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XBOX

Blu-ray Is Already Obsolete

- Microsoft says while looking towards digital download

By: Andrei Dumitrescu, Games Editor

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It's time for more news from the console and format wars. The Format War, which infuriated customers everywhere with the dual standards that Toshiba, aka HD-DVD, and Sony, aka Blu-ray, pushed, was won by Sony, after Toshiba had decided to renounce its champion. The Console Wars, that pit Microsoft's Xbox 360 against Sony's PlayStation 3, with Nintendo's Wii just outside the ring, are still in progress.

Microsoft again had something to say about the Blu-ray, after very

conflicting attitudes towards it had been witnessed in the company. CEO Steve Ballmer said that Microsoft was ready to use the Blu-ray where it would enhance the company's products (hint, Xbox, hint) while Aaron Greenberg, console top man at Microsoft, denied any move to bring the Blu-ray technology to the Xbox.

Now, Xbox Europe boss Chris Lewis pitched in his views regarding the subject. For him, the age of all disk-in-a-box products is gone and the future is made up of digital downloads. "More and more people's ongoing and ever-increasing downloading of music and movies is becoming the de facto. I think that's going to happen in very short order; people want to consume that way," he said, pointing out that games are going to take the same route real soon.

For Chris, it's much more important for the team behind the Xbox to put more resources and more talent behind developing things like Marketplace, and better connectivity, because the on-line aspect will soon become an advantage in the fight against Sony and the PS3. Lewis stated: "I think other factors, specifically our architecture around downloads, is far more advantageous and important for the future. We are best placed to offer that, we already offer that, our online pedigree is such that we will offer the best and most seamless experience."

So, it's starting to look like no Blu-ray add-on for the Xbox. Does that make you sad or happy, Xbox users? Drop us a comment.

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Blu-ray Is Already Obsolete - USER OPINIONS

Comment #1 by anon on 2008-03-18, 01:24 GMT	reply to this comment
I think this is a worrying trend. I read an interview where Michael Bay expressed his frustration with HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray. He said that Microsoft was playing them off one another to secure the digital download era for themselves. That was a few months ago and this is now. It seems as though he really had it right! I personally don't like this trend as where I live broadband connections cost an arm and a leg (business and private).

Comment #2 by chris on 2008-03-18, 18:06 GMT	reply to this comment
I have all 3 gaming systems, and with that said only 2 are being played all the time, and 1 collects dust besides playing movies. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD MICROSOFT RELEASE A BLUERAY PLAYER SO I CAN SELL THE PS3. Xbox could destroy sony's ps3 if they release an external blueray player for 200 bucks. Thats the only reason people including myself bought the ps3

Comment #3 by Fred Bradley on 2008-03-21, 08:08 GMT	reply to this comment
It would seem to me, that Microsoft is only holding back a little on the Blu-Ray move, because they went with HD-DVD. But since they sunk alot of money into the HD-DVD, for their XBOX 360 project. They (MS) are wanting to save face. Yes, I do agree with the last poster "Comment #2". MS should release a add-on Blu-Ray drive. This would increase their market share, and also put a hold on some people purchasing the PS3 for just to watch movies. Ok, let's think on this matter of digital downloads for a a few seconds. If there is no box, and no physical media, then would it not be prudent for the price to be cheaper? Why? No media disc to produce - lower cost of production (LOP) No box / manual to produce - LOP No shipping charges to store front - LOP again That would and should make the price lower, I think so. Retail price of Gears of War for XBOX 360 = $59.99 Future Digial Download of Gears of War for Xbox 360 =$59.99 then why would you go that route, same price. It needs to be cheaper for it to work. On a side note, for my personal reasons. "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, MICROSOFT, come down a litte on the price of those games!" $59.99 / $69.99 is outragious. Maybe $39.99, or $49.99. How about a price break scheme: NEW GAME 1-3 months full price NEW GAME after 3 months, $10.00 reduction in price NEW GAME after 6 months, $29.00 What do you think?

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