SPOnG began picking up reports two days ago of a survey which various news outlets claimed was an official Microsoft questionnaire about the future of Live. What’s more, several sites ran news claiming to have found proof of backwards compatibility functionality existing in the new Xbox.
One of the survey’s questions said:
Which does sound fairly legitimate on the face of things. The survey also came laden with a series of Microsoft-branded legal notices, again lending weight to the argument that yes, it was indeed on the money.
It was at this point SPOnG took serious action. The world of Internet news reporting is a strange place. A place where initiative and telephones seemingly don’t exist. Ignoring these norms however, we set about combining the Internet with telephony, all held together with a smattering of initiative. And here’s what we found out.
Nosing around the site led us to the legend, “This site hosted for Microsoft by Global Market Research Group” hidden away in the notes. Hitting Global Market Research Group’s homepage led us to a contact, going by the name of Scot Astor.
Speaking to Scot Astor was a slightly strange experience. He sounded a little startled, perhaps uneasy. Is the survey currently running commissioned by Microsoft? “I can tell you that yes, yes it is,” asserted Astor. Next question – So the wording in the survey, the language used is all direct form Microsoft? “Yes of course,” we were told, “Microsoft has approved everything, including the wording.”
Right then, things didn’t add up. Why? Well, as we explained to Scot Astor, we showed it to someone close the Xbox project and they said they’d never heard of it, going as far as to call the language used “laughable.” It was at this point that the story changed. “It’s not through Microsoft directly; the survey is commissioned by a third-party software company working directly with Microsoft. And Microsoft has approved the survey in its entirety.” Which of course opened up the question of which third-party?
“I cannot give you that information,” Astor told us. “What I can do is ask the company to contact you directly.” We left contact details, but no-one called.
All of which leaves the question, is the survey real? Of course, SPOnG has no reason to doubt the word of the contact at Global Market Research Group, though at this point - and for legal reasons - we have to say that it’s probably better for you to mull over the evidence above and make a judgement for yourself. A link to the survey in question will be posted in the forum below.
One of the survey’s questions said:
If you are already an Xbox Live subscriber through the original Xbox system, you can continue to play against gamers who are on Live through Xbox 2 - as long as they are playing a current generation Xbox game. Xbox Live is an online gaming service that works across both the current Xbox system and the future Xbox 2. You will be able to play online and compete against others across both consoles. If you are playing an Xbox game on Live you will be able to compete against people playing that same game on Xbox 2.
Which does sound fairly legitimate on the face of things. The survey also came laden with a series of Microsoft-branded legal notices, again lending weight to the argument that yes, it was indeed on the money.
It was at this point SPOnG took serious action. The world of Internet news reporting is a strange place. A place where initiative and telephones seemingly don’t exist. Ignoring these norms however, we set about combining the Internet with telephony, all held together with a smattering of initiative. And here’s what we found out.
Nosing around the site led us to the legend, “This site hosted for Microsoft by Global Market Research Group” hidden away in the notes. Hitting Global Market Research Group’s homepage led us to a contact, going by the name of Scot Astor.
Speaking to Scot Astor was a slightly strange experience. He sounded a little startled, perhaps uneasy. Is the survey currently running commissioned by Microsoft? “I can tell you that yes, yes it is,” asserted Astor. Next question – So the wording in the survey, the language used is all direct form Microsoft? “Yes of course,” we were told, “Microsoft has approved everything, including the wording.”
Right then, things didn’t add up. Why? Well, as we explained to Scot Astor, we showed it to someone close the Xbox project and they said they’d never heard of it, going as far as to call the language used “laughable.” It was at this point that the story changed. “It’s not through Microsoft directly; the survey is commissioned by a third-party software company working directly with Microsoft. And Microsoft has approved the survey in its entirety.” Which of course opened up the question of which third-party?
“I cannot give you that information,” Astor told us. “What I can do is ask the company to contact you directly.” We left contact details, but no-one called.
All of which leaves the question, is the survey real? Of course, SPOnG has no reason to doubt the word of the contact at Global Market Research Group, though at this point - and for legal reasons - we have to say that it’s probably better for you to mull over the evidence above and make a judgement for yourself. A link to the survey in question will be posted in the forum below.
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Comments
TigerUppercut 28 Apr 2005 10:00
1/10
Radiant 28 Apr 2005 15:33
2/10
"If you are playing an Xbox game on Live you will be able to compete against people playing that same game on Xbox 2"
If you were MS wouldn't you shout about backwards compatibility from across the rooftops?
Why keep a lid (or sliding tray) on it?
But then again how big a problem is not having backwards compatibility?
I mean how many ps1 games do you play on your ps2?
If you were MS wouldn't you shout about backwards compatibility from across the rooftops?
Why keep a lid (or sliding tray) on it?
But then again how big a problem is not having backwards compatibility?
I mean how many ps1 games do you play on your ps2?
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Pygmy_Hippo 28 Apr 2005 18:09
3/10
The best reason for backwards compatability that I can think of is that when they stop producing the first Xbox, after a whilst you won't be able to buy one any more. Not a problem as long as your current box stays healthy - but if it dies you suddenly have a shedload of games that may as well be used as drinks mats.
At least I know with the PS2, and eventually the PS3, that i'll be able to boot up Abe's Oddysee and Tekken 3 every now and again :)
At least I know with the PS2, and eventually the PS3, that i'll be able to boot up Abe's Oddysee and Tekken 3 every now and again :)
saurian 28 Apr 2005 20:08
4/10
But then again how big a problem is not having backwards compatibility?
I mean how many ps1 games do you play on your ps2?
I used to play on my PS2 every day ( almost). Since I have upgraded to Xbox, I have not given it a second thought. The same happened with PS1 when I got PS2. I dont think backwards compatibility is an issue at all. When I get the 360, I will still keep my Xbox, as I have my PS1 & PS2. But it will probably not get much use.
Joji 29 Apr 2005 11:16
5/10
I feel that people want backwards compatibility because of they want to keep all of their best games from previous machines. Along with this having all these machines and wires takes up a lot of space. Obviously we don't want to have to unbox a previous machines just to play a game (though doing so does bring back some nostalgia and shows you why you bought it and appreciate it in the first place).
claudioalex 29 Apr 2005 15:25
6/10
Microsoft is going to relaunch games for Xbox360 that are originaly from Xbox 1, then, Do I have to buy the game again? I cannot play my Original Xbox 1 games?
This is tricky
is this the backward compatibilty?
This is tricky
is this the backward compatibilty?
saurian 5 May 2005 07:13
7/10
I think that the 360 will not be backwards compatible.
I think that the 360 and Xbox 1 will be able to communicate over Live.
Meaning you can have people using the 360 version of Halo2 and the Xbox 1 version of Halo2 playing in the same live session but using different consoles.
That is how I read it.
I think that the 360 and Xbox 1 will be able to communicate over Live.
Meaning you can have people using the 360 version of Halo2 and the Xbox 1 version of Halo2 playing in the same live session but using different consoles.
That is how I read it.
kid_77 5 May 2005 08:40
8/10
saurian wrote:
I think that the 360 will not be backwards compatible.
I think that the 360 and Xbox 1 will be able to communicate over Live.
Meaning you can have people using the 360 version of Halo2 and the Xbox 1 version of Halo2 playing in the same live session but using different consoles.
That is how I read it.
I think that the 360 and Xbox 1 will be able to communicate over Live.
Meaning you can have people using the 360 version of Halo2 and the Xbox 1 version of Halo2 playing in the same live session but using different consoles.
That is how I read it.
Cross-platform online multiplayer? Has that been done before? How difficult would that be to implement?
saurian 5 May 2005 12:07
9/10
kid_77 wrote:
Cross-platform online multiplayer? Has that been done before? How difficult would that be to implement?
Yes, it has been done - I play Final Fantasy XI on PC and there are several players on the same servers using the PS2 version.
It is true that PS2 users lose out in the graphics department, but this in no way affects gameplay.
Given the differences between PS2 and PC, I should think Xbox and 360 would be a doddle to implement.
kid_77 5 May 2005 12:24
10/10
saurian wrote:
Yes, it has been done - I play Final Fantasy XI on PC and there are several players on the same servers using the PS2 version.
It is true that PS2 users lose out in the graphics department, but this in no way affects gameplay.
Given the differences between PS2 and PC, I should think Xbox and 360 would be a doddle to implement.
It is true that PS2 users lose out in the graphics department, but this in no way affects gameplay.
Given the differences between PS2 and PC, I should think Xbox and 360 would be a doddle to implement.
On reflection you're right. If the Live mode of the Xbox 360 version of Halo 2 is exactly the same as the XB original (bar improved textrures/lighting) there should be no problems - especially since they're both being played through the same online service.