E3 2015: Highlights from Microsoft's Press Conference
During their E3 2015 press conference yesterday, Microsoft dropped a bombshell - the Xbox One will be backwards compatible with select Xbox 360 games. While the list only features 100 games (both disc-based and XBLA), that number is sure to expand in the coming months as developers and publishers simply need to approve which games will be backwards compatible, and Microsoft will do the rest. Digitally-purchased games will appear on gamers' lists, while Xbox 360 discs will trigger a digital download when inserted into the system. This should give extra life to pre-existing 360 game libraries, although backwards compatibility has been proven to be overrated and unnecessary (re: early PS3s, the current market for HD remakes, etc.).
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Another personal highlight from Microsoft's E3 presser was the live Minecraft on HoloLens demo. For those unfamiliar with the Microsoft HoloLens, it's a special VR headset that projects what the viewer sees onto any surface. In the video above, the presenters play Minecraft projected directly onto the table (the cameras are fitted with HoloLens tech to capture and display exactly what the HoloLens users sees. Despite planting my flag firmly in the PlayStation camp, HoloLens can be revolutionary not only for gamers, but technology as a whole.
While these two announcements were the biggest for me, Microsoft made many other game-related announcements, as well as a complete overhaul of the Xbox One controller, referred to as the Xbox One Elite controller and can be seen in the header above, that will be completely re-mappable, more intuitive, and with a revamped D-pad.
I recommend checking out IGN's summary of Microsoft's E3 conference for more!
Microsoft is testing eyewear tech similar to Google Glass
The majority of the Ruby Hornet staff, both editorial and technical, are huge fans of technology. I think it's safe to say that once Google Glass becomes publicly available, we'll invest in one. While others may be thrown off by the notion of wearing a device that has the ability to record everything the user sees (and the privacy issues that arise with it), I like the idea of broadcasting my point of view to the masses. Nevertheless, wearable tech has its supporters and detractors.
Microsoft is apparently part of the former. Word has come out that the company has been testing various eyewear tech similar to Google Glass as a means of gauging what they can do with the technology. In addition to eyewear, they're also researching bracelets and smartwatches. It should be noted, however, that while the tests have been proven true, there's a chance that they won't go past the prototype phase.
Whatever the case may be, I predict 2014 and 2015 being vital years for wearable technology to demonstrate whether they can attract public appeal... or be doomed as nothing more than a tech geek fad. Hopefully, the technology clicks amongst the general population, if only so people can run around yelling, "IT'S OVER 9,000!!!"
[via The Wall Street Journal]
Microsoft may sell your Kinect data to third-party advertisers
It's no secret to anybody that I'm an anti-Xbox gamer. For close to a decade, I've scoffed at Microsoft's entry to the gaming industry. While I acknowledge (and admire) the company for revolutionizing online gaming, there have been way too many missteps made for me to ever fully embrace the Xbox line. While the Xbox 360 has spent the past four years near the top of the gaming industry, due in no small part to Sony's own missteps with the PlayStation 3's first few years, Microsoft's handling of the Xbox One has been more than enough proof to show just how conniving and money-grubbing the company can be.
While they reversed their pro-DRM policies back in June, there was still the worry of the Kinect camera's ability to detect everything from the user's voice to scanning the items and objects in the room. After all, Microsoft is a known supporter and backer of the National Security Agency (NSA), and with their penchant to make money any way they can, the latest news that they're considering selling Kinect data to third-party advertisers comes as no surprise.
Microsoft's Vice President of Marketing and Strategy made a speech at this past weekend's Association of National Advertisers Masters of Marketing Conference about the future of advertising and the "gamification" of it all, stating:
"We are trying to bridge some of the world between online and offline. That's a little bit of a holy grail in terms of how you understand the consumer in that 360 degrees of their life. We have a pretty unique position at Microsoft because of what we do with digital, as well as more and more with television because of Xbox. It's early days, but we're starting to put that together in more of a unifying way, and hopefully at some point we can start to offer that to advertisers broadly."
With the Kinect camera,the Xbox One has the ability to detect everything from the aforementioned voice commands to even a consumer's heart rate. Based off of a gamer's trends, Microsoft can compile data and send that to third-party advertisers, leading to a potential in spam, targeted ads within the Xbox One dashboard, etc. Of course, users can opt out out of this, but at what cost? Simply not signing an agreement? Not actually playing an Xbox One? You're all better off getting a PlayStation 4; this news just helps affirm why the PS4 is a more consumer-friendly console than the Xbox One.
[via Advertising Age]
Microsoft top brass wants Gates out
Don't bite the hand that feeds you, goes the old mantra. Of course, that and really any common sense gets tossed out the window once money is involved. The guys at the top are greedy, what's the difference between $1.1 million and $1.5? Really, though. So, in the latest instance of a company turning on the person that made them, a few of the board members over at Microsoft decided they've had it with this Bill Gates guy, calling for his ouster from his post as Chairman of the board.
Apparently, these three grumpy old men think that dropping Gates will allow the company to move forward more succinctly, that Gates is holding them back. Let's back up. This is the guy that created the concept of the window all of you are reading this post on right now. Gates is the Mick Jagger to Steve Jobs' John Lennon. You don't fire Gods and they also don't usually step down.Not to mention Gates is one of the most beloved businessmen in recent memory, a guy who donates $2 billion a year and still endorses higher taxes on the rich. Rockefeller he is not. He is a genuinely good guy doing genuinely good work, so what are you waiting for-get him out of there!
So, with that, Microsoft, which has real problems (see: Microsoft Surface) that having someone experienced like Gates will help solve, is instead trying to push out one of the most important business and tech minds of a generation. Too bad there isn't a good example of a huge tech company pushing out their founder only to fall apart and ask for him back. . . oh wait.
Don Mattrick breaks up with Xbox, enters an affair with Zynga
Talk about jumping from one sinking ship to another, former Microsoft President of the Interactive Business Don Mattrick recently was named the CEO for internet gaming company, Zynga. Mattrick's departure from Microsoft comes immediately after the scrutiny that faced the Xbox One, resulting in the company backtracking from all of the proposed, pro-DRM/anti-consumer features the gaming console was set to implement. Announced earlier today was Mattrick's replacement, Julie Larson-Green, who is currently acting as the Corporate Vice President of Windows.
Of course, Mattrick might be facing a different kind of problem as Zynga is currently facing its own problems as the once-popular gaming company is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. As the new incoming CEO of Zynga, he will be replacing Zynga founder Mark Pincus, who himself will be stepping down to become a chairman for the company. It'll be interesting to see if Mattrick's past successes with the Xbox (Xbox One shenanigans notwithstanding) can carry over to a vastly different platform. Wall Street at least has faith in Mattrick's influence, as stock for the company closed at a 10% increase.
Mattrick must really thrive on facing problems. It's too early to expect much from Zynga this early in their new direction, but considering the whole online/Facebook gaming fad has all but passed, I don't foresee Mattrick's attachment being enough to bring Zynga back to the level it was at previously.
Microsoft pulls an Xbox One-80, backtracks from absurd policies
Independent gaming website Giant Bomb broke a news story about Microsoft turning its back on its ridiculous DRM policies for its next generation console, Xbox One. Microsoft has since confirmed their intentions to backtrack from such policies in a desperate attempt to win back consumer support, as well as level the playing field with its direct competitor and rival, Sony's PlayStation 4.
For those not paying attention to the uproar Microsoft's Xbox One announcement created, execs had planned on mandating an internet connection for the system as well as creating a stupid system that wouldn't allow consumers to sell, trade, or simply share their games with others. Microsoft is now stating that the Xbox One will function much like the current Xbox 360, allowing gamers to buy and sell used games, share disc-based games with friends, and only necessitate an internet connection upon first activating the system.
It's very, very surprising that Microsoft would be so willing to pull away from the policies they tried so hard to force upon the gaming community during their E3 conference last week. While it's partially true that the sudden retraction was caused by consumer backlash, it's all a business move to make money; unfortunately, some higher-ups will probably face severe ramifications for the shenanigans Microsoft had to face over the last week. Furthermore, if they can easily change face on their policies right now, who's to say they won't once again following the Xbox One's release?
Then again, if you're smart, you already pre-ordered a PS4 and won't have to worry about such things.
[via Microsoft]
Microsoft Reveals New Xbox Entitled "Xbox One"
Microsoft recently unveiled their new console system, Xbox One. Described as a console "where all of your entertainment comes live in one place," Xbox One is shown to be a huge next step for Microsoft in the next generation of console gaming. Kinect functionality has been streamlined with almost 1:1 voice command recognition. The presenter demonstrated this with simple voice commands, including "Xbox: on."
Furthermore, the console streamlines video input channels by connecting the Xbox with Comcast functionality. For example, with a simple voice command of, "Switch to TV," the video input automatically switches from the Game input to TV input. Of course, this function might be limited to TV/satellite/cable providers who partner with Microsoft for the functionality.
Xbox One is aptly titled, building up its functionality as an "all-in-one home entertainment system... one system for a new generation." Of course, this is a gaming console first and foremost. Gaming hasn't been discussed just yet, but keep your eyes peeled on this post as I update it during the Xbox One press conference, complete with screen shots and specifications.
Update 1: Below are the hardware specifications for the Xbox One. According to the presenter, around 300,000 servers will power Xbox Live for Xbox One, amounting to more than the number of personal computers in use in 1999. That's a lot of computers.
Update 2: EA Sports announced their Infinity Engine as being an Xbox One exclusive, meaning the next generation of Madden, FIFA, NBA Live, and UFC will run on the new engine exclusively for Microsoft, whereas PS4 ports will run on a separate engine. Whether this will be a good financial move for EA will take time to tell. However, I feel like the art direction looks too cartoon-ish. Screen shots are below. (Note: Screen shots look a little blurry due to my internet connection.)
Update 3: Building on the connectivity between the Xbox One and TV, Xbox Entertainment Studios was formed to touch upon an immersive experience uniting Xbox and TV. Halo: The Television Series was announced, complete with a partnership between 343 Industries and one of the greatest names in sci-fi/fantasy, Steven Spielberg.
An exclusive partnership was also announced between Microsoft and NLF to include live fantasy football updates displayed on-screen during NFL games. For example, if Jay Cutler was on your team and scores a touchdown, an update would pop up on screen showing all of his stats.
