Xbox One: not always online, plays used games, no back compat
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The Xbox One will not require an Internet connection to function, Microsoft has confirmed.
In a Q&A on its official site, the company wrote: “No, it does not have to be always connected, but Xbox One does require a connection to the Internet.”
“We’re designing Xbox One to be your all-in-one entertainment system that is connected to the cloud and always ready. We are also designing it so you can play games and watch Blu-ray movies and live TV if you lose your connection.”
However, Microsoft was encouraging console owners to be connected, as that “makes every experience better and more accessible”.
A constant connection would allow for persistent game worlds, automatic updates, cloud save access any time, multiplayer modes, and a custom home screen, it said.
Xbox One interface screens
Screens of Xbox One's interface - the dashboard, as well as DVR and TV menus.
Microsoft has extended the Kinect's voice recognition capabilities, so all menus may be navigated using that peripheral.
Xbox One hardware photos
A mix of official photos from Microsoft and snaps from Chris Leggett, who is reporting from the Xbox One reveal event.
Here are all the games confirmed for the Xbox One so far
A number of developers have confirmed games they have in development for the Xbox One.
Microsoft Game Studios has plans for more than 15 exclusive games in the console's first year, eight of which are brand new franchises.
One of these games is Forza Motorsport 5, which will be a launch title.
The new Kinect is always listening, can detect heartbeats
The new Xbox will always be listening to you, even when it's switched off.
Xbox One comes bundled with a new version of Microsoft’s Kinect peripheral, and this must be connected to the console for the console to function.
Moreover, the console is able to be powered on with a voice command – that is, it’s always listening.
Arkham Origins has its Batman and Joker
Warner Bros. has revealed which actors lend their voices to the leads in the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins.
Roger Craig Smith is Batman, while Troy Baker will tackle the Joker.
Smith has previously voiced Assassin's Creed’s Ezio Auditore and Resident Evil’s Chris Redfield.
Dyack responds to mismanagement allegations in bid to save Eternals Kickstarter
Precursor Games chief creative officer Denis Dyack has taken to YouTube to defend his past actions in a bid to save Precursor’s Shadow of the Eternals Kickstarter campaign.
A week in, the game’s Kickstarter has raised just 16 per cent of its US$1,350,000 goal, with Dyack’s involvement commonly cited as the factor that is keeping pledges away.
Dyack was the target of a number of scathing allegations last year in a Kotaku piece that sought to document the troubled development of the critically panned X-Men: Destiny at Silicon Knights.
Next-gen console sales will be the highest yet - Microsoft
One day ahead of its next Xbox reveal, Microsoft has shared some statistics that it says show console gaming has not yet peaked.
According to data from various research firms that has been aggregated by Microsoft, the number of next generation consoles sold (an estimated 385 million) will be 28 per cent higher than current gen figures.
Further, console gaming is the leading source of revenue in gaming, scooping up US$27 billion (AU$27.5 billion) of the US$65 billion (AU$66.2 billion) that is apparently spent on gaming worldwide (42 per cent).
A Syndicate Wars reboot could be coming to Kickstarter
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A YouTube video from a developer called 5Lives Studio appears to be teasing a Kickstarter campaign for a Syndicate Wars reboot.
Syndicate Wars is the acclaimed third game in the much-loved Syndicate series. It was released on PC in 1996, and on PlayStation the following year.
Text from the video reads: “In 1996 this man [face obscured] created a Bullfrog masterpiece. In 2013, with your help, we will redefine the genre.”
Kickstarter roundup – week of May 20
Below are a handful of games that in the past week have been added to Kickstarter, hit their funding goal, or failed miserably on the popular crowdfunding site.
As a rule, we generally don't report on games that seek or attract less than US$50,000, and a game's appearance here should not be taken as a recommendation. Remember to back projects wisely – you know, just like everyone did with the Ouya.
Recently Funded- 34
- 88 Anyone else suffering?
- 28 Jagged Alliance - turn-based game from Space Hulk 2013 dev
- 18 Steam Trading Cards
- 3744 Good deal thread
- 17 \Papers Please
- 52 no time for love, Dr. Mario - 3rd party commitment to WiiU
- 93 Neverwinter Mega Thread
- 2551 What are you currently playing? (screenshots)
- 74 Don't Starve
Wednesday 22 May
Tuesday 21 May
Dyack responds to mismanagement allegations in bid to save Eternals Kickstarter
Next-gen console sales will be the highest yet - Microsoft
Monday 20 May
Kingdoms of Amalur, Demon's Souls, Rayman Legends headline June PlayStation Plus
Ubisoft had a great financial year thanks to Far Cry 3 and Assassin’s Creed III
Friday 17 May
Thursday 16 May
Wednesday 15 May
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