Microsoft on HD DVD: No announcements right now

that picture is made of win XD

We all gambled one way or the other. Those of us that bought the PS3 gambled a little more since we had to make the initial investment. If HD-DVD had won, we would be up shit's creek. Those that bought the Xbox at least had the option to wait and see the outcome. Before the Great Console Wars began Microsoft was the asshole company everyone hated. So to microsoft I will bring in the bully from the simpsons to say AHH-HAA.

It's easy to say you have the largest software library out there when you got a year head start. Well done MS!

With Zombo, anything is possible.

These guys:
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/our-gdc-armaments-2008-edition/

What? Microsoft PR department desperately trying to make a positive spin on this? Who would have thought......

When the PS3 lifetime sales in Europe pass the Xbox360 later this year I guess their response will be 'we see this as an advantage as it lets us focus our energy on the US market which is what we have wanted to do from the beginning anyway'

so what is microsoft going to do to make this situation right for people who have $200 door stoppers now?

If Microsoft introduces a Blu Ray add-on, would it really be that attractive to "early adopters" (even though they are about a year too late to really be called that) who will potentially buy a video game machine just to play HD movies? The PS3 still would make more sense to everyone in that demographic.

Are there really that many current 360 owners wanting a Blu Ray add-on? Wouldn't everyone be better served by a new SKU with an internal Blu Ray drive? I wouldn't expect it would be much of a price difference if you just sold your current 360 and applied that money towards a Blu Ray enabled 360 rather than paying full price for an add-on.

For the big picture, this would also get more used (and cheaper) 360 systems into the market. There are still millions of gamers still stuck in the last generation who will never pay $300 or more for a system that might finally be persuaded to catch up to the rest of us if they could jump in with a 360 at < $200.

It may take a little pride-swallowing, but Microsoft could greatly benefit from the end of the format war.

Could any one tell me what would keep Sony (blu-ray group) from denying microsoft the rights to use blu ray?

Because your question is exactly what's wrong with this country now. You buy something that is obsolete and you knew it could become obsolete but still works just fine and your response is what will they do for me or us. Yes it's an ideological rant and that's because of the implication that your question presents.

Msoft's nonchalant shilly-shallying non-committal attitude to their 'chosen' format (Msoft were/ are a major backer, weren't they?) is surely the main reason why the buying public (as well as the industry leaders) have shunned the much subsidised HD DVD format in droves. Why back a format if one of its chief backers publically doesn't actually give a sh*t? Msoft had the money to include an HD DVD drive in the 360, and sell it cheap. But they didn't warbled on about 'choice' and chose to give the impression of having zero confidence in their product, unlike the Blu-Ray backers...especially Sony who, at first glance, seemed to have foolishly bet the farm on it. Look who's reaping the rewards now though. ;)

Toshiba must be rueing the day they teamed up with the Mighty M. Not good to have a HD disc format saboteur in one's team.

:)

I own the HDDVD addon, and as a player it's a bit weak when handling regular DVD playback, especially budget or niche titles (it especially sux for pron). HD, though, is stellar, and that's what I got it for. The mountain scenes in "Deer Hunter", the colors in "What Dreams May Come", everything about BBC's "Blue Planet Series" - these are what drove my purchase.
Now, no new releases. I feel let-down, and hope M$ will have a bit of compassion for all those that jumped into their canoe, just to have M$ bail out short of the rapids.
Meanwhile, anyone hear about any awesome clearance deals on HDDVD movies? Gamestop is bending over people looking to trade them in, but hasn't lowered the used prices (Gamestop offered $25 for Transformers and What Dreams May Come, Moviestop offered $10).

oops, Moviestop is bending us over, Gamestop rulz!