In addition to showing of its next-gen console , Microsoft also detailed changes that are coming to Xbox Live. The outfit has increased to 300,000 servers to power Xbox One users — up from 15,000 that handle the Xbox 360. Skype and Trending features offer social interaction while the online software will now feature a dedicated game DVR for uploading those Call of Duty exploits for all of your mates to see. In addition to being able to share highlights, searching for your next opponent has become that much easier. Music, movies, games and saved content are all stored in the cloud and devs will be able to leverage Live servers to offer more “living and persistent worlds.” Filed under: Gaming , Microsoft Comments
Microsoft has confirmed what many saw as inevitable: the Xbox will have a Blu-ray drive. The company just announced the victor in the drive wars will be installed as a slot-loading front unit in each of the new units to provide entertainment and gaming input along with a 500GB HDD, a 360-degree switch from Redmond’s last console , as it were. Microsoft heavily resisted the move to Blu-ray in the Xbox 360, but has caved to the inevitable, no doubt having come to an agreement with Sony, the owner of the tech, through gritted teeth. Comments
The latest update out of the currently unfolding announcement in Redmond: the next-generation Xbox will run three operating systems simultaneously. Complementing Windows 8 and RT on PCs and tablets, there’ll be a third distinct version of Microsoft’s operating system that has been pared down specifically for the new console. This will be the main system OS used to run apps such as Skype and other non-game titles downloaded from the Xbox storefront. At the same time, virtualization technology similar to Microsoft’s Hyper-V will be used to allocate the bulk of system resources to a second, dedicated “Xbox OS” when the user loads up a game. This game OS will remain a fixed entity throughout the life of the console, so that game developers can be confident their games will run regardless of how much the Windows side of the machine gets updated. Finally, the third OS sounds like a small layer to assist with the virtualization, allowing the two main personalities of the console to talk to each other. Read on for more. Filed under: Gaming , Home Entertainment , Microsoft Comments
Phil Spencer just hopped on stage at Microsoft’s Xbox Reveal event and has just unveiled Forza Motorsport 5 for the Xbox One . While there’s no firm launch date for the console just yet, the next-gen racing title will arrive on launch day when Redmond’s next gaming box arrives later this year. Microsoft Studios hasn’t published the eye candy-filled trailer it just played up on stage, but you can be sure we’ll update here when it does. Filed under: Gaming , Microsoft Comments
The Xbox One is a big deal for consoles, but Microsoft just made a massive content announcement at today’s reveal event — a live-action Halo TV series. As if the existence of such a television show weren’t enough, it turns out that 343 Industries is teaming up with renowned moviemaker Steven Spielberg to bring the world of Master Chief to life in serial form. Spielberg will be the executive producer and the show will provide “exclusive interactive Xbox One content,” whatever that means. Unfortunately, neither Microsoft nor Mr. Spielberg are telling when the show will actually be available for your eyeballs to view, but it is, most assuredly an actual thing . And just knowing that the follow-up to Halo: Forward Unto Dawn is coming is enough, right? Filed under: Gaming , HD , Microsoft Comments