650°

Xbox One March Update: Lots of Details Emerge on Features; First Twitch Streams Available

The Xbox One March Update is a very big one, and it includes many elements that users of Microsoft’s new console have been demanding for a while. Many new details have emerged about the update, including the first twitch streams.

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dualshockers.com
AngelicIceDiamond3727d ago

That is a ALLOT of updates/changes.

GarrusVakarian3727d ago (Edited 3727d ago )

" Optical audio is now supported"

Seems like i chose the right time to get an X1 (i won't have it until late March), i use optical audio, otherwise i would have had to use my TV speakers.

That's a big deal for me, once you go surround sound, you don't go back.

theWB273727d ago

What makes this good? This have to do with headphones? I've never used anything but the TV speakers and am looking for an alternative for when I finally get the X1 too....

SteamPowered3727d ago

Dont you have HDMI going to your receiver from X1? That HDMI should give you your 5.1 or 7.1 surround in one cable.

GarrusVakarian3727d ago (Edited 3727d ago )

@WB

Headphones are great, but nothing compares to playing Battlfield 4 (or any game mind you) with a good surround speaker setup. Trust me. It may sound a bit over the top saying that "it's a big deal to me"....but TV speakers pale in comparison to my surround sound, it makes it less immersive and less enjoyable. Sound is just as important as a games visuals for me.

@Steampowered

Nah, i have other devices using the HDMI on my receiver, for my consoles i use optical.

@lameguy

Oh, ok. It should have specified what "optical audio" meant in the update notes. I just assumed it was general optical audio for surround sound.

lameguy3727d ago

I've been using optical as that's only what my receiver supports from day 1. This has to mean something else. Maybe dealing with headsets or the different bitrate options that were just added in the update.

darthv723727d ago

a fw update for the controller is included...interesting.

Boody-Bandit3727d ago (Edited 3727d ago )

I don't follow (optical out is now supported). I have been using optical out with the XBOX ONE since the day it launched. It defaults to DTS audio. Although I noticed I have no variable settings for sound on my processor. Which is fine by me. DTS gives me a little extra on the low end (makes my sub thump harder) over DD. At least it does on my processor.

So I'm assuming this means the X1 will now give us the option of what audio setting (DD, DTS, DPL, etc) we can select while using the optical output?

Maml073727d ago

i got the update early cuz i recieved an invite from microsoft to get all updates early before release and give my feedback in the forums of xbox

the new update is really beautiful, more easy to explore the windows, more details on the screen
- if u got an achievement you can explore other achievements by choose "more achievements"
friends activity has more details for each player in a single bar
easily to know new followers
fasfer kinect responsibility
little slower os in start up cuz its beta ver. hope they fix it soon
i saw all these things in beta ver.

USA0073726d ago

Optical is supported now, it is the lack of Dolby digital that hopefully is being added, as most headset users are unable to get surround sound without this

mwjw6963726d ago

@Lukas

Optical Stereo has always worked since launch. What they added was Dolby Digital, and Dolby surround.

@lameguy Look above. :D

H0RSE3726d ago

I always use headphones - high end audiophile headphones. I find them vastly better than anything speakers can offer me. Cans take up far less space, deliver sound directly to my ears, and I'm the only one who hears it, so no one else is disturbed. I will never go back to speakers again, just like I'll never go back to using a mouse after using a trackball.

bumnut3726d ago

Can't you just use the optical port on your tv?

Boody-Bandit3726d ago (Edited 3726d ago )

"I always use headphones - high end audiophile headphones. I find them vastly better than anything speakers can offer me."

Said no HT enthusiast / audiophile ever that has used both.

alexkoepp3726d ago (Edited 3726d ago )

@H0RSE

No matter how great the emulation is two speakers will never deliver the sound experience a surround sound system can give you. They do a good job but it isn't the same. As an audiophile, you should know that. You may not have the budget for high end speakers, but that is your problem.

Optical is way outdated anyways, format should just die.

PoodlePuncher3726d ago (Edited 3726d ago )

I got the early March update so I have confirmed all of this...

The surround sound update they're talking about is primarily adding Dolby Digital. Optical output to a surround sound system worked fine before with only DTS support. Another big thing is having bitstream through HDMI. So, for me, for example, I have my Xbox One going to my TV through HDMI, and then an optical cable from my TV to my receiver. Before that would only give me uncompressed 2 channel audio, now I can get full Dolby Digital support through that (most TV's only pass through Dolby Digital).

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 3726d ago
PONTIAC08G8GT3727d ago

I would have really liked to see the friends notification but good to know it will be in a future update. Nice list, lots of updates and changes. Good to see MS listening for once.

Nicxel3726d ago

Listening for once??? Please.....

DEEBO3727d ago

I'm can use twitch already because of the update program from MS.

Tedakin3727d ago

The Twitch app is updated? I have the dash update, but not the twitch one.

Dudebro903727d ago

Wait what? I thought the app wasnt updated.

DEEBO3726d ago

Ms chose me to be in a update program so i got twitch and the controller update,i can brodcast too.

I will check for the DD because DTS too me doesn't sound better then DD

Harmy6663726d ago

But you cant broadcast… it's just previewing the update, I'm in Te same program, along with lots of other users.

SteamPowered3727d ago

I couldnt really give a hoot about Twitch. Im still waiting for 3D BluRay support. :(

lameguy3727d ago

I'm curious :) Not only do you have a set of rare 3D movies, but apparently you actually want to watch them more than you already have?! What are these movies?

SteamPowered3727d ago

My ps3 died last year and I fully expected my shiny new $500 X1 to play all my blurays. Not so. At least not yet.
And I have quite a few movies in 3d. Documentaries are incredible! I also have a few other movies like Jurassic park and some dreamworks stuff for the gf.
I have a $3000 3d projector and I would like to use it in 3d again.

OrangePowerz3727d ago

There are plenty of 3D movies out.

ThanatosDMC3726d ago

There's lots of 3D movies out all ready. They cost about $10 more compared to its normal bluray counterpart.

fishy13726d ago

Rare??? I have 67 3d bluray's. There is nothing rare about 3d. Maybe you live in the hills and have not been down since the 80's. But 3d is back in,even ps3 and 360 have 3d for some games. ps4 will have 3d support, but who knows with the X1 going to hold my breath on that one

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3726d ago
DeathOfTheFanBoy3726d ago

Check out, our universe 3D, really good. And if you have yet to see pacific rim in 3d you haven't lived. 3D is my most wanted feature for xb1 atm, I am a beta update tester and everything else seems good up to now. After 3d I want proper DLNA support, play to works well but options are always welcome.

Tedakin3727d ago

I didn't realize the list was this long. The ability to change the number on Xbox Volume Up/Down is a nice touch.

Tedakin3727d ago

Someone disagrees this is a nice touch? All... right...

No_Limit3727d ago (Edited 3727d ago )

Any word that is positive about the XB1 these days tend to get stealth disagrees. It is sickening that Xbox fans can't get to discuss their articles in peace.

jebabcock3727d ago

Every console has trolls... i don't think anyone gets that luxury on n4g or most any other public site.

lameguy3727d ago

Oh nice. The twitch streams seem better than PS4's rates:
Stream Info

Resolution: 1280x720
Frame Rate: 29 FPS
Audio: aac, 44100 Hz, stereo, s16, 225 kb/s
Total Bitrate: 4402 kbps
Padding: 0.92% (41 kbps)
Stream Uptime: 1h 54m 9s

Riderz13373727d ago

You realize the quality of the stream is dependent on the streamers upload speed?

GarrusVakarian3727d ago (Edited 3727d ago )

True, but the PS4 twitch is capped at 960x540.

I didn't actually realise it was that low until i googled it, it looks good when watching a stream, i always thought it was capped at 720p. Good to know the X1 twitch will have an even better image quality.

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100°

Boycott EA trends on X as community savages FC 24

EA has come under fire for making unexpected changes to its FC 24 Team of the Season unlocks.

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videogamer.com
anast43m ago

It's like boycotting 'your' local crack dealer. I'm sure it will change everything...

Xzila1113m ago

they manipulated the pack weight and admitting it on twitter

200°

Why Xbox believes it must cut costs and close studios

Companies, particularly public companies like Microsoft, need to grow.

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eurogamer.net
gold_drake7h ago

i mean its pretty simple, they spent close to 30 billion in acquiring activision, they thought they'd make it bk no problem, and that didnt happen.

its just shit that because of MS's miscalculation alot of people lost their jobs.

Jingsing3h ago

This is exactly what many people said would happen including the CMA and FTC. Lies lies and more lies and they allowed a $69 billion buy out to happen.

gold_drake3h ago

oh yeh it was 70 billion. that was my bad haha even worse.

thesoftware7303h ago(Edited 3h ago)

gold,

You can't be serious, right?

Do you think that MS thought they would make 80bill in a year & Half? They haven't even released titles under MS yet, lol.

But in fact, that A/B revenue is already paying off, look at the last earnings call. That $80 billion is long-term money, my guy, no sane person/company would think they would make that back in any short-term situation, it's a long-term investment.

Let's play silly then. If MS's reason for laying off staff and closing studios was due(which it really was not) to the A/B deal, tell me what Sony's reason was for past studio closures, the recent 900-person layoffs, closing Sony London, shutting down Dreams, and closing Japan Studio? Zipper? Psygnosis? cuts at all their internal studios.

Keep in mind, you are claiming MS's reason is because of the A/B deal; please explain Sony's reason.

Hofstaderman3h ago

You actually still defending them? Sheesh.....

gold_drake3h ago

this is not a sony vs MS debate. dont make it something it isnt.

and of course not, but im pretty sure they thought they'd make more money after the deal. they didnt, and closed off some studios.

its pretty insane to think there is any other reason for the closure of studios in this case.

romulus233h ago(Edited 3h ago)

(It really was) due to the Activision Blizzard deal and the loss of physical sales due to gamepass. You keep bringing up Sony in all your posts about this, stop deflecting and trying to change the topic, this is about MS and what they are doing.

BehindTheRows2h ago

Has nothing to do with Sony. Stay on topic.

notachance2h ago

once in a while you see someone too invested in their make-believe console war that everything happened has to be connected to said war…

a bit of banter between fans is normal, this crusade you’re doing now isn’t.

Chevalier2h ago

Wow idiotic. You bring up very old closures not that there haven't been recent ones from Playstations, but, seriously stop deflecting. This has NOTHING to do with Playstation.

Does Playstation got $3 trillion behind them and daddies wallet? No they don't so stop making a fool of yourself.

Xbox has never been profitable really and they just keep losing money so between their worst hardware sales, terrible 3rd party sales and now terrible 1st party sales.

Gamepass numbers that are no longer being announced shows their numbers after 3 years of missed targets has flatlined. Plus their recent gains up to 34 million were ONLY because they folded Gold members in too. Absolutely take your idiotic rhetoric out of here. Keep on topic without deflecting.

S2Killinit2h ago

Ayayayay with these xbox/MS excuses.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 2h ago
thesoftware73038m ago(Edited 25m ago)

Drake,

"this is not a sony vs MS debate. dont make it something it isnt."

You are correct that it's not an MS Vs Sony Topic, but when exaggeration and imagination mix from a one-sided social group, similar examples are needed to ground radical thoughts; in this instance, the example was that shutting down 3,4,5, even 6 studios during a restructure/ buyout/acquisition is not some anomaly(it can suck) that has to be dissected or spell doom and gloom.

"But I'm pretty sure they thought they'd make more money after the deal. They didn't, and they closed off some studios."

But they did make more money, a lot, actually; the last earnings call showed a huge growth in profit, almost all due to A/B revenue.

"its pretty insane to think there is any other reason for the closure of studios in this case."

The fact that they did make money, kinda throws this out the window, and besides, you don't wake up and say, hey let's close a studio, you look at the output, you look at the dev as a whole, the long term and short term, you weigh it against all other studios and goals, you keep key members, ect..then you close if they are the weakest links...which by MS analysis they were.

Again, I will make a small Sony comparison, just so some of you can understand and see past the bias; Insomniac, ND, and Bungie have made some of the best games ever created, yet Sony saw fit to cut jobs in every of these studios, even tho Insomniac & ND are the biggest producers of PS games, leagues ahead better than Tango and Arkane, yet, they saw cuts, mind you, while being the TOP produces of PS first party. They were told to cut costs, and more jobs may be on the line, and Bungie is being threatened by a hostile Sony takeover. Put that in perspective, as I know that layoffs and dev closures are different, but if the best of the best is getting cut off, it is less than surprising, that lesser studios are closing.

@Cheva,
My response fits well with your comments as well. You even went on to prove that the dev closures are not just due to A/B acquisition. Then you point out Sony has less money than MS, inferring that MS should keep devs open that they see as lesser earners, while Sony having less money makes it okay to close them. lol...it doesn't work that way.

gold_drake32m ago

im not reading all of that. u have ur opinion, i have mine.

thats rly it.

but this aint sony vs ms.

ApocalypseShadow12m ago

You're trying to compare a 100 billion company to a company that has 3 TRILLION worth. SIE has to live or die on their own. And in turn, PlayStation has helped the main company again and again. Sony has to balance out what is working and not working in the company.

While Xbox has Daddy Warbucks footing the bill to keep the platform afloat. They have been bleeding money from Nvidia hardware in the OG Xbox, the RROD fiasco, the attempted 2013 DRM nonsense and the lies about being the most powerful console in the world and the losses of paying out millions to prop up a service hoping it catches on with enough subscribers to justify its existence.

They're not comparable if Xbox isn't allowed to live or die by its actions. It's subsidized. Revenue isn't profit. And if they were profiting on their own, they wouldn't be closing developers. If they were profiting, they wouldn't need Daddy Warbucks spending 80 to 100 billion buying up 3rd party publishers to sustain a loss leading platform.

They stopped announcing game sales, stopped announcing hardware sales, stopped announcing game pass subscribers, they are putting games on their competitors platforms but you're telling us that they are doing great even after killing jobs and closing developers at Xbox.

Stop drinking the Kool aid. You're drunk.

anast3h ago

They are going to use AI for a large portion of the game development process. Upper management need bonuses and the shareholders need more money. So, people will lose their jobs.

Skuletor3h ago

Maybe they were already using AI to make business decisions, which would explain why they closed Hi-Fi Rush's studio, then said they need more games like Hi-Fi Rush not long after that announcement.

Crows902h ago(Edited 2h ago)

They shouldn't have bought any studios. Some is okay...but they went on a shopping spree...stupid

Einhander19722h ago

The better question is why did Microsoft buy publishers for a service they were subsidizing they knew couldn't support.

And why are so many websites trying to make people feel sorry for Microsoft instead of truly criticizing the fact they are closing studios and killing jobs that would have been fine if Microsoft themselves hadn't gotten involved.

Quit feeling sorry for Microsoft and start feeling sorry for the industry and the all the gamers who are actually losing out.

THIS IS MICROSOFTS FAULT.

RNTody2h ago

The first thing that happens after any major acquisition or merger is a consolidation of the whole new portfolio, which includes cutting any excess, bloat or portfolios that don't fit the larger MO of the big boy. So far, it's been par for the course with Microsoft and that's why gamers have been so against this acquisition. Tango Gameworks is the beginning. You think Microsoft wants to pay to keep small timers like Ninja Theory in business?

There is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that Microsoft will improve any of these studios, but plenty to suggest that they will get rid of what they don't need and hold onto the IP. The real agenda of the acquisition was always to acquire The Elder Scrolls, Diablo, Fallout, Call of Duty, Candy Crush etc. that will create millions in passive revenue stream for Microsoft regardless of where the games release. Microsoft simply wants their cut.

Because of Games Pass Microsoft has no interest in investing in new IP which is risky and requires creative talent they can neither nurture nor manage. Game Pass has also not grown in the way Microsoft expected it to, even post acquisitions. Therefore the logical thing to do, without serious money makers to release, is to cut as much cost as possible.

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