With Xbox Series X, Microsoft And Sony Have Their Next-Gen Console Names

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2019 has seen both Sony and Microsoft reveal the names for their respective next-gen consoles. In both cases, the companies stuck to tradition when it comes to console names. Sony just upped the number, so PlayStation 5, while Microsoft used a name that describes what the console is all about: Xbox Series X. Microsoft held out a little longer on the name reveal, announcing the official title of Project Scarlett during The Game Awards 2019.

Funnily enough, Microsoft’s reasoning for the name is similar to the explanation The Coalition gave for branding the fifth mainline Gears of War game as simply Gears 5. When people talk about Gears of War, they typically shorten the name to just “Gears.” Likewise, the first three generations of Xbox consoles–Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One–are often referred to as just “Xbox.”

“We know that our Xbox console is just such an iconic part of how people think about their connection to our Xbox brand, and if I asked you what platform you were playing a game on and it happened to be Xbox you’d say, ‘I’m playing on the Xbox,'” Xbox boss Phil Spencer told GameSpot. “Instead of trying to get descriptive [with] our own terms…we talked to people and got feedback. It was just, ‘Xbox is the core of my relationship with this brand,’ and we wanted the console to embody that.”

This newest Xbox console is, thus, Xbox. It can play games from the previous three generations, including those for Xbox One. The new console supports some of the previous generation’s accessories too, such as controllers. Meanwhile, the new Series X controller will work on Xbox One and PC.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/with-xbox-series-x-microsoft-and-sony-have-their-n/1100-6472200/

Warframe’s Ship Combat Expansion Empyrean Is Out Now On PC

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During The Game Awards, the developers at Digital Extremes revealed a new trailer for Warframe‘s expansion Empyrean, which focused on the new ship-combat gameplay and team-based squad battles in deep space. At the end of the trailer, the developers announced that the hotly anticipated update is available right now for players on PC.

Revealed last year at Tennocon 2018, the new expansion is one of Warframe’s most ambitious updates yet. It focuses on new gameplay involving the Railjack, a custom ship that every player can acquire, allowing them to travel into deep space and take on a variety of space-combat missions. Though Warframe does have space missions using the Archwing, the Railjack focuses more on larger ship-combat, taking cues from sci-fi like Star Trek and Star Wars. In a previous update called Rising Tides, players could start a quest to acquire their Railjack, allowing them to piece it together and customize it. But with the Empyrean update, you can now take the ship out for a spin.

While out on your ship, you and your squad of tenno can take control of various areas of the ship. These roles include the pilot, an engineer, a gunner, and a tactician. In a similar vein to Sea of Thieves, you’ll have to manage different aspects of your ship while actively facing off again enemy vessels. If you receive enough damage, you’ll need to step away from your post and repair the damage before it’s too late. While this is going on, you can also send members of your squad on away missions to invade enemy vessels and destroy them from the inside.

What’s interesting about the Empyrean update is that it adds a more unifying aspect to Warframe, bringing together some of the more isolated parts of the game. For instance, if there’s a mission in space that requires remote assistance, whether that’s disabling a systems relay or destroying an enemy base, you can send a request out to other players to get help. While much of the content in Empyrean is designed for team play, it is possible to complete the game solo by leveling up different aspects of your ship’s systems to compensate.

For more on the latest reveals and award winners from The Game Awards, be sure to stick with GameSpot for more info as it comes.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/warframes-ship-combat-expansion-empyrean-is-out-no/1100-6472177/

Xbox Series X Will Be Twice As Powerful As Xbox One X, Here’s What We Know

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Microsoft’s next-generation gaming console, formerly known as Project Scarlett, has been officially unveiled: the Xbox Series X. Since Scarlett was first confirmed, there have been numerous questions: What does it look like? What do the new games look like? How powerful is it going to be? We finally have the answers to those questions, and in talking with Xbox boss Phil Spencer, we got more insight into the power behind the Series X console.

With the launch of the Xbox Series X, it’s no surprise Microsoft has graphical capability on the mind. Spencer told us, “We wanted to have a dramatic upgrade from the Xbox One base console. So when we do the math, we’re over eight times the GPU power of the Xbox One, and two times what an Xbox One X is.”

And when we do the math too, the Series X seems to be hitting around 12 teraFLOPs (the general metric used as shorthand to indicate graphics processing power). It’s worth keeping in mind that hardware manufacturer AMD is leading the charge on the console’s GPU/CPU, and the Series X will be capable of ray tracing for more realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows. Microsoft also has its eyes set on the future beyond launch day as it’s accounting for 8K resolution down the line and 120Hz refresh rate.

It’s not all about GPU power alone–as expected, the Series X beefs up the CPU. Spencer explained, “On the CPU side, which is [something] we really wanted to push relative to previous generations, we have four times the compute power on the CPU in Project Scarlett.” Admittedly, not much was given in terms of specifics, but whether or not the reference point is Xbox One’s eight-core 1.75GHz CPU or One X’s eight-core 2.3GHz CPU, Series X looks to be a significant upgrade.

Harnessing increased power isn’t just about raw numbers; the architecture needs to be built to take full advantage of it. As Spencer continued, “I/O [input/output] is always an issue. How do we move both memory and bits around? So, we have a 40-times improvement in the I/O speed, [increased] bandwidth for us moving things around on the console [compared to] the past generation. And we’ve upgraded to GDDR6 memory inside of the box to ensure that the memory itself is able to keep up with the CPU, GPU, and the bandwidth requirements.”

It doesn’t end there, however. The Xbox Series X will utilize ultra-fast storage tech that’s been commonplace for high-end PCs in recent years. “We’ve invested in NVMe solid-state drives and we’re also giving developers a lot of new capabilities, and on top of that, try to virtually eliminate load times,” Spencer said.

Xbox Series X

While Microsoft has still not divulged the exact specs of the Xbox Series X, its general assertions point towards a distinct jump that truly sounds next-gen worthy. We did get a taste of what’s to come when we caught a glimpse of the Hellblade 2 trailer from Ninja Theory, which is a stunning visual showcase unlike anything previous consoles have done.

Graphical power isn’t the only thing Microsoft aims for, but it’s definitely something it cares about, which is apparent when Spencer stated, “Our goal has always been to build the most powerful console we can, and I think we’re there. We like leading in power and performance and I feel like we’re going to be there again.”

The Xbox Series X is set to launch in the window of Holiday 2020, as is Sony’s PlayStation 5. For more on Microsoft’s upcoming console, be sure to read our full in-depth feature with more details on the Xbox Series X or check out all our stories below.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-series-x-will-be-twice-as-powerful-as-xbox-on/1100-6472198/

Inside The New Xbox Controller For The Series X Console

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The Xbox controller has been a gold standard in gamepads for quite some time, so you really shouldn’t expect Microsoft to reinvent the wheel for its next-generation Project Scarlett console, now officially known as the Xbox Series X. A redesign isn’t necessary, but some slight tweaks and additions certainly seem to be welcome additions to the upcoming Xbox controller that’ll come with the new console. We spoke to Xbox boss Phil Spencer about many things Xbox Series X related, including a few details about this new controller.

“We think we have a good controller in the market today, so we didn’t really feel like we needed to go back to square one to build [a new controller]. But there were certain things that we’ve learned through doing the Elite controller and just listening to fans,” Spencer said. “One of them is on the d-pad. We have a new hybrid d-pad that we’ve been working and think is important.”

Another sensible addition is one that improves a system-level function, which competitors Sony and Nintendo have already done: a share button. Spencer understands that it’s an important feature, saying, “We’re not the first ones to do a share button, so we’re not going to say that we invented that, but we’ve heard feedback that sharing is such a part of a gaming experience now for many of our players. I wanted a dedicated button to share, so you’ll see that.”

It doesn’t seem like Microsoft is trimming anything either, as Spencer confirmed that rumble triggers and haptic feedback are still in the controllers. And in keeping with the Series X’s apparent unification of all things Xbox, the new controller is backwards compatible as well. This means you can use it on the Xbox One (it’ll also be PC-compatible). Likewise, you can use existing Xbox One controllers, including both iterations of the Elite, on the Series X.

You don’t need to fix what isn’t broken, but you can add some new bells and whistles, which seems to be the case for the new Xbox controller. We have plenty of coverage on Microsoft’s next-gen console, coming Holiday 2020, so be sure to read our exclusive in-depth feature about the Xbox Series X and all our other stories below.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/inside-the-new-xbox-controller-for-the-series-x-co/1100-6472197/

PS5’s First Confirmed Game Is Gearbox’s Godfall

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During The Game Awards, Gearbox Software revealed that it will publish the upcoming Godfall, a “looter-slasher” coming from developer Counterplay Studios. Set for release holiday 2020, the third-person action-RPG will release on PC, and more notably PlayStation 5. This is the first confirmation of game coming to next-gen, a full year before the new consoles planned to release next year.

In the trailer showed off during The Game Awards, we see three heroes wield magical weapons as they face off against a massive foe approaching from the sky. According to the press release for the game, Godfall is a melee-focused action-RPG focusing on fighting foes, collecting loot, and amassing player. Though you play solo, you can also join groups of up to three players to take on the more dangerous challenges.

It’s interesting to note that Godfall has been a known game for some time. On the developer’s official website, the game has been in development for a few years now, and it’s been funded by Kowloon Nights, an independent video game investment firm that also has some stake in the upcoming game from Ico and Shadow of the Colossus creator Fumito Ueda. Gearbox Publishing will be handling publishing for the game.

For more on many reveals and award winners from The Game Awards, be sure to check back with GameSpot for more info.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps5s-first-confirmed-game-is-gearboxs-godfall/1100-6472165/

Why Project Scarlett Was Named Xbox Series X

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The official name for Microsoft’s next-gen gaming console is out there courtesy of The Game Awards: the Xbox Series X. No longer do we need to refer to it as Project Scarlett, but you’re probably curious as to why the new, rather straightforward name was chosen. What does it mean? Does it imply anything? Does it hint at what else is in store for next-gen? In an exclusive talk with Xbox boss Phil Spencer, we asked just that, and for now the answer is quite simple: It’s a unification of all things Xbox.

“We know that our Xbox console is just such an iconic part of how people think about their connection to our Xbox brand, and if I asked you what platform you were playing a game on and it happened to be Xbox you’d say, ‘I’m playing on the Xbox,'” Spencer explained. He continued, “Instead of trying to get descriptive [with] our own terms…we talked to people and got feedback. It was just, ‘Xbox is the core of my relationship with this brand,’ and we wanted the console to embody that.”

That might not sound like much to go on, but it’s indicative of what Xbox wants to do moving forward, keeping name convention simple and to have the flexibility for other possible model names in the future. Spencer expanded on this idea a bit, saying, “Obviously in the Series X, it gives us freedom to do other things with that name so that we can create descriptors when we need to.”

The name is also about accounting for Xbox’s past–as Spencer said, “I’ve seen a lot of the speculation, whether it’s [going to be called] ‘Infinite’ or ‘8K’…I just want the name to really follow what this is about. Thousands of Xbox games are going to play on this, your Xbox accessories are going to work on this console.”

With backwards compatibility being such a huge factor in the Xbox ecosystem, it makes sense that Microsoft would go with a name that denotes an all-encompassing feeling. Games across Xbox generations are playable on the Series X, and as Spencer stated, previous accessories and hardware are also part of the equation.

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X is scheduled to launch sometime in Holiday 2020, but in the meantime, you can check out all the details we’ve gathered on the next-gen console with our in-depth look at the Xbox Series X or in all our stories below.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-project-scarlett-was-named-xbox-series-x/1100-6472195/

Xbox Series X, Formerly Project Scarlett, Looks Like A PC Desktop Tower

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The Xbox Series X (the official name of Project Scarlett revealed at The Game Awards) is not shaped like any Xbox before it–or any game console, for that matter. In fact, especially in its vertical orientation, it looks a lot like a PC desktop tower. Like the Xbox 360, which could be positioned horizontally or vertically, the Xbox Series X can be positioned whichever of the two ways you prefer.

“A lot of times when you’re building hardware, you can get limited by some of the traditional tropes of what a game console looks like, plays like, or feels like,” Xbox head Phil Spencer told GameSpot. “And we wanted to design a console where the form was driven by the function, and the function was to really play the highest power, most immersive games possible.”

When designing Xbox Series X, the hardware team designed it to, at least aesthetically, match the Xbox One X. In this regard, Xbox Series X is a quiet machine–it’s intended to run games silently and figuratively blend in with the overall look of most tech, like TVs and monitors. As Spencer puts it, the Xbox Series X doesn’t take your attention “away from what’s happening on screen.”

“We gave our hardware team some real design opportunities to say, ‘Think about how you could design something that could fit this level of performance, and let’s be bold in what we’re trying to do to ensure that we [aren’t] going to have to take limitations in what we want the console to go do, to fit the form of the console and how it was going to play,'” Spencer said. “And I’m really impressed with what the team came back with. I’m probably biased, but when I look at [Xbox One] S and I look at [Xbox One] X in the generation that we’re in, I think the hardware team has done an amazing job landing those designs. And the same team led to the stuff that you’re getting ready to see for [Xbox Series X].”

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-series-x-formerly-project-scarlett-looks-like/1100-6472194/

Control Drops New “Expeditions” Mode During The Game Awards

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Control is one of our nominees for Game of the Year 2019, and starting today you can jump into a new mode. Remedy Entertainment surprise-launched a free new game mode called Expeditions during the broadcast of this year’s The Game Awards.

Expeditions has you pick from a series of customizable challenges, with all the powers you’ve come to expect from the main game.

The studio also took the opportunity to mention that the first expansion for Control, called The Foundation, is slated for release in late March 26, 2020.

“It’s not often that a game invades my thoughts the way Control has,” Peter Brown wrote in GameSpot’s review. “I’m at the point where I want to consume every last thing it has to offer. And if I’m honest, it also makes me want to go back and replay Remedy’s past games, too. Sure, it’s a faulty metroidvania in some respects, but there are so many exceptional qualities afoot that Control handily deflects any momentary ire. I can’t wait to take part in discussions about the game, to see what others have figured out, and to better understand where it all fits into Jesse’s story.”

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/control-drops-new-expeditions-mode-during-the-game/1100-6472156/

Why Xbox Series X Was Revealed At The Game Awards

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The Game Awards 2019 was filled with exciting moments, but undoubtedly the biggest was the unveiling of Microsoft’s next-generation console. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer appeared on stage to debut the console to the world and officially name the console formerly known as Project Scarlett as “Xbox Series X.” It was a major moment for the Xbox and the industry as a whole. But why did Microsoft choose to do this at The Game Awards instead of at E3 2020 or one of its own events, like the recent X019?

Speaking to GameSpot in an exclusive interview, Spencer said The Game Awards champions the kind of creativity that Xbox also seeks to highlight. As such, the show’s purpose aligns with the vision the company has for Series X.

With this in mind, it only made sense to give creators and fans a look at the future of gaming on Xbox in a venue where games and creativity are being celebrated.

“The Game Awards is a stage, that for us, is where we celebrate the best of our industry’s creative capability, and that is fundamentally why we built this console,” Spencer explained.

“It isn’t an ego thing for us. It wasn’t about what we need. It was really about how can we enable the next most creative, most award-winning, most played, most loved games to get created. And getting to do that [with] this announcement on that stage just felt like the right place to go do that, in the celebration of great games.”

Looking ahead, Spencer said that E3 would remain a major milestone in the story of Xbox Series X, especially given the success of other recent events.

“I think back to E3 2019, I love that event. The fan energy, Keanu [Reeves], all of that stuff was awesome. The launch of Gears, the launch of Outer Worlds, the launch of Project xCloud, seeing the continued growth in Game Pass, X019 in London was fantastic a month ago. I just feel like we’re in a good spot right now. I feel strong[ly] about where the platform is as we roll into 2020 and the portfolio of games that are coming look so amazing. I’m really, really excited about E3 2020. That’ll be a big beat for us and we expect that to be really important.”

During The Game Awards, viewers got to take a look at Xbox Series X, which looks to be an incredibly powerful, unconventionally designed console. Spencer outlined his vision for the console and also showed off its potential with a demo of a sequel to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.

Before the show, GameSpot sat down with Spencer and Xbox partner director of project management Jason Ronald to see the console and talk at length about the hardware. You can read more about it in our Xbox Series X feature and watch us breakdown everything we learned.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-xbox-series-x-was-revealed-at-the-game-awards/1100-6472193/

Joker Heads To Mortal Kombat 11 Next Month

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The fifth annual Game Awards is officially underway and, among the many announcements was a reveal for Mortal Kombat 11. The fighting game will receive new DLC later this coming January.

The Joker debuts on January 28 for all platforms.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/joker-heads-to-mortal-kombat-11-next-month/1100-6472196/