Microsoft’s Xbox One conference was an undoubtedly disappointing affair. For a company that was so focused on providing compelling and memorable gaming experiences at the dawn of this generation, the hardware giant is now so focused on providing all-round entertainment it’s forgotten what we’re here for, the games. The unveiling of new hardware is one of, if not THE, most exciting event for gaming enthusiasts, as we all gaze in wonder at the shiny new tech that will dictate our future gaming lives. For the Xbox unveiling hype was at an all-time high, Sony had already played their hand and the world was wondering if Microsoft had an ace up its sleeve. The answer, of course, was a resounding no.
After much speculation on what the name would be, 720, Infinity, Now! etc. the lid was finally lifted on what the next gen Xbox would be called; Xbox One… oh dear, where to start? The name of course stems from Microsoft’s plan to make it an all-in-one entertainment system, but it just sounds silly considering it’s the third Xbox. Somehow Infinity doesn’t seem all that bad now. Unlike Sony’s next gen unveiling, the console itself was actually in attendance at the event and this would have been a good thing, if it didn’t look like an early model of a VCR. Considerably bigger than the 360 its top and sides are part grey matte and part glossy black. Its basic rectangle shape and minimal design make it simple and elegant, but nothing like a games console. Its design is obviously influenced by Microsoft’s plan to have the Xbox One your go to system for all your entertainment needs. The controller has also received a redesign, apart from a few aesthetic differences, the most notable changes are the newly incorporated battery pack and directional buttons that are no longer set on a circle, meaning that they’ll actually offer precision. While these changes are beneficial they’re nothing that the PS3 controller hasn’t offered for years.
After a fairly underwhelming unveiling, hopes were still high for a glimpse at the kind of wonderful gaming experiences the console could bring. Unfortunately Microsoft deemed those less necessary than the ability to switch instantly between live TV and the Xbox One. A lot of effort was put into demonstrating how, by using voice controls, you can change switch effortlessly between live TV as well as the functions of the Xbox One. That’s great Microsoft, but the TV remote has been doing a bang up job on that front for years. Snap lets you run multiple programs at once, so you can do things like browse the internet while watching a movie, that’s hardly mind blowing stuff, and Skype allows you to group chat using Kinects integrated camera. While all of these features are beneficial, the fact remains that they are nothing new, they already exist in other forms of technology and they aren’t going to convince people to buy a new games system to use them on. What sells a games system is, and always will be, the games.
But games we did not get, instead Microsoft continued to talk up its new features. Kinect will be packaged with the Xbox One and be an integral part of the experience. A newly designed sensor will offer deeper and more accurate recognition, which is a plus, but Kinect had its wow factor last generation, in order to truly inspire for the next generation something new was needed. With regard to the technology powering the new system, the Xbox One will be less powerful than its Sony rival. This shouldn’t be of major concern though, the PS3 was more powerful than the 360, but almost identical results were achieved on multiplatform games. Some good news amidst all the PR fluff was that the system will offer a better socialised experience through a revamped achievements system, editing and sharing tools and improved matchmaking.
Finally someone at Microsoft must have remembered the Xbox is supposed to be a gaming console, as we actually saw some games! Forza Motorsport 5 showed off awesomely shiny cars and things were off to a good start. After that we were treated to another Xbox One exclusive, this time from Remedy, the makers of story writing, ghost slaying, insomniac Alan Wake. The game’s called Quantum Break and, well, that’s really all we know, after a daft trailer showed a boat crashing into a bridge and a live action clip of a strange little girl. Next up was Microsoft’s sampling of what we have to look forward to from EA Sports, with Madden, NBA, UFC and Fifa 14 all stretching their next gen muscles. A great offering there, unless of course, you don’t like sports titles, but surely there were more games to come! Oh no wait, just the one more, Call of Duty: Ghosts. Admittedly the game looks amazing, but like the sports titles it’s also a multiplatform release. Microsoft promised fifteen exclusive titles before the end of the year, eight of these being new IPs so why didn’t it show off more of these in order to drum up some hype? If it’s the launch of your new console and the thing that gets people most excited is a dog in Call of Duty, something has gone very very wrong.
The unveiling event lacked substance, especially with regard to the games. With their stout focus on TV, sports and Call of Duty the only demographic they really had any hope of appealing to was young, tech enthusiastic males, not gamers. Sony made the same mistake in 2005 when it advertised the PlayStation 3 as a device for all your entertainment needs. The truth is a games device doesn’t need to do everything under the sun, it just needs to offer amazing gaming experiences that you won’t get on any other system. Will the Xbox One do that? After that conference we’re no further to knowing the answer. Here’s to E3.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a 2.5D Metroidvania action RPG that's rooted in the culture, myths and spirituality of the African Bantu people.
Join us as we take a look at House Flipper 2 in our PS5 review. The game has finally arrived on consoles. Does it build on past foundations?
Jas checks out the oddly named Nyaaaanvy in his latest review. Will this cat-based party game be purrfect or a load of hiss?
I was thinking, what will be the lifespan of this "console"? Let's say in 2 years someone comes up with a new "TV box" that obliterates the Xbox One?
E3 will offer nothing that will wash away this. Let's think about possible exclusives for a second. The last Gears of War, without a doubt one of the 360's most important franchises, didn't do so well with the fans. Blezinsky wasn't there and it showed. Plus the fans have had enough of locust killing, time to move on, so a Gears of War 4 would just be seen as too little too late. Halo? Yes it's possible, although not very plausible as a new game in the franchise would have been the star of the Xbox ONE conference. So what left besides these 2 and Forza? Alan Wake? Nope, Remedy is busy making movies with creepy little girls. Kinect games? Prepare to see a lot of these. What about RAGE Studios? The pride of Microsoft's stables. Rumor has it that they plan on bringing back to life an old title, but seeing that Microsoft feed them only Kinect for the last years do you actually believe they would develop something for the core crowd? As if MS would allow their most experienced Kinect studio to do anything else.
But wait, what about the new IP's? There's 8 of them (well 7 actually, there's that Remedy Heavy Rain ripoff) what could they bring to the table for the gamers, ever since that useless toy came out, the 360 hasn't had a decent new hardcore exclusive, so you thing that after a full hour of "look how fast I can change channels" MS changed their minds?
I'm sorry to say this but its not going to happen, not at E3, not at TGS, not at Gamescom. Xbox One is D.O.A (DEAD on Appearance) let's bury it already and get on with our gaming lives.
So according to all above Xbox is dead as soon as it arrives. Its amazing how most of you are not giving credit to were it is due.
If MS showing and telling the following:
That E3 is all about the games(Isn't E3 for gamers)
Showing console and how it works
Call of Duty Ghost
EA Sports Games
15 Exclusive for first year alone, 8 brand new IP's and 7 existing franchises
New IP Remedy Quantum Break
Forza 5
New Controller
Halo Show being developed by Steven Spielberg
Xbox powered by Cloud
300 thousand servers will be available for Xbox live
Plus:
Post Game announcements Ryse, Tusk Studios New IP, Rare bringing back a franchise.
Skype intergration will power cross chat
Microsoft investing billions on Game developement
Remote play to allow friends to assist you in games
Kinect 2.0
Bungie's Destiny
UbiSoft all games coming to Xbox 1
Not always online but yes will require a connection for Multiplayer and update's (just like current gen systems)
Then the truth is nothing will convince you not even E3. As for me I am in on day one. See all of you at E3
Nice article!, but I think you meant to say "aesthetic" not "atheistic"
@ Everyone above. When you launch a system and give a media briefing not all information comes out at once. If you look at CES for example they announce products but not all information on the product is available until a later date. Before you make your decision remember one thing Xbox had to come out swinging showing off the console first. After all, when you go to a dealer to purchase a car you have to know what kind of car you want and what it can do before you make your decision. That leads to getting the keys to start the car of your choice. As of right now Xbox has that Porsche that will make you want to get the keys (which is software) to start that car. When I saw Sony PS4 conference they gave me keys (which is software) but no car to drive, just features that I can plainly find in any device. Also to all who nitpick about the games. Remember for years people have plain out claimed that Xbox 360 has fallen off on new IP's. So MS stating that they are changing that with Xbox One is it really a bad thing? I saw at sony show more multiplatform games then I did exclusives. Guess what all of those games are also coming to XBox One and many were shown via cutscenes. Your choice for a system should be the one that caters to you period. Right Now I Like Remedy, I like Turn 10, I like 343, EA has always delivered and so on. I also love Xbox live and a few apps that I use. I get that everyone wanted to see games more then the system's functionality. I also agree that they should have shown off a little more. I disagree with the wave of hate because they actually told you days before the show that the story will be told in 2 events. Right now Xbox one is unveiled and the functionality of there TV elements as well. Xbox has said that E3 is all about games. Meaning less talk at a Gamers show about tv and more about games. It is the competition(Sony with PS4) who will have the opposite effect because they have to show the console how it will work with games and at the same time share space for psvita and ps3. So why not wait till E3 to see how you feel, take that with what they have showcased and it if does not impress you, by all means continue feeding the media and create what is truly killing gaming.