Official Xbox One Thread

[Swarley]

I just speedtested last nite. 60 down 10 up. Seems sufficient.

[Epidemik]

Next Xbox reveal due 21st May, costs $500 or $300 with a subscription, reports suggest

By Tom Phillips Published Monday, 8 April 2013

Microsoft will reveal its next-generation Xbox at an event on 21st May, multiple reports have suggested.

The console will launch in "early November", seasoned Microsoft analyst Paul Thurrot has revealed. These details have been independently backed up by The Verge.

Named just "Xbox", Microsoft's machine will be "expensive" and cost around $500 (roughly £326, although likely higher in the UK). A lower price $300 (£195) model will also be available with some form of subscription.
1

Veteran Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrot in action.

Regarding the console's rumoured "always-online" component, Thurrot reiterated what we knew already - that previous Microsoft design documents have mentioned the feature.

"Looking at some of the stuff I got a long time ago, it actually says 'must be internet-connected to use' in the notes," Thurrot claimed. "And that's all I have, but it does say that."

Recently-leaked internal documentation dated to last year referenced the console's "always on, always connected" design.

Microsoft was coy in its apology for comments made by senior employee Adam Orth last week that appeared to support an "always on" console. The company's statement was careful to apologise for Orth's poorly chosen words while steering clear of addressing the subject in general.

Thurrot's report also mentioned two other unannounced Xbox-branded machines. One, code-named "Yumo", was to be an Xbox device purely for entertainment apps, rather than games. The product has seemingly been canned to avoid confusing consumers.

The other machine is a new budget-priced Xbox 360 model, code-named "Stingray". Due for release later this year, the device will cost just $99 (£65). Thurrot suggested this may mean Microsoft's new Xbox would not play Xbox 360 games.

Microsoft told Eurogamer it "does not comment on rumour or speculation".

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...eports-suggest

[Twigg4075]

I just speedtested last nite. 60 down 10 up. Seems sufficient.

Unfortunately you're in the minority.

[Twigg4075]

If that subscription model things is true and it is similar to what they are offering now they can fuck off.

[IamMedellin]

did this twigga just quote himself?

[Twigg4075]

No clue how that happened.

[Swarley]

VG Leaks: BC for NextBox to be an add on, can play offline

Microsoft is working hard in its new strategy for the next years. The company wants to expand its Xbox brand with two new Xbox. One would be next-gen, the other one would be a new redesign for Xbox 360. Take in mind the Wii Mini, MS would like to offer something similar to Nintendo. This cheap model would be focused as a set top box product, although you will be able to load games too, but the games should be load directly from the HDD. This Xbox wouldn’t have disc drive.

We have received new information about the latest Xbox Roadmap. Our source unveils new details for Durango, Xbox mini and the Microsoft strategy; moreover we don’t forget Kinect 2.0.

Xbox Mini

The “Xbox Mini” is not a 360 add-on, it is a stand alone product that contains Xbox 360 functions for gaming, and alone it is meant to compete with Apple TV. Since it is likely it will not have a disc drive, it is being designed with “always online” in mind, and with internet being required for Live functions. Xbox 360 Games can be played on it by purchasing Games on Demand on Xbox Live (for new purchases) or if already purchased, simply download it. This also applies to music and movies. To further clarify, the Durango will also have these (TV) functions, just with next-genration gaming hardware instead of Xbox 360 at a higher price.

When used with Durango, it offers connectivity with it for backwards compatibility with both disc based and On Demand games, and it’s no more different than what Sony will be doing with Gaikai for playing PS3 games on PS4, only with Xbox it will be done locally and not through the cloud. You can control the Xbox Mini under a single interface and not have to worry about switching between devices in a single display input.

These connectivity functions cannot work with existing Xbox 360 units due to the difference in external interface. The Xbox Mini was designed for this along side Durango.

Microsoft expands its Xbox brand

Getting to the point there are going to be two console as part of the redesigned “Xbox Line” of products. A repackaged and reoriented Xbox 360 unit and the new “Durango” gaming console, both designed to compete with more than Sony in gaming, but against Apple as well.

When the Durango (game machine) launches, it will not support backwards compatibility for 360 games out of the box. Instead, this functionality will come from the other unit that will be networked with the Durango to provide this (not unlike the DVD add-on for the original Xbox).

The purpose of the smaller Xbox unit is to compete with Apple TV, but also provides XBLA and 360 game support which will give it an edge over Apple TV. The rumors of “always online required” comes from the smaller Xbox unit which may not have a disc drive and like Apple TV it would require a network connection and internet to provide any real functionality. It may be possible they will design both consoles to be stackable.

Durango itself will also always be online like any other device (correct with rumors), but it will not be a requirement to play local content and it will not prevent playing used games. Putting in an Xbox 360 disc into Durango will prompt the user to attach the supporting device that is sold separately. By separating the two devices and their functions it will ensure price competitiveness for both pieces of hardware. Microsoft’s delay in announcing these products from April goes more inline with not having a physical set of devices to show (among specification updates), which should be ready by May or June when this information is officially released.

The price goal of the smaller Xbox is $149 or lower and it is likely to not have a disc drive and would require a network connection. Durango will be priced competitively according to PS4′s price.

Kinect 2.0

A different department within Xbox handles Kinect hardware and software. The focus was more on developing and networking both consoles with Kinect more of an after thought at that point, considering dealing with it would be less of an issue even with hardware changes to the main console hardware. Kinect isn’t the primary focus.

The development kits required several pieces of hardware as to combine all “potential” hardware which may or may not be required to work with each other, which also includes the potential for any or all devices to required a network connection, which is where most of the “required” rumors are coming from.

http://www.vgleaks.com/microsoft-xbox-roadmap-2013/

[Handleit_44]

Following Twitter Tirade, Microsoft Creative Director Adam Orth No Longer With Microsoft

If the first rule of public speaking is to know your audience, then the first rule of Twitter is to realize that you are speaking publicly. Last week, Game Informer shared a rumor that the next Xbox would require an active internet connection at all times. Following that, Microsoft creative director Adam Orth (pictured above in his Twitter profile image) took to Twitter with some impolitic thoughts on the matter.

Game Informer has learned from sources close to the matter that Orth is no longer with Microsoft. A call to Microsoft's main switchboard confirmed this fact. Our sources, who wish to remain anonymous, suggest that Orth resigned in the wake of last week's events. We haven't been able to confirm whether this was a voluntary or forced resignation.

Microsoft isn't commenting on the "always on" rumor or today's talk of a May 21 reveal for the console. We can't say for sure if Orth's "deal with it" approach is confirmation that users will need to be online (though with news emerging today of television integration, it's becoming more likely), but we can safely assume that his employer didn't appreciate him commenting on the matter. The company issued the following apology last week in response:

"We apologize for the inappropriate comments made by an employee on Twitter yesterday. This person is not a spokesperson for Microsoft, and his personal views do not reflect the customer centric approach we take to our products or how we would communicate directly with our loyal consumers. We are very sorry if this offended anyone, however we have not made any announcements about our product roadmap, and have no further comment on this matter."

We have contacted Microsoft and Orth regarding his departure, and will update the story with their responses should they provide them.

https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/04/10/following-twitter-tirade_2c00_-microsoft-designer-adam-orth-has-been-fired.aspx

[Atlas]

VG Leaks: BC for NextBox to be an add on, can play offline



http://www.vgleaks.com/microsoft-xbox-roadmap-2013/

interest piqued...

[Swarley]

interest piqued...

I want to say this is an intentional "leak" after the monumental amount of backlash they've received in the past week or so. There were a few sites this morning that broke "leaks" that were all pretty common with the info.

[padman59]

Interesting way to extend the support of the 360. There was some speculation recently that Sony might be planning something similar (or at least another PS3 model) since the size of the cell has been cut in half.

Also, no surprise that Orth is no longer at Microsoft.

[Swarley]

So my guess is you're going to have something that resembles this...




But it functions more like this...

[Twigg4075]

Also, no surprise that Orth is no longer at Microsoft.

I know I'm flabergasted.

[Swarley]

Next-generation Xbox launch titles include 'Ryse' and a new 'Forza'

Microsoft is working on a number of launch titles for its new Xbox console. One of the first games to launch on the next Xbox will be Ryse, according to multiple sources familiar with Microsoft's Xbox plans. Microsoft originally unveiled Ryse at E3 2011, promising an exclusive Xbox 360 release with Kinect functionality. A release has never materialized for Xbox 360 and the company has remained fairly silent about the title's progress, noting that it was still in development in mid-2012 and again earlier this year. The Verge understands that Crytek, along with Microsoft Studios, has been rewriting the game to take advantage of its next-generation console, due later this year.

We're told Ryse is designed to be Microsoft's new Gears of War / Halo mega launch title. It's set in the Roman Empire period and uses deep Kinect integration to allow players to slash and kick at enemies. We understand that Ryse will take advantage of the new body tracking improvements in the next Kinect sensor. Ryse is part of four major launch titles for the next-generation Xbox. Sources tell us that a new Forza title with "super life-like" graphics will also be made available at launch, alongside a zombie game and a family game set on an island with Pixar movie-style graphics. We're told that the family game will utilize Kinect to scan a body and generate a virtual character in the game.

We understand that these four titles are a small selection of the launch titles for the next-generation Xbox. Third-party support is said to be strong in the first-person-shooter genre. Microsoft is also working on some improvements to Xbox Live, including a switch to currency over the Microsoft Points system. Microsoft is expected to hold a special Xbox event in May, ahead of a full unveiling at E3 in June.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/11/4212054/next-xbox-launch-titles-ryse-forza

uses deep Kinect integration

[1ke]

Nothing that they are doing is making by little marbles tingle. Still wanna see the official announcement tho.