US Microsoft Vice President and Chief XNA Designer J Allard
Journal of Game Developers Conference, GDC, the reporter recently interviewed the new generation of Xbox (Development Code: Xenon), the new generation of Xbox (developed code: Xenon) 1).
Since Microsoft and game developers have maintained a close relationship, Allard believes that Microsoft can take the lead in launch excellent new generation games than competitors. He emphasized that it reflects the disadvantage of Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) in Cells with high computing performance and new architecture for selling. "According to our feedback from the game developer, they care about not only hardware, but the organic combination of hardware, software, and services".
Compared with other companies next-generation game consoles, Microsoft can take the lead in completing the development of new generation Xbox game software, is one of the universal software development kits and the XBOX development kit. Moreover, since Xenon uses the microprocessor architecture to the IBM microprocessor equipped with XBox, the software developer does not feel any uncomfortable when developing Xenon software. "We have transplanted the next generation of Xbox's OS to Apple PC equipped with two 'PowerPC G5' and provide this development platform to game developers. It has provided approximately 3,000 units over the past 12 months. The software running on this platform can also be run on Xenon. " According to Allard, this strategy is clearly unmodied by the next generation of PlayStation Based on the new architecture. To use a new development platform, develop software that can fully exert microprocessor performance, at least 9 to 12 months.
Multiple CPU kernels can be used alone
Xenon's microprocessor adopts a multiprocessor architecture. In order to run the game software, different tasks can be assigned to each CPU core. "For example, Xenon will provide a unified user interface, but you can let one of the CPU kernel to run user interfaces." The multiprocessor architecture also helps reduce the development cost of game software and the amount of data transfer. For example, you can predict the next step of the user during the game operation, and use 1 CPU kernel to prepare the material displayed in the next screen. "When the game character is still in the city, you can predict that the role will go out to enter the forest. At this time, the fractal technology can be used, and the trees will grow in advance in the background."
Allard did not talk about the situation of the game CDs that Xenon will adopt. However, according to Allard, the large capacity is not too attractive. "Originally, the current game software has not used double-layer DVD disc. From the other hand, if the price is the same, the content is stored on 2 lightings, but also to save the consumer than the consumer. Psychology. With the continuous improvement of video and audio coding technology, the amount of content of the content will further decrease. " For a new generation of discs using blue purple semiconductor lasers, performance is also worrying when reading data flow. "Although the DVD disc can be read 12 times speed, but because the new generation of discs have bottlenecks on the wrong rate, the top is 4 times." Allard also emphasized that even if a new generation of discs should be used, its big premise must also be able to reduce production costs. It is estimated that Xenon will use the HD DVD that does not need to introduce the new production equipment.
