Xbox One: All You Need To Know

Update 05-09-13: Microsoft has announced that the Xbox One will be released on November 22nd, that it will support up to eight controllers and that it will not support external storage at launch.

Update 22-08-13: Microsoft has recently retrated it’s Kinect requirement for the console, added an included headset to the package, a new independent developer/publisher plan and announced several games. Microsoft also announced that a copy of FIFA 14 would be included with all console preorders (Europe only).

Update 23-06-13: Microsoft has reversed the more controversial policies it had previously announced, including the 24-hour online check-in, used-games restrictions and region locking. This unfortunately means the system no longer offers access to your full game library from anywhere as discs are now required to play disc-based installs, the family sharing plan for your library, or the proposed system for lending or selling digital games.

Update 7-06-13: Microsoft have attempted to clarify many of their “answers” to the big questions that have been floating about since the announcement of the Xbox One, namely regarding the issues of always online and used games. The details, such as they are, can be found under the ‘System’ heading of this page.

Original Post: With Microsoft’s announcement of the Xbox One on May 21, there is plenty of news, rumours, interpretations and opinions floating around out there. So instead of giving you any of that, here is a simple list of all the known quantities surrounding the Xbox One. You can also find a more detailed discussion of the Xbox One in the latest Internal Robots Podcast. The list will be updated as more information comes to light. A similar list for Sony’s PS4 can be found here.

Latest updates appear in bold.

 

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Tech Specs

• Blu-ray/DVD optical drive
• 8GB DDR3 RAM
• 1.75GHz 8 Core AMD CPU
• 500 GB Hard Drive (Non-replaceable)
• Expandable storage (USB – Not supported at launch)
• Cloud storage

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• 3x USB 3.0
• Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n, WiFi Direct connections
• Bluetooth 2.1 (EDR)
• HDMI input and output (4K support, 3D support)
• Optical output

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System

• Xbox Live (vastly increased server capacity)
• Kinect 2 motion control (included in box – not required)
• Headset (included in box)
• Supports 8 connected controllers
• FIFA 14 included with all “Day One” console pre-orders (EU & AU only)
• SmartGlass second screen
• No backwards compatibility
• Profile & Achievements maintained
• Cross game chat
• Skype video chat
• Live TV HDMI passthrough
• Game DVR & sharing via Twitch.tv (Requires XBL Gold)
• Mulitple power usage levels (Standby mode, etc.)

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• Voice commands
• Multitasking/”Instant” app switching
• Recommendations & Trending media
• Friends list increased to 1000
• Overhauled matchmaking system (matchmaking whilst out of game)
• No required internet connection/check-in (excl. online games/uses)
• Access your library of digital games from any Xbox One console
• Digital and disc versions available on day of game release
• No used games restrictions – trade in, sell to others, lend to others or keep forever
• No region lock
• Remote downloads

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Controller

• Xbox One Controller
• Redesigned triggers/bumpers
• Redesigned, cross-shaped D-Pad (reportedly a significant improvement)
• No “Start” & “Back” buttons
• Two unnamed symbol buttons
• “Guide” button raised
• Rumble motors in triggers
• Motion & position tracking via Kinect/infrared

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• WiFi Direct connection
• Standard Micro USB wired connection
• Reduced input lag
• Headset connection
• Flat removable battery pack
• Textured thumbsticks
• Reduced dead-zone in thumbsticks
• Low-power state when not in use/resume functioning without resync

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Kinect

• Kinect 2
• Included with console
• Connection not required
• User recognition
• 1080p camera resolution
• Microphone array
• 2Gbit/s of data

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• Wider field of view
• Infrared
• Voice control
• Heart Rate monitoring
• Operational in the dark
• Complete privacy control over when and what Kinect listens to, and where it goes

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Games

• Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Ubisoft) – Launch
• Battlefield 4 (DICE) – Launch
• Below (Capybara) – EX
• Call of Duty: Ghosts (Infinity Ward) – Launch
• Cobalt (Mojang) – EX
• The Crew (Ubisoft Reflections)
• Crimson Dragon (Groundling) – Launch
• D4 (Swery65) – EX
• Dead Rising 3 (Capcom) – EX/Launch
• Destiny (Bungie)
• The Division (Ubisoft)
• Dragon Age: Inquisition (BioWare)
• Dying Light (Techland)
• EA Sports UFC (EA)
• The Elder Scrolls Online (Bethesda)
• The Evil Within (Bethesda)
• Fable Legends (Lionhead) – EX
• Fantasia: Music Evolved (Harmoix) – EX
• FIFA 2014 (EA) – Launch
• Fighter Within (Ubisoft) – EX/Launch
• Final Fantasy XV (Square Enix)
• Forza Motorsport 5 (Turn 10) – EX/Launch
• Halo [5?] (343) – EX
• Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft) – Launch
• Killer Instinct (Rare) – EX/Launch
• Kinect Sports Rivals (Rare) – EX
• Kingdom Hearts 3 (Square Enix)
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (TT) – Launch
• LocoCycle (Twisted Pixel) – EX/Launch

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• Madden 25 (EA) – Launch
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Kojima)
• Minecraft: Xbox One Edition (Mojang)
• Mirror’s Edge (DICE)
• NBA 2K14 (2K) – Launch
• NBA Live 14 (EA) – Launch
• Need For Speed Rivals (Ghost) – Launch
• Peggle 2 (PopCap) – Launch
• Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare (PopCap)
• Powerstar Golf (Zoe Mode) – EX/Launch
• Project Spark (Microsoft Studios)
• Quantum Break (Remedy) – EX
• Rayman Legends (Ubisoft)
• Ryse: Son of Rome (Crytek) – EX/Launch
• Skylanders Swap Force (Vicarious Visions) – Launch
• Star Wars Battlefront (DICE)
• Sunset Overdrive (Insomniac)
• Thief (Eidos)
• Titanfall (Respawn) – EX
• Trials Fusion (Ubisoft)
• Unnamed Game (Black Tusk)
• Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade (Behaviour)
• Watch Dogs (Ubisoft) – Launch
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (CD Projekt RED)
• Wolfenstein: The New Order (Bethesda)
• Zoo Tycoon (Blue Fang) – Launch
• Zumba Fitness: World Party (Zoe Mode) – Launch[/col][/row]

EX = Exclusive to Playstation

Launch = Available within console launch window

 

Release Date & Price

22nd November 2013

$499 US / €499 EU / £429 UK / $599 AU