xboxonex
Latest
Dolby Vision HDR is ready for testing on Xbox One
Microsoft promised Dolby Vision HDR support for the Xbox One and starting today, testers with an Xbox One S or Xbox One X (and a compatible 4K TV) can try it out with Netflix streaming. Dolby's expansion on HDR10 -- that already drastically improves the capabilities for lighting and contrast -- adds 12-bit color support plus features for content publishers to adjust settings for the best lighting and color in each scene. Most owners of Ultra HD TVs with Dolby Vision and 4K probably already have an app built-in that will stream the right content, but now they can enjoy it without switching back and forth. There's still no word on support for Dolby Vision-ready 4K Blu-ray discs, but at least this step is done.
EA delays 'Battlefield V' to November 20th
DICE knows a thing or two about the perils of shipping a game before it's ready. That's why it and Electronic Arts are pushing the release date for Battlefield V back by almost a month. The World War II shooter will now be released on November 20th instead of October 19th. That puts it out of spitting distance of Red Dead Redemption 2 (out October 26th), the game seemingly every other publisher is trying to avoid on calendar.
Microsoft is launching a white Xbox One X console and controller
Today, Microsoft announced that, for the first time, its Xbox One X console and Elite Wireless Controller are available in white. You can pick them up as a part of the Xbox One X Robot White Special Edition Fallout 76 Bundle, which comes bundled with a full-game download of Fallout 76. It's available for pre-order now at the Microsoft Store and GameStop in the US and around the world at participating retailers. You can snag the bundle for $500, and it will ship to retailers starting November 14th.
Microsoft reportedly shelved an Xbox VR headset
Back in June, Microsoft's chief marketing officer for gaming, Mike Nichols, told Gameindustry.biz that the company had no plans to create a VR headset for the Xbox console. Now, CNET has learned that there was indeed a VR headset for Xbox under development, but the project has been shelved until better tech is available.
'All Access' Xbox subscription could bundle games, Live and a console
Microsoft's vision for the Xbox as a service might become clearer in the very near future. Windows Central has heard that Microsoft is prepping a Xbox All Access subscription that would bundle an Xbox One console, Xbox Live Gold and an Xbox Game Pass for a single flat rate on a two-year contract. You'd pay $22 per month if you could get by with an Xbox One S, while 4K fans would pay $35 per month for an Xbox One X. That would be slightly more affordable than paying for everything separately, and you'd own your console when the contract expired.
Microsoft, where's my 2TB Xbox One X?
Today at Gamescom Microsoft trotted out a bevy of new Xbox hardware/software bundles, as promised. There were eight (!) in total, with the One X getting the lion's share of them. Both the One S and One X bundles share a common theme: 1 terabyte of internal storage. First-party games optimized for the One X, meaning they feature 4K resolution and HDR video, are big, and several reach 100GB. That'a over 10 percent of available internal storage per. It doesn't take having too many of those before you have to start playing virtual Tetris with game downloads.
‘Dark Souls Trilogy’ collection is coming to PS4 and Xbox One
The critically-acclaimed Dark Souls series is getting a three-disc bundle release for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 later this year. Dark Souls Trilogy will include the remastered original, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin and Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition. Publisher Bandai Namco is promising "all DLC content" too, making this a pretty definitive collection for fans of the FromSoftware franchise. It's an obvious move, though one that could rile some players — Dark Souls: Remastered was only released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC in May, and the Switch version comes out on October 19th, the same day as Dark Souls Trilogy.
'Doom Eternal' doubles the (destructible) demons
Bethesda and id Software teased Doom Eternal at E3, but now we've got a much better look at it. id promises twice as many demons as last time, including reimagined classic enemies from Doom 2 like the Arachnotron. There are destructible demons now too, with chunks falling off as you rip and tear through them.
'Red Dead Redemption 2' trailer shows off a more ambitious sequel
After almost two years of teases and a few delays, we finally have our first look at how Red Dead Redemption 2 will actually play come October 26th. The gameplay trailer is directly in the vein of the videos Rockstar released in the lead-up to Grand Theft Auto V and the first Red Dead Redemption. Today's footage is a high-level overview showing off the world and its inhabitants. Towns and forests look bigger and more expansive than ever, with gorgeous mountain ranges, dank swamps and plenty in between.
'Forza' loot crates won't be around much longer
Future Forza racing games will not feature loot crates. Today, developer Turn 10 announced that it is removing loot crates from Forza Motorsport 7, and that this fall's caRPG Forza Horizon 4 won't feature them at all. "While we've never charged money for prize crates in Forza Motorsport 7, their presence in the game has continued to be a source of controversy," the studio's Alan Hartman writes.
Here's how 'Wolfenstein II' manages to run on Nintendo Switch
Now that Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is available on the Switch, there's a question many want answered: just how did Panic Button manage to squeeze such a visually intense game into a title you can play on the bus? You now have a clear answer. DigitalFoundry has produced a detailed examination of the many tweaks made to make the game work. The developer managed to preserve all the gameplay sequences, geometric detail and key visual effects (such as particles, volumetric lighting and motion blur) -- it's the less-than-essential features that get cut.
How to optimize your online gaming setup
Whether you play Fortnite, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds or Overwatch, you're going to want as little latency as possible between your hands and the game's servers. While you can't really account for how reliable your ISP is, by making a few smart choices you can ensure that your side of the equation is as speedy as possible. Everything from your controller to your keyboard and mouse to your display and router can affect how long it takes for a game to recognize when you put a few rounds at an enemy. It might not seem like a big deal at first, but every millisecond of delay adds up and could mean the difference between that ever-elusive chicken dinner in PUBG and going home hungry. Let's take a look at a few things you can do to optimize your online gaming experience at home.
Microsoft abandons VR plans for Xbox One
Fans of virtual or mixed reality who have been clinging to the hope of a headset for Xbox One will need to keep holding out -- Microsoft has confirmed it isn't focusing on either technology for the console -- for the time being, anyway.
'Fortnite' on Switch still holds up against Xbox One X version
If you're a Fortnite gamer who wants to play on the go, you've got two options. Either deal with touchscreen interface on the title's mobile port, or grab the recently released Switch version of the multiplayer Battle Royale shooter. Regardless, you'll likely encounter some visual downgrades if you've been playing on a high-end console or PC. Digital Foundry has created a video to compare the differences between Fortnite on the Switch and the game on an Xbox One X to suss out what, exactly, that means.
Watch Microsoft's Xbox E3 keynote in under 11 minutes
Microsoft's E3 keynote is in the rear-view, and boy was it a busy one. Catch up on everything important in just eleven minutes with our supercut!
Microsoft discounts the Xbox One X for its E3 week sale
Microsoft is cutting the price of the 4K-friendly Xbox One X for the first time in what the company is calling its biggest Xbox sale of the year. All Xbox One models are dropping by $50, so the Xbox One X will set you back $449, while the Xbox One S costs $199 for the 500GB version, and $249 for 1TB. If you've been looking for a new controller, you can pick one up for $10 less.
All Xbox One 'PUBG' players can access its terrible second map
Whether you love it or hate it, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' second map is out of testing and available for all players on Xbox One as of today. If you're a fan of sniping, Miramar, with its focus on open spaces and elevation should be right up your alley. In addition to the semi-fresh play-space, today's patch brings a new revolver, a lever-action rifle and a sawed-off shotgun into the mix, as well as a handful of tweaks for game balance. Not a fan of the new map? Well, you aren't alone in that, but, you can always hope that the PC and mobile version's map selection feature is added in the next patch on Xbox One.
'PES 2019' hits PC, PS4 and Xbox One on August 28th
If you'd rather not support EA's definitions of "gambling" and "loot boxes" but still want to play virtual soccer football, maybe this year's Pro Evolution Soccer from Konami will tickle your fancy. PES 2019 will be in stores August 28th (US) and August 30th (Europe) for Steam, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It'll feature 4K HDR video across "all capable platforms," too. Hopefully that means support for the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X in addition to PC. Earlier last month it was revealed that the franchise would lose its license for the Champions League teams and players, and Konami hasn't provided any information yet on what will replace them. However, its announcement trailer for the new game features and awful lot of David Beckham, and there will even be an edition of the game named after Posh Spice's husband. The game is up for pre-order right now, and we'll probably get answers to our burning questions about which leagues and stadiums will be featured next month at E3.
Xbox One X enhancements come to 'Red Dead Redemption' and 'Portal 2'
Red Dead Redemption 2 might not launch for several months, but Microsoft is giving you the next best thing. The company has added Xbox One X visual enhancements to six classic Xbox 360 games, including the original Red Dead Redemption. If you've wanted to revisit John Marston's saga on your 4K TV, this is likely as good as it gets until the sequel arrives. Not that the other games are obscure -- Darksiders, Gears of War 2, Portal 2, Sonic Generations (the first time it's available on Xbox One, in fact) and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed are making the leap as well.
'Doom' is the latest game to get a 4K patch on consoles
The next time you venture a little south of Heaven in Doom it'll have an awful lot more Hellish detail. Developer id Software is pushing out an update tomorrow that'll bump the game's resolution pretty dramatically on PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X hardware, up to 4K. Doom uses a dynamic resolution scaler (which explains how it can run on the Nintendo Switch), but at the moment the resolution is capped at 1080p. So, while the game currently looks better on PS4 Pro than base PS4 hardware, it's not playing in 4K. Unfortunately, publisher Bethesda's blog post doesn't mention HDR or what frame-rates the game will run at in UHD.
