When it comes to "end-users" it's a different story all together. Microsoft knows that most journalists aren't smart enough to know the difference between the two.
That Microsoft is counting mom's, girl-friends, and wives as "customers," in addition to general sales data, is a clear indication that the 360 has failed to meaningfully expand it's actual user-base, demographically speaking, beyond that of the original Xbox.
We're currently in an in-between stage.
BTW, what they're showing is displacement map tessellation. Displacement map tessellation or, for that matter, any kind of tessellation is good for some types of detail creation but not good for others.
What they've shown are some of the more suitable applications for the technology. In the overall scheme of things, it's not going to dramatically transform game graphics as perceived by the user but it does make the artist's ...
but consoles have been doing things like this for quite some time.
There are two main reasons.
In consoles, the developer has a fixed hardware platform and can be creative in how it's used but when developing for the PC, developers have to follow a fairly restrictive rendering path because they have to support a wide range of end-user configurations.
Also, some consoles have been specifically designed to blur the line between CPU and GPU in rendering y...
the Wii is dominant. No contest.
In terms of HD consoles alone, the PS3 is currently outselling the 360 by a huge margin and, since launch, has outsold the 360.
At the rate it's losing marketshare the 360 needs a price cut fast.
Let's not forget that it's running on a different platform.
Rather than have unrealistic expectations let's applaud the developers for the excellent visual design.
It's not just a 7800 (G70). It's a slightly over-clocked 7900GT (G71) with fewer the ROPs and added cache to absorb latency when using XDR. Due to the higher clock RSX actually has more processing power than a 7900GT.
RSX is also unique because it has access to two memory pools and two 128-bit buses.
When it is used in conjunction with Cell, it gains a pre-processors and post-processor (Cell performs both functions).
It is nothing like PC architecture....
Seemed to have a balanced view.
Surprised IGN, Gamespot missed some of the things mentioned in this review. It's obvious that those sites don't really play the games they write about. Their reviews of certain big games are often little more than 2-4 page advertisements.
In overall international sales for all territories, the big loser has been the 360.
VGChartz, which some allege overstates 360 sales, indicates that the 360's ever shrinking marketshare has now dropped below 29%.
Can Natal turn things around for the 360?
but that doesn't explain it not "heating up."
Just look at the articles that are on the front page. How many have exciting titles?
Look at this 180° title:
"This title brings back the challenge of old sch..."
Exciting?
Yet this article by Digital Foundry is stuck at 20° despite having more than twice as many comments and content that, if it were allowed on the front page, would easily get it into t...
Articles that no one cares about like newsletter updates.
There's clearly something wrong when a potential blockbuster article like this does not make it to the front page. It's been stuck at 20 degrees for a very long time.
I'm sure some will like it a lot while others will not like the changes.
BTW: GT5 Prologue >>Forza 3 says Eurogamer: DF
Digital Foundry put up a Forza 3 vs GT5 Prologue comparison and some people are trying very hard to keep this exciting news item hidden from you by keeping this off the front page of N4G through various well-known tricks.
Here it is:
we all know the answer to your question.
Digital Foundry just released their analysis:
http://n4g.com/NewsCom-4200...
Eurogamer/Digital Foundry compares the visuals of Forza 3 with GT5 Prologue and despite 10 comments it's stuck at 20 degrees.
Clearly, someone's trying very hard to keep it off the front page of N4G.
Hmmmm.
BTW: GT5 Prologue >>Forza 3 says Eurogamer: DF
Digital Foundry put up a Forza 3 vs GT5 Prologue comparison and some people are trying very hard to keep this exciting news item hidden from you by keeping this off the front page of N4...
no one gives a crap about this newsletter update and I'm the first person commenting on it.
Yet the following article, a major news item comparing the visuals of Forza 3 and GT5 Prologue by a relatively reputable source (Digital Foundry on Eurogamer), only has 20 degrees!
Hmmmm.
BTW: GT5 Prologue >>Forza 3 says Eurogamer: DF
Digital Foundry put up a Forza 3 vs GT5 Prologue comparison and some people are trying very hard to keep this ex...
Apparently thinks the following:
1) The Wii is not dominant in sales
2) That everyone's sales data (including Microsoft's) must be fake because they all say that that, since it launched, the PS3 sold more than the 360.
3) That the 360 doesn't need a price-cut to boost sales when it's back at it's usual spot at the bottom of the pack.