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The first Xbox One S bundles in the UK are really cheap
Microsoft's Xbox One S is just the right kind of mid-generation hardware update. The neater console, with a better bundled gamepad and 4K Blu-ray drive, is tempting enough without feeling like a big ol' middle finger to OG Xbox One owners. When it launched in the UK towards the beginning of last month, though, its £350 price tag wasn't exactly accessible. But today, the first One S console bundles (with FIFA 17 included) have launched, lowering the cost of entry to dangerous, impulse-buy territory.
Doom's multiplayer patch adds a messy free-for-all deathmatch
The new Doom had a bit of a different strategy for multiplayer when it launched earlier this year. The team at id Software focused on playing to the game's strengths by offering play-as-a-demon game-types alongside Freeze Tag, riffs on traditional modes like Warpath (king of the hill) and the tried but true team deathmatch. The game's next update adds free-for-all deathmatch (no cooperating with strangers on the internet required) and private matches, while an arcade mode for the single-player campaign is slated for later this fall.
Xbox One S helped Microsoft outsell the PS4 in August
The Xbox One outsold the PlayStation 4 in August, thanks to a boost from Microsoft's latest console, the Xbox One S. A 2TB model of the Xbox One S hit shelves on August 2nd for $400 and sales of the new console are bundled under the broader "Xbox One" banner. The Xbox One S supports HDR, 4K gaming, streaming and Blu-ray, and it's 40 percent smaller than the launch model.
Welcome to the final console generation as we know it
PlayStation 4 architect Mark Cerny practically whispered into his microphone as he introduced the world to Sony's newest console iteration, the PS4 Pro. His voice was at odds with the setting: He stood at the center of attention in a New York City auditorium packed with journalists and fans eager to hear about the latest and greatest Sony gaming technology. Amid frantic keyboard tapping and camera flashes, Cerny described the PS4 Pro's upgrades like a museum curator detailing a magnificent piece of art he'd just acquired. The Pro's GPU is twice as fast as the standard PS4, it can handle PSVR out of the box, it has a 1TB hard drive, boosted clock rate and it supports 4K and HDR gaming. Even some older games, including Shadow of Mordor and Infamous: First Light, will be patched to support 4K and HDR features in a move that Sony labels "forward compatibility." Cerny called the PS4 Pro transformative, while PlayStation CEO Andrew House stressed that Sony wanted to ensure anyone playing on the new, beefed-up console would still be a part of the overall PS4 community. "PS4 Pro is not intended to blur the lines between console generations," Cerny said. However, despite Sony's best intentions, the PS4 Pro smudges this generational dividing line. Modern console generations have followed a fairly rigid pattern: standard console, "slim" console, rumors of a new console. Rinse and repeat for the next four to eight years.
The Xbox Onesie is equal parts comedy and tragedy
For the folks who take their couch potato-ing very seriously, Microsoft has something up its rollable sleeves for you. It's called the Xbox Onesie, and, as you might expect, it's an adult-sized pair of zip-up pajamas packed to the seams with purpose-built, Xbox-themed accoutrement. We're talking oversized pockets for gamepads and remotes, an arm pouch for your phone and a giant hood that shouldn't interfere with even the bulkiest of headphones. That's in addition to "forearm grips to prevent slipping on those 'edge of your seat' moments" and the option to have your Gamertag embroidered on the getup. There is a catch, though.
Microsoft says this might be the last console generation
Earlier today I sat down with Aaron Greenberg, Microsoft's head of Xbox games marketing, to talk about Xbox One, Project Scorpio and the future of console gaming. Here are Greenberg's thoughts on three key topics.
Xbox One S converted into a road-ready laptop
Do-it-yourself Xbox laptops have been around since Ben Heck cobbled one together from an Xbox 360, but "laptop" is a misnomer -- most are more like small desktops with screens hinged on. Modder Edward Zarick, the creator of the "Xbook One," is trying to change that (a bit), though. The "Xbook One S" is a smaller and slimmer thanks to the Xbox One S guts and a Samsung 19-inch screen. Unlike the 22-inch Vizio model used on the original, the new display has 720p rather than a 1080p resolution, unfortunately.
Xbox One S teardown reveals a simpler, speedier design
If you're a console gamer, you've probably been wondering: how did Microsoft manage to shrink the Xbox One S so much compared to its predecessor? And importantly, did it have to make any big sacrifices in the process? iFixit will be more than happy to show you. The DIY repair shop just tore down the Xbox One S, and it's clear that nothing has been lost in the move to a smaller size... in fact, there are a couple of pleasant surprises.
Xbox One S review: a worthy successor -- to the Xbox 360
Microsoft is making a lot of assumptions with the Xbox One S. It's a 40 percent smaller and 100 percent whiter version of the Xbox One that launched nearly three years ago, albeit with a few key differences. First is the built-in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player and compatibility with high-dynamic-range video for increased contrast and a wider color gamut. Then there's support for Ultra HD streaming from apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. As for the rest of the system? For better and worse, it's basically the same.
Xbox One S 'Halo' and 'Madden 17' bundles arrive August 23rd
Microsoft dropped the price of the original Xbox One to $249 over the weekend, and now the company is offering more details on the new Xbox One S. The first two bundles that pair games with the smaller 4K-ready console will ship August 23rd, but they're up for pre-order today. First, a Madden NFL 17 option comes with a One S that offers a download of the game, 1TB of storage, seven Madden Ultimate Team Pro Packs and one month of EA Access for $349. Unfortunately, there's no 500GB model available with the popular football title and the bundle will only be available in the US and Canada for now.
Microsoft's 2TB Xbox One S arrives on August 2nd
You don't have to wait much longer to get Microsoft's higher-end 2TB Xbox One S. Microsoft has confirmed that the capacious console will reach both pre-order customers and retail shelves on August 2nd. As before, the $399/£350 you'll pay largely reflects that 2TB of storage. You'll get 4K (and HDR) video playback, the Bluetooth-capable controller and that more compact design on all Xbox One S models, including the more affordable 500GB and 1TB versions arriving sometime later this year. There's a bigger question looming, though: do you buy this and enjoy it right away, or wait for the supercharged Project Scorpio late in 2017?
Behold the 'Gears of War 4' custom Xbox One S
The Xbox One S isn't even out yet but that hasn't stopped Microsoft from taking the smaller console to the custom shop for the first time. If the base model's white exterior doesn't match your decor, maybe a Gears of War 4 blood red one will. It's ugly as sin (now we know what the "S" actually denotes), packs 2TB of internal storage and has laser-etched "claw marks" left by Gears of War 4's new enemies, the Swarm. Of course, HDR video is here as well, and GoW4 is the first game to take advantage of it.
It's never been harder to buy an Xbox One
Yesterday should've been a triumphant day for Microsoft. The Xbox One S is, on paper, a fantastic iteration on what was already a solid console. It's a thin, striking machine with 4K and HDR support and a seriously attractive proposition for those who don't have an Xbox One already. (By all accounts, that's the vast majority of gamers.) But then Microsoft did something crazy: It announced the next next Xbox, code-named Project Scorpio. And now ... why would anyone buy an Xbox One S?
Xbox One S UK pricing: What you need to know
As is the case with many Microsoft announcements, the new Xbox One S console leaked before the company had the chance to confirm it at its E3 keynote. Now that it's official, we know that it will come with 4K and HDR support, a 2TB hard drive and front-facing USB port for that rarely-used Kinect accessory (if you buy an adaptor). Oh, and it's 40 percent smaller than its predecessor and has an integrated power supply, ditching that clumsy power brick. But how much will it cost?
This is the Xbox One S
Do you have your best shocked face ready? Microsoft just announced a slimmer Xbox One, the Xbox One S. Okay, so the surprise was kinda ruined by a month of leaks, culminating in a picture of the thing finding its way into the wild yesterday morning. But at least now that it's official, we know exactly why Microsoft thinks you should buy a new Xbox.
Microsoft's 4K-capable Xbox One S leaks before E3
Those rumors of Microsoft launching a smaller, more powerful Xbox One at E3? They're apparently quite real. NeoGAF members have posted multiple images of what they say is the Xbox One S, and the leak points to a huge overhaul for the console. For a start, check out that compact design -- the S is much smaller than the gigantic original (by 40 percent), and its white, patterned case is definitely more eye-catching. The power brick is internal, too.
