XDK | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Tue, 26 May 2020 10:10:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.11 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png XDK | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Original Xbox source code and development kit reportedly leaks https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/original-xbox-source-code-and-development-kit-reportedly-leaks/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/original-xbox-source-code-and-development-kit-reportedly-leaks/#respond Tue, 26 May 2020 10:10:44 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=469094 While there have been some solid efforts to build an original Xbox emulator over the years, developers behind these projects have often struggled to rebuild the kernel and custom operating system for the console. That could begin to change though, as the Xbox source code has leaked online.  The leak includes the Xbox Development Kit, …

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While there have been some solid efforts to build an original Xbox emulator over the years, developers behind these projects have often struggled to rebuild the kernel and custom operating system for the console. That could begin to change though, as the Xbox source code has leaked online. 

The leak includes the Xbox Development Kit, emulators used for testing, internal documentation and more. Microsoft has told outlets that it is “aware” of the leak and is investigating. However, due to the age of the tools, it isn't necessarily a huge security issue.

The original Xbox was built with x86 in mind but the console's kernel was based on a custom version of Windows 2000 with DirectX 8 support, which emulation enthusiasts have struggled to replicate.

At the moment, Microsoft has its own internal emulators for the original Xbox and Xbox 360, which is used to bring backwards compatibility to Xbox One and soon, Xbox Series X. These emulator tools have not leaked and would be much more of a security concern.

Windows NT 3.5 support ended back in 2001, so the leak should not impact on Microsoft's current software or security.

KitGuru Says: This isn't a huge leak but perhaps with some digging, some of those fan-made Xbox emulators will be able to make some progress. We'll have to wait and see if Microsoft has more to say on the matter in the weeks to come. 

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More evidence that Xbox 720 will be always online https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/console-desktop-pc/jon-martindale/more-evidence-that-xbox-720-will-be-always-online/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/console-desktop-pc/jon-martindale/more-evidence-that-xbox-720-will-be-always-online/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:38:58 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=128669 Despite the horrible beating EA and Maxis have gotten for the recent gaff with the new Sim City, it looks like they aren't the only companies considering the idea of always on systems. Microsoft could very well be pushing for it with the next Xbox and this could lead to used games being blocked too. …

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Despite the horrible beating EA and Maxis have gotten for the recent gaff with the new Sim City, it looks like they aren't the only companies considering the idea of always on systems. Microsoft could very well be pushing for it with the next Xbox and this could lead to used games being blocked too.

We heard recently that Sony wouldn't be blocking used games on the PS4, something that gamers were pleased to hear. It was generally considered that the fears of a next-gen being dominated by new games only was a publisher's pipe dream, but perhaps not. New screenshots of a Microsoft software development kit show features that look to be related to always on systems.

Xbox 720 XDK
Always on, Kinect mandatory? Not happy. Source: VGLeaks

While there's much to digest in the screengrab, the bits that are drawing the most attention are “The console will be ready instantly when users want to play and will always maintain a network connection.” “With this, always on, “always connected,” design” and, “every Durango console will be sold with a new high fidelity Kinect sensor, which will be required for the system to operate.”

So not only will the console potentially need to be online in order to play anything, but you'll have to have a glorified web cam staring at you the whole time while you play.

Other suggestions from the documents are that games will have to be installed onto the local hard drive in order to play, but they will be playable during installation.

KitGuru Says: So what do you guys think of these rumours? Gotta say, if the Xbox 720 needs an internet connection in order to play the games I paid for, that'll be a deal breaker for me.

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