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Microsoft to start testing updated Xbox 360 disc format
According to Digital Foundry's "highly placed development source", the maximum space allocated to game data on the current disc format is just 6.8GB out of a maximum of 7.95GB on a standard dual layer DVD, with over 1GB dedicated to a DVD-Video partition that also contained anti-piracy security sectors. Support for the new format will come along with the next system update for the console and it basically frees the aforementioned locked-off portion of the disc.
The idea, apparently, is to lift some limitations on graphics and game size by optimizing how the video partition and anti-piracy system work. To participate on the beta, U.S. based Xbox 360 owners must register at the Microsoft Connect site with their Windows Live ID connected to their Xbox Live Gamertag. Those selected will get a free copy of Halo: Reach, in a disc using the new format, and Microsoft will presumably collect performance information from their systems.
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User Comments (13)
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Mizzou on March 30, 2011 10:32 AM |
I wonder if this is the DVD format Toshiba was developing after the HD format war, it was supposed to retain backward compatibility and still offer more storage space. There's a little bit about it in this audioholics article from 2009, Toshiba’s New BD Attack Vector. Free game, I might go ahead and signup for the trial. |
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Guest on March 30, 2011 11:13 AM |
Microsoft tried that back in the 90's with the 1.44 floppy disk. Other than their own software, it never went anywhere. |
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Guest on March 30, 2011 12:04 PM |
remove the signup link it is closed |
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brianmsu on March 30, 2011 12:08 PM |
Mizzou said: I wonder if this is the DVD format Toshiba was developing after the HD format war, it was supposed to retain backward compatibility and still offer more storage space. There's a little bit about it in this audioholics article from 2009, Toshiba’s New BD Attack Vector. Free game, I might go ahead and signup for the trial. Guest said: I think you are both misinterpreting it..... microsoft tried this before.... a dvd allows X amount of storage the current games have D amount of extraneous bulsh thus the current games can only be X-D big microsoft is trying to get rid of D there is no new media TYPE, just different format of the same type |
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gwailo247 on March 30, 2011 12:12 PM |
The real question is why does it take a GIGABYTE of data for antipiracy measures? |
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Lokalaskurar on March 30, 2011 12:28 PM |
gwailo247 said: Five men threatened by pirates every morning and a bucketload of insecureness :3 , no seriously - companies need to take action now, piracy is costing them BIG money by the second. (sigh)
The real question is why does it take a GIGABYTE of data for antipiracy measures? |
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Guest on March 30, 2011 12:39 PM |
If the game industry wants give a boost to the market (except the better graphics) the best which can do with the current hardware consoles, is to focus on games that require high Artificial Intelligence procedures. The problem comes from the the shooters (like halo, call of duty, battlefield etc) because they use long range combat and the gameplay goes to hide, aim and shoot. If they had close range combat (like ninja gaiden for example) the gameplay would require much more work in the piece of AI and the final result would be much more complex and interesting for the player. |
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Guest on March 30, 2011 2:41 PM |
To bad they just don't use Blu-ray. |
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mccartercar on March 30, 2011 6:36 PM |
In other words... Microsoft is admitting defeat on piracy and instead of spending money and space on DRM they got smart and will be saving money from less production materials. IMO |
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ramonsterns on March 30, 2011 7:11 PM |
mccartercar said: Haha.Microsoft is admitting defeat Oh wait, you're being serious. |
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stewi0001 on March 31, 2011 6:31 AM |
Guest said: Sony would sue them XD
To bad they just don't use Blu-ray. |
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trillionsin on March 31, 2011 8:20 AM |
I feel like this may actually be mroe to deter pirates than increase space by 1GB. I mean... why 1GB? What is the big deal there... why make this big deal in doing this when instead they could come out with a new format and double storage space. The technology is here. |
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burty117 on March 31, 2011 11:32 AM |
wow! 1GB! what the hell is stored in that space to stop pirating? It still happens so obviously 1GB of whatever it is doesn't work so why not get rid of it completely? seriously though that is all the data that current xbox games have had to use? no wonder why games such as Forza have had to use 2 disks. most the space is taken up with anti-piracy code! which doesn't work! This is probably a good thing and will help prolong the life of the Xbox 360 but I do wonder what the next Xbox will use? Sony would License the crap out of Microsoft for Blue-Ray? maybe Microsoft could use HD-DVD exclusively for the Xbox? thats 5 times more storage space and since its already a failed product Toshiba would probably License it without charging some silly amount. |
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