Microsoft will boost the clock speed of the Xbox One’s AMD graphics processor from 800 MHz to 853 MHz, Marc Whitten, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for Xbox, said during the Major Nelson podcast. He also noted that game makers are now working with final Xbox One development kits.
Perhaps Xbox One engineers found that the GPU is most efficient at the said clock speed. The new “mono driver” is also a new “100% optimized for Xbox One” DirectX driver, Microsoft’s proprietary API.
In the podcast, Whitten also stated that Microsoft “dropped” the Xbox One GPU after E3 2013, allowing them to tweak and fine tune the hardware to match their vision of the experience that they wanted the Xbox One to provide the gamer/user with.
The Xbox One is slated to launch later this year, and the next-gen console will sport an 8-core CPU, 8 GB of system memory and a 500 GB hard drive. Sony’s PlayStation 4 will sport a similar system-on-a-chip architecture. Both semi-custom APUs will be manufactured by AMD.
The move comes after Microsoft’s console has been criticised for having significantly less raw performance compared to Sony’s PlayStation 4.
What do you think of Microsoft upgrading the Xbox One’s GPU? Does it matter to you at all? Why or why not? Let us know below!
In what feels like a painful abandonment of enthusiastic gamers of Asia, Microsoft has delayed the launch of its new console the Xbox One in Asia by a whole year. Alan Bowman, Microsoft’s Regional VP for Sales and Marketing in Asia, says that the new console will launch in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and India around late 2014.
This delay even after Microsoft has declared these countries as gaming high-growth areas, with sales of consoles and games booming in 2013. Alan Bowman also said that the new Kinect sensor will require less space as compared to this generation’s Kinect and will fit right in with Asian countries “where there is a lack of living room space” (we wouldn’t be too sure of that)
in any case for all those who cant wait, there is always Palika Bazaar and Lamington Road for those imported consoles!
Microsoft has announced the prices and availability of its new Xbox One Console at their E3 Press Event. The console will go on sale in 21 countries in November for a retail price of $499.99 in the U.S., £429 (GBP) in the U.K. and €499 (EUR) in European markets. Roughly translated, the Xbox One can be expected in India for a price of Rs. 30,000 including taxes.
Every Xbox One system sold will include the new Xbox One console — which features a 500GB hard drive,1 Blu-ray player and built-in Wi-Fi — the new Kinect, one Xbox One Wireless Controller and a free 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold for new members.
Several titles were announced to be available by launch time from developers including but not limited to 343 Industries, Crytek, Turn 10 Studios, Respawn Entertainment, Remedy, Kojima Productions, Capcom and Insomniac Games.
The trailer of Halo for Xbox One, was highly unexpected yet well received.
Microsoft Studios is committed to making Xbox One the best place to play games, with more titles in development and more exclusives coming than at any time in the history of Xbox, With amazing games such as ‘Forza Motorsport 5,’ ‘Ryse: Son of Rome,’ ‘Dead Rising 3,’ ‘Titanfall,’ ‘Halo Xbox One,’ ‘Kinect Sports Rivals,’ ‘Project Spark’ and ‘Quantum Break,’ Xbox will continue to lead the industry with the biggest exclusives, new IP and blockbuster franchises that will delight gamers for the next decade and beyond.” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president, Microsoft Studios.
Gamers who reserve the following exclusive Xbox One Day One edition launch titles, also available in limited quantities at major retailers while supplies last, will receive special bonus content:
“Ryse: Son of Rome.” Exclusive multiplayer map and sword with bonus attributes.
“Forza Motorsport 5.” Access to four cars tuned to the top of their class.
“Kinect Sports Rivals.” Exclusive sporting equipment that separates your Champion from the rest of the world.
“Dead Rising 3.” Exclusive Frank West and Chuck Greene Tribute Packs with bonus attributes.
It seems Xbox Live memberships can not only be used across both the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, but memberships can be used across multiple profiles. This means multiple profiles on a single Xbox One console can use a single Xbox Live Gold membership to be able to access Xbox Live Gold exclusive demos, cross-game chat and, of course, play online multiplayer.
The “new generation” of Xbox Live will be compatible with both Xbox 360 and Xbox One and allow users to communicate with each other across consoles.
Microsoft’s president of Interactive Entertainment Business, Don Mattrick, confirmed to Polygon players will be able to chat and communicate across the generational barrier between Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
So you’re essentially paying for the IP of that console, rather than the online account.
“We want to make sure that you and your son both have your own account,” Kilgore told Polygon, using the example of a parent and child sharing the same Live Gold membership. “We want you log in to get your stuff, and when he logs in to get his stuff. On that console, if you have Gold, he can use Gold as well.”
Xbox Live Gold memberships offer a host of features, including online multiplayer games, free game demos, access to the Web via Internet Explorer, and movies and TV shows via services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus (not much use in India). The current membership costs $9.99 for one month, $24.99 for three months, and $59.99 for 12 months.
Microsoft just announced their next big gaming console revolution the Xbox One. The biggest developer as always has been EA games and it wasn’t much behind here either with Madden NFL 25, NBA Live 14, EA Sports UFC and the much hyper Fifa 14.
All new EA Games Titles will run on the new EA Sports Ignite game engine. EA’s Andrew Wilson said ;
All four will launch in the next 12 months, All four will be revolutionary.All games will have Xbox One-exclusive content, which will be revealed in the coming months.”
Xbox-exclusive Forza Motorsport 5 along with Turn 10 Studios racing series will be among the console’s early titles. A new title exclusive to Xbox from Max Payne Developer-Remedy Entertainment called Quantum Break, a game title that will blend live action gaming with Live TV, details on how it will work are scarce now.
For FPS lovers, Call Of Duty : Ghosts from seasoned FPS developer ; Activation, will come first to the Xbox One. A trailer for this upcoming title has also gone live (see below). Expect this game to hit all consoles, but the Xbox-One version will have exclusive content.
Microsoft is also working on 7 exclusive Kinect based titles which will be launched alongside the new Xbox One, to take control of the exciting new features of the new iteration of the Kinect.
With the ability to capture gameplay, expect the likes of Youtube to be flooded with gameplay footage from users worldwide.
Airtel and Microsoft have tied up to deliver a unique set of offers to prospective buyers of Airtel connections and Xbox 360 consoles, or even owners of both or either. In the form of Airtel broadband and free Xbox LIVE gold memberships. The offer is valid in Delhi, NCR, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore till June 30.
Up for grabs for new owners is a Xbox 360 4GB Kinect model with an Airtel Broadband connection for Rs 15,500. The new buyers will get 10 free Xbox 360 games, a 12 month membership of Xbox LIVE gold and up to Rs 4,888 off on the Airtel broadband connection.
Consumers can now enjoy a smooth Xbox LIVE entertainment experience which includes the best multi-player action that Xbox is so well known for on an Airtel broadband” – Microsoft Corporation India Business Group Lead (Interactive Entertainment Business) Anshu Mor said.
Interestingly, Existing Xbox 360 owners who buy a new Airtel broadband connection will get Rs 4,888 off and a three month membership for Xbox LIVE gold. But if you already have an Airtel connection and buy a new Xbox 360 you will get 10 free games and a 12 month membership for Xbox LIVE gold worth Rs 10,699, along with savings of Rs 4,888 on an Airtel Broadband upgrade.
We are confident that our-tie up with Microsoft… deliver a much-awaited and enhanced experience for gaming lovers”- Bharti Airtel CEO (Homes and Office) Najib Khan said.
The Xbox Live gaming and entertainment platform suffered a major outage for several hours on Saturday, rendering significant elements of the console useless.
Gamers were unable to sign into their accounts so were unable to engage in multiplayer action, or access the suite of entertainment apps that are tied to Xbox Live subscriptions (i.e. Netflix, YouTube, etc.).
In a statement provided to Game Informer, a Microsoft representative informed that the outage was due to routine maintenance. Some individuals had claimed that hacking brought the service down yesterday. But Microsoft assured that this is false.
For the most part, Microsoft has addressed the issue and users are now able to sign in to the service, though some lingering issues remain. For example, Microsoft says users may experience “difficulties” creating new or accessing existing Minecraft game saves, and listening to music via Last.fm is spotty. In both cases, Microsoft says it’s working on a fix.
In the meantime, these problems underscore why gamers take issue with the concept of an always-on console. It’s been rumored that the Xbox 720 (Durango) will feature an always-on Internet requirement, and Microsoft has yet to confirm or deny if the rumors are true. In cases where Microsoft is having problems on its end, an always-on requirement could render the console unusable.
WithXbox Live outages not exactly a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence, where would this leave gamers every time the company has problems with the online portion of its service?
Amitesh Deshpande receiving the grand prize from Mr Mor, Business Group Lead – Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd
Five Champions from across India. Five action packed games. Eight hours of continuous gaming. The atmosphere electric, the brawls rough. And finally, one prevailed to be crowned the king of Xfriends- The Ultimate Gaming Challenge.
After months of relentless gaming across seven separate blockbuster titles on Xbox Live such as FIFA 13, Resident Evil 6, Halo 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and more, five national champions emerged. Yesterday, these champions took on each other in rounds of brutal battles to find the best amongst them. Xbox lovers and gamers across India took part in the Ultimate Xfriends gaming championship- the ultimate gaming competition on Xbox LIVE that pits gamers against each other. ‘Ultimate Xfriends’ , launched in September 2012- sought the best gamers across Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and India – the guys who’ll do whatever it takes to win. And they did do whatever it takes.
The grand prize, a 24 K Gold plated Xbox 360 console
At the thrilling grand finale of Xfriends, held at the FoG (Federation of Gamers) lounge in Delhi, the search for India’s best gamer finally ended. Amitesh Deshpande –who went head to head with five other really tough national competitors – took home a mega prize of an exclusive 24 K gold plated Xbox 360 console and the title of Ultimate Gaming Champion in India.
[quote]Battle weary but ecstatic about his win, Amitesh Deshpande said, “It’s awesome to be a winner and that too for a competition like this which got me playing against India’s best gamers on Xbox Live. It has been a tough fight, which made it all the more exciting to win against such good competitors. As Xbox Live lets me take my Xbox 360 online anytime, it’s the place for players (like me) to hang out and hone our/their gaming skills. I really hope Microsoft and Xbox bring us these events regularly. ”[/quote]
Anshu Mor, Business Group Lead – Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. said, ” These are some of the most exciting gamers one can find anywhere in Asia, in fact across the world. The level of competition seen here today is very, very impressive; the place is absolutely buzzing with their energy. To see them compete so fiercely, all for the love of gaming on Xbox, is very thrilling, exciting and inspiring for us. Moreover, the competitors have come from cities as far away as Trivandrum, Chhattisgarh, Raipur, etc. making it all the more special for us.”
We managed to talk to Mr. Mor about Microsofts plans ahead, stay tuned to know more!
Microsoft says its fourth-quarter earnings slipped 4 percent, despite a lift from its latest version of Windows.
The Redmond, Washington-based software giant posted revenue of $21.46 billion and net income of $6.38 billion, with earnings per share of 77 cents. That’s largely in line with what Wall Street had been expecting, though a bit lower on the revenue side and higher on the earnings side — ahead of today’s financial report, the analyst consensus was that Microsoft would post earnings of 75 cents a share on $21.53 billion in revenue.
The results announced Thursday are the first to include Windows 8. The program is a dramatic overhaul of the Microsoft Corp operating system that powers most PCs. Windows 8 came out 26 October with slightly more than two months left in Microsoft’s fiscal second quarter.
When Windows 8 finally hit the market, Microsoft also unveiled its own tablet computer, Surface, as a showcase for the operating system. Microsoft didn’t disclose Thursday how many Surface devices were sold in the October-December period.
Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices division, which is responsible for the Xbox and Surface, saw an 11% decline from last year, with only $3.77 billion of revenue. This comes after Microsoft announced that the Xbox 360 was the top-selling gaming console for two years straight. It looks like holiday sales weren’t as great as the company expected.
Microsoft’s Online Services division saw more growth, however, with $869 million in revenue, which is an 11% increase year-over-year. Thanks to the upcoming Office 365 suite and SkyDrive, Microsoft’s online services don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, especially with the deal that Microsoft made with the city of Chicago to bring Office 365 services to city employees.
UK gaming magazine Xbox World may be shutting down soon (alongside Nintendo Power, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, and PSM3), but with news like this, it seems they’re making sure they go out with a bang.Their second to last issue will reportedly unveil tons of information on Microsoft’s highly anticipated follow-up to the Xbox 360.
For starters, it will be known officially as simply “Xbox,” and will introduce Kinect 2.0 to the world, which will be capable of tracking as many as four players at once, with enough detail for all of their fingers to be tracked too.
Blu Ray discs will be used for games, as a stop gap for full digital download releases, as well as directional audio for a more 3D sound. There will also be a TV input along with the usual outputs, which could potentially mean video editing on the platform. It will also mean that you’ll be able to record live TV on your Xbox. Also the inclusion of Augmented Reality is mentioned.
In terms of internal hardware, the CPU apparently features four hardware cores, with four logical cores in each of those. Memory wise, you’re looking at 8GB, which is a massive increase over the current Xbox 360’s 512mb. It’s also thought that Microsoft will be introducing a new “innovative controller,” as part of the release, which would suggest something other than Nintendo’s Gamepad, since Smartglass will cater to touch screen controller schemes.
With Microsoft’s next Xbox console expected to release towards the end of 2013, are you now starting to get excited that these are indeed the main features of the next-gen console? It’s the second time we’ve heard about the possibility of augmented reality and glasses on the next Xbox, so would you support Microsoft’s decision to go down this route?
Today Crytek released a trailer that serves as a preview of Crysis 3‘s graphics and the capabilities of their proprietary tech CryEngine 3. It’s pretty much porn for you video game artists out there.
The in-game footage is probably from a high-end PC. While the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Crysis 3 will be easy on the eyes, it seems unlikely they’d be capable of this level of quality. Look at it as a preview of next-gen consoles’ potential, I guess.
Tesselated vegetations, displacement mapping and real-time volumetric cloud shadows are among the features touted in the trailer. I understand about half of those words. The video seems to be targeted at fellow developers. Fortunately purty graphics are easy to decode even if the tech jargon isn’t.
The app will turn the iPhone into an Xbox controller
Microsoft on Wednesday released an update for their My Xbox Live application for iOS (4.3 or later) which allows iPhone users to use the app to control their Xbox 360 consoles using a simple touch interface. The app also lets users launch games or apps on the 360 from the app on their phone without having to wade through tons of menus on the Xbox 360.
Even when the device is not connected to the Xbox, users can make changes to their profile, view their stats etc from their iPhone. Other additions to the iOS My Xbox Live app include improved authentication for increased stability, and high-resolution images for the new iPad. Remote control functionality is not yet available on the iPad.
The app was also released for Android but with restrictions, that is, users cannot gain any practical control over the Xbox, they can now check their Xbox Live profiles, friend statuses and the highlighted games.
Electronic Arts and Crytek announced the highly anticipated sequel of the Crysis franchise earlier last week, and the companies have now released the first Crysis 3 teaser. The new version has a new defined engine that will have more intense graphics and a better standard for the usual questions “Will it play Crysis 3?”.
Crysis 3 is a thrilling mix of sandbox gameplay, advanced combat and hi-tech human and alien weaponry that shooter fans will love, Leveraging the latest CryENGINE technology, we’re able to deliver seven unique themes that offer stunning and visually loaded gameplay experiences. We cannot wait until people get their hands on the game.”
There is a new teaser trailer of Connor from the Assassins Creed 3, showing off new gist of weapons for the next generation game. With dual pistols, a tomahawk and the very favorite hidden blade. The next game looks promising, does it not?
So we all have heard news that the next version of Microsoft’s gaming console will come next year around E3 time. Sony’s gaming division is also tracking the growing rumours of a new Microsoft console, with the aim being to release its PlayStation4 .
PlayStation Europe president Jim Ryan, said it would be “undesirable” for Sony to launch a new console “significantly later” than the next version of the Xbox, to avoid handing Microsoft another huge lead. This makes Sony’s plans clear to announce the PS4 sooner and not later than the launch of the Xbox 720.
