Xbox 360 Trailers in HD

It would be a bold move to not hype up a machine and deliver the goods better than expectations (as they've killed that already), but up to this point it hasn't seemed like Microsoft has been doing that. They just seem to be reacting to Sony.

 

If they want real time demos (which is what the 360 stuff all over the show floor was) instead of pre-rendered videos (which is what most all of the PS3 stuff was) then yes, it has to run on the current Xenon kit (the G5 tower) which is only running around 30-35% of the speed of the final hardware.

Those numbers were out long before anyone saw anything at the show, so it is certainly not a case of MS trying to go back and "cover" for anything. The simple fact of the matter is that devs know the system is hitting in November and they want press hype. If you want press hype you have to SHOW something running, even if it is only running at 1/3 speed because while the press can make allowances for prototype hardware they're not gonna go crazy writing about stuff they haven't seen.

And Koto is right, even at 1/3 speed the hardware is still plenty fast enough to demo software. If you were at E3 and got a chance to play Full Auto then this is quite obvious as the game on demo was still a blast to play.

It's funny though, I would have thought that people here would be clamoring over the fact that so many publishers are demoing on alpha hardware right now. After all, when in the past have this many people outside the direct industry gotten to see games running on hardware that is nowhere near final?

-hl718

 

Really? That's good news, I though Full Auto looked awful. It's good to know there is a nice game there.

That's very true, but it has taken some of the magic away :-(

I'd rather see amazing renders and be hopeful of an incredible new system than be treated to some 30% demo that doesn't look much better than this gen.

I'm weary of some one that shows demos then says "hey, they will be 3 times better in the end!"

hl718, who do you work for?

 

Me thinkst these videos would make good, albeit large, saves for that Rare game media ftp, since they are Alphas after all. Would be nice to compare and contrast when they actually come out. Hmm, I wonder if those pre-alpha DOA4 screenshots are still around...

 

Kotodama, very nice point. They are not that big, easily fit them on top a DVD or two

 

I only got to play it for a short while but I can easily see it becoming quite addicting. The "rewind" feature sounds incredibly basic, yet it flows into gameplay quite naturally. The first time you try it you'll be thinking "why hasn't anyone done this before?"

I wouldn't be surprised if Gears of War and Full Auto are two of the top launch titles for the Xbox 360.

Yeah, it does kill some of the mystery, but that is a problem that game devs the world over face as fans are ALWAYS clamoring for UP-TO-THE-MINUTE-WE-WANT-IT-NOW information. Do you show something early and risk disappointing your fans or do you hold off until it is done and risk alienting your fans or having them lose interest because you never showed anything. The person who discovers that perfect balance will rule the industry.

Anyone, everyone and no one. That's about as detailed an answer as you're going to get from me as one of the big draws here in the general anonymity. While that does mean I may not be able to back up everything I claim, I figure that my reputation over time has established my general trustworthiness. Take it for what you will.

-hl718

 

Actually this game here http://www.scar.blackbeangames.com/ has a rewind function and has been in development for longer (I guess).

I wasn't doubting your credentials, I was just curious about who you worked for. No one in the industry ever says "I work for X". Don't know why.

Despite what I say, I will buy a Xbox2 when it comes out but only becuase I am a whore for new hardware. Not sure what game I want with it - if any :-(

 

Really? Man, you'd think it was MI5 you were enroling in.

 

...It's tougher than MI5