Halo 2.5 & XBOX2 news - HD resolution & pre-installed on HDD Xbox2 version

[JayPatel]

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/7408/H...ox-2-The-Bomb/

Have you been naughty or nice? Maybe Santa cares about that when delivering Christmas gifts but we here at TeamXbox have a present for you regardless. You can wait until Christmas night to open your gift or keep reading for what might be the very first real info on Halo 2 Director’s Cut.

OXM was the first to report about Halo 2.5 revealing that the game is planned as an Xbox 2 launch title but now you’re going to read the very first details, straight from one of our most trusted sources:

“Halo 2.5 will be an Xbox 2 launch title and is going to run in HDTV resolution with new, improved textures and graphical effects. All the stuff that people expected from Halo 2 but didn’t make the cut will be there.�


Although our source didn’t specify which HDTV resolution the game will run at, HDTV’s lower spec is enough to get excited. Can you imagine Halo 2 running at 1280x720?!!! We also wonder what was meant by “all the stuff people expected from Halo 2 but didn’t make the cut.� With this kind of top-secret info, you don’t ask; you simply listen. We cross our fingers that this will include online co-op, more multiplayer maps, and the final conclusion to the Halo 2 story.

“The technology that powers Halo 2 has been designed from day one to take advantage of the next generation hardware,� the insider added. “In Halo 2, the Xbox was pushed to its limits but now the game will reach new heights with the advanced hardware.�

But that is not the only info our insider had for us as soon after he dropped the bomb: “Now, here is the twist. Halo 2.5 will come preloaded with the optional HDD. It’ll be one of the two reasons to get the Xbox 2 that comes with a hard drive. The other reason… well, you’ll just have to wait�

Sounds crazy to us but that’s what we have been told. Interestedly, if this is true, the rumor confirms the existence of, at least, two editions of the Xbox successor. Last month, we reported about the supposed Microsoft plan to release three versions of the Xbox successor. Although never in console history has an add-on sold enough to represent a large percentage of the install base, the inclusion of Halo 2.5 would probably sell millions of hard drives and/or other peripherals that includes this special edition.

And supposedly, there’s still one other reason…what could that be?

[Talamasca]

Interesting. At least two versions of Xbox 2. And if Halo 2.5 runs in a HD resolution, would that mean all Xbox 2 games would run like that?

Does this mean I have to buy extra equipment for my TV? It's a 34" widescreen CRT that's HDTV-ready.

[c h u d]

that could work. But I still think it's a bad idea for MS to have more than 1 version. One of the big advantages of the Xbox was that EVERY system had a hard drive and developers could consistently take advantage of that. With that being moved to a peripheral there won't be that consistancy.

[sfu_lifer]

Hm, I hope they upgraded more than textures and special FX. I hope they spent the time to upgrade the low poly models as well.
As for the HD, I'm gonna wait for the PS3 before I spring for an Xbox 2. I'll wait for the inevitable pricedrop

[Carnage]

I'm crossing my fingers that they finish the story.

[JayPatel]

I'm crossing my fingers that they finish the story.

probably wont see that until Halo 3

[mark_in_2k]

Does this mean I have to buy extra equipment for my TV? It's a 34" widescreen CRT that's HDTV-ready.

No, you already have a TV that's capable of HD resolutions (720p, 1080i) so you will be good to go. All you would need is the component video cables.

I personally can't wait for Xbox2, mainly cos of the fact that I have an HDTV and I love the fact that Micro$oft are using my TV in a much better way than Sony with the PS2.

Can't wait till next Xmas

[puff_daddy_58_99]

I am not a big fan of this no hard drive business. I mean, I read that one savegame in KOTOR wouldn't even fit on a memory card. You couldn't save the game without a hard drive. Not having a hard drive will also limit online play and downloadable extras from xbox live, something they will be pushing even harder with xbox2.

[Carnage]

I am not a big fan of this no hard drive business. I mean, I read that one savegame in KOTOR wouldn't even fit on a memory card. You couldn't save the game without a hard drive. Not having a hard drive will also limit online play and downloadable extras from xbox live, something they will be pushing even harder with xbox2.

The lack of a hard drive might not as have much of an impact as you think.

It would if you just pulled the hard drive out of the xbox. However with Xbox2 they'll be able to take advantage of new techologies that weren't availalbe when Xbox was developed.

Like flash memory for instance. They could easilly replace that hard drive with some sort of flash memory and it would me much cheaper, not to mention smaller.

[Fobulous]

drools... can't wait for H2.5 with Xbox 2! Had Xbox since it came out, can't wait to see what the next generation brings. Wonder what this 'other' feature will be?

Could it be that they'll make the Xbox an entertainment unit (plays movies, burns DVDs of tv shows etc?) OR you can surf the net using an xbox?

just some ideas.

regardless though, i'm getting the Xbox 2 with a hard drive.

[Talamasca]

No, you already have a TV that's capable of HD resolutions (720p, 1080i) so you will be good to go. All you would need is the component video cables.

I personally can't wait for Xbox2, mainly cos of the fact that I have an HDTV and I love the fact that Micro$oft are using my TV in a much better way than Sony with the PS2.

Can't wait till next Xmas

Thanks. I guess I'll have to get the Xbox 2 version of the HDTV kit. I have it already for my Xbox 1.

It would be great if you could just hook up standard component cables between the Xbox and TV but I guess M$ needs some extra dough.

[joshmxpx]

Could it be that they'll make the Xbox an entertainment unit (plays movies, burns DVDs of tv shows etc?) OR you can surf the net using an xbox?

as far as i know, xbox is already an entertainment unit, that's pretty much what i use it for, and i'm pretty sure that some people are already using it to surf the net. i don't think they will spring for a dvd burner though, not very high demand

[balou911]

Damn, my game playing days are getting less and less.

Im not gonna buy X2 just to play the conclusion of Halo.

[sfu_lifer]

Damn, my game playing days are getting less and less.

Me too actually. If they don't add anything new to the Halo 2 story, then I'll wait for Halo 3 before I plunk down on NextBox.

[x-batman]

When is Xbox 2 scheduled to be released?