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!
3 million Xbox Ones, 4.2 million PlayStation 4s sold in 2013
Monday, Microsoft announced that the Xbox One sold 3 million units across 13 different countries in 2013. That's 3 million units in fiveweeks. Astounding number, isn't it? After all, that extra million is on top of the 2 million Xbox Ones the company sold in the console's first eight days. Quite an accomplishment, no?
However, just as Sony was wont to do in 2013, demonstrated by their E3 debut of the system in which Sony not only undercut the Xbox One's price point, but also poked fun at Microsoft's DRM policy, they swept the rug from under Microsoft and stole some of their thunder. At Sony's CES keynote yesterday, the company announced that it sold 4.2 million PS4s in the final six weeks of 2013.
In case you're wondering, Nintendo has sold 3.92 million Wii Us as of October 2013 since its launch in November 2012. They just can't catch a break, can they?
With both the PS4 and Xbox One yet to launch in Japan, as I noted recently, expect that number to increase exponentially during the first quarter of 2014. If you're a visual person, IGN has a few bar graphs comparing the PS4, Xbox One, and Wii U against one another, as well as lifetime and launch sales of the PS3, 360, and Wii.
[via IGN]
PlayStation 4 outsold Xbox One in November
The official numbers are in, and it appears that the PlayStation 4 has outsold the Xbox One in North America last month. After more than a resounding 1 million units were sold in its first 24 hours, the PS4 ended up selling 2.1 million consoles last month across North America, Europe, and some Asian countries. Its highly successful launch netted Sony the largest console launch in history. On the same note, the PS4 was also the go-to console for software as the majority of November's top-selling games were for the system.
However, while the PS4 sold the most consoles last month, Microsoft's Xbox One was the fastest selling console in history, selling its 2 million units in eight days across the world, 900K of those units in North America. With a huge release in the Middle East this week, staggered releases across Asia over the next few weeks, and a final huge release in Japan in February, the PlayStation 4 is due for yet another big upswing in sales.
Which side have you chosen for this generation of gaming?
[via Engadget]
Small percentage of Xbox Ones experiencing disc drive errors
I'm extremely biased towards the PlayStation 4 (and the three preceding PlayStations in the process), so it's safe to assume my heart skipped a beat when I found out early Xbox One consoles were experiencing defective disc drive errors. Sure, what matters are the video games and there shouldn't be a divide between Sony and Microsoft the same way there shouldn't be a divide between Democrats and Republicans. Still, chalk this one up for the good guys.
As seen in the video below, a notable number of Xbox One consoles make a crunchy, disarming sound when a disc is inserted. Following that, the console is unable to read the disc. It appears that no physical damage (i.e. scratches) is done to the discs, so it's most likely a hardware issue with the way the drive accepts the disc. Microsoft has admitted to the problem, stating "We're working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange program. Rest assured, we are taking care of our customers." Affected gamers are also eligible to receive a voucher for a free, digital version of select first-party games (Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Zoo Tycoon).
After a year of missteps and confusion, it seems like Microsoft just can't catch a break. It's all just early adopter problems that will be resolved shortly, gamers... that is, when you jump ship and pick up a PS4.
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[via Yahoo!, via Destructoid]
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 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]
Xbox One release date, price announced at E3
Microsoft's Xbox E3 Keynote conference has just ended, and they divulged a little more information on the upcoming console. While the initial Xbox One reveal was focused on the system's hardware capabilities, Microsoft's E3 conference was focused on some of the games coming to the console. A few notable Xbox One-exclusive games include a new Killer Instinct game, which hasn't been seen on consoles since the Nintendo 64's 1996 release, Killer Instinct: Gold, Forza Motorsport 5, and Capcom's Dead Rising 3.
However, the most important information to come out of the E3 conference was the set date and price for the console. Xbox One has been confirmed for a worldwide release this November at a $499/€499/£429 price tag. This might come as terrible news, as $500 for a console in this age is ridiculously pricey. Especially considering Microsoft's absolutism when it comes to its DRM and used games policy (in a nutshell: sharing games will come at a literal cost and the games you buy aren't necessarily the games you "own),$499 is a steep price.
With Sony's Playstation conference set for 8pm CST tonight, all they would have to do is announce a price tag lower than $499 to take a huge lead in this next generation of console gaming. Stay tuned, gamers.
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.
