hmm, what are the Sony fanboys agreeing with this? i dont think so, this place is just as infested and crawling with MS fanboys as it is with Sony ones

lsujester3701d ago

I'm guessing that the X1 is compliant with DX12, but DX12 isn't really loaded with a bunch of new features. I imagine it's mainly reworked to allow developers to have more access to hardware and reduce CPU overhead. MS's press release pretty much says that.

If I had to guess, I'd say DX12 is going to look a lot like Mantle in what it's trying to do. Find out soon enough.

BX813701d ago

Agreed. That would also explain why some of last gens ui features were missing.

ProjectVulcan3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

DirectX 12 may improve some tools for Xbox One. However typical gains in this area are on the level of single digit percentages.

It will not and can't suddenly make the console massively faster.

DirectX 12 may have new hardware requirements. Xbox One is highly unlikely to meet any new hardware requirements as the main APU design was completed (and fixed) well over a year ago.

In that case Xbox One may support just a smaller subset of DirectX 12 features, and only new hardware would support the full set of features.

If DX12 does not require new hardware, then it will clearly be an evolutionary software development not a revolutionary secret sauce.

I must point people to Xbox 360 and DirectX 10.

DirectX 10 launched with Vista, one year after Xbox 360.

What difference did it directly make to Xbox 360?

Pretty much nothing. The reason was because DirectX 10 was much more relevant for PC and it's new features demanded new hardware compliance the old console never had.

So Xbox 360 supported DirectX 9.5 so to speak, more advanced than DX9c and SM3.0, but short of all the vital features DX10 brought to the table in new hardware.

I can't see a reason why this release will be any different. Xbox One may incorporate some features to update it's API and toolset.

As I said the other day however, every console does this. Every console evolves over it's lifespan as the tools and operating system are refined.

StrangerX3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

@Isujester,
well its not about the software specific features of the Xbox One but mainly about the hardware specifics to be able, to run these features at optimized drivers potential. that's I'm pretty sure is what the DirectX 12 for Xbox one is mainly about. I'm pretty sure that this system was design to be released this year with all bells and whistles but Sony did pushed their hand. Guess we'll know coming this 20th is about.
@Vulcan project
Now that you mention this, if you think about it, wasn't it strange that microsoft went in a different direction when customizing the Xbox one that even developer and the media cant understand why some things are there and why go all that way and spend all that money when they could just go and do like Sony did by just buying mostly off the shelf parts instead of doing this weird architecture that its hard to understand?!! I don't know, maybe its because it was solely design to be mostly hardware specific to be used with DirectX and like I said earlier Sony pushed their hand into releasing early?!!! Think about it, it makes sense but like I said, we'll find out soon enough. 😊

Kleptic3700d ago

This entire debate is riddled with arguments over definitions...

DirectX IS a PC thing...its a high level API for communication between specific software and all different kinds of hardware...thats why its needed, its the standard with windows that allows certain software to work on a bunch of different computers...

in terms of consoles...it doesn't matter to any degree what you call the API...because it is NOT the same as the PC API for one specific reason...the console always has the same hardware...in this case, there is a much better 'low level' api to begin with...and that is very easy because every xbox one has the exact same parts...

directx 12's major feature is slated to be a 'mantle like' optimization that allows much less of a resource barrier...meaning its hopefully going to be far more efficient...but that is specific to PC...the xbox one already has about as efficient an API as possible...it was developed with AMD and MS specfically for the console...minor improvements may show up here and there, and devs will get more out of it over time...

but...you're kidding yourself if you think DX12 is going to 'add' anything to an xbox one...it doesn't need it to begin with...

DoubleM703700d ago

Agreed. Sony had a 10 month jump on thier drivers. Now XB1 drivers are starting to mature. D12x was always in the equation it wasnt ready.

Ju3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

There is one thing in Dx which is long overdue and that is better multi threading support - exactly what Mantle brings to the table. Sure, the XO will benefit from this since it's a highly parallel machine. It won't make anything faster, but it sure will help the console - and PCs with multiple cores. I guess that's really all this is. Fixes, updates, newer multi-threaded API(s) but hardly new (graphics) features. Multithreding is the most important feature; everything else you can do if/when having lowest possible access to HW. But if your drawcalls are queued sequentially you loose quite some efficiency on accessing it. XO does not allow any access to the GPU other than DirectX - there is not other API.

ProjectVulcan3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

Stranger X

Microsoft's design is no more custom than Sony's. Their GPU architecture is still based on something that is two years old, with some interesting modifications but not fundamental ones to their functionality.

Anyone would think that DX12 is supposed to unlock this enormous potential not seen under DirectX 11.2.

I hardly think Microsoft launched a machine with a toolset that couldn't access a vast amount of the console's performance. Indeed if that were the case I am pretty sure you would know about it by now because developers, publishers and Microsoft themselves would be hollering about it.

Instead they are cutting their prices and letting their killer title launch with 1408 x 792 resolution....

It's stretching that notion of hidden power to unlock to breaking point, I'm sorry.

This is going to be an updated toolset for the console, nothing more, nothing less. Feel free to hope for some sort of game changing performance hike and incredible power that they have kept in the closet even for their key games.

But I wouldn't hold your breath that's for sure.

It's no surprise we see the performance gap we do between two consoles where one has an obvious hardware advantage. If that gap didn't exist then the more powerful console would be badly underperforming.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3700d ago
lolCHILLbro3701d ago

Besides Resolution, is there anything else that PS4 far exceeds the Xbox in?

Chevalier3701d ago

Only better 1st party games, 3rd party support, Indie support and Plus has fantastic games, you know reasons to buy a GAME system.

AndrewLB3701d ago

Chevalier- Please stop confusing your hopes and aspirations with the facts. Right now Xbone has a far superior selection of games. Regardless, i'm not buying either console because both are underpowered and i'd rather spend the cash on a second gtx 680 which would result in about 7tflops.

alexkoepp3701d ago Show
OsirisBlack3701d ago

@andrew are people seriously saying there are no games on these systems? I guess indie and F2P games don't count because at the moment I have more games than I can play on PS4 ..... I am however getting pissed at my Wii U as I only play DKCTF now...... and am waiting on something to buy on my XB1..... I was getting Titan Fall on PC but will probably get it on X1 just because of my friends that will be playing on XBL

cozomel3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

Yes, it often has better graphical effects too. Rivals has boken DOF and hbao, x1 doesnt (simple blur and ssao). Thief has POM, x1 doesnt. And that a next gen feature. TR has better texture quality and host of other things that are better. AC4 has better AA and the list goes on. But i know it was rhetorical question and a fanboy like you is just going to disagree.

And X1 only has 2 more exclusives than PS4 right now. Two, a whole freaking whopping two!!! Yet the PS4 has more games (and better) than the X1. X1 fanboys are so delusional its sad.

BOLO3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

You're right...How is it possible to beat secret sauce, overcasted weather, and reversed DRM policies...PS4 doomed confirmed! /s...DAT SAUCE! http://i.imgur.com/XK7wSYU....

Gamingskills3700d ago

@ cozomel
Don't be a hypocrite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pot calling the kettle black!!!!!!
You are a FANBOY!!!

solar3700d ago

yes, the power cord wont set your house on fire

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3700d ago
SonofGod3701d ago

Uh oh, this article is bait for the drones. It's prety quiet now but soon they'll be all over this.

Watch out especially for vulcanproject and his long BS speech.

They're coming..

http://static.comicvine.com...

SniperControl3701d ago

" Watch out especially for vulcanproject and his long BS speech."

Lol, looks who's talking, you would rather listen to that moron misterx spout his BS and then preach it here, but when someone with some technical knowhow states facts, it's BS. Lol

cozomel3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

Just look at this troll baiting people. Why do the mods let him be? why isnt this guy getting flagged for trolling? its all he does.

And thank you sniper, well said, +bubble for you and -bubble for trolling for the clown above you.

mark3214uk3700d ago

Phil spencer: How can we sell more xbones numbers are low?

lets throw out another secret source rumour the fanboys will fuel it,then we will just let them down there used to it by now :p

+10000 x1 sold for ms

also lets pump another 1mil into hyping titanfall,we will sell loads of x1s before they figure out the game sucks

starchild3700d ago

I agree that the fanboys can be pretty stupid, but vulcanproject knows what he is talking about.

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Kayant3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

Nope. They said it themselves it was based on the sea island series just like the PS4's.

"Just like our friends we're based on the Sea Islands family. We've made quite a number of changes in different parts of the areas. The biggest thing in terms of the number of compute units, that's been something that's been very easy to focus on. It's like, hey, let's count up the number of CUs, count up the gigaflops and declare the winner based on that."

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

Using Panello's statements on gaf as evidence is laughable at best because he is the same person that went on to make these statements as well ->
http://www.neogaf.com/forum...
http://www.neogaf.com/forum...
Where he talked about things like the CPU specs even though he said it himself that not everything is known about the systems but he is now making claims with leaked specs? And now come launch with benchmarks and a word from a dev we know that this is not the case and PS4 has more performance for gaming.

Also this --> http://www.neogaf.com/forum...

" If it comes out after we launch that the difference between 3rd party games is maybe single-digit FPS between the two platforms, will I get an apology or concession?" - Oh look launch came and has passed and not only is this true in that we have seen up to a 20fps average delta in the case of TR we also have resolution, AA and assets differences in some cases. So why hasn't he gone back to gaf and apologized as he was wrong?

Also remember when asked about the TR/multi-plat differences he didn't even talk about the differences and straight away went to exclusives (Ryse) as show of power/defense even though exclusives are always to one to push platforms anyway. http://n4g.com/news/1443424...

Yh the performance improvements DX12 could bring for XB1 are yet to be seen. But it's like people are forgetting that PS4's GPU is stronger by quite a margin so how they can tweak/improve their tools to such a degree to match/suppress stronger hardware is to be seen. Reading how Prt/megatextures work doesn't sound like how people are making out it to be. Read this ---> http://www.anandtech.com/sh... http://diaryofagraphicsprog...

DX12 will obviously help the XB1 but to the degree some people are thinking based on mistermedia's blog is hyperbolic. Do people really believe there is hidden hardware such as *128 MB Esram*, *ARM core + GPU cores* with performance equivalent to 10-12TF* depending on the task in a console for $500/£400.

Ravenor3700d ago

I agree 100% DX12 on XB1 will not be a fully loaded version of DX12, it's likely only a subset of features will be available to the hardware. I also agree 1000% that there is no secret hardware on the Xbox One, consumer electronics don't work that way.

But seriously, every game I've played on my Xbox One has been perfectly fine. Even Tomb Raider, the difference in frame rate isn't important when it swings up and down and is extremely inconsistent on the PS4. I also can't/don't see a difference in texture quality, from where I'm sitting or even on the zoomed in DF images comparing the two.

If you're thrilled with just your PS4 I'm really happy for you, I needed both and personally I'm not crying over the minor differences seen so far. If it gets to the point where XB1 games look like 360 games in comparison to the PS4 version, I'll probably set aside the XB1 for exclusives. But as it stands, it's all about where my friends are. They bought TR for the XB1 so I did too, if they buy Titanfall 2 for the PS4... I hope you get the idea.

Magicite3700d ago

You can't brag about something thats abysmal.

reaperofsouls3700d ago

So the secret source is not longer the power of the cloud but now its DX12? Well is suppose giving false hope to deluded fanboys is better than admitting that the have bought an inferior product at $100 more.

DoubleM703700d ago

I don't see that inferiority you speak of. The features alone is worth that $100 dollars to me and my family. We enjoying those features immensly. Your looking at for just for gaming but I see the whole package.

Major_Glitch3700d ago

What "features" are you referring to specifically? Honest question.

cozomel3700d ago

Oh boy, here we go again with the new secret sauce. When will fanboys learn? I guess never, well prepare to be let down again. Y'all should be use to it by now. The X1 will never be as powerful as the PS4 unless Sony messes up its drivers and SDK and API and devs program to parity. Get out of your hopeful lala land and come back to the real world. Face reality and stop dreaming.

solar3700d ago

the PS4 isnt some dream machine either. just because you are the best turd in the punchbowl doesnt mean you arent in for a fight.

Rhythmattic3700d ago

solar

Punchbowl ? Now this, is Punchbowl......

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

solar3700d ago

both consoles are jokes when it comes to power. Sony and MS sold you all a bill of goods. DX12 wont make the X1 better. no matter what MS says.

ITPython3700d ago

Ugh, great more XB1 secret sauce blather.

Here's the thing... hardware has concrete limits. Software can make hardware work better or worse, but that hardware will always have its limits in what it can and cannot do. No amount of software upgrades will change that fact.

The PS4 has the superior hardware, and the XB1 will never be able to do what the PS4 can if they are both being pushed to their limits. And just like paper always beats rock, the PS4 will always beat the XB1 unless the PS4's hardware isn't being pushed to what it can handle.

That's not to say that the XB1 won't get a small boost to it's efficiency if the software they were using before was less efficient, but it's hardware is the ultimate reason why it will always under-perform compared to the PS4.

Tapewurm3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

Answer to the title of this story (and it is a story...as in somebody is tellin' stories.)

The short answer to the title:

How's about no.

Plain and simple fact is that the xbone is the weaker of the two next gen machines...doesn't make it a bad console by any means...it is just weaker in it's spec's and nothing short of a rebuild will change that.... not enough clouds in the world to make that any different.

Kavorklestein3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

Why the hell does everyone care if people are excited for DX12? I can admit the xb1 is less powerful as of right now, but why can't you sony assholes let the xbots dream? Let them dream in peace! They don't need to be attacked just because they hope their console improves. If they want it to improve, just take it as a subconscious compliment that they know their system NEEDS to improve, I can't believe some people are bashing XB1 fans for wanting the best for their game console. It's the exact same as a sony fan being excited for ps now, or a nintendo fan being excited for a new zelda, just let them be excited. Stop telling them how excited they should or shouldn't be about it. It's like: "Sony fans, do I have YOUR permission to hope my xb1 gets better? Do I have YOUR permission to be excited for Titanfall? Do I have your permission to let a difference of 30 frames be the only thing that dictates if a game I buy is any fun?

Jeez you sony fans just give no room to breathe... I doubt you guys realize how bully-tastical you are. If you think they are somehow less than you, then why kick them while they're down? Just let them dream, and they may get a better system with dx12, but they may not, so just back up off their shit for once. If they are wrong, then you get to say I told you so, but if you are wrong, then you all just look stupid for trying to predict the future, even tho there is obviously a large amount of R&D going into both systems and we have no perfect layout of what the consoles are capable of.. let's just let time go on, wait for the games we wanna play to finally be released, and stop fighting in the meantime...

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maniacmayhem3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

Very interesting and I definitely agree with his assumptions about what Penello said way back when. It looks to be fairly obvious that MS had this planned all along.

It's also pretty obvious that the rumors of MS's premature launch are solid also. Not to mention the other rumor that most of their first party games were not ready for the moved up launch of the X1.

This may lead to seeing MS's actual 1st party titles using DirectX12 and the 2 wave blowing people away as Spencer was telling everyone.

Again, we'll just have to wait and see if all this is true or smoke stacks. Regardless, it's a very exciting time to be a gamer.

Naga3701d ago

That is a really solid assessment. Well put.

Riderz13373701d ago

Direct X 11 was announced June 2008.

It came out in October 2009.

Have fun waiting for those second wave games lol.

FanboyKilla3701d ago

you mean while xbox owners play titanfall and ps4 owners wait and wish for it for 3years?

OpieWinston3701d ago

You do realize that apparently lots of the first pary devs have had the tools for Direct X12 in their hands for a while now.

So the second wave of games will be hitting soon and probably Direct X12 with it.

SniperControl3701d ago

@fanboykilla

Nope, we'll have Second Son to play instead. Lol

zeuanimals3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

@FanboyKilla:

Implying that PS4 owners don't own both or even a 360 or PC... I'll be playing the game on my crappy PC that ran the Beta really well. No need to go out spending an extra $500 just to play one game I can already play for just $50. Actually, it would cost me $620 to play it on the X1, $500 for the console and $120 for XBL and Titanfall.

Slothnut3701d ago

All ten to fifteen hours of it haha

DigitalRaptor3700d ago (Edited 3700d ago )

@ FanboyKilla

And after Titanfall... you'll be "awaiting greatness" right? Cause all I see on the immediate horizon is Kinect Sports Rivals in April. Vs the PS4's near future lineup that engulfs it. Yeah...

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No_Limit3701d ago

Good logic Maniacmayhem,

We will have to wait and see but tile resourcing and the full effect of the ESram in conjuction with DX12 should be pretty interesting.

Fantangoooo3700d ago

well said maniacmayham,Its strongly clear they were not ready for the lunch window as much as they claimed.

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Qwagy UK3701d ago

Normally the first batch of new DX cards blow the previous version of DX out of the water In terms of speed i.e. DX11 card running DX10 software, we are not seeing this with the xbone running DX11 software, the xbone is as mentioned only running DirectX 12 in some fashion and not the full blown DX12 as many are hoping for, to see the full extent of what DX12 is all about and what DX12 is able to do you will need a PC with a full blown DX12 card, I personally will be waiting 4 to 6 months after the launch of DX12 cards before I get 2 (sli) the hybrid cards are always better than the standard ones with higher clocks and better cooling.

Fireseed3701d ago

Unless you know... the hardware requirements were a complete paradigm shift... Kinda like the main point he proposed there.

Alan_Shore3701d ago

MS haven't said if it's running DirectX 12 full blown or just in some fashion will have to wait till GDC hopefully they don't duck the question.

Fireseed3701d ago

Agreed. this is something that NO amount of speculation could answer.

lets_go_gunners3701d ago

Why do these stupid articles get through......By tomorrow this will be the hottest topic and it will just filled with Xbot.....sony pony......blah blah..

cyhm31123701d ago

laughing at those stupid idiots believing dx12 will increase the power of xbone, just like those with the cloud or secret sauce, so stupid, lol.

srd44843701d ago

says someone who has NO clue about Directx. Posts like yours calling people stupid bring nothing to the conversation.

AngelicIceDiamond3701d ago

@Cyhm Nobody said anything about "making X1 more powerful" or increasing the power.

But Direct X is suppose to use the full advantage of X1's power.

So I guess you can say its unlocking X1's full potential.

If its as good as they say its gonna be that is.

christocolus3701d ago (Edited 3701d ago )

I agree with you and besides everyone knows the whole xbx architecture(since the original xbx)has always been built with direct x in mind and i believe ms built the xbox one to be future compatible with the latest direct,which in this case is directx12 cos i remember an article which stated that ms had to do alot more work on the amd gpu in the console and for some reason they had to pay a huge amount of money to enable them do that.

in the end i cant say for sure what os going to happen but for now it all seems to point to one fact "that ms has been preparing for the launch of direct x12 on pc and xbx".. even the direct x team have stated we will know more about the xbox one and direct x12 at gdc.

That aside i hope ms shows a demo of an xbx one game running on dx12. Man E3 is going to be huge. The thought of seeing gears,halo and sunset overdrive at the event is driving me crazy.the wait seems so long.

AndrewLB3701d ago

Care to explain how Mantle gave large performance gains to APU based PC's? Last i checked, Directx is also an API and this refresh is supposed to give much better low level access... just like Mantle.

Show all comments (211)
110°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7212h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

purple1011h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos1h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

XBManiac25m ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad10m ago(Edited 9m ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 8h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 6h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 3h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN20h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo22h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies18h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 8h ago (Edited 1d 8h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 6h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic16h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows9015h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 8h ago (Edited 1d 8h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 8h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 7h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 4h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 7h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 6h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (21)
280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10112d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref11d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde11d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197211d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville11d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218311d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos11d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
isarai12d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref11d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan11d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197212d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref11d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde11d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197211d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197211d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier11d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto11d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto11d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
Hofstaderman11d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts11d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts10d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)