1050°

Xbox 360 Almost Gets Installs Right: Using Discs Is So Xbox 360 1.0

PseudoSavant has an interesting take on Xbox 360 hard drive installations. This is something Microsoft should really think about.

"One of the interesting aspects of the recently announced "New Xbox Experience" is that gamers will now be able to install/copy their games onto the hard drive. This will be a welcome feature for many people, and I really commend Microsoft on making installs optional (as they should be), however they just missed the mark on making it perfect.
...
I'm suggesting that Microsoft should change how their games are sold. Every game should come with a code that, when entered during an install, would allow gamers to play without inserting the disc."
Alternative Sources:
peskypescado - contributor
Published: 527 days 5 hours ago | Article | E3 2008 | Xbox 360
 
 

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toughNAME - 527 days 9 hours ago
1 -
Just don't start forcing installs on us
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Whoooop - 527 days 9 hours ago
1.1 -
They will be mandaroty in time.... For some games at least.

Believe it.
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Ninja-Sama - 527 days 5 hours ago
1.2 - FF13 is gonna be a mandatory install.
For sure.
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Dragon Boy - 527 days 4 hours ago
1.3 -
Highly doubt they go mandaratory with nearly 90% people still playing on false advertisted 20GB . Add in th fact the maxed out DVD with 7.5 I now have 6 GB left for saved games/videos/music.
1.4 AngryXbot | 526 days 20 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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gaffyh - 526 days 18 hours ago
1.5 -
@Ninja-sama - Yeah I can see that happening, maybe not a full mandatory install, but at least probably a few gigs worth of textures and audio and stuff.

There shouldn't really need to be an install for a 1 DVD game, but I can definitely see it happening for Multi-disc games.
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codeazrael - 526 days 15 hours ago
1.6 - angry xbot
Devil may cry was a mandatory hd install for the ps3 and not the 360. And that was multiplatform.
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drewdrakes - 526 days 11 hours ago
1.7 -
With a big enough hard drive, doesnt this also eliminate blu-ray's advantage? You just install all the discs and then only need the first one.
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Monchichi025 - 526 days 10 hours ago
1.8 - Awww...
The poor Sony fanboys. They don't understand what OPTIONAL means. But give them some lean ency because since Sony has Forced things down there throught from day 1, they can'd comprehend the concept.

MS will never make it mandatory or will allow the developer to make it mandatory because IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. MS is all about the money and doing something like this would not make sense to the bottom line.

So speculate all you want, but MS has proven that they are all about options this generation.
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xhairs9 - 526 days 8 hours ago
1.9 -
First off using the word "fanboys" is against the rules. Second, why is your response to Sony supporters? It should be about the article.

As for mandatory installs? Hardly a burden amongst PS3 gamers.
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chaosatom - 527 days 7 hours ago
2 - "With the game on the hard drive, the DVD won’t need to spin. No spinning, no noise."
wtf. So u don't need the disc?

HOW BIG of a install are going to take place?????
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vitz3 - 527 days 5 hours ago
2.1 -
About half of the Premium console's hard drive space. You can install 2 games, then if you want to play another one the same way you can delete it, then wait another 30 minutes for your game to install.

Enjoy xbox users. Enjoy. Anyone remember the constant bashing that was done when PS3 started having installs? So now it's a good thing because Microsh** is doing it?

Meanwhile, MGS4.
2.2 Microsoft_Warrior | 527 days 5 hours ago - deleted by mod -
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Petitionstation 3 - 527 days 4 hours ago
2.3 -
Devil May Cry PS3 MANDATORY install = 5GB in 22 minutes.
Devil May Cry 360 OPTIONAL install = 7GB in 10 minutes.

Winner = Xbox 360
pwned = vitz3
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uckitsayitchbay - 527 days 4 hours ago
2.4 - @2.3
Nobody actually knows how fast or slow the install times are and i would be willing to bet that there longer than i M$ exec states.. so are you going to belive everything they tell you.. GOD I H8 M$ (ever since i had to PAY!! to get my RRoD fixed because i think i was one of the first batches of the RRoD so it wasn't as famous as it is now my next 3 were covered but i had to pay $99 to fix my first rrod and ms dont give a crap)
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Dragon Boy - 527 days 4 hours ago
2.5 - @2.4 & 2.3
@2.4 - They probably are going to be faster on the 360 because it can read data faster

@2.3

20 Xbox - 13.5 gb of storage
20 PS3- 15 gb of storage

Winner- PS3

120 GB Upgrade - $149
320 GB Upgrade- $100

Winner - PS3

Some may enjoy a faster install, some may prefer the more space, or some may enjoy the price of upgrade.
2.6 Megatron08 | 527 days 3 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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agentace - 526 days 22 hours ago
2.7 - @2.6
and what you dont seem to understand is the ps3 installs are about 200mb-1.5gb(some exceed that) and most ps3s have 40-80gb HDD standard so you never have to delete them..
..now the xbox,it doesn`t mattter that the installs are optional becasue your only going to have the option to install 1 game because your just copying the entire 7gb disc to the HDD and dont give me the crap about oh yeah i can just delete it and instaal another because you wont cause it would be a waste of time to install 1 game (10-30mins) then delete it to do another
2.8 Megatron08 | 526 days 22 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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psnSkareFace - 526 days 7 hours ago
2.9 -
not all ps3 hav 2 b installed eg motorstorm
2.10 Megatron08 | 526 days 6 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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ravinash - 526 days 5 hours ago
2.11 -
Most of he noise comes from the cooling fan, not from the CDrom drive. So this won't make it run any quieter.
Now how much do those MS harddrive cost again?

My PS3 I got the 60GB model and filled it up in just under a year (now upgraded to 250GB). You just can't do that with a 360....and their expecting to run all these downloaded movies and content. Good luck.
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aiphanes - 527 days 5 hours ago
3 - Do people realize that you are now going to have to have a massive hard drive in the Xbox 360?
A 60 Gb hard drive is not gonna cut it. With all the awesome games comming out on the Xbox 360 this christmas...you will need the 120Gb harddrive...and that is gonna cost you almost 50 percent of what a xbox 360 60 Gb system cost. Full game installs are gonna be at least 6 to 8 gigs in size...and lets not talk about Final Fantasy 13..
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MrAnonymous - 527 days 3 hours ago
3.1 - its an optional install
just for ppl that dont want to keep taking out and putting in the next disk for multi-disc games

also, it means less noise from the console, and prolly even less chance for the RRoD cause of it not overheating as fast

so installs are for the ppl that want
less loading time
less noise
less chance of console overheating
no wasting time putting in and taking out discs

that does not mean that you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO install the game in order to play it. I dont mind the loading times as it is right now, so i wont be installing many games...but if i ever do get a game that i MUST play and cant wait, ill install it, then uninstall it after finishing campaign and play ONLINE
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BURLY - 527 days 5 hours ago
4 - It will be interesting to see how this situation develops because it was always a cost reducing strategy of Microsoft to not require a hard drive with the 360.
Microsoft learned many very valuable lessons about the console wars during their first attempt with the original Xbox. One of the biggest was the concept of re-engineering components of a console in order to reduce costs during its life cycle. You see, Microsoft did not own the intellectual rights to most of the components in the original Xbox and was therefore relegated to tedious negotiations with its hardware vendors in an attempt to reduce costs and compete with the PS2. Of course most of these hardware “partners” recognized that Microsoft was not going to walk away from its massive investment regardless of the situation and were fairly unwilling to compromise in the areas of royalty reductions in associations with hardware re-engineering.

Microsoft now not only owns the intellectual rights to almost every piece of hardware in the 360 but this time around they also integrated their business model into the design process and self designed most of the components themselves. Good examples of this is the direction given to ATI by its Windows Graphics Foundation Team (i.e. responsible for the Direct X standards) to create a GPU with unified shader architecture long before Vista had even launched, or the research and development of a new wireless protocol that was far superior (for videogame purposes) than Bluetooth, ...etc, etc. One fundamental design note however was the mention that they were not going to include a hard drive as standard because (compared to most of the other components in a console) you simply cannot reduce the costs of a hard disk drive in relatively similar terms over its life cycle. In fact this was in part directly attributed to the PS2’s ability to reach ridiculously low mass market prices and no doubt Microsoft wanted to emulate that model – if for nothing else but to reach the billions of people in the new emerging markets of India, etc towards the end of the 360’s life cycle.

Of course the very fast read speeds of the 360’s DVD disk drive would no doubt ensure that this would remain a sound strategy and from a technical standpoint; I see no reason why 99% of all games will still not require a hard drive and remain very playable directly from the disk. I would be somewhat remiss however to not take note that this announcement was delivered during the same E3 as that blockbuster announcement that Final Fantasy was going to be released on the 360 in North America and Europe. I say this because although DVD-9’s hold more than enough space for this generation of video game consoles (which can only really access a maximum of 256mb of TEXTURE MEMORY in the case of the PS3 and 512mb in the case of the 360 at any given time); games like final fantasy that will not use in-game assets during their cut-scenes and instead opt to utilize very long CGI videos – will indeed fill up a DVD-9 disk very quickly! Thus, if Microsoft was going attempt to steal traditional Playstation exclusives that tend to have very long video sequences (i.e. like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear) then an sound strategy would be to allow the games to be shipped on multiple disks and have some of the assets downloaded to the hard drive such that when you finally do start the game you will not be required to swap disks and the videos can be played in the same high definition glory as on the PS3.

Now I know that they have not yet made any direct reference to this developing scenario and whether or not hard drives will be required to play an increasing number of high profile games but an elementary bout of Game Theory would suggest that they probably would not for the time being anyways. However, perhaps we are just seeing the refinement of the Xbox dashboard in preparation to Microsoft’s big supposed Digital download strategy with the next Xbox and the current option to download the games to the hard drive is just a perk. Nonetheless, it is very interesting to think about whether or not Microsoft is potentially abandoning its low cost strategy of not requiring a hard drive in an attempt to accommodate some very high profile former Playstation exclusives (like Final Fantasy) in the same way that Sony also had to abandon its low cost strategy of not having a hard drive as standard in its console as a means to accommodate the tremendously slow read speeds of the initial batch of Bluray disk drives. In the end it may be said that the Hard Drive was the great equalizer between the two formats and heck this option will also allow Microsoft to release a Blu-ray equipped 360 without worry that it won’t be able to read game data on DVD-9’s fast enough for the 360’s existing library of games and also as to not handicap future development / optimization of 360 games – which will no doubt only be released on DVD-9’s and with the incredibly fast read speeds of the original 360 in mind.
4.1 Kami | 527 days 5 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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Ps3Fanboy777 - 527 days 4 hours ago
4.2 - Wya to much for this type of website
Definitely didnt read it either.

It is sorta pointless, you still have to have the disc in so why bother. Especially for the people with 20gb HDMI consoles. Like myself.. I can barely fit a demo on this thing before getting full. And definitely not buying their overpriced hd
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The Lazy One - 527 days 2 hours ago
4.3 - here's why...
faster load times, probably helping texture pop in.

But even more important. NO MORE BUZZSAW.

edit: also, I read the whole thing. very good read.
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lagoonalight - 526 days 19 hours ago
4.4 -
stop. posting. this.
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athlon770 - 526 days 14 hours ago
4.5 - A couple of things to note
first, you are dead wrong in this following statement...

"I say this because although DVD-9’s hold more than enough space for this generation of video game consoles (which can only really access a maximum of 256mb of TEXTURE MEMORY in the case of the PS3 and 512mb in the case of the 360 at any given time"

The 360 has a total of 512mb with an extra 10mg of video cache. This does not mean that the 360 can allocate all 512meg of the ram to building textures and such, or are you saying there is no game code? In other words, while the 512meg is shared for both game code and graphics, the game code may take up 300meg leaving only 212meg for graphics assets. Also, the PS3 can use its memory accros the system bus. So you are wrong there as well. Just keeping you honest.

Everything else however was very well written. I agree that you will not need to install every single game to the hard drive and to do so would be silly. I don't agree with the writter of the article about missing perfection. Microsoft did a very smart thing here requiring the disc in the drive...think rentals. I go into Blockbuster to rent a game, I install it to the drive, then what, I get to keep it forever or untill I need the drive space again? I don't think so!
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DJ - 526 days 12 hours ago
4.6 - Yeah, great writing but there were a few technical facts that were off.
Good game engines store very little game content at any given moment, and instead stream that data. While it's easy to fall into the "256MB vs 512MB" texture argument, the truth is that both systems have 512MB to use for texture storage. Also, there is a LOT more game content that has to be put in memory: scripting, models, animation, endomorphs, sound, etc, though textures do take up the majority of the space needed.

If you need proof, play Uncharted. They only used GDDR3 memory for texture storage, and it's still the second best looking title on the market, just under MGS4. But I do know Killzone 2 is pushing game engines into new territory. It has TWO rendering engines, one in XDR memory and one in GDDR3 memory. Crazy stuff.

Also, the DVD vs. Blu-ray speed info is wrong. Blu-ray is technically a LOT faster than DVD. But if we're talking about PS3 and 360's data read speeds, they're pretty much identical. On average, the PS3's Blu-ray drive reads data a little under 1 Megabit per second faster than the 360's (when using dual-layer DVD). Not enough to notice, really. If single-layer DVD is being used (4.2GB) then the 360's DVD drive will read faster.
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ravinash - 526 days 5 hours ago
4.7 -
A really good read BURLY, thank you.
Its nice to have people put some thought into their comments.
Also thanks to athlon770 and DJ for their constructive responses.
I really look forward to the responses that will be posted by the two people who disagreed with you.
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Unreal01 - 527 days 5 hours ago
5 - Er...
Wouldn't it be bit difficult considering hard drive space lol
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Tunerboy8732 - 527 days 5 hours ago
6 - If only the 120GB HDD was at a reasonable price
I could name plenty of better ways to spend $180 I mean thats just ridiculous.I think the new feature is good but to be honest I probably wont use it that often because
#1My 360 is a falcon with a benq drive so its not loud

#2Loading time dont bother me

#3 I only have a 20GB HDD and im not about to waiste space just for 30% faster loading

Its a nice "OPTION" but not something i'll be useing on every game I play.
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Evil Rant Monkey - 527 days 5 hours ago
7 - Why would M$ do that?
<I would just give one of my friends the code, install it on there system, then keep the disc for myself. We'd both be playing the game from a single purchase.)
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DreDawgg06 - 527 days 4 hours ago
8 -
You guys all bring up valid points, Microsoft should encode all multi-disk games(RPGs, maybe Forza 3) so that you can install 1 disk and have another one in the drive for example.
Piracy cannot be stopped so the worry of keygens and such should be if anything more protection since it gives pirates even more things to crack.
For Vic B, Having to delete items shouldn't be that cumbersome. Xbox Live remembers what you purchased and is a short download away. Yes Xbox dropped the ball on choosing a more expansive 2.5inch harddrive and then overcharging them too, but its the size decrease that helps. Sadly harddrives weren't mandatory like the original 360 was, which helps developers and consumers, I mean Microsoft spend a billion dollars on the RROD! My point is the hard drive issue is overblown, You can easily get them online more half the price and when the 60 gig becomes standard go switch them out at a store for free and shove the savings in Microsoft's ass!
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AclayPS3 - 527 days 4 hours ago
9 -
Honestly, I don't think that anyone with a Xbox 360 will be doing installs on their hard drives unless they have a 120GB hard drive because I sure wouldn't if I had a 360.

Microsoft needs to lower the prices of those overpriced hard drives first and then maybe the option of doing game installs would become more attractive. $179 for a 120GB 360 hard drive?! That's just insane. The 120GB 360 hard drive should be at least $99 bucks.

If Microsoft is introducing optional installs for games, they need to stop selling the Xbox 360 Arcade with no freaking hard drive because what's the use of Microsoft coming up with optional Hard drive installations if they are still selling systems with no hard drives?
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Vespertine - 526 days 15 hours ago
9.1 -
I think your right.

I brought a 120GB harddrive on Thursday just because of this feature. Microsoft is going to be making a lot of money from this, I'm sure more and more people will get the 120GB hard drive.
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supaflypriest1 - 526 days 15 hours ago
9.2 -
"If Microsoft is introducing optional installs for games, they need to stop selling the Xbox 360 Arcade with no freaking hard drive because what's the use of Microsoft coming up with optional Hard drive installations if they are still selling systems with no hard drives?"

You said it yourself, it is optional. There are far more 360s with harddrives than without, and even the ones without just wont install games. Win Win situation.
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uckitsayitchbay - 527 days 4 hours ago
10 -
you can always mod your 20 gig hdd to add a 120 gig i read a nice guide somewhere and it requires almost no effort but you have to buy the exact rite drive for it to work
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shadow skill - 527 days 4 hours ago
11 -
They are not giving you an option by making the installs optional they are covering themselves because they simply can't make hard drive installs mandatory because all models need to be able to play the games. If DMC takes seven to ten minutes to install that may translate to seven to ten minutes per disk which means that installing a two disk game could take anywhere from fourteen to twenty minutes.
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The Lazy One - 527 days 1 hour ago
11.1 - OH DEAR LORD!
20-30 minutes?! for an optional install?!

WHAT WILL WE DO?!
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IaMs12 - 526 days 23 hours ago
11.2 -
to me that sound sarcastic, i just cant tell lol but if it wasnt these are perminant installs, which i mean when ever you play MGS4 you always will have to go through with a 5min install between chapters, this its one time deal no more installing, of course unless you remove it you will have to go through the process again...
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FPS nut - 527 days 4 hours ago
12 -
I don't like installs on home consoles, they have no place here. It's nothing but lazy lazy lazy.
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N4Flamers - 526 days 23 hours ago
12.1 - thank you
while i actually like optional installs, i think this guy is nuts. He is critizising MS for making him get up and change the disc. Wow how lazy have we gotten. His solution is to further complicate a non existing problem. then he says that the system should ask you for the disc once in a while because he knows his "solution" is flawed. Also if it ask's you for the disc, wouldnt it be easyer to just not take it out in the first place instead of having to go find it where ever you put it.
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kevnb - 526 days 15 hours ago
12.2 - i dont understand
so are all pc devs lazy?
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gnothe1 - 527 days 3 hours ago
13 - uckitsayitchay
quote from you---->(ever since i had to PAY!! to get my RRoD fixed because i think i was one of the first batches of the RRoD so it wasn't as famous as it is now my next 3 were covered but i had to pay $99 to fix my first rrod and ms dont give a crap)

now since you had to pay how long did it take you to get your money back, because you do know that MS REFUNDED EVERYBODY that paid for the systems RROD repair. an if you really did pay you would know that unless you decided to leave that little fact out of your rant which in return makes you seem like a huge fanboy!! so fess up to your crimes!!

http://keznews.com/1476_Mic...
http://www.gamesindustry.bi...

but anyway no installs for me. i dont like'em on my PS3 so i wont like'em on my 360!
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Wii60Fan - 527 days ago
13.1 - yes but
You are missing the point... they are entirely OPTIONAL!
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sak500 - 527 days 3 hours ago
14 -
As others pointed out, right now its optional. Meaning, i have 10gb on hdd left on my premium, since my current fav is BF:BC so i would install it and play it quickly. Now I want to get some achievements from another game say, (sic) Hellboy so i dont install and just play it off the dvd. Simple XD

Now note to Microsoft: FFS LOWER THE FREAKING HDD PRICES SO WE CAN GET THE BIGGER SIZED DRIVES. STOP charging us more...
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tplarkin7 - 527 days 2 hours ago
15 - Whiners
We get the ability to install games as an option, and before the feature is released, there are people nitpicking it. They whine about having to swap disks, even though we have always had to swap disks!
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