We’ve already detailed the ins-and-outs of the PS4 (which you can read right here), but now its time to turn our attention to Microsoft’s entry in the next-generation of console gaming: the Xbox One.
While the Xbox One has faced its fair share of criticism prior to its release, Microsoft has removed most of the features that caused such animosity towards the upcoming console – but with all these changes that have been made, what will gamers who pick up the new console on launch day be getting for their money?
Here’s Crave Online’s buyer’s guide to the Xbox One:
Everything You Need to Know About the Xbox One: A Buyer's Guide
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What You'll Get on Day One...
Inside the Xbox One is an 8-core Jaguar CPU that is almost identical to that of the PS4's, except for the Xbox One's CPU being clocked at 1.75GHz compared to the PS4's 1.6GHz. However, the Xbox One having a faster CPU isn't expected to make that much of a difference between both consoles.
The Xbox One has a Radeon 7000-series GPU, but despite the technology of the PS4 and Xbox One's GPUs being very similar, the PS4's is larger, and its theoretical performance is 50% better.
The Xbox One certainly a healthy launch line-up, with the likes of Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5 and the family-friendly Zoo Tycoon leading its exclusives, while multiplatform titles such as Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts and FIFA 14 will all be present and correct, too. FIFA 14 is being given away for free in Europe for those who have preordered the Day One Edition, which is a great deal for those who have managed to snag it.
The Xbox One will also be bundled in with the Kinect 2.0, the upgraded version of the Xbox 360's motion-detection camera.
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The Kinect 2.0
Microsoft received a lot of stick for the Xbox 360's Kinect, because while it was an inarguably impressive piece of technology, its implementation left a lot to be desired and it lacked decent software support.
The Kinect 2.0 looks to change this. While many have bemoaned its mandatory inclusion with the Xbox One, it's a smart move on behalf of Microsoft who are looking to make the upcoming console an all-in-one entertainment system, with the Kinect being an integral part of the player's interaction with the system. Its technology is vastly improved this time around, and it looks set to actually offer something useful to those who aren't inveigled by the prospect of petting virtual animals in Zoo Tycoon or shaking what their mother gave them in Just Dance 2014.
Its voice recognition has been enhanced, its much more capable of tracking your body and, thanks to Microsoft's acquisition of Skype, you'll be able to hold high-definition video calls from the comfort of your living room. Seeing as how every Xbox owner will have a Kinect this time round, expect Microsoft's support of it to be much stronger than that of its predecessor's.
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The Xbox One in 2014
The Xbox One's launch line-up is arguably stronger than that of both the Wii U's and the PS4's, but what about its roster of games going into 2014?
Here are the biggest games that are set to release on the new console next year.
- Titanfall (March 14th 2014)
- Watch Dogs (Q2 2014)
- The Elder Scrolls Online (Q2 2014)
- Project Spark (Q2 2014)
- Dragon Age: Inquisition (Q3 2014)
- Halo for Xbox One (TBA 2014)
- Destiny (TBA 2014)
- Kingdom Hearts III (TBA 2014)
- Tom Clancy's The Division (TBA 2014)
- Final Fantasy XV (TBA 2014)
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (TBA 2014)
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Xbox Live on the Xbox One
Microsoft will be continuing its 'Games on Demand' service on the Xbox One, with free games being given to Xbox Live Gold subscribers. The annual subscription fee for being a Gold member will be the same as it was on the Xbox 360, though with the addition of these free games, it's now an altogether more attractive package to invest in.
SmartGlass will also play a more important role this time around. Xbox Live's Ron Pessner has stated that gamers will be able to join matchmaking sessions via the SmartGlass app, without disturbing the action that's taking place on their TVs. Pessner also revealed that the Xbox One will allow up to 16 devices to connect to the console via Smartglass, saying that "an interesting implementation of this would be playing poker with friends, or maybe an MMORPG where there can be lots of hands in the pot."
Also, for all of the achievement hunters out there, your gamerscore will carry over from the Xbox 360 to the Xbox One, so no need to worry about losing those precious points in the transition from one console to the next.
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TV Integration
The most divisive part of the Xbox One's announcement was the huge level of importance Microsoft placed in its TV integration. While this sparked a PR disaster at the time, now that the dust cloud has settled and we've seen more of this feature in action, it admittedly looks quite fun and, most importantly, useful.
Rather than plugging the HDMI lead from your cable box straight into the TV, Microsoft instead wants you to plug it into your Xbox One. This means that you can hop between channels using the Kinect's voice recognition system, and even play games whilst watching TV in a handy little pop-up on your screen,
