• May 2013 - The Announcement of the Xbox One

    Its Now May 2013 and the Next Gen Console race is hotting up. Today May21st we have the announcement of the New Xbox One and details coming in all the time of the PS4. If your a fan of mobile phones then im sure you have already brought a Samsung Galaxy S4. If your after a WiiU then Target are selling the console at a decent £240.

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    Xbox One: Microsoft "biting off more than it can chew" 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 21st, 2013 23:27
    1. Categories:
    2. Xbox One

    We talk to analysts about the new Xbox unveiling; David Cole fears Microsoft is "screwing up" its advantage but Pachter likes what he sees

    Microsoft

    microsoft.com


    Microsoft has finally lifted the curtain on its next-gen console, the Xbox One. The unveiling seems to be getting mixed reactions so far, and that appears to be true of analysts as well. GamesIndustry Internationalcaught up with several leading games analysts immediately following the conclusion of the live-streamed event. With Sony first to announce its next-gen system back in February, and Nintendo continuing to struggle with Wii U sales, how would Microsoft position the new Xbox? From the looks of it, Microsoft is approaching the console market very differently than Sony and that may endanger its hardcore support.
    "Just the name Xbox One says a lot. Microsoft desperately wants to have their system be the centerpiece of living room entertainment. Sony also wants that but they seem to be going in a much more game centric direction. In terms of which strategy will win we would put our bets on targeting gamers," said DFC Intelligence's David Cole. "The concern with Microsoft is that they are going after a need that isn't really there. Yes, it is convenient to have your game system play video but there are all kinds of devices that do that. If a consumer is putting that kind of money down they want the system that plays the best games."
    "Overall there has to be some concern that Microsoft is biting off more than they can chew," Cole continued. "With no backward compatibility the Xbox One is starting from scratch. Microsoft had a huge success with the Kinect and that could be their downfall. The Xbox brand resonated primarily with a core gaming group but they shouldn't assume that means they will automatically stay around. Sony learned that lesson the hard way in the transition from the PlayStation 2 to the PlayStation 3."
    "In the US Microsoft has a major advantage but they could easily screw that up very quickly...This will be a marketing game and right now Sony seems to be winning"
    David Cole

    Monthly data from The NPD Group shows that Microsoft's Xbox brand has been a huge success in North America, as the Xbox 360 has been outselling competing consoles every month. If Microsoft isn't careful, however, it could lose this momentum that it's worked so hard to build up.
    "In the US Microsoft has a major advantage but they could easily screw that up very quickly. We only need to look at Nintendo's disastrous recent product launches for a lesson. This will be a marketing game and right now Sony seems to be winning," Cole warned. "Pricing is likely to be a key issue and that has not been addressed at all. Hardware price, Xbox Live as a mandatory subscription, bundles with entertainment providers and other cost issues will be the real key. We expect a lot of great exclusive content from both Sony and Microsoft but how they package and market it will be what matters at the end of the day. It is still too early to make any major calls."
    Wedbush Securities' Michael Pachter and EEDAR's Jesse Divnich were much more optimistic about what they saw from Microsoft today.
    "I'm actually pretty happy with what I saw. I don't think this is going to be a poor seller; I think the odds of this thing selling poorly are pretty low unless it's a thousand bucks," Pachter said, adding that he envisions Xbox One retailing for about $400. He noted, however, subsidizing the hardware with cable providers is a likely scenario still, given the TV focus of the system.
    While Cole believes that the lack of a core gaming focus could hurt Microsoft, Pachter sees it as a smart move to gain a larger market.
    "It's very much an entertainment focused box. They only gave us a glimpse of games. 15 exclusives and 8 new IPs, that's pretty cool... But they kind of did exactly upside-down what Sony did. Sony was all games all the time and this was all entertainment, saying games would be at E3. The gaming press was really excited by the games focus by Sony, but I think this has more mass appeal and I think E3 is a games focused show so I think maybe that strategy is smarter," Pachter noted.
    "The gaming press was really excited by the games focus by Sony, but I think this has more mass appeal...I think the mainstream press will be excited by this"
    Michael Pachter

    "I think the mainstream press will be excited by this. It is a nice interface. That's the thing I've been talking about for a while - if it gets rid of your cable box, then it's interesting. If the only thing you have in your living room is an Xbox, that's pretty powerful. Technologically it's doable right now," he added.
    While Sony talked up how the PS4 will be the most open console ever, paraded Jonathan Blow out on stage at its unveiling and has been courting indies ever since, Microsoft didn't mention independent developers even once. The company's standing among indies in recent years has already taken a hit, and this probably didn't help any. Pachter, however, isn't concerned by the lack     ...
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    Zavvi taking Xbox One pre-orders for £399.99 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 21st, 2013 23:09
    1. Categories:
    2. Xbox One

    Retailer Zavvi appears to be the first to have gone live with Xbox One pre-orders.
    It is currently asking for £399.99 for the new machine. It is also asking £49.99 a piece for a number of games – FIFA 14, NBA Live 14, Madden NFL 25, UFC 14 and Call of Duty: Ghosts.
    It should be noted that Forza 5 was tonight confirmed as a launch title for the machine. EA has said the same of Battlefield 4.
    Zavvi is currently also charging £399.99 for PS4 pre-orders.
    UPDATE: GAME is also taking pre-orders, although it has not confirmed a price. Instead it is accepting deposits for £20.
    “Gamers all around the country have been eagerly waiting to find out what Microsoft will be bringing to the table – today we have our answer: not only is the Xbox One a really powerful piece of gaming hardware, it promises the next level in home entertainment," Game Retail's category director Charlotte Knight stated.
    "The UK gaming community is obviously excited by the prospect of this next generation console and we can’t wait to see it in action at E3 next month!
    “It is worth reminding everyone who’s interested in the Xbox One that many console launches have seen demand significantly outstrip supply, so we would urge anyone wishing to get their hands on a Xbox One from launch to place a deposit with our store teams or online as soon as possible.”

    http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/zavvi...399-99/0115915     ...
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    Xbox One specs detailed 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 21st, 2013 22:49
    1. Categories:
    2. Xbox One

    Next-gen console to house 8-core CPU, 8GB of RAM and 500GB hard drive

    Microsoft has detailed some of the specifications under the hood of its new Xbox One console.
    The hardware features a 8-core CPU and is based on “native x64 architecture”. It will also include 500GB worth of hard drive space and 8GB of DDR3 RAM.

    The console will also include a blu-ray drive and will ship with the new Kinect.
    The new Kinect motion sensor is able to detect slight wrist movements, the emotional state of a player, specific users and can also transfer 2GB of data per second in 1080p.
    It is believed the system is mandatory for system functionality, and the console will not work without it attached.

    http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...specs-detailed
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    No backwards compatibility for Xbox One 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 21st, 2013 22:46
    1. Categories:
    2. Xbox One

    Unique architecture means next-gen console is unable to play Xbox 360 games

    The Xbox One will not include backwards-compatibilty with Xbox 360 games.
    On the back of the new console reveal, Microsoft has confirmed that due to the unique architecture behind the new hardware, users will not be able to play their old games on the system.

    It stated that the Xbox One has been designed for a new generation of games which would make use of new cloud features and that would take advantage of the new processors house in the console.
    Microsoft added it would however continue to support the Xbox 360 in future with new games and apps.
    "Xbox One hardware is not compatible with Xbox 360 games," read a statement from Microsoft.

    http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...y-for-Xbox-One
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    Microsoft unveils its next game console, the Xbox One 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 21st, 2013 22:25
    1. Categories:
    2. Xbox One
    Article Preview

    Microsoft debuted the Xbox One this afternoon live from a tent on its Redmond, Wash., campus, putting to end months of speculation about the company's next-generation video game console. The console will be available "later this year." Microsoft exec Don Mattrick called it out as an "all-in-one" box. The core strategy is "simple, instant and complete." It was debuted alongside a new gamepad as well as a newKinect motion camera.
    The system itself is all black and features a two-tone finish with both matte and gloss in equal measure; a slot-loading Blu-ray optical drive sits out front on the left face, while a power button with the traditional incomplete circle symbol is emblazoned on the right side (which looks to be touch-based). A new Kinect was also unveiled, and it powers the console -- "Xbox On" is being trumpeted as the most important feature. There's instant switching from the Xbox One dashboard to live television (which seems to confirm that HDMI-in rumor), and a live demo showed off impressive speeds. "Switching between live tv and all your games and entertainment is now as simple as using a remote," Microsoft's Yusuf Mehdi said. He also demonstrated gesture controls for the console's UI, quickly snapping back to the dashboard with a pinch command.

    http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/21/m...sole-the-tktk/     ...
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    Apple to begin work on slimmer, lighter iPad 5 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 21st, 2013 22:18
    1. Categories:
    2. Apple iPad

    Apple is set to begin work on the next iPad, which will feature a slimmer, lighter design following the success of the iPad mini.
    Digitimes reports that production of the iPad 5 will begin in July, with Apple opting for a slimmer design, which will be up to between 25 and 33 per cent lighter than its predecessor.
    It's understood that the new iPad will incorporate glass within its Retina display, which is made possible by the use of new touch sensor technology. Meanwhile, a slimmer backlighting device will also decrease the device's bulk.
    As Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference draws ever closer, expect speculation surrounding the latest iOS devices to heat up, with the rumour mill already in full swing surrounding a potential reveal of new MacBook devices at the event.
    Of course, in traditional Apple fashion, all of the speculation surrounding these devices is yet to be confirmed – and don't expect that to change until June 10th, at least.

    http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-ipad-5/031004     ...
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    Wii U Basic going for $240 at Target 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 21st, 2013 13:22
    1. Categories:
    2. Xbox 360 News
    Article Preview

    Target is currently offering the 8GB Wii U Basic at $239.99, one of the lowest prices if not the lowest price we've seen from a major North American retailer. Put your calculators away: that's 20 percent off the normal price of $300. Back in March, Best Buy put the Wii U Basic on sale at $250 for a couple of days.

    The Wii U fell below targets In Nintendo's year-end financials, coming in at 3.45 million shipped worldwide as of March 31. According to the estimates of Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter, aka the Pachter-tron, the Wii U sold 55,000 units in the US last month.

    http://www.target.com/p/wii-u-8gb-ba...1_5&term=wii+u     ...
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    Deadpool listed for Wii U on Amazon Canada 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 20th, 2013 23:48
    1. Categories:
    2. Wii U News
    Article Preview

    Amazon.ca has listed a Wii U version of Deadpool on its site.

    A Wii U version of Deadpool has been listed on Amazon.ca, however it does not include a release date, or price.Activision has not made an official announcement for a Wii U Deadpool, and nor has the product been listed on any other online retailer.
    Australians have missed out on the last four Wii U titles from Activision, with the publisher opting not to release The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, 007 Legends, The Amazing Spider-Man: The Ultimate Edition and Fast & Furious: Showdown in that region.
    Deadpool has been confirmed for a June release on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

    http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...words=deadpool     ...
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    Sony teases PS4 console design 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 20th, 2013 22:17
    1. Categories:
    2. PS4



    Sony has released a new video teasing the hardware design of the PS4.
    In a teaser video entitled 'PlaySTation 4 See it First at E3' the trailer offers a tantalising yet blurred glimpse into the system's new design.

    The video also offers a number of extreme close-ups of the console, but refrains from providing a clear view of the hardware.
    The video states that Sony will finally unveil the PS4 hardware design at E3 on June 10th

    http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...console-design     ...
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    Greenberg teases Xbox reveal, says E3 is 'all about the games' 

    by
    wraggster
    Published on May 20th, 2013 14:58
    1. Categories:
    2. Xbox 360 News
    Article Preview

    Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business Chief of Staff Aaron Greenbergrecently stopped by the Major Nelson podcast to discuss next week's Xbox reveal event and how Microsoft will show its "vision for the future of games."

    "We're really going to tell one story across two events. So we're going to start on the 21st and really that's about revealing the next Xbox platform, really our vision for the future of games, the future of entertainment. We definitely have a lot of surprises planned." Greenberg then specifically called out Call of Duty: Ghosts, which will have its next-generation engine demoed during the Microsoft event.

    "People are going to get a great inside look at really the making of the new platform and the team that's brought it to life," Greenberg added. "I mean, to be honest it's really about the team, the people here. That's why we're inviting people to campus, we're going to bring them behind the scenes a little bit. We've never done this before and so it's really exciting to be able to do that. But I think it's a lot of laying the foundation - probably the best way to describe it - and then just a couple of weeks later we go to E3."

    Greenberg concluded that more will be shown at E3 and after, leading into this holiday season. "E3 is all about the games. At E3, I mean, if you're a gamer, it's going to be tons of exclusives, world premieres and obviously even beyond that we have a lot to share between then and this holiday."

    The Xbox event takes place on May 21 at Microsoft's Redmond campus, located in Washington state. Be sure to have your browser locked to Joystiq starting at 1pm ET (6pm UK, 10am PT) for all of the scoops, commentary and neatly organized words you've come to expect.
    http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/gr...out-the-games/     ...
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