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Take this with a grain of salt, but a number of sites are reporting today that the next version of Microsoft's desktop operating system, Windows 8, will let users play Xbox 360 discs on their PCs.
There isn't much information available at this point, and naturally many will be wondering why Microsoft would potentially cannibalize sales of its own console. But with Windows 8 still about a year away, and the company's next-gen console announcement expected in some form at E3 2012, the pieces could fall into place for a smart succession plan of Microsoft's gaming platform.
For one thing, the move would drastically increase the installed user base for the platform, allowing Microsoft to continue riding this console generation and profiting from game sales as it shifts focus to the next hardware update.
The next Xbox may or may not feature backwards compatibility. If Microsoft is developing some sort of emulator for Windows, I don't see a reason why the same functionality wouldn't make it to the 360's successor, but even if it doesn't Microsoft would be covering its back through this PC initiative by protecting people's investment in Xbox 360 games.
Microsoft has previously said it will relaunch PC gaming with Windows 8. The wealth of games that would come through this Xbox 360 integration could be a strong selling point for its next operating system, though hardcore gamers will certainly expect more than just being able to play console games with a mouse and keyboard.
According to the rumor, Xbox 360 on PC will require an Xbox Live Gold-like subscription service, but online gameplay will specifically prohibit cross-platform matchups to keep the playing field leveled. Take it for what it is: a rumor. But with that said, would you be interested in seeing Xbox 360 functionality on PCs with Windows 8?
User Comments: 49
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Zero interest. Console games are built for consoles. I (unfortunately) already have a number of crappy console ports - don't need any more.
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TrekExpert said:
This move does make sense from Microsoft's prospective. With the console being subsidized the real money Microsoft makes is through the $10 they get from each Xbox game sold. If anything they could make more money by selling less consoles. An Xbox live subscription is required which is also a large source of their revenue. My only concern is that game developers will cease to make PC versions of the games as they believe it is no longer necessary. If this were the case all games would be stuck with the dumbed down graphics of the console.
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It's a rumor... relax
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Guest said:
Not interested.
I don't like playing games on a computer with keyboard and mouse. I prefer to play my games on my comfy couch in a social setting with my surround sound system and flat screen TV.
And what makes you think you can't do that on a PC, WITH a controller?
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I just wonder what the impact on cheating will be.
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ddg4005 said:
gwailo247 said:We should remember that with their current promotion, MS is/was giving away an Xbox 360 away with a PC purchase, so obviously taking the next step and cutting out the loss leader production costs out of giving players a physical console and just making it virtual makes sense. The profit is in the games anyway.
This is very very smart marketing on the part of Microsoft.They know that people will not be as eager to upgrade to 8 having just bought 7, so by throwing in stuff like this they're going to get people to upgrade. I'm sure there will also be special promotions with bundled Xbox 360 games as well.
Good point.
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ddg4005 said:TrekExpert said:
This move does make sense from Microsoft's prospective. With the console being subsidized the real money Microsoft makes is through the $10 they get from each Xbox game sold. If anything they could make more money by selling less consoles. An Xbox live subscription is required which is also a large source of their revenue. My only concern is that game developers will cease to make PC versions of the games as they believe it is no longer necessary. If this were the case all games would be stuck with the dumbed down graphics of the console.
Nah, developers will still make PC versions of their games. If anything this is Microsoft's way of transitioning back to the PC as the premier gaming platform. The company might do some foolish things from time to time but they're not stupid. They wouldn't have survived this long if they were.
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wow that be really sweet i would love to play red dead redemption on the pc. ive always rockstar to port it to the pc. if they really do come out with this for windows 8 i would really have to grab windows 8.
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The only benefit I can see coming from this is the look on all those console noobs faces when they vs someone using a mouse and keyboard ... hacks! hacks!
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Ya RDR from Rockstar and few others on PC would rock!!! Mouse-Keyboard..X-box live would pass on.
Grain of salt
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I was interested until I saw "According to the rumor, Xbox 360 on PC will require an Xbox Live Gold-like subscription service..." If that had been in the first paragraph, I could have used the next 60 seconds of my life for something more useful, like searching for a non-prescription nail fungus treatment that actually works.
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dont know what the bitching is about. if you dont want to use the feature then dont use it. i personally think its a great feature to have. i have ps3 and would love to play xbox games on my pc. too many jealous haters out there posting rubbish.
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Kinda smart move, develop a system that suport Xbox game instead of develop every Xbox game to PC, off course this would ruin pc games even further more.
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As a person who already has an xbox + gold account i would love to have the additional option of potentially playing my 360 games on any computer with windows 8 installed on it. p.s. I have a gaming computer (self built), but nothing beats the overall convienance of gaming on a console imho.
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PC gaming is oficialy buried if this comes to reality... Too Sad for me!
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The interesting would be if windows have an emulator for the next Xbox.
Microsoft is a software company so it has benefit to convert the implementation of game consoles from hardware to software (pc emulator).
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Of course i always buy multiplatform games on pc, but for those awesome game that only come on console like Vanquish, Bayonetta etc... it would be amazing to play them on pc with higher resolution (if ever it supports that feature).
And before anyone says i prefer console because i don't like sitting at a desk, well i've been playing pc games on my hdtv while sitting on the couch for a good 5 years already :P
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I don't understand the "all hope is lost" mentality, when it comes to anything that could impact PC gaming, but thats just me, i am a just console gamer after all. I can see where you guys are coming from and do agree to a point, I just don't think its that bad. Bottom line, there is still money to be made from PC Gaming, so i cant see it dying off anytime soon.
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fimbles said:
Quote
"Not interested.
I don't like playing games on a computer with keyboard and mouse. I prefer to play my games on my comfy couch in a social setting with my surround sound system and flat screen TV"
Buy a wireless pad......
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this will make all pc games, console port, making the pc games ****.
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Not sure I like this idea. When it comes to PC games there is high level of risk when picking games. There is zero refunds anywhere if you do not like a game, already have it, poor gift, ect.
Normal places were people get their PC games like Walmart and Game stop for example will NEVER take a PC game back once you get it. They honestly think you copied the game, copied the data and are giving it back or put a virus on it. Even within a 24 hour period. (Honestly a smart person wouldn't need to go through so much work if truly trying to infect someone's computer or sport or revenge) So I think its silly but paranoia can not be denied.
As oppose to normal console games you can buy, sell back and trade. (Given the trade in value is a rip off but its something if you don't like it)
However I wonder if they will refuse the same refund policy for Xbox on Pc idea. Personally I think it takes a hardcore and dedicated gamer to go with this idea anyway. Most PC's Store bought suck and holding a lot of information. It takes a few upgrades to get it to run as smoothly as one may want it too. I would rather have a console and now worry about the work.
I'm pretty old school, and I kinda like my controller in my hand anyway.
But that's just a personal opinion.
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Has anyone responding to this ever written software for a x86 PC? or a power pc cpu? ever
heard of endianess? Even if they made an emulator 360 games would run
like crap on a PC
And its not just the executables, the media (sound, video, etc) would need byteswapped everywhere. fail.
Consoles killed pc games, then forcing pc gamers to play neutered games on their PC's - sacrilege.
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One reason i have a Xbox 360 as well as a gaming rig is that I can play games on the 360 without installing some of the poisoness drm that many publishers put in their pc versions. And playing Xbox 360 games directly in Windows 8 instead of playing the pc version means that you can buy and play used versions of those games. Most pc games won't allow this. And if the emulator is set-up correctly, you should be able to play offline split screen on your big screen. Another thing pc games usually don't allow.
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This sounds like a good idea so if you upgrade to Windows 8 you basically bought a 360...if they go with it. But I'm trying to find out for sure can I still install pc games on Windows 8? If they just make an option to change it to Windows 7 desktop style and still play pc games I'd buy it just for the 360 gimmick. I seriously doubt the new console will have enough power to make pc gaming obsolete and it seems important to keep their bonds diverse in case something fails in their new console and they recall. Either way, if you do upgrade and hate it, someone will make it better and you can always have multiple Os installed on a pc.
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