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Saving games to the Xbox 360's hard drive makes them look better

As I wrote on Wednesday, I have found Microsoft's updated version of Xbox Live to be a mixed bag navigation-wise. And I haven't used a few key features like parties or Netflix yet.

FabledogBut there's one feature I'm using that is undeniably awesome: Saving games to the hard drive. As soon as I got the NXE (new Xbox experience) beta test, I immediately saved "Fable 2" to the hard drive, mainly because the game is constantly accessing data from the disc and it is loud, even by Xbox 360 standards. I was hoping I would no longer be distracted by the noise of a disc spinning with such fury it could fly out of the machine and behead me and I was right. The 8 minutes or so it took to transfer the game to my hard drive was well worth it, because the 360 is now virtually silent while I play.

But there was one extra, unexpected benefit: "Fable 2" looks noticeably better. The graphics are sharper and brighter. So much so that it's like the game, or my graphics processor, has gotten an upgrade. Perhaps someone more familiar with programming can tell me why, but I assume it has to do with the fact that it's easier for the console to access and process all the requisite data, so it has to make fewer compromises to deliver me graphics in real time.

Nobody at Microsoft (or anywhere else) has talked about this benefit that I've seen I can't say whether it will happen with every title. But presuming so, it really makes transferring games to the hard drive a no-brainer, so long as you've got the space. Who doesn't want their videogames to look as sharp as possible?

(In terms of hard drive management, I imagine I'll be regularly transferring and deleting different games based on how much space I have and what games I'm playing the most at the moment.)

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Comments

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"I find this to be a useless function.Dungeon Fighter gold I have my 360 connected to a good surround sound. I am not looking to make things quieter,DFO gold and heating has not been an issue. If I have to put in the disc I am wasting my time to load to my hard drive. cheap darkfall goldI find this to feel like a reason for MS to sell hard drive with the guise of it's less noisy and runs a tenth of a second faster. I was hoping to be able to switch games without having to walk over and stick in a disc.darkfall gold I am doing that now then there is no reason for me to waste 6-8 gbs of hard drive space per game."

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I'm glad I got the larger Hard Drive, but still. It uses a lot of energy, which could be saved by getting solar attic fans instead.

Gamer

Glad I found this.....doesn't seem to make any difference to the games I've tried

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good article, but i prefer computer games!

infants

you need the actual disk to load up the game stored on the hd. so, no, you can't just rent games and save them.

Xbox

I think I can honestly say that the sound of the xbox has never bothered me. Maybe you need to turn up your tv!

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Blu Ray Ripper

in addition to my previous comment i would like to add that i think the rpm of 360 drives are below 5400..

-faraz

Faraz

That is strange since this is not how it should be.. the hard drive has a slower rpm than the optical drive.. so moving the games to the hard drive should reduce quality not improve them.

-faraz from blu ray rippers

Lilly

Yes Fable 2, like any game that uses multiple-resolution textures, will look better when installed to the hard drive because the high-res textures will be much faster to access and will show up at the appropriate time. Cialis


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Mc shan

i buy games at gamestop,they will guve money back if the game doesent work. that means i can buy a game for my 360 and install it on the hdd and return the game and get my cash back...free games!

am i right?

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smithwilliam1

The brightness I've no idea about that one (you sure the NXE update didnt mess with the display settings if left to auto over HDMI).Physical Condition

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Xbox 360

damn you leanr something new every day. But its abit shameful on Microsofts part for them to have to make you install the games if you want them to see the full potential graphically

thx 1138

i still dont see a point to this because you still need the disk to play the game, and its not like the games load quicker

SLADEY

After installing the games 2 your hard drive can any gamer profine in my hard drive play on it ???

David McWilliam

Yeah, its good that I can install Fable 2 to my Hard Drive, I noticted straight away that when I paused the game with the disc spinning it took quite a bit (4 seconds), where as with it installed to the hard drive it took less time and this is awesome. Every game I have installed seems better off in some form.

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Vanguard

Wow you are all noobs. His games look better because the load time of rendering textures has been reduced making the image look cleaner. Studies have shown this to be one of the few perks to saving a game to hdd although it is only true for a few select games Fable II being one of them. Another major perk that most people have not discussed is the fact that you are now not running the hell out of your rom. This will greatly improve the lifetime of it.

Jon

It also helps if you have a scratched disk to download the game. Download time may take a few extra minutes but you can play the game like it is shinny clean.

Jamas

Is there a way to insert a disk into the tray that is used to trick the xbox into thinking that it is game you are playing. This would make it much easier to use because you would no longer have to switch disks, and you could just rent games and copy them.

MarcoLicious

Ahhh..good thing i got 120GBs I love my xbox360Elite it was worth it

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About

Chris Morris reports on the business and culture of video games and offers analysis of recent events and industry trends.
Tips and feedback are encouraged at chris.r.morris-at-gmail-com




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