Earlier this morning, Microsoft unveiled it’s new console; the Xbox One. The presentation was an hour long and provided a great deal of information about the console and what it has to offer players. Many people speculate that console gaming is on it’s way out, but after watching this reveal, I know that’s far from the truth.
The reveal opened with a mild introduction. Don Mattrick took a few moments to remind us of the successes and innovations of the previous generations of the Xbox. After only a few minutes we were shown the Xbox One. It’s truly a beautiful machine. Some people dislike the “boxy” look, but I think it’s perfectly fitting considering it’s called the “Xbox.” Unlike Sony‘s announcement of the PS4, we actually got to see what the console looks like. Not only that, but we were given a live demo of the new hardware. We were given much more than just promises. I will admit, the overall presentation was lacking the flare normally associated with an Xbox event, but it did a good job of getting straight to the meat.
The Xbox One design is very simplistic and modern, but very effective. The engineers did a fantastic job creating a recognizable machine with a practical look. It’s not all about looks though, the simple exterior contains some incredibly advanced hardware. In addition to a Blu-ray drive, 8GB of Ram, and a 500 GB hard drive, the Xbox One delivers octa-core processing based on AMD‘s Jaguar design. Here is a full list of system specs for those interested. The new and impressive “snap-mode” allows users to run multiple applications at the same time. Let’s say you are playing a game and get stuck; normally you’d pull out your laptop or phone and look it up, but with the Xbox One, you can call up web-browser right in the middle of your game and have it running on the sidebar while you play. You can even queue up for online match making while watching live TV. Pretty impressive features for a “simple gaming console.”
A majority of this presentation was spent trying to sell the public on the new and improved Kinect. I’ll be the first to say that I was pretty disappointed with the first generation motion camera. It promised so much innovation, but in the end it was dumbed-down and simplified to keep the cost lower. This made the price more appealing to consumers, but made producing quality games rather difficult for developers. Thankfully Microsoft took a good chunk of time to explain how Kinect 2.0 will continue to revolutionize gaming and entertainment. Home screens will be customized and tailored to run seamlessly with Kinect and users can access content easier than ever before with streamlined gestures. Users can also switch between live TV, movies, gaming, and web browsing with single word voice commands. The new camera promises lag-free tracking and captures 2GB of data per second.
Many fans are complaining about the lack of focus on game announcements during the Xbox reveal. Microsoft made it clear when the reveal was first announced that it will not focus on the games during the presentation. They’re saving all major game announcements for E3 early next month. We did get a look at a few exclusives for the Xbox One; Forza Motorsport 5 from Turn 10 Studios and Quantum Break from Remedy, the studio behind Alan Wake and Max Payne. Microsoft also promised 15 exclusive games in the first year, eight of which are new franchises. We can be sure that the potential of this new hardware will spark some truly creative projects.
[youtube http://youtu.be/GQq4__8jBrk]The power and potential is definitely here. It’s up to developers to take this technology and make something magical with it. We don’t have much information of the games that are coming to this system, but I have a feeling that Microsoft will be making a big splash at E3 this year. I will be following this console very closely, so look forward to more news very soon. Until then, feel free to share your feelings on this announcement and the next generation of console gaming.
I thought a lot of people missed the point of this reveal. Sony and Microsoft were very smart to have separate events to announce their new consoles, that way by the time E3 rolls around both companies can focus on all of the new games for these consoles, rather than having the new hardware be the biggest takeaway from the expo.
I totally agree. I feel like Sony used most of their ammo at their announcement. This is a smart move for Microsoft, they can use E3 to really show the other companies what games they have to offer.
I don’t know if I agree. I have a hunch we’re going to see some interesting stuff for both platforms when E3 rolls around. Hopefully I’m right about that, I want this next generation to be highly competitive, it will make things more interesting, and better for us gamers in the long run.
I saw it as the equivalent to revealing a new car. First, they show what the car looks like, later the interior, and afterwards what is under the hood. This is a several stage process, but to your point: the best is yet to come, and this early look went over the head of a lot of people. This was about what it will do IN ADDITION TO playing great games, not INSTEAD OF playing great games.
Very well put. I totally agree. I feel like most people didn’t understand the focus of the reveal. It wasn’t about the games, it was about the new machine and what it offers.
exactly. consoles have to prove their relevance, and that’s what MS’ show did. by showing all the neat features (besides) gaming and why everyone should have an Xbox One in their living room.
That’s what many people didn’t seem to get about the presentation. Thanks for keeping an open and objective mind.
-Mileson
I’m excited about the new console, but I am on the fence about how every device that I own (or will soon own) wants to be “The ONLY device I’ll need for entertainment”. My AppleTV, my actual TV, my Xbox 360 and my blu-ray player all have the Netflix/Hulu apps plus all the other randos that are on these kinds of internet-connected equipment. Plus, I’ll be interested to see how it interacts with Apple devices, considering that I own a lot of Apple products. I already have quite a music and movie library on iTunes, any chance of my Xbox One being able to play any of it? SmartGlass seems to work pretty well on everything Apple so far, but that’s just one step. I LOVE the new controller; everything about it is appealing to me as a gamer, and as a bonus, it’s aesthetically pleasing enough to be left lying around on my coffee table!
I honestly could care less about Fantasy Football and ESPN, but I honestly felt like the Kinect function during the demo was really well done. They have obviously made huge strides to improve the camera and it now functions we all hoped it originally would.
Oh, I love the design of the new Xbox, sleek and sexy. They did a good job in showing us what they’ve been tinkering with and I’m itching to get my hands one one!
On the other hand I wouldn’t have minded more games that go with it, but then that’s just something to look forward to now I guess.
I love the design. It’s super sleek and super sexy. As far as games go, I think Microsoft will own E3.
If the Xbox is going to act like this. I will not be purchasing one. No reason to have one anymore. Steam already does this and I can use my Xbox 360 controller on the computer. I say again. No reason for me as it stands. I want a reason to buy one but Microsoft has pushed me into Sony land with its most recent announcement. They could have destroyed Sony with this and they pulled a Nintendo.
E3 is really going to be where we see what console people want. As far as specs go, the PS4 has nothing over the Xbox One. It will be a flip-flop. Sony will finally show their console and Microsoft will unveil 15 games that Sony can’t have and either can Steam and that’s only in the first year. The 360 killed the PS3 with exclusives in the first few years and I have a feeling this will play out the same.
I beg to disagree. The PS4 smokes the XBox 1 as far as graphic superiority. But as we have seen in this current era, the PS3 still smokes the Xbox 360 but the Xbox does a better job rendering, so that can still go either way. But ultimately, what I did not like was how they force you to install the games to your HD. I know a lot of people think this is no big deal, but people like me who spend a lot of time overseas are going to get screwed by this. I spent the last 6 years in Germany and a lot of these features will not work in Europe. Also, where I lived in Europe, we only had a 1 Mbit pipe. Not a lot. I couldn’t connect to Xbox live and that was just trying to sign in. I can only imagine how much worse it will be trying to do all of these other things as well. I could be really wrong though.
Right now the console specs are ridiculously similar. There is no way we can say the PS4 graphics are superior. It all comes down to proper coding. Just look at games like Red Dead Redemption. The PS3 version looked awful even though the PS3 was a more powerful machine.
-Mileson
wait, I was under the impression that the Xbox was using DDR3 ram and the PS4 is using DDR5 ram. That’s a BIG difference. You have more then Double the bandwidth with DDR5 then you do w/ DDR3.
(XBox)DDR3 = 128 bit memory bandwidth
(PS4 )DDR5 = 256 bit memory bandwidth and up.
I couldn’t agree more. Totally unimpressed. I heard lots of unsatisfied comments after the Sony PS4 reveal, but now after the Xbox One reveal everyone is saying “wow, the PS4 is looking great!” haha. I can’t believe Microsoft didn’t find a way to punch a little bit harder. Sony was in a weak position and Microsoft missed a huge opportunity. I honestly can’t see any reason to purchase the One. I had a 360 for years and finally just gave it up for a PS3. Best decision I have every made. Not making the same mistake this time around. Also, the codes for used titles? Terrible idea IMO. I hope Sony doesn’t follow suit.
I wanted Microsoft to deliver the death blow with their presentation and it was honestly very mild. I have nothing against Sony, I’ve purchases most if their consoles, but I’m a huge supporter of the Xbox. I think Microsoft is playing smart and saving their ‘big’ presentation for E3. Whoever ends up ‘winning’ at E3 will gain majority support.
-Mileson
Fun fact, when the Xbox did their release Sony stock jumped 9.25% and the Microsoft stock didn’t move. I’m just wondering about that.
Love the console , Im just not crazy about Kenect. Also I wish they showed more games. Way to many sports
I’m not upset they didn’t show more games. That’s the one complaint I’m hearing from everyone. It was a console reveal and I’m glad they focused on that.
Thanks for sharing our article. I’m hoping E3 alleviate the concerns about the Xbox One. At the very least I’m sure got a hardware demo of the Kinect.
-Mileson
I was very impressed with the new Xbox one, except the fact that it isn’t going to play 360 games >.<
I have accepted it, and am still interested in buying it. I will be waiting on it though because everything new always has bugs, and I'm not throwing down $300+ for a system that is just going to wig out.
I was very surprised that they kept it about the console. The whole reason I was watching was to find out about the actual system, so kudos Microsoft. Also I am so glad they showed the new COD because I had no idea what this one was suppose to be about until they showed it hahaha
I’m pretty disappointed that it won’t play any 360 games too. It sounds like the PS4 is going to do the same. It’s just going to increase the ridiculous number of consoles I have.
I think Microsoft did a solid job making their console reveal about the console. It wasn’t about the games, which seems to be the biggest complaint.
-Mileson