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Is it a PC? Is it a Console? Blame Microsoft.

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  • 14-09-1999 2:48pm
    #1
    Shinji
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,275 ✭✭✭


    Rumours of Microsoft "shafting" their current partner, Sega, and developing their own console instead, have been floating around for weeks. However, digging a bit deeper reveals something much more interesting going on. My own personal theory...

    Verious clues point to MS trying to develop a unified console platform - wherby your PC, your set top box and probably your DreamCast can all play the same games. Unlike standard PC games, there'd be no installing to the hard drive - instead, the PC would get a "shell" OS, based on WinCE, which you load on top of WIndows. It replaces Windows completely, instead putting in a pile of DirectX stuff and prompting you with an "insert disc" onscreen. Put your games CD in the drive, and it works seamlessly, just like a console. DirectX 7 had a lot of stuff aimed at this in the betas, but they disappeared from the final.

    The same games would play on a set-top box and (probably) on a DreamCast. This would eliminate the biggest problem with PC games - they have to be installed, and they can be a nightmare to configure. And as for what multitasking does to games software...

    If this works out, Sony's Playstation2 could be in a lot more trouble than they imagine...


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    #2
    Hobbes
    Registered Users Posts: 21,264 ✭✭✭✭Hobbes


    It would pretty much kill the DreamCast too. What would be the point in buying a Dreamcast if your pc does the job fine?


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    #3
    Shinji
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,275 ✭✭✭Shinji


    A DreamCast accesses the net, and plays games with great graphical quality, for about $200.

    A low-end PC is mroe functional, but it won't play games half as well as the hardware in a DC... I think there'll still be a market for consoles.


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    #4
    Hobbes
    Registered Users Posts: 21,264 ✭✭✭✭Hobbes


    As pointed out on the other board, The DC costs $200 with no games and no TV adapter. TV adapter is about $30. Games are well, bout $50. So the price is more closer to $300 which can get you a nice low end P2 now over here with monitor.



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    #5
    Geebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭Geebee


    Has anyone considered the fact that a Dreamcast can with a little upgrade become one hell of a PC. Buy a zip drive, with modem included. This allows you to add a keyboard and mouse. Sounds alot like the web tv thing people have been going on about for ages, and in many ways its a pc with that zip drive for a harddrive.


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