Microsoft Ends Xbox 360 Production
After a successful ten-and-a-half-year run, the Xbox 360 is officially saying goodbye. One might even say it’s turning around 360 degrees and walking away.
There’s No Downside To A Game Ditching Exclusivity
Quantum Break will never arrive on PlayStation 4, but PC owners can play it the same day as Xbox One owners. This has caused anxiety among some Xbox fans, prompting Microsoft executive Phil Spencer to digitally spar with passionate Xbox One owners. It’s been fascinating to watch.
Eight Words I Never Expected Hear From the Head of Xbox
"I don't need another military space marine game." Whoa. Okay.
The Xbox One Will Be Out in China on September 29
After an inexplicable delay yesterday, today Microsoft announced that the Xbox One will go on sale in China on September 29. Microsoft says it will be the first game console to launch in the mainland in 14 years.
“We will clearly spend money on marketing the game, there’s no doubt about that. And we do [that] on games where we have very little to do with development, and with games that we fully develop. And we will definitely be spending money on developing the game - I want to make sure that it’s as great as it can be.” —…
What Xbox One Games Gain And Lose With The New Kinect-Free Option
Microsoft recently said that game developers will be able to get a little more power out of the Xbox One to make their games more visually impressive if they choose to forgo some Kinect features. What's the actual trade-off?
The New Crackdown Will Use The Cloud A Lot
The newest game in Microsoft's open-world crime series, Crackdown, has been in development for about a year, Xbox chief Phil Spencer told me during an interview here at E3.
Kinect Cut Could Lead To Two Interesting Xbox One Developments
The Xbox One might eventually allow system-level voice commands through headsets and even offer more horsepower to game developers, both as a result of Microsoft's big decision to start selling their new console, optionally, without the Kinect sensor.
Meet The Gaming Guy Who Is Now Running All Of Xbox
"I look at gaming as a first-class citizen inside this company," the new head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, just told me on the phone on this the day it was announced that he's taking over all things Xbox at Microsoft. "And that's how [Microsoft CEO] Satya [Nadella] has shared it with me."
Microsoft's Phil Spencer is now in charge of all things Xbox. "It's been a remarkable year for Xbox and I am honored to lead the team at this incredible time for Microsoft and the games industry."
A Fresh Reminder Why Fanboys Are Stupid
I put this to you, Xbox fanboys (though it's of course equally applicable across all platforms): if you love console so damn much you indeed qualify as a fanboy, one who adores Microsoft and despises Sony and Nintendo, what does it say about you when one of the execs running Xbox itself owns and enjoys not just a…
What's Next For the Xbox One
Microsoft considered delaying some Xbox One launch games and even holding Halo 4 for their new console before committing to last week's unusually diverse and rich day-one Xbox One line-up, the company's head of game development told Kotaku. And now Microsoft is planning to give early adopters a lot more to…
The Xbox One Believers
I came to E3 this year in search of good news about the Xbox One. By week’s end, I found a few men able to tell me some.
One T-Shirt Isn’t Enough for This Xbox Exec
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer made the rounds in in the slight-casual variation of the Game Exec Wardrobe: blazer, t-shirt, dark-hued jeans. But, eagle-eyed viewers will have noticed that Spencer quick-changed his tops as the morning went on. Think he was sweating a lot?
The Big Xbox One Announcement, in Helpful, Hilarious Abridged Form
If you didn't see any of the Xbox One announcement yesterday, you may be of the impression this morning that Microsoft must have gone on stage and urinated on a picture of Mister Rogers while—wait a minute, was Phil Spencer really wearing two watches?
Microsoft Thinks the Wii U is Pretty Much an Xbox 360
It's not only that Pro Controller that reminds Microsoft of its Xbox 360. The graphics do, too.
Microsoft and Sony Dodge Questions About the Next Xbox and PlayStation in the Most Amusing Ways
As you read this, people are making video games for the next PlayStation and the next Xbox. They have been for many, many weeks. But last week, at E3, where the biggest video game companies were ostensibly talking about the biggest video games on the horizon, not a single soul would officially discuss the PlayStation…
Microsoft: 'You Do Not Want' an Xbox Smash Bros. Clone
Sony PlayStation will soon have a Smash Bros. clone, a game called PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale that lets its most famous characters beat each other up. Why? Because it was a great idea when Nintendo first let Mario, Link, Samus and the rest of its best heroes beat each other up.
Eventually, all Microsoft Games will Employ Kinect
For Microsoft, the E3 2011 recipe read much like E3 2010's—Kinect, and lots of it. The head of Microsoft's Game Studios noted the company's focus on the device and said at some time in the future, all first-party games from the Xbox 360 maker will include Kinect support.
Is The Age Of Exclusives Over?
Not first party exclusives like Mario, Halo and God of War. Those will live on as long as there are console platform holders. Rather, is the age of big third-party exclusives finished?
