Xbox Newsbeat – 19 June 2015
Microsoft Unleashes Xbox One Backward Compatibility
Backwards compatibility and game streaming available to preview members now!
Want to access your awesome Xbox 360 games library on your Xbox One or play your Xbox One games on your Windows 10 PC? Well, now you can! As part of our commitment to build the best platform for gamers past, present and future, both highly-anticipated features are in preview right now.
This fall, we’re launching Xbox One Backward Compatibility so you can play select Xbox 360 games on Xbox One. Best of all, Xbox One Backward Compatibility will be available at no additional charge, so you won’t have to pay to play games you already own. Not only is backward compatibility one of the most-requested fan features, it’s also part of our vision to provide the biggest and best games catalog without limits, so you can get more out of the investment you’ve made in your game collection, and your games library is not limited to just one device. So, what is it exactly? Xbox One Backward Compatibility is the best of both generations in one place, whether the title is digital or disc. You no longer need to choose whether to break out a classic like Perfect Dark Zero or play the latest exclusive blockbuster like Halo 5: Guardians. Starting today, Xbox One preview program members can check out this incredible new way to game on Xbox One..
To see the full list of supported games, and more details about the backwards compatibility and Windows 10 game streaming, check out the Xbox Wire.
Halo 5: Guardians Locks and Loads for October 27 Launch
Details for the all-new ‘Warzone’ multiplayer mode also revealed!
Built from the ground up to take advantage of the Xbox One and Xbox Live, Halo 5: Guardians is the next instalment of the legendary sci-fi franchise, from developer 343 Industries. It features the most ambitious campaign and multiplayer experience in franchise history, all running at 60 frames per second on dedicated servers. In Halo 5: Guardians, a mysterious and unstoppable force threatens the galaxy, the Master Chief is MIA, his loyalty is under question, and it’s time for you to hunt the truth. Featuring epic worlds and epic battles on an epic scale, Halo 5: Guardians’ riveting campaign weaves a dramatic story full of new and fan-favourite characters and enemies that will forever change the Halo universe. The Master Chief and Blue Team have gone missing, and tasked to hunt them down is the UNSC’s elite man hunter – Spartan Locke and Fireteam Osiris. As the pursuit continues, they begin to unravel the mystery behind an unstoppable force that threatens the entire galaxy.
It’s the next evolution of Halo combat, evolving the series’ core gameplay with new and improved movement and gunplay, and powerful Spartan Abilities that deepen the battlefield experience with an even-more-dynamic arsenal. You can play with up to three friends through seamless drop-in/out online cooperative play on dedicated servers. Or, play solo and work with your Spartan team – letting the new Fireteam A.I. turn them into deadly weapons on the battlefield.
For further details on the new ‘Warzone’ mode, and for any Halo assets you may require, please visit the Xbox Wire.
Forza Motorsport 6 Races onto Xbox One on September 15
Featuring 450 Forzavista cars and 26 world-famous locations, all at 1080p resolution and 60 frames-per-second
Are you ready to buckle in for Forza Motorsport 6? This fall, you’ll experience unrelenting action in Turn 10 Studios’ latest and greatest Forza yet, exclusively on Xbox One. Master wet weather and night racing on your road to victory. It’s the most beautiful and comprehensive racing game of this generation! This is as real as racing gets, with stunning 60 frame-per-second 1080p resolution. The danger and intensity of night racing comes alive under the stadium lights of Daytona… and in the utter blackness of Le Mans’ back stretch. And you’ll experience the immersion of racing in the rain, as working wipers barely clear the spray, and tires hydroplane across physically-based 3D puddles. Forza Motorsport 6 features over 450 Forzavista cars for you to collect, all featuring working doors, cockpits, damage, and customization. And you can use them to tour 26 world-famous locales – including 10 newly captured tracks, all built from the ground up, exclusively for Xbox One. Relive classic races and heated rivalries in the all-new 70+ hour career mode, and compete in 24-player races in single-player against cloud-powered Drivatar opponents, and on dedicated servers via Xbox Live.
For more details on Forza Motorsport 6, and for any assets you may require, please visit the Xbox Wire.
Discover the Legend Within in Rise of the Tomb Raider
Prepare to Raid some Tombs on November 10th 2015, exclusively on Xbox One and Xbox 360 these holidays
In 2013’s critically acclaimed Tomb Raider series reboot from world-class developer Crystal Dynamics, heroine Lara Croft was forged into a true survivor – but she glimpsed a deeper, secret world. Now, in Rise of the Tomb Raider, after uncovering an ancient mystery, Lara must explore some of the most treacherous and remote regions of the world to find the secret of immortality, in a desperate race against a ruthless organization known as Trinity. Lara must use her wits and survival skills, form new alliances, and ultimately embrace her destiny as the Tomb Raider. Experience high-octane action moments, conquer beautifully hostile environments, engage in brutal guerrilla combat, and explore awe-inspiring deadly tombs in the evolution of survival action. In Rise of the Tomb Raider, Lara becomes more than a survivor, as she embarks on her first great Tomb Raiding expedition.
For more details on Rise of the Tomb Raider, or for any assets you may require, please visit the Xbox Wire.
Rare Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary with a Massive 30 Game Collection
Coming August 4th, 2015
In celebration of its landmark 30th anniversary, Rare is developing Rare Replay, an Xbox One-exclusive compilation which brings together the adventures of the storied developer’s iconic characters in a collection of 30 games that span the decades. From Rare’s earliest 2D classics to its more recent Xbox 360 triumphs, Rare Replay is lovingly presented for Xbox One, and delivers a massive treasure trove of gameplay for veteran players and newcomers alike. Rare Replay features brand new challenges to test your skills on – not to mention new cheats, game save options, visual options, and achievements. You can look forward to over 10,000 Gamerscore and 700 hours of gameplay as you relive your favourite Rare moments. And Rare has taken it one step further, with over 60 minutes of behind-the-scenes interviews and footage.
To view the full list of 30 games included, or for any assets you may require, please visit the Xbox Wire.
Keiji Inafune and the Makers of Metroid Prime Showcase All-New Exclusive ‘ReCore’
Unveiled with world-exclusive trailer at our E3 conference this week
Legendary creator Keiji Inafune (known for the Mega Man series and the upcomingMighty No. 9) and his staff at comcept Inc. has teamed up with Armature Studio (the developers behind the Metroid Prime saga) and Microsoft Studios for ReCore, a new original adventure developed for Xbox One. ReCore blends innovative action-adventure gameplay with incredible visuals, a unique art style, and an emotionally engaging story. As one of the last remaining humans on a planet controlled by robotic foes bent on your destruction, you must forge friendships with a courageous group of robot companions, each with unique abilities and powers. You’ll lead this band of unlikely heroes on an epic adventure through a mysterious, dynamic world.
For more information, view the exciting trailer, or for any assets you require, please visit the Xbox Wire.
Gears of War 4 is Coming in 2016, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition Launching August 25
Multiplayer Beta for the Ultimate Edition starts now!
The Xbox E3 2015 Media Briefing closed with a bang this week, as The Coalition studio head Rod Fergusson played Gears of War 4 live, announcing that it’s coming exclusively to Xbox One in holiday 2016. If you missed the moment live, re-live it at the link below. If you think that looks good, we’ve got more Gears goodies for you: owners of the remastered Gears of War: Ultimate Edition – launching on August 25, exclusively for Xbox One – will receive early access to the Gears of War 4 multiplayer beta in 2016. And, more pertinently, Xbox Live Gold members can sign up for access to the Ultimate Edition multiplayer beta right now!
Experience the iconic adventure that launched one of the most celebrated sagas in gaming with Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, which thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the depths of the planet. Players step into the boots of Marcus Fenix, a disgraced former war hero who seeks personal redemption as he leads his fire team against an onslaught of merciless warriors from below.
Get in touch today if you would like us to send you an invite to the multiplayer beta for this weekend!
For more Gears of War 4 and Ultimate Edition info, or for any assets you require, please visit the Xbox Wire.
New Customizable Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Announced
Re-built from the ground up for competitive-level gamers
We heard from fans that they wanted more customization options and durability from their Xbox controller. After months of research and testing in our labs to ensure the highest level of quality, as well as conversations with competitive-level gamers in their homes, we’re excited to introduce the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller launching in October 2015. Built to meet the demands of our most dedicated and aspirational gamers, the new controller features professional-level customization to give fans game-changing accuracy and faster speed as well as extremely durable and comfortable construction.
The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller was built from the ground up to meet the rigorous demands of hardcore, competitive-level gamers on Xbox One and Windows 10. Whether you’re playing a first person shooter like Halo 5: Guardians, a platform adventure game like Ori and the Blind Forest, or Fable Legends on Windows 10, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller gives you the option to adjust unique elements of the controller for better control, precision and comfort. Click the link below to see some of the innovative features that we added!
To see the list of innovative new features, and a trailer to see what goes into the new controller, please visit the Xbox Wire.
Xbox One Transforms Later This Year with a New User Experience
New User Experience – and Cortana – coming this spring
Gaming will get even better on Xbox One with a completely redesigned user experience launching globally this fall. We’re making some big changes to make it faster to get to your content and complete must-have tasks on Xbox One. And, Xbox One will also become more intelligent with the help of Cortana. We continue to be inspired by fan feedback to deliver requested features and new innovation to Xbox One. To-date, we’ve released more than 130 new features on Xbox One since launch and our update coming this fall will be our biggest one yet. It’s a major milestone to mark the continued evolution of Xbox One. We’re committed to putting our fans and gamers at the center of everything we do and are continuing to push the boundaries of innovation.
We’ve talked a lot about Windows 10 this year and our plans to bring a consistent gaming experience across devices by extending Xbox Live to every screen. When the new user experience launches on Xbox One through a simple and free system update, Xbox One will take some of the best parts of Windows 10 and optimize them for gaming. Windows 10 will enable faster and more intelligent experiences on Xbox One. You will be able to get into multiplayer sessions and Parties faster, your most-used content will be more readily available, gaming experiences tailored to your favourite titles will be more easily discoverable. And, Cortana will become your personal gaming assistant.
To see a full list of the exciting new features, and a brand new trailer showing them off, please visit the Xbox Wire.
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