Well, word just broke on the ‘net this past week that Microsoft is moving to the IBM PowerPC processor (the same family of processors used in Apple‘s Power Mac G5) for their next generation of XBox game systems.
Interesting.
So. Randomly putting things together in my head.
First thought: if the XBox is moving to an IBM PowerPC processor — assumedly at least similar to the G5, if not the same processor — wouldn’t they need development/testing machines? Could it be that I’ve finally figured out whose toes I stepped on? I doubt I’ll ever know…but it’s worth thinking about.
Second thought: Not terribly long ago, Microsoft acquired Connectix. This was most notable at the time because Connectix’ flagship product was Virtual PC, which allows Macs to run Windows software through emulation of a x86-compatible PC. Less noted, though, was another older Connectix product that has been discontinued, the Virtual Game Station, which used similar emulation technology to allow the Mac to play original Sony PlayStation games.
Wouldn’t it be cool if Microsoft retooled the VGS codebase to produce a “Virtual XBox” for G5 Power Macs? It’ll never happen, if for no other reason than pure marketing dollars (I’m sure they’d rather have people buy a \$200 Xbox than a \$50 piece of software — playing Devil’s Advocate, though, there might be more profit margin on that \$50 piece of software, plus it would drive game sales…). In any case, it’s also fun to think about.
(via codepoetry)
Just to clarify, they did not get Connectix, just VPC. And VGS was ruled a DMCA violation therefore there’s little chance MS would go after it. =(
Ah, okies. Well, as I said, it was random brain ramblings. Thanks for the udpate (too bad it shoots my theories all to hell, though). ;)
It would be interesting if someone could figure out a way to run OSX on an XBox if MS does make the switch to the PowerPC chip. I’m sure after all of their palpitations over the Linux/XBox contest, they will do their best to see that never happens.