Report: Xbox Infinity Will Conquer Cloud Streaming
The next-generation Xbox sounds like it may knock your socks off.
On Sunday the Wall Street Journal wrote a long piece about Microsoft and the prototypes it created for the next Xbox console after the current Xbox 360 launched in 2005. However, the resulting Xbox Infinity (codenamed Durango), which will be partially revealed on May 21, 2013, will heavily battle Sony's PlayStation 4 in the cloud gaming arena. Sony purchased cloud streaming backbone Gaikai in July 2012.
According to several sources, Xbox Infinity will establish a connection to Microsoft's own farm of game streaming servers, thus providing a smooth high-definition experience similar to what OnLive offers customers and monthly subscribers. This will also allow the new console to play games based on the Xbox 360 and the original console without the need for additional, costly embedded hardware.
Of course, cloud gaming will depend on an Internet connection. It's possible that customers may have an option of purchasing a physical copy with a streaming version for an additional cost, and a standalone streaming version for gamers who prefer not to clutter shelves with discs. Sources said Microsoft was originally cautious about jumping into the game streaming business, but the popularity of Netflix and OnLive – along with Sony's purchase of Gaikai – may have helped push the feature into Xbox Infinity.
Competitor Sony will reportedly use Gaikai to stream PlayStation 3 games to the upcoming PlayStation 4. It will also be used to allow customers to play their game instantly after a digital game has been purchased, aka "Play As You Download." Demos will also be offered through Gaikai so that customers aren't cramming the console's internal storage. Gaikai even allows customers to share with friends and allow those friends to help out by temporarily taking over the game.
Sources told The Wall Street Journal that Microsoft has tested a number of streaming services for the Xbox Infinity including streaming games from far-away servers, sending videos from the console directly to the Web (live coverage?), and "various television technologies." The company has also pushed to expand the Xbox's ecosystem of devices and functions including Kinect 2.0 and specialized glasses designed to compete with other 3D gaming glasses. These specs may even have augmented reality aspects, blending the real world with gaming elements similar to what Nintendo is doing on the 3DS.
The report goes on to talk about Xbox Infinity serving as a set-top-box, allowing customers to plug their satellite or cable TV feed directly to the console. The goal, according to one source, is to make the device connect games more tightly to normal television watching. Thus, if someone is watching an episode of Hannibal on NBC, a message from a friend could pop up, challenging him/her to a game of Call of Duty.
Sources told the paper that Microsoft has produced "multiple prototypes for a new console" and has "experimented with different technologies for it" since 2005. We shall see what Microsoft finally brewed up on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 during the company's live "A New Generation Revealed" event at 10am PDT / 1pm EST right here.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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CaptainTom How is this going to conquer? This sounds exactly like the services SONY has already announced...Reply -
Joshua Reber FYI Just wanted to point this out, the xbox 720 ISN'T called Xbox Infinity, it was a hoax that a group made a while back.Reply -
nevilence not sure what I think of cloud streaming of games, it will be interesting to see where it goes and if its a good serviceReply -
Tig Byson Is it really cloud gaming if I need to buy additional hardware? The appeal of OnLive is that it turns your existing computer, tablet or phone into a full fledged gaming device.Reply -
dietrich1 the ps4 is gonna kill this thing. microsoft should stick with excel and word. rumor has it the ps4 is going to be 8 times more powerful than the top of the line PCs out right now. not even bill gates can deny facts. he's gonna be livin on the streets come christmas time. have you guys screenshots for the 720? looks worse than the wii u. i'd rather buy a wii u just because they're different from a PC, but i'm definitely buying a PS4. i still have the original xbox it's still a great system, 360 was OK but too many hardware issues. the 720 is just gonna be another room heater oh and i also heard there's not going to be a SSD in it but the PS4 is gonna have a 256gig SSD with hologram technology and no joke some games will have smell added which sony will sell these speakers that smell like fire like if you're running through fire. and wind if it's windy. it's going to be insane.Reply -
dietrich1 the ps4 is gonna kill this thing. microsoft should stick with excel and word. rumor has it the ps4 is going to be 8 times more powerful than the top of the line PCs out right now. not even bill gates can deny facts. he's gonna be livin on the streets come christmas time. have you guys screenshots for the 720? looks worse than the wii u. i'd rather buy a wii u just because they're different from a PC, but i'm definitely buying a PS4. i still have the original xbox it's still a great system, 360 was OK but too many hardware issues. the 720 is just gonna be another room heater oh and i also heard there's not going to be a SSD in it but the PS4 is gonna have a 256gig SSD with hologram technology and no joke some games will have smell added which sony will sell these speakers that smell like fire like if you're running through fire. and wind if it's windy. it's going to be insane.Reply -
Trialsking Reply10836858 said:the PS4 is gonna have a 256gig SSD with hologram technology and no joke some games will have smell added which sony will sell these speakers that smell like fire like if you're running through fire. and wind if it's windy. it's going to be insane.
You sir, just made my day with your "information"!:)
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wolley74 Reply10836816 said:not sure what I think of cloud streaming of games, it will be interesting to see where it goes and if its a good service
in the US? nowhere, not everyone can even stream Netflix in 720, let alone games and their multiplayers, its a horrible idea -
10tacle "the ps4 is gonna kill this thing. microsoft should stick with excel and word. rumor has it the ps4 is going to be 8 times more powerful than the top of the line PCs out right now."Reply
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! Dude, whatever meds you are on or narcotics you are abusing, STOP TAKING IT IMMEDIATELY!!!!!! I've read a lot of FUD over the years here on Tom's and elsewhere, but you just broke the mold. Unless of course you are just being an idiot and trolling with stupidity. Oh and I'm also getting a PS4 in place of my PS3...but will still leave the *real* gaming for eye candy to my 4.8GHz, 680-SLI PC running a 2560x1440 resolution monitor.