Next-gen XBox might use AMD chips, make old games unplayable

Here's not-so-good news for hardcore Xbox gamers: the upcoming next-generation game console from Microsoft may not run titles for previous machines.

 

A report on Bloomberg said Microsoft may use processors from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to cut costs for building consoles and get developers to create more titles.

 

Quoting people with knowledge of the matter, Bloomberg said the coming Xbox will use an AMD system-on-a-chip "that combines powerful 'Jaguar' central processing units with graphics chips."

 

But the shift to a PC-like architecture may mean Microsoft will abandon the Power PC technology designed by IBM —and will be incompatible with game discs for the present Xbox 360.

 

Yet, it said Microsoft can benefit as developers making games for PCs and mobile devices can have an easier time porting their work to the new Xbox.

 

“We’ll probably see many more titles because the console makers are saying the publishers are back in the driver’s seat,” Bloomberg quoted Richard Doherty, president of technology consulting firm Envisioneering Group, as saying.

 

Doherty added game publishers had complained about having to cope with steep learning curves in adjusting to different architectures of different consoles.

 

AMD is also expected to benefit from the switch. AMD presently provides chips for Sony's upcoming PlayStation 4 console.

 

Officially, however, Microsoft has yet to release the upcoming Xbox's specs. Sony, which unveiled its PlayStation 4 last February, expects to release the console for the holidays.

 

Older games' fate

 

Bloomberg said that while switching to mainstream PC processors will make the new console incompatible with previous generation consoles, Sony has hinted it may deliver some older games online via its Gaikai cloud gaming service. — TJD, GMA News