It really was an incredible moment even for a PS fanboy such as myself to witness the online launch of the eagerly-awaited Xbox One just a mere hour ago.
“It’s time for technology to step behind the curtain,” said Don Mattrick, President of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft as he stepped aside to announce Xbox One – “All your entertainment – in one!”
This is the power of Microsoft’s well-oiled publicity machine. Unlike the PS4 launch earlier this year, Xbox One’s architecture was there for all to behold – a glossy, fantastic looking machine with a new pad. And again, unlike the PS4 launch, this one ran to time and wasn’t overplayed. This time, the launch of the Xbox One was clearly designed to set the stage and tell the tale of the next generation of console warfare.
To be completely honest, the stats kept coming – the console boasts an eight-core CPU, next generation USB 3.0, WiFi direct, a Blu-ray drive for the first time, 500GB HDD, HDMI input and output, and 802.11n wireless. If you didn’t get all that, It’s good – trust me.
Xbox Live is also getting a major update, with 300,000 servers backing up the service. “Your content is available and it’s stored in the cloud,” Microsoft’s Marc Whitten said. “That includes a DVR-like service for capturing game developers, and offloading processing”.
In terms of features, full voice-activated control was shown through the Kinect which is now embedded as part of the system. And, we’re told, not only would voice activation control games, but the TV and Skype functions tool. There was instant switching from the Xbox One dashboard to live television and back again with admittedly impressive speeds. They also demonstrated gesture controls for the console’s UI, quickly snapping back to the dashboard with a pinch command.
However, it was the games that were perhaps the most shocking. It seems as if Microsoft has lined up a number of developers tol produce exclusive content for the Xbox One. First up, EA Games with the usual Madden and UFC titles powered by EA Sports Ignite – a brand new engine build for the next generation hardware. Then they drop the bombshell – Fifa 13 will be exclusively for Xbox One.
While the room recovered, the usual demos followed along with talk of a Halo television series on Xbox TV, directed by none other than Spielberg. However, the biggest bang was the trailer for new Call of Duty: Ghosts. The graphics were better than imagined, with the new engine producing more detail, dynamic shadows and so much more. We are promised dynamic multiplayer maps, earthquakes and trapdoors will change the environment and even little things like better smoke and AI for fish as you swim past them. But, the big issue again is that this too is an Xbox One exclusive title. I can’t imagine many PS owners being happy about that.
Of course, the big place to check out all the new releases will be at the E3 which happens 11th-13th June this year. This will be the time when all the new technology will go head to head. It is going to be an incredible ride, so stay tuned to Frost Magazine to stay ahead of the game!
