Microsoft has unveiled the new Xbox, and it's called Xbox One. It's Microsoft's first new console in more than seven years. Yes, we've had many expectations for this console, especially since Sony and Nintendo have already taken their first steps in the next-gen landscape. Here's what you need to know that was announced at Microsoft's event in Redmond, Wash.
The Xbox One(Credit: James Martin/CNET)
The original Xbox debuted in the fall of 2005, which feels like a million years ago...even if it's only seven and a half. It's high time for a new console, even if some tech pundits are questioning the value of gaming hardware platforms in the current age.
box One Official Features
Pros:
- New controller has force feedback triggers
- 1080p HD RGB camera
- Time of Flight (TOF) Technology
- Built-in microphone arrays
- Skype integrated
- You can switch between music, videos, apps, OS, and games almost instantaneously
- 300,000 servers with cloud storage
- Achievements are carried over from Xbox 360
- Exclusive partnership with EA for special features (e.g. Ultimate Team in FIFA 14)
- Partnership with NFL
- Partnership with Activision for early DLC for Call of Duty: Ghosts
- Xbox can find you personalized matches while you are multitasking
Exclusive Games:
- Forza Motorsport 5
- Quantum Break
- 15 total new exclusives, 8 are new IPs in first year of service
Cons:
- Xbox One is not backwards compatible.
PlayStation 4 Official Features
Pros:
- PS4 will not block used games
- Users can play games after only downloading a small portion of the game
- Share button allows players to livestream their games
- Offline controller charging
- All PS4 games are playable on the PS Vita via Remote Play
- No startup time, instant resume for games
- Cross-game chat
- All PS4 games available as digital downloads
- PS4 will support Move
- New PS4 controller has a touchpad
- Blu-Ray drive
- "PlayStation App" for Android and iOS phones allow the device to act as a second screen for the PS4
- PS4 supports 4K video output for movies
- PS4 is 3D capable
- Apps such as browsers can run in the background
Cons:
- PS4 is not backwards compatible
Exclusive Games:
- Deep Down
- Diablo 3
- InFamous: Second Son
- Killzone: Shadow Fall
- Knack
- The Witness
- DriveClub
More details about the Xbox One, along with the games exclusive to the platform—fifteen in total, eight of which are all new IPs—will be revealed early next month at E3 in Los Angeles. It's unknown what games will be exclusive to the platform but it remains to be seen whether they'll be able to catch up with what Sony has to offer—and what Sony plans to offer at E3, just as well.
Design
The Xbox One is large, sleek, and black, and looks like a piece of AV equipment. The controller and Kinect unit are redesigned, too: the Kinect and Xbox One, in particular, sport sharp-angled, glossy-black boxy looks. As a set, the Xbox One really does feel like some elaborate piece of home theater gear...and considering its mission to knit entertainment together into a modern all-in-one package, that's clearly intentional. It also looks awfully big, compared with current-gen consoles and how they've slimmed down.
The name "Xbox One" suggests a reboot, a fresh start. Maybe from this day forward, Microsoft's connected living-room PC strategies will spring from the Xbox One. Or, it'll just a be a very good gaming console.