Since the press event roughly 2 hours ago, the Internet has erupted into a ton of speculation - as usual. I'm here to offer my first impressions on the console.
I. Hardware Specs
From Engadget.com:
As for the box itself, well, it looks rather a like a little HTPC with black and silver case and a big Xbox logo -- a visage with actually tallies with the fact that's running a PC-like x86 architecture inside. There's a full list of specs after the break, which we're continuing to build out as more details pour out of Microsoft's Xbox One ongoing launch event.
Processor and graphics: as rumored, a heavily customized AMD chip that combines an eight-core CPU, a GPU tailored for DirectX 11.1 graphics and 32MB of high bandwidth embedded ESRAM memory. The 28nm chip will consume around 100 watts, which is slightly higher than current Xbox Slim and PS3, but Microsoft promises noise from the cooling fans will be "four times quieter."
System memory: a Sony-rivaling 8GB of RAM, although it'll be DDR3 instead of the PlayStation 4's GDDR5.
Audio and video: 1080p and 4K both supported; 7.1 surround sound.
Kinect: This will be bundled with the console and contain 250,000-pixel infrared depth sensor as well as a regular 720p web cam.
Storage and media: a 500GB hard drive of unknown speed plus a Blu-ray / DVD combo drive that will be used as little as possible. We're told disc-based games will be ripped to the HDD automatically.
Connectivity: HDMI 1.4 output and passthrough; a "few" USB 3.0 ports; gigabit Ethernet; plus, three separate 802.11n radios to allow the console to communicate with its controller (over a form of WiFi Direct) as well as other devices (such as perhaps other Windows-based phones and tablets) without losing its connection to the internet. At other times, two radios could be used to maintain a stronger WiFi signal.
If the spec you're looking for isn't on this list, that's likely because Microsoft hasn't revealed it yet. We've requested further details and will update as and when we hear more.
II. Features
From IGN:
The Xbox One, unlike the Xbox 360, requires Kinect to function. This makes it likely that the console will ship with Kinect 2 as standard.
Kinect seems to be deeply integrated into the systems of the Xbox One, and allows users to browse using voice and gesture commands through the Xbox One User Interface.
Examples of the Kinect 2 in action include saying 'Xbox: On' to activate the system. The console will then remember what the user was doing previously and return them immediately to that screen.
Harvey Eagle, Microsoft's UK Marketing Director, was quizzed about the Kinect 2 integration by IGN.
"Kinect does require to be connected to Xbox One in all cases, yes," he said. Asked whether the Xbox One will accommodate people who perhaps play in their bedroom rather than their living room, Eagle replied: "Yes, absolutely. We use the living room almost as a moniker - that's where we assume the best screen is in the house. But if you like to play in any other room in the house, the Xbox one will deliver the same quality of experience whatever the environment."
Kinect 2 will feature an integrated 1080p camera, 30FPS colour, Time of Flight (TOF) technology and microphone arrays. It is said to be able to detect even the slightest of movements, such as the rotation of a wrist or shoulder.
Gamerscore Porting
Achievement hunters rejoice! Microsoft has confirmed that users will be able to port across their Gamertag, Gamerscore and your Avatar will port from the Xbox 360 directly to the Xbox One.Harvey Eagle, head of Microsoft's UK Marketing division, said:
"Your hard-earned Gamerscore will port over, so yes you'll take that with you.
"You'll also take your Gamertag, your identity, with you. Whilst we're making a much bigger bet on natural identity with the camera, Avatars will also feature as well. All of the gaming identity that you have on Xbox 360 will be there on Xbox One as well."
Backward Compatibility
Unfortunately the Xbox One will not be able to play Xbox 360 games, including Xbox Live purchases.It is rumoured to charge a fee for users to play used games on the system, although clarification on this remains to be given.
Evolving Achievements
Since Xbox One will be cloud-powered, Microsoft has stated that it gives developers the potential to modify both the game experience and the way in which achievements work 'over time.'They cited the highly popular 'Arrow to the Knee' meme from Skyrim as an example - if this technology was in the Xbox 360, Skyrim's game developers could have went back in and changed the achievements or game to reflect this joke.
More on this feature is available in IGN's article on Evolving Achievements.
Xbox One Controller
The redesigned Xbox One controller features similar layout to the Xbox 360 controller, with the Y, X, B and A buttons, triggers, analogue stick placement and d-pad in similar positions |
| Looks like the original Xbox S controllers... |
It also includes two buttons in the center which may or may not be the Start/Back buttons or something different.
The Xbox 'X' logo is also present at the top of the controller and should function in a similar way to how it did on the Xbox 360.
 |
| CM Punk is not amused... |
III. My Thoughts
Much like Sony's reveal for the PS4, I'm much like CM Punk here - I'm not impressed. I can understand that the purpose of this reveal was to show off the hardware and features, but it's apparent that the so-called "future" of next-gen gaming is pretty much turning your game console into what the VCR was back in the 80s - the focal point of your entertainment center in your household.
Just looking at the hardware specs for both the PS4 AND the Xbox One has me a bit underwhelmed. Most desktops and some laptops have better tech than this underneath the hood. Still, I hope this Cloud software means that the Xbox One can be regularly updated and patched as necessary for we won't have to buy another console for at least another decade.
Being able to swap between the Internet, my current game, and the TV isn't really a big deal for most people. Currently, it just requires more work with the use of the TV remote or multiple monitors. So, I doubt that's going to be a huge selling point for a lot of people. For those who don't know, Comcast was the TV service used during the presentation. I have to wonder, what satellite and cable TV providers are going to be compatible with this thing?
Is it just me, but doesn't the new controller look like those incredibly awesome S-Controllers from the original Xbox? My biggest issue with both the PlayStation 3 and 360's controllers is that they are TOO light and feel like they would break if you drop them, especially with Sony's. Those damn S-Controllers had a bit of weight to them and didn't feel cheap in the least. Plus they had a MUCH better d-pad than the 360 controller. I really hope they went back to that standard.
Unlike everyone else, I'm not surprised that the new console is NOT backwards compatible. The PS3 (later versions) wasn't backwards compatible, the Xbox 360 did it and it was hit or miss as a result. So why waste time and resources on the past? Plus let's be real here. You're going to buy a brand new console only to play last generation games on it? That's as stupid as buying a Wii U just to play your old NES games. Simply keep your current gen consoles and quit bitching about it.
While I applaud Microsoft on their decision to allow your Gamerscore and Achievements to carry over to the new console, I really hope they clarify the "used game" issue. Both Sony and Microsoft are constantly dodging that question (and several others here) and I doubt we're going to get a solid answer before E3 when both top dogs reveal their price tags for these high-end Blu-ray players. I will be honest though, if both consoles charge a fee for used games, you can count me out of this console war completely as I'll just invest into PC gaming.
I wonder how they will handle your Xbox Live purchase history though on the new console? Offer you a giftcard equivalent to repurchase that content again? Some lame bonuses at launch? Who knows at this rate...
Much like Sony's reveal, they did catch my interest in the increasing efforts that both companies are putting into capturing gameplay and sharing that content with friends. Looks like Microsoft and Sony are looking to put all of those independent capture card companies out of business. Being able to capture gameplay, edit it freely, and stream/share it with friends right out of the box is a big deal. I'll give both companies props for recognizing that feature will be a huge asset in the long run as eSports and especially fighting games are trying to get more exposure among other media outlets.
Microsoft seemed to just gloss over the so-called improvements to Xbox Live. With the new partnership with NFL and this upcoming premium Halo TV series (I'm getting to that in a second...), I'm sure Microsoft isn't going to fold and give consumers Xbox Live Gold for FREE. I was hoping for an announcement that would reveal that Gold would be improved upon and offer more features (like freebies for those members who pay for Sony's PlayStation Plus service) to make long-time customers feel like they got their money's worth.
With Microsoft's growing focus with television for the Xbox One, they dropped a nuclear bombshell by revealing that Steve Spielberg will be in charge of creating a Halo TV series, exclusive to this service. Boy, I bet Peter Jackson is hating himself that he never agreed to creating that Halo film a few years back. If it's anything like Falling Skies, the Spielberg may have another hit on his hands. Still, is this worth getting a Xbox One alone? Hell no, you know someone is going to have that shit ripped onto YouTube and DailyMotion. Microsoft would be stupid NOT to share the episodes on Hulu Plus or Netflix too.
One thing that was a minor announcement spoke volumes to me: 8 out of the 15 titles in development for Xbox One are brand new IPs. I think this current generation of gaming has seen TOO many sequels and prequels for my taste honestly. It's about time that gaming strove for some new breakthrough hits and start taking risks again with relatively unknown properties.
Last but not least, Microsoft couldn't resist without ending with another overhyped FPS for their new console: Call of Duty: Ghosts. Call me nuts, but that looks almost just like Ghost Recon: Future Soldier -- sans the future technology and arsenal, just with better graphics and few more bells and whistles. I will give them props for the inclusion of the very realistic looking dogs as an AI companion. Still, they could have saved this reveal for damn E3 in 3 more weeks...
As it stands, I honestly don't think I would buy neither the PlayStation 4 nor the Xbox One at launch or at all period. Neither console is offering enough "wow" or bang for my buck to warrant a purchase. Plus, unlike most people, I haven't become fixated on all of this touchscreen and voice technology that I have to run out and buy every new thing related to it like a crack addict.
As we continue to speculate over the next few weeks about the Xbox One, I have to wonder how the landscape and gamers' opinions will change on both Sony and Microsoft's fronts when E3 is over and done with after we finally see what these consoles are capable of first-hand.
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