Microsoft have released a new video which explains how “advanced cloud computing, all new Kinect technology, and innovations in SmartGlass make Xbox One built for the future.”
The video is presented by Graeme Boyd (AceyBongos) and he discusses the new tech with Xbox Director of Product Planning, Albert Penello, who does not have a cool Twitter handle. Sort it out, Albert.
They begin with discussing that mythical beast, the Cloud, and Mr Bongos asks the question on everyone’s lips – just what it is?
Albert explains that the cloud can be used to store save games and take your content with you, which is something everyone understands because we have GoogleDrives and Apple clouds. He then goes on to explain cloud processing.
“It’s an idea, that over time, that they can start offloading some of the compute on to the cloud,” says Albert.
“An idea”, but something to look forward too. Rather like the Xbox television services in Europe. And support for external drives. And video sharing over anything other than Xbox Live.
It really does sound like the Xbox One is “built for the future”, we just have to wait for the future to arrive so bits of it will start working.
Source: YouTube
DarkLord
Meh PS4 already totally trumps smartglass functionality, the cloud computing stuff is all server and local firmware based and something Sony could easily slip in later on if it turns out not to be a massive white elephant.
I see nothing here new at all that the PS4 already does or couldn’t be added in later (seems like later on seems to be Microsoft’s mantra at the moment)
sparkyscrum
With Gakai tech, Sony already has cloud tech built into the PS4. Whether its power could be used to off load some of the future processing power is unanswered but should be possible especially when you look at how Sony is handling remote processing with the Vita playing streamed PS4 games.
DarkLord
Indeed it’s even perfectly possible to have hybrid games that use disc based resources and cloud (gaikai) processing.
stonyk
I’ll give them the benefit of doubt as the best parts of PS3 came in the 2nd half of it’s life span, but all this does nothing to make me buy one now.
Sounds like the PS4 is the perfect console to buy now, then get xbone in a few years once they get it fully working and it’s had a big price reduction and the exclusives are reduced in price.
Starman
I don’t get how some people have such difficulty understanding what cloud computing is. Could really give the x1 something extra that the ps4 doesn’t have.
Tom Pitcher
I think it’s because in the past with games like Sim City on PC the term ‘cloud computing’ has really meant ‘a way to keep a check on you (piracy-wise, not pervy wise)’.
But like you say, it could be implemented in a way that is truly beneficial to the player in ways we have yet seen in gaming.
My question, since I’m not that tech-savvy, is what calculations would be done in the cloud that the processor of the Xbox One couldn’t calculate itself efficiently?
Starman
@Tom I think they said it could double or treble its computing power, but I may be confusing it with something else. Depends how much can be done with a delay (like things in the next area) vs how much is needed immediately.
yd
I think the problem is more that some people understand exactly what it is and realise that what MS are claiming is complete bollocks.
Yes, it’s useful for keeping your saved data somewhere safe (which Sony already gave us with PS+).
Or you could do some stuff which doesn’t need to be delivered instantly. Process all the other players data and give you ghosts to race against in a driving game. Not something new, really.
But there are 2 main reasons for it that aren’t really in anyone’s best interests except MS.
They can pretend it will give them all that mysterious extra power later on. Which isn’t going to make up for being an underpowered console in the first place. Some stuff really needs to be done locally. It just won’t work if you have to wait for the data to be delivered from the cloud. Not with any sort of internet connection you’re likely to see soon.
And secondly, it gives them a good way to keep people paying. Want all that mysterious magic cloud power? Better make sure you’ve paid MS for it. Better have your gold subscription. And if you made the game, you probably want to keep paying MS for those servers. (Which you won’t do forever, eventually breaking even single player games once you stop)
It’s just a massive con, really. No reason it couldn’t be done on the PS4 either. I guess Sony aren’t quite as desperate to invent reasons to buy a PS4?
blarty
In some ways the Gaikai usage of cloud gaming is better suited as it can accommodate slower, less reliable connections by increasing compression or being able to drop frames in the client in order to try and get as playable an experience as possible (where playable does not necessarily mean smooth and graphical shock and awe)
Tuffcub
Indeed it could, if it does work it will be great. I’m not convinced about the latency issues at the moment, if the cloud is used for, say, enemy AI, what happens when your mum starts watching Eastenders on iPlayer and hogs the bandwidth – do the enemy soldiers suddenly judder to a halt?
They do need to explain it properly, they had a chance here and fobbed everyone off again.
yd
That could be an advantage.
Get to a tricky bit in a game, die a couple of times, let out a shout of “Quick! Everyone start watching Netflix!”, shoot stationary enemies in their faces.
blarty
The problem with Cloud processing and dedicated servers is they’re not the white knight that they claim to be. Cloud processing needs to be ignored for anything that needs to be done under a second (at least), so it limits it to either stuff that they can PR spin but doesn’t matter on screen or things like the processing done via ‘wait for how long?’ in Skyrim etc., or things like near-realtime updates, or where they can deal with partial failure by being able to drop data.
Cloud processing may work well for MMOs, however they’ve always been limited not by CPU processes but by the developers wanting a high number of players on screen at any one time.
Also if every game starts to come with dedicated servers that will just mean you have a latency advantage the closer you live to any of the cloud data centers.
TSBonyman
Sounds to me like the always-connected issue will rear it’s head again in a couple of years.
MrJimmy
Great post tuffcub you are staying on that naughty step!
Amphlett
Built for the future? I’ve just run that phrase through my patented ‘Marketing BS Translator’ and the translation is “It’s not finished yet”.
Bilbo_bobbins
Yaaaawn. To be honest I hope it does work, eventually, but you can’t get around the fact, most of it has to be done locally, not in the cloud, especially with the varied web speeds.
Amphlett
You have a poor broadband speed or even dial-up? Deal with it!