The Xbox One controller will cost $60 when the next-gen console ships this November, Microsoft confirmed on Monday. That price puts the Xbox One controller $10 more expensive than the Xbox 360 controller, but on par with games for both the Xbox One and Xbox 360 consoles. It’s also the same price as the PS4 controller, the DualShock 4. Oddly enough, though, confirmation of the Xbox One controller price wasn’t really necessary; its $60 price had been known for six weeks. Gamers are still wondering about the Xbox One … [Read more...]
Web Version of Xbox Music Coming Soon, Says Microsoft
Microsoft has tried its hand at music multiple times, from an Xbox DJ and music app that debuted years ago with J Allard mixing the tunes at E3 to the failed Zune hardware that eventually evolved into the Zune software that manages tunes and your Windows Phone updates. It’s funny how everything comes full circle, though, as Microsoft seems to have found a home with Xbox Music. A Web version of Xbox Music is slated to hit the Internet next week, a Microsoft rep has told Engadget, with sources telling The Verge that … [Read more...]
Microsoft’s Xbox One Used-Game Policy Makes Sense – And Could Win the Console War
When clarifying its Xbox One used-game policy, Microsoft seemed to send a troubling message to the very customers who made it the current-gen console sales leader. If customers can only resell games “at participating retailers,” can no longer rent games (link) and may be banned from loaning games to more than one friend, will we ever truly own a next-gen game? If gamers are paying full MSRP, why put such restrictions on the games they’re buying? The questions have been legit, but amid all the outcry, one interesting … [Read more...]
Could the Xbox One Kill GameFly and Redbox?
Microsoft clarified its Xbox One used-game policy in the days leading up to E3, causing quite a stir among gamers. From games not working if the console hasn't connected to the internet in 24 hours (link) to only being able to pass along a game to one friend (link), to the ability to only resell used games “at participating retailers” (link), the Xbox One manufacturer gave all sorts of fodder for gamers to chew on. Yet it’s the Xbox One game rental policy -- or lack thereof -- that may be the most intriguing policy of … [Read more...]
Phil Harrison, Formerly the PS3 Grand Poobah, Joins Microsoft’s Xbox Team
The incestuous game industry showed how it got its reputation, as Microsoft has announced that Phil Harrison, former Sony executive and PS3 head honcho, has joined Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB) leadership team as corporate vice president with an emphasis on growing the division’s European business. Translation: dude's focused on expanding the Xbox 360 in Europe. Phil’s role on the IEB leadership team is completely unrelated to Peter Molyneux’s departure. Phil will lead Microsoft Studios … [Read more...]
Kinect Star Wars in 3D: Pod Racing Hands-On Preview
There are a few parallels between Kinect Star Wars and Episode I: The Phantom Menace, which opens today in 3D. The most obvious is the connection to Episode I content and characters, which so far have driven all of the Kinect Star Wars game demos. The most surprising parallel, though, relates specifically to the 3D release of The Phantom Menace: a poor first impression. The 3D film's first 10 to 15 minutes are frankly a visual disappointment. Sitting through the opening scenes of the Episode I 3D midnight showing, I … [Read more...]
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Launch Events at Microsoft Stores
The original Master Chief experience, Halo: Combat Evolved, is making its grand high-definition appearance on Xbox 360 next week, as Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary edition ships to retail on Nov. 15. The day before, on Nov. 14, Microsoft is hosting a series of special launch events at its Microsoft Stores. If you live near one of those stores, we thought you might want to learn more about what's going on. At the stroke of midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 15, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary will ship to celebrate the … [Read more...]