Microsoft's next games machine may be multi-faceted with console and handheld interdependence.
A filing to the U.S. Patent Office may reveal what Microsoft has planned for its gaming platform after Xbox 360. The patent describes a multi-component gaming system that incorporates both handheld devices and console devices by wired and wireless connections.
The patent’s abstract describes the system as a process "to take advantage of another gaming component's processing capabilities and memory capacity, each gaming component is capable of utilizing another gaming component to process gaming applications."
Should the hardware permit, each gaming component is capable of rendering audio and video information provided by another gaming component. Also, a gaming component is capable of utilizing another gaming component as an adjunct processor to increase system speed. System memory may also be shared among the devices.
The patent also makes claim of the system having at least one gaming console device and handheld device in a master and slave relationship, both capable of running compatible operating systems. Video may also be rendered by one device and outputted to another.
With Microsoft’s ever expanding reach into consumer electronics and software to power them, the company’s next goal may be to have a wide array of devices work together to perform a single goal – and if this patent application is of any indication, video games could where we may first see it.
For example, Microsoft’s multi-component game system could incorporate PDA or other mobile devices running Windows Mobile as a communication tool, or simply as a secondary mini-display. The Zune could be a source for video game custom soundtracks, or as another small screen. Perhaps where the most potential will be, however, is in a relationship with the PC. With the proposed system’s ability to band together processing capability and memory capacity, Microsoft’s next-generation console could be one with true hardware evolution possibilities.
The patent was filed on October 14, 2005 – just over a month before the November 22, 2005 launch of the Xbox 360. Microsoft has made it no secret that it is currently working on the successor to the Xbox 360.
European Xbox boss Chris Lewis last year responded to questions of the next console by saying, “Of course we're thinking about [the next Xbox]. We're constantly thinking about the next thing, we have to. It's my point about complacency - you can't sit back on your laurels in this business - the consumer won't let you, the developers certainly won't let us. So that's happening right now.â€
