bp9801

So the next Xbox is getting revealed in a big event at 10am PST on May 21. Should be very exciting to see what Microsoft has in store. I'll get an article posted on it once all the information is revealed, and this thread will be used for everyone to talk about it and share any information. Or speculate, depending on what all MS shows. Anything particularly interesting people are wanting in the next Xbox?

Called the Xbox One, it's due to arrive later this year at an undetermined date for an undisclosed price.

For starters, it has an eight-core CPU, 8GB of RAM (likely DDR3), a 500GB HDD, a Blu-ray drive, 802.11n WiFi with WiFi Direct, HDMI in/out, and USB 3.0. The CPU is of the 64-bit variety, although exact specifications are lacking at this time. The Blu-ray drive looks to be of the slot loading type, so no more disc tray that needs to take up more space. The Xbox One is, well, rather large in size, as is the new controller. Like I said before, it resembles the current X360 one, but with some refinements. The Xbox jewel in the middle is moved up top, vibration sensors are built right into the triggers, the D-pad has been reworked to hopefully remove frustrations, and the battery compartment is flush with the body.

 

Xbox One uses a rather unique method for the OS, as it runs not one but three simulatenously. There's the main system OS that's a paired down version of Windows for apps and non-game software downloaded from the store, an "Xbox OS" to handle games, and finally a third OS that's really more of a virtualization helper to make sure the main and Xbox OSes can talk to each other. The Xbox OS is a fixed component throughout the Xbox One's lifespan, so developers know that won't change regardless of what kind of updates Microsoft rolls out to the main OS. These OSes enable the multitasking of the console, especially with the HDMI passthrough for a cable/satellite box. However, even though Xbox One runs a modified version of Windows, developers won't be able to drag and drop PC apps onto the console. Microsoft says it's possible, but it requires some coding and UI tuning to make it work.

 

If you're wondering how the Xbox One's PC architecture will handle current Xbox 360 games, well, it won't. The Xbox 360 is based on PowerPC and that means games built for it, including Xbox Live Arcade games, won't be able to make the transition to the Xbox One. No backwards compatibility may be an issue for some people, but Microsoft isn't concerned about that as it still plans to support the 360 with new games and apps. Your Xbox Live Gamertag and Gamerscore are going to transfer over to the new system, however, so at least there is that.

 

Coming this holiday season on the PS3, Gran Turismo 6 offers a new graphics engine and a massive assortment of cars on some of the world's best known tracks. More than 1,200 cars are expected, with 7 new tracks for 33 in total. 

Kind of interesting seeing it only for the PS3, but maybe there'll be a PS4 version announced later.

First trailer for Thor: The Dark World has just arrived!

Arrives in the US on November 8, UK on October 30.

I really cannot wait to see this, especially the direction it's going to take and the comic storylines it draws from. Going to be a good year for superhero movies.

Sad day for gamers everywhere, as Disney has officially shut down LucasArts. Current projects may or may not be canceled, but Disney may try to get an external company to finish Star Wars 1313.

After evaluating our position in the games market, we've decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company's risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games. As a result of this change, we've had layoffs across the organization. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles.

All told, around 150 employees are now unemployed. LucasArts was more than just Star Wars games, as adventure titles like The Secret of Monkey Island and Grim Fandango were all made there. Such a sad day...

EA's CEO, John Riccitiello, has stepped down from his position with the company on March 30, 2013. Former CEO Larry Probst is taking over on a temporary basis until a permanent leader can be found. Riccitiello wrote the following in his resignation letter:

This is a tough decision, but it all comes down to accountability. The progress EA has made on transitioning to digital games and services is something I'm extremely proud of. However, it currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued in January, and we have fallen short of the internal operating plan we set one year ago. EA's shareholders and employees expect better and I am accountable for the miss.

So, best day ever or best day ever?