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Microsoft hints at supporting Blu-ray

January 08, 2008 in News comments 33

I have posted in the Neoseeker forums that Microsoft might be forced to to support Blu-ray. I may have been wrong about the reason though. I suspected that game developers would start to take advantage of the capacity of Blu-ray to bring mind boggling games. I still think that will happen but it may be quicker than I (or Microsoft for that matter) expected. If all goes well this will be a win for gamers because developers will not have any excuse for not moving forward. Click the "source" for the complete story.

The gaming and home theatre markets may face a seismic shift if Microsoft decides to opt for Blu-ray in its Xbox 360 console. A Microsoft executive hinted recently that the gaming division may ‘consider’ supporting Sony’s Blu-ray technology.

Digital Journal — It’s the kind of quote that you rarely read from a competitor doggedly fighting in the trenches against a bitter rival: While Microsoft is still backing HD DVD for its Xbox 360, the company won’t rule out joining the Blu-ray family just yet.

Speaking to Reuters, Albert Penello, group marketing manager for Xbox hardware, said in response to a question about Microsoft possibly supporting a Blu-ray accessory if HD DVD failed:
"It should be consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider.
SS4Gogeta via digitaljournal.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Jan 11, 2008

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  • 5
    Mnmfan Jan 8, 08
    Is that Bill Gates I hear crying or Sony I hear laughing?
  • 0
    StarJet Jan 8, 08
    guess its the end of HD if that happens.
  • 4
    Bri Jan 8, 08
    With Warner's half a billion deal and...this, seems obvious to be HD-DVD will be jumping into the line, in front of DVD, to join VHS in heaven. Oh well, at least we won't have to decide between two different formats for all of our movies...
  • -1
    Coi Cki Jan 8, 08
    So if true, does this mean that Microsoft will make a 360 with a blu-ray drive?
  • 2
    Storm Jan 8, 08
    What's the point? They should just wait until the next console, imo. Going from HD-DVD to Blu-Ray would be a joke, certainly will admit failure with that move...but maybe keep some credability by waiting for the next console.

    I hope they don't do another upgrade...it's like Nintendo and their handhelds (GBA, SP, Micro), getting way out of line.
    • 0
      iLLmatic Jan 8, 08
      Define failure for me, because Microsoft has absolutely no ties to HD-DVD.
      • 3
        Arcaida Jan 8, 08
        Does Sony own the rights to Blu-Ray? I'm not sure if they do or not, but if they do, then Microsoft shifting over would totally mean defeat, because they're putting money into Sony's pockets.

        But even so, if 360 games need to be developed on Blu-Ray, then that's going to eliminate the differences in developing for Microsoft and Sony. So unless Microsoft starts buying exclusivity left and right, a lot of games are going to start showing up on the PS3 as well as the 360. If developers can go through the same amount of trouble and make even more of a profit by supplying to a larger user base, they're going to.

        Not to say that this is so much as hindering Microsoft as it is helping Sony.
        • 2
          Cdemon Jan 9, 08
          I fail to see the connection, seeing as how Sony are putting money into Microsoft's pockets by putting Windows on their Vaios.

          Microsoft stated at the start that if Blu-Ray came across as a clear winner in the next-gen format war, they would support that instead of HD-DVD. Obviously, they'd rather have HD-DVD win since they're a lot closer to Toshiba.
        • 2
          SS4Gogeta Jan 9, 08
          Both the PS2 and 360 support DVD9. Just because the game is on Blu-ray does not mean it can be played on both systems. I think the exclusives will continue with each system. Imagine what Bungie could do with the extra space? "Halo 4" YIKES!
        • 0
          Arcaida Jan 9, 08
          I really doubt exclusitivity will stay with too many games. Some franchises, such as Halo, sure, those will stay with Microsoft. But right now a big wall with developers are the formats. Everyone bitched at first at how Blu-Ray was harder to develop for. If the wall is taken down, and if the act of developing is no longer "harder," then there is absolutely no reason for games to not shift across platforms. All they'd need to do is port it from one system to another, which isn't all that hard. The difficulty is just the same.
      • 0
        Storm Jan 9, 08
        It's not about ties, iLLmatic...it's about what they chose to go with in the beginning. They chose HD-DVD, and even that we'd need an HD-DVD player for the 360. Another upgrade would be a stupid move, imo.
        • 0
          Cdemon Jan 9, 08
          Did you not even read my comment? Microsoft backed HD-DVD at the beginning, yes, but only because of their relationship with Toshiba. You're naive if you think they wouldn't back Blu-ray (like Sony backs Windows) if it becomes a monster success.
        • 0
          Storm Jan 9, 08
          When the hell did I say they wouldn't back up Blu-Ray if it wasn't a success? I wasn't even focusing on your comment, Cdemon, I was talking to iLLmatic, did I not make that clear by saying "it's not about ties, iLLmatic?

          Of course they'll back it up once it becomes bigger than DVD...just don't see it happening for a 360 console.
        • 0
          Cdemon Jan 10, 08
          1) Your comment was after mine, which shows your ignorance.
          2) You stated that Microsoft chose HD-DVD at the "beginning" and should stick with that, seeing as how you think another player would be a "stupid move."
        • 0
          Storm Jan 10, 08
          Wow, you're such a bad-ass. I was replying to iLLmatic's comment...thus making mine show up after yours, as you replied to Arcadia or someone else, and Arcadia replied to iLLmatic.

          Shows my ignorance, lol, that gave me a good laugh. I clarified that I don't believe in them making a Blu-Ray player for the 360 console at this point, just wait a few more years for the next upgrade, next console, when Blu-Ray may be bigger...and didn't I say IMO? Does that mean nothing to you? It's just my opinion. "A stupid move, imo."
        • 0
          Seeker X Jan 11, 08
          quote
          1) Your comment was after mine, which shows your ignorance.
          Each reply to the same post goes under the previous reply, which shows your stupidity.
    • 1
      Subzer0 Jan 9, 08
      "What's the point? They should just wait until the next console, imo. Going from HD-DVD to Blu-Ray would be a joke, certainly will admit failure with that move...but maybe keep some credability by waiting for the next console.

      I hope they don't do another upgrade...it's like Nintendo and their handhelds (GBA, SP, Micro), getting way out of line.
      "

      I agree. I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps they could utilze Blu Ray with Xbox 720 or whatever they call it.
  • 0
    Dance Floor Killah Jan 9, 08
    So... a new console with Blu-Ray capability? Or what do they have in mind?
    • 0
      kik36 Jan 9, 08
      Sounds like they would consider an accessory at first.....but eventually they would probably have to install a Blu-Ray drive and create a new SKU
  • 0
    Incidnia Jan 9, 08
    The 360 will never support Blu Ray gaming. Fact.
  • 1
    redneonfish Jan 9, 08
    If its Sony's format, can't they just tell Microsoft to piss off?
  • 2
    Subzer0 Jan 9, 08
    No because in the end, its Sony who will profit from them. So its a win win situation for Sony.
    • 0
      Cdemon Jan 9, 08
      Not really... Last night, I believe I saw a PS3 advertisement that showcased nothing but a nice library of titles on blu-ray. Now I know Microsoft will stick with DVD9 for their games, but what if the X360 functioned as a blu-ray and hd-dvd player?

      Microsoft would most definitely profit more from that then Sony.
      • 0
        Moonrise Jan 11, 08
        They definitely would not.
  • 1
    S v R 2010 Jan 9, 08
    Thats just stupid. It will almost certainly result in failure.
  • 1
    SS4Gogeta Jan 9, 08
    Why wouldn't Microsoft just make an add on for the 360 like the HD-DVD add on? Why would anyone suggest they wait until next platform? Seriously, if developers start using Blu-ray for games Microsoft would be stupid to say "The 360 is now dead. Here's the NEW and IMPROVED 'XBox 180'! Now with Blu-ray!"
  • -2
    Slumpy monkey Jan 9, 08
    Blue ray is a International distributed format so ANYONE can use it. Even microsoft.
  • 0
    Bale Fire* Jan 9, 08
    quote
    Why wouldn't Microsoft just make an add on for the 360 like the HD-DVD add on?
    Because no one is willing to pay the money, only a 100000 HD DVD player add ons have been sold, out of almost 18 million 360 owners
    • 0
      SS4Gogeta Jan 9, 08
      Do you think that would hold true if games were developed on the Blu-ray format?
      • 0
        Shadow of Death Jan 9, 08
        Please tell me you don't mean to suggest that they start developing 360 games on blu-ray...Please don't be another one of those people -_-

        It would be UTTERLY MORONIC of MS to make a new SKU for the 360 that had Blu-ray games....Why? Because where would that leave the DVD9 SKUs?

        Maybe for Next Gen MS will go with Blu-Ray as standard, which would allow them to release games using the storage capabilities (Supposedly can go to at least 300GB storage, depending on the # of layers used)....

        But I say again, I BET 1 MILLION DOLLARS that they don't release a 360 console with a blu ray GAME player...I can MAYBE see a SKU in the future that has a MOVIE player for HD-DVD or Blu-ray, but not one that plays blu-ray games >_> There would be MASSIVE outcry from 360 owners that would complain about being unable to play some new games...

        MS made a mistake by not making the HD-DVD disk drive a standard thing for their consoles, which left them stuck with DVD9's space limitations...They have to live with that until their next console....
      • 0
        Shadow of Death Jan 9, 08
        BTW: Forgot to mention (can't edit on this browser)....But lets not forget that game developers would NOT want to develop Blu-ray/HD-DVD games for the 360 console because there would only be a small market for it (whoever bought the Blu-Ray SKU, which would only be late adopters, and hardcore 360 fans willing to upgrade)....

        In other words, thi would be a piss-poor decision from both a MS and Developer standpoint, to have a Blu-Ray SKU that played Blu-ray games >_>
        • 0
          SS4Gogeta Jan 9, 08
          This is a "Next Generation" gaming environment and DVD9 is last generation. Microsoft when I think about it played this very very well. Think about it they didn't really choose (commit to) a format so they left the door open for both formats. A simple add on solves the problem.
  • 0
    The Power Jan 10, 08
    Looks like Blu-Ray are going to win the battle aginst HD, although I think HD is better all the other things are going for Blu-Ray, oh well, I still like them both.

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