One of the biggest Microsoft E3 2013 highlights is that the company has finally gone ahead and slapped its Xbox One console with a price tag and a release window. Moreover, it has also announced a new Halo game for the next-gen machine, which it claims will run in 1080p at 60fps. More details about the console and its games have also been revealed. Let’s take a peek at them.
Xbox One price and release date:
The next-gen beast from Microsoft which was nothing near to being well-received by gamers prior to E3, was revealed to have some more not-so-pleasing aspects under its belt. Firstly, its price has been revealed to be higher than that of Sony’s PS4. It will be launched sometime in November this year, and will be purchasable at 499 USD (approx. Rs 29,275) in the US, 499 Euros (approx. Rs 38,845) in Europe and at 429 GBP (approx. Rs 39,215) in the UK.
360 gets a redesign:
The 360 has been granted an overhaul by its maker, to keep its design on the lines of its next-gen successor. It has already started shipping in the US, the UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia, while it will be seen making its way into other markers soon. The MRP of a 4GB model has been set at 200 USD (approx. Rs 11,735). A Kinect bundled with that, would set buyers back by 300 USD (approx. Rs 17,600). A 250GB version without a Kinect will be placed at the latter cost as well. This last-gen console will be getting ‘hundreds of new games’ in the next two years, claimed the company.
Xbox One new aspects revealed:
Among the other Microsoft E3 2013 highlights is the fact that SmartGlass for the new console will proffer gamers with the ability to perform tasks such as start a single player game, buy add-on content while in-game, view leaderboards and more. It has also come to light that the company has let go of its MS Points currency system, and has brought in its place, local currencies. And then there’s Upload Studio, a feature meant for sharing and editing of gameplay videos. Moreover, live streams will be made possible by the integration of Twitch.tv onto the console.
Games:
Surely, this is what it’s all about. And although publishers in their own E3 press conferences have also announced a few games for the Xbox One, Ballmer and Co. itself gave us a few surprises in their keynote as well. Chief among them has to be the fact that the console will be getting a new Halo game. Along with a trailer and some screenshots, it was also revealed that this title will be able to run in 1080p at 60fps, giving gamers the ultimate visual experience. It will be released in 2014, and will hence, not be a launch title.
Taking a cue from Sony’s PS Plus subscription service, the Windows giant has decided to offer two free games per month to every Gold member, starting this July. Another big announcement was that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will be arriving for the Xbox One, but not as an exclusive.
Ryse: Son of Rome, the gladiator-themed action game from Crytek will be an exclusive for the Xbox One, and will be made available at launch. The game lets you jump in to the shoes of a Roman General, while its gameplay is high on quick-time events, giving us an impression that we finally have a God of War-like competitor from Microsoft.
The Witcher 3 will also be headed to the console along with other platforms. It will feature optional Kinect commands and the option of using SmartGlass during gameplay.
And then there’s Minecraft for Xbox One. Notch’s classic sandbox building offering will be seen coming out with added features for the new console. Among them will be expanded multiplayer capabilities and larger environments that weren’t possible on the 360 due to its limited RAM.
After its not-so-well received Fuse, Insomniac Games has begun working on an Xbox One exclusive called Sunset Overdrive. This cloud-infused title is a stylized open world shooter which uses a mechanic that allows it to change a gamer’s experience every day. We’re short on details regarding this feature right now however.
Respawn Entertainment will be releasing Titanfall for the Xbox One, the 360 as well as PC. This mech-based futuristic FPS will be coming out during the spring of 2014. It will feature heavy focus on multiplayer as well.
A Killer Instinct reboot is on the horizon, and it’s a Xbox One exclusive. It is being created by Silent Hill: Homecoming-developer Double Helix, and will feature ‘some of the most advanced technology ever in a fighting game,’ according to the studio.
Dead Rising 3 has also been announced as an Xbox One exclusive. This new installment to Capcom’s zombie franchise will feature an open world approach. A trailer for the new game can be spotted below.
Next among the Microsoft E3 2013 highlights is that Forza Motorsport 5 will be an Xbox One launch title. A gameplay trailer for the new game in the much revered series has also been unveiled.
Quantum Break was disclosed at the Xbox One unveiling event with a short video, but at E3, Max Payne and Alan Wake-creator Remedy gave us a proper glimpse of this Xbox One exclusive. This is an ambitious project in the sense that it’s a game as well as a TV show, with a player’s in-game decisions having influence over the version of the show they’ll get to see.
Other games that the company unveiled and are part of the Microsoft E3 2013 highlights include Kinect Sports Rivals, Lococycle and more. Stay tuned to our site for more on what other publishers have showcased in their keynotes and also for all the other important new regarding the gaming extravaganza in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, those wishing to by the new Xbox One console can place their pre-orders at major retailers now.