Microsoft have announced the first details of their next generation console to rival Sony’s PS4, named Xbox One.
The press conference was heavily weighted towards selling the X1 as a complete home entertainment system, rather than ...
Microsoft have announced the first details of their next generation console to rival Sony’s PS4, named Xbox One.
The press conference was heavily weighted towards selling the X1 as a complete home entertainment system, rather than solely a computer games platform. Its features include:
Integrated live television feeds from your cable/satellite set-top box with Kinect voice command support.
Do two things at once with Snap, the Xbox One’s solution to surfing the net and watching a movie, for if you’re really good at multitasking.
Skype – including supporting calls during gaming via Snap and group calls.
Social mapping via Trending to see what’s popular amongst your friends.
Extensive voice commands to control every facet of Xbox One functionality, including turning it on.
“Xbox One is designed to deliver a whole new generation of blockbuster games, television and entertainment in a powerful, all-in-one device. Our unique, modern architecture brings simplicity to the living room and, for the first time ever, the ability to instantly switch across your games and entertainment.” Don Mattrick, president, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.
This is not a VCR, it is the next generation of Microsoft’s gaming vision.
The tech specs were unveiled as 8GB RAM, an eight-core, x86 processor and more than five billion transistors, as well as a Blu-Ray Player and a more advanced Kinect sensor.
As for the games, it was a sports-centric affair, with Forza Motorsport 5 being exclusively available upon launch, as well as EA Sports announcing a partnership with Microsoft to bring exclusive content. Familiar titles FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25 and NBA Live 14 were also showcased. The conference was rounded off by a trailer for Call of Duty: Ghosts, but included a teaser of Quantum Break, a game from the developers of Max Payne and Alan Wake that promises to integrate gaming and TV.
“Ghost” is apt considering the lack of games titles announced.
Speaking of TV, Steven Spielberg dropped in to briefly discuss an original Halo live-action television series currently under production. Spielberg is executive-producing the venture, with exclusive interactive Xbox One content.
Xbox One will also have full Cloud support including profiles, save games and entertainment. A revamped Xbox Live service promises to revolutionise the process as it exists today, including installing games in segments to allow quicker gameplay, and smarter multiplayer matchmaking to minimise the amount of time players spend waiting in lobbies. Advanced AI, the ability to play against your friends’ “shadows” and recording to allow bragging rights have all been announced.
The physical appearance of the Xbox One is a somewhat blocky and rectangular affair, but it boasts a completely redesigned Kinect sensor that will be much more capable than the current model. It will work better in low light, as well as more readily identifying players’ control motions as well as players themselves. A familiar but updated control pad will work seamlessly with the Kinect to allow a much more well-rounded experience.
A familiar sight but updated with shiny new technology.
Xbox One will launch “later this year” – no official release date yet, nor a price tag for how much this will all set you back. The press conference focussed heavily on sports games, perhaps to showcase the social tournament aspect of the new system, but fifteen Xbox-exclusive titles have been alluded to, including eight original franchises. E3 will likely prove to be the next big announcement about games for the new games console, with Microsoft trying to firmly establish the Xbox One as more than just for gamers with this Xbox Reveal. Visit the official Xbox site for more information.