Since the last breath of HD-DVD rumors have been flying about Microsoft’s need (desire?) to get into the Blu-Ray hardware for their 360. The rumor was feasible because Microsoft already spent time working the HD-DVD angle for their “home entertainment” Xbox 360 console.
Although Microsoft’s Shane Kim told Forbe’s, “I can categorically say that we’re not working on a Blu-Ray player for Xbox 360,” there is further proof in Microsoft’s direction: Netflix. From a profit standpoint, Microsoft’s got more to work with in a downloadable digital format with Netflix than they do sending another specification off to manufacturing.
The effort that went into the HD-DVD addon was significant but with risk comes reward, but risk also comes with the chance of failure. Microsoft had to write it off as a failure, do they really need to go through it all again when digital downloads are the future of media? Probably not.
The Xbox 360 is going to be three years old this year, positioning another addon hardware storage player seems like the wrong idea for many reasons:
- Spend your R&D efforts on the next-generation console, not more fluff addons to compete against Sony.
- Blu-Ray for movies is still risky, considering the cost of movies in the market (and their slight increase when HD-DVD died).
- Global adoption of Blu-Ray is still years off
Undoubtedly, Blu-Ray would be a great storage medium for their next-generation console because it could be established as the core storage platform for developers. If the intent is just to play Blu-Ray movies, you’re going to work hard, today, when adoption rates are so low.
Until you can use a Blu-Ray player for both games and movies, stick with digital downloads of movies and retail purchases for games. Maybe next-generation.
Microsoft Settles
Hi guys
Thanks as Always 🙂
I did Not Play that much Games besides hundreds hours of Parh of Exile 2 and I started Ender Lillie. Yesterday the new WWE 2K25 arrived and I will dive into that the next days. I still try to finish Hogwarts Legacy
Regarding your topics: I like the awards, because I think that are all great games, even if I don’t play Rainbow six or Metaphor Refantasia (?). I watched as much as possible, and it’s interesting to see all the games.
Next Xbox: let’s see what Xbox only titles will be released. I don’t get all the games done I already own and want to play, so I have to think twice to pick up another console 🙂
Switch 2: I am more looking forward for this than the new Xbox (even if there are possible 2 years between). I like most of the Nintendo games, because they are easier, shorter and in my opinion most of their games are more casual and you can play for an hour and put it away for some days without forgetting everything.
I played around a lot with my 3D printer, but I think that’s not gaming as meant in this podcast 🙂
So keep the good work going!
Stay healthy and I am looking forward to the next episode!
Greetings.
Ralf