Home Gaming Here’s what we think about the Xbox One

Here’s what we think about the Xbox One

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XboxOneSA

So last night Xbox revealed the future of the Xbox brand and the new name, which took us by  surprise. The new Xbox is going to be called the Xbox One and this is what we think about it.

Gavin’s take on the Xbox One

The Good

The updated Kinect looks like it really works and we are finally getting the early promises of Kinect delivered. Whether it will be used for anything more than talking to my console is still to be seen but it’s a big leap in technology and that’s always good.

They announced 15 new exclusives that will be revealed at E3 2013 with 8 of them being brand new titles. That’s a big deal and the biggest complaint we’ve had recently over the Xbox brand is that it really hasn’t had any good exclusives recently.

EA Sports joining the Microsoft camp, over the last few years EA has very much been in the PlayStation camp and porting to the Xbox but it seems like they are taken with the new Xbox One and will now work the other way. This isn’t good for us multi-platform fans but it is a good sign that the Xbox One is a solid piece of machinery.

The Bad

There was an over emphasis on American entertainment for a worldwide reveal. I’m really starting to believe that the guys and girls in the Xbox department really don’t know that there is a whole wide world out there. A world that couldn’t care less about the NFL and ESPN.

We’d rather be watching Rugby, Cricket, Premier League and watching decent sporting channels like Super Sport or Sky Sports.

NFL Fantasy league… really? That’s one of your big announcements? How’s that for a move directed solely at the dude-bro’s of American college?

Skype, it’s not new or ground breaking and yet it took up around 10% of the event and included that absolutely awful staged video chat. We know you spent a fortune on buying Skype but not many people care.

The Ugly

wtfWe didn’t hear anything about Xbox Live going free, or online multiplayer being added to Xbox Silver.

That console…last night at the press event many people were saying how they loved the look of it but I have to be honest and say I really really don’t. Maybe things will change when I see it in real life but right now it looks exactly like my old Betamax.

And just like that old Betamax the Xbox One can only be used horizontally, this is apparently due to the Blu-Ray drive which is the worst excuse I’ve ever seen. If Sony can make it work so should you Microsoft.

New Xbox One hardware is sleek and modern and complements any décor. The console is shaped in the 16:9 aspect ratio and employs a horizontal orientation optimized for its high-speed Blu-ray disc player. It is molded [sic] in a deep and rich liquid black color [sic] and includes a distinctive beveled [sic] edge.

Three typos in one paragraph in a press release… kills me.

The Unknown

The snap ability could be useful, but it could also be totally useless. I use Windows 8 and the only time I use snap is when I accidently drag something to the wrong space.

Movie controls by hand can be useful, or your idiotic brother could keep ruining your movie.

Smart Match sounds awesome

· A new Smart Match matchmaking system virtually eliminates waiting in lobbies by estimating wait times and finding people you want to play with while you are enjoying other activities — reputation fundamentally matters and helps find best matches.

But is this just an admittance that matchmaking is always going to be slow on the Xbox and they are rather going to work around it instead of fixing it?

Click the button, and read more!

[button link=”https://www.criticalhit.net/general-news/gavins-take-on-the-xbox-one/2/”]Here’s what Geoff thinks[/button]

Last Updated: May 22, 2013

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88 Comments

  1. Umar 'Van Hohenhaim' Bastra

    May 22, 2013 at 12:59

    Geoff!…Brilliant line there

    Playstation:4;Xbox:One

    I can’t bring myself to like this console , what’s worse is I know they gonna bring the exclusives hard and I’m gonna want that but I don’t like what is being implemented …….Man I was so hype for the game from Alan Wake Devs …. I LOVE , like REALLY LOVE ALAN WAKE

    Reply

  2. Tasty peas mixed with porridge

    May 22, 2013 at 13:04

    • Umar 'Van Hohenhaim' Bastra

      May 22, 2013 at 13:05

      He is pissed off man, like really pissed, wow, that’s not Angry Joe, thats super saiyan pissed off Joe

      Reply

    • Tasty peas mixed with porridge

      May 22, 2013 at 13:05

      BAD NEWS BAD NEWS BAD NEWS = MICROFAIL

      COOL NEWS COOL NEWS COOL NEWS = 4X BETTER SONY

      The energy behind the reveals speak for themselves.

      Reply

      • Orange Lada

        May 25, 2013 at 04:30

        Sony may do no better than Xbox fail – have to wait for Sony to provide DETAILS!

        Reply

    • Aussious

      May 22, 2013 at 13:14

      Thanks for the link tasty peas i love this guy…I ‘d really love to hear what he has to say.

      Reply

      • Trevor Davies

        May 22, 2013 at 13:28

        Let’s just say he’s not impressed & expresses it rather strongly lol

        Reply

    • Anon A Mouse

      May 22, 2013 at 14:02

      I like his t-shirt. Going to get me one.

      Reply

  3. Anon A Mouse

    May 22, 2013 at 13:11

    Gav: They announced 15 new exclusives that will be revealed at E3 2013 with 8
    of them being brand new titles. That’s a big deal and the biggest
    complaint we’ve had recently over the Xbox brand is that it really
    hasn’t had any good exclusives recently.

    But what are those exclusives and brand new titles? And better yet will they be any good? I’d put that in the Unknown, rather than the good.

    As for EA jumping ship, I personally feel that has more to do about $$$$ than what they think about the machinery.

    Reply

    • Jonah Cash

      May 22, 2013 at 13:34

      I agree with you!! But lets say that 4 of those 15 are awesome games will it then persuade you to buy a Xbox One? Cause at this point I really don’t think I will be buying one even if 10 of the 15 are awesome games. I am going to be with this generation for as long as it has life, the PS2 lasted how long? Good, cause I hope the PS3 can do the same!!
      I will buy next gen when it goes down in price and as soon as the retailers in SA realise that no one wants a Xbox One and start giving them away with a purchase of R200 or more at their store…..

      Reply

  4. Tasty peas mixed with porridge

    May 22, 2013 at 13:14

    The core gamers are ANGRY AS FUCK!!! The entire Internet is fuming and already gone over to the other side. I hope MicroArts enjoy the short lived Casuals like the Wii U.

    Reply

    • Rince an repeat

      May 22, 2013 at 14:36

      Not core mate, we are ‘hardcore’ the core gamers now are the ones that the developers pander to. We are on the fringe, nowhere near the core.

      Reply

  5. Admiral Chief Commander

    May 22, 2013 at 13:27

    Heh, lulz @ Darryn’s mostly worthless opinion

    (just the phrase)

    Reply

  6. Tasty peas mixed with porridge

    May 22, 2013 at 13:30

    WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES THE XBOX ONE (what a crap name) HAVE OVER THE PS4?????????

    FUCK ALL.

    Reply

    • Anon A Mouse

      May 22, 2013 at 13:31

      Their console ends with One, Sony’s ends with 4….

      Reply

    • Umar 'Van Hohenhaim' Bastra

      May 22, 2013 at 13:31

      Nope … I can’t think of ONE advantage….

      Reply

      • Rince an repeat

        May 22, 2013 at 14:47

        With everything I’ve been reading today, me too mate, looked nice when fresh, but when you look closer, looks pretty much like shit. Still, there is something in the back of my mind that hopes something awesome will come out of E3, you know, it’s called SONY…

        Reply

    • Tasty peas mixed with porridge

      May 22, 2013 at 13:32

      Angry 360 owner. UNLEEEEEEEESSSSSSS THEY REVEAL SOME FUCKTASTIC 1ST PARTY EXCLUSIVES that knock the 7 shades of shit out of THE LAST GUARDIAN.

      But we know the negative snowball with negative energy has already started rolling.

      FREE PSN, NO KENECT 2, GAME CENTRIC FOCUS, PSN STORE already own the CABLE BOX ONE.

      Reply

    • RobbieH76

      May 22, 2013 at 14:09

      KAK name, seriously the WORST, infinity would’ve been 10x better

      Reply

  7. Andre116

    May 22, 2013 at 13:32

    I’m just going to call it now. Xbox One will be a success in North America. In the rest of the world PS4 will reign supreme. Pretty much like it is at the moment. Regardless of what you buy though, you can expect that there will always be support and games for the console.

    I am a current xbox owner, but I don’t feel obliged to support the brand. Frankly, it is still early days and I won’t be buying a new console for at least the next 2 years. I reckon I’ll have a better idea of what works and what not then.

    The biggest concern for me is the issue surrounding the playing and paying for a friend’s game. The decision to buy a 360 was based around that most of my friends were buying them as well and we could swap games around…something that has saved me and them literally thousands of Rands.

    Reply

  8. Ultimo_Cleric_N7

    May 22, 2013 at 13:33

    Why so suprised?
    Microsoft is an American Company focused on the USA.
    Sony is an Asian company focusing on the ENTIRE market.

    Reply

    • Tbone187

      May 22, 2013 at 14:44

      Yup…Bloody Yanks…But what do you expect from a place that hosts the ”World” series baseball with only their own states competing against each other…

      Reply

  9. Skande

    May 22, 2013 at 13:34

    I quote from a different forum, interesting
    ________________________________________

    What do people not understand about this reveal?

    It’ fucking NOT about games right now, or even a console war, it’s a war for you living room, your entertinment, it means to replace EVERY device in your living room except your surround sound system!

    This is about games: http://www.e3expo.com/ 3 weeks, E3 is gamse, reveal is about system and new features, not about “games”
    _________________________________________

    So I would love to see what MS will show relating to the XBOX then.

    Reply

    • Tasty peas mixed with porridge

      May 22, 2013 at 13:39

      That’s why the PS4 makes sense for people who love video games and do not want to support another Trojan Horse with their hard earnt money.

      Reply

      • Skande

        May 22, 2013 at 13:42

        Once the PS4 is revealed and pricing is announced it would be interesting to see what each offers vs price.

        Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      May 22, 2013 at 16:15

      Pretty much the best comment I have read so far. Chill and wait for the GAMES expo to hear about games.
      I personally like the look, reminds me of an old beta tape player, and I’ve never been a fan of all this curvy fancy stuff.
      Does it do what I want it to do? If yes, great.

      Reply

    • George Frangs

      May 27, 2013 at 12:09

      But this was a gaming console from the start, so forgive for wanting what a video game console was actually meant to do.

      Reply

  10. Tasty peas mixed with porridge

    May 22, 2013 at 13:40

    WHAT? XBOX LIVE is not cross platform???

    Who comes up with this shit?

    Reply

  11. Anon A Mouse

    May 22, 2013 at 13:42

    May I ask just one teensie weensie question? What do the ladies that writes for LG think? (And no Branda doesn’t count – I said ladies)

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      May 22, 2013 at 13:44

      How dare you say such a thing, Brenda is a fine woman with a wonderful personality.

      Reply

      • Andre116

        May 22, 2013 at 13:45

        She should just shave her legs if she ever poses for the ION again.

        Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      May 23, 2013 at 15:17

      Yolanda is on leave and Zoe is freelancing so I couldn’t force her to write… and by the time she decided to wake up and join us the article was live

      Reply

  12. Tasty peas mixed with porridge

    May 22, 2013 at 13:47

    I suppose they have come full circle (360? get it?)

    To soon?

    Reply

    • Ultimo_Cleric_N7

      May 22, 2013 at 13:48

      Nope that was on the money 😉

      Reply

    • Tbone187

      May 22, 2013 at 14:41

      Nice effort…hehe…

      Reply

  13. Ultimo_Cleric_N7

    May 22, 2013 at 13:47

    So Tasty just told me to check Angry Joe’s website
    Regarding the the Always Online issue – YOU HAVE TO LOG IN EVERY 24 HOURS TO PLAY GAMES, AS JUST CONFIRMED BY MICROSOFT VICE PRESIDENT PHIL HARRISON.
    So basically, Its doesnt require always online. But actually its basically does.
    BYE BYE MICROSOFT!!!!!!

    Reply

  14. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    May 22, 2013 at 13:48

    Hahahahaha. Francis you crack me up.

    Also, Geoff, well done on the one ring joke 🙂

    Reply

  15. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    May 22, 2013 at 13:53

    I honestly feel that they dropped the ball with their reveal. No real specifics on hardware, no speaking to the gaming community and making it sound like they would like nothing better than to make the gamers happy (Sony did that part right). To me the reveal felt more like the reveal of some new stock options that may or may not be worth the investment. I am seriously considering getting a console and so far I’m still leaning towards Sony.

    Reply

  16. Apples ZA

    May 22, 2013 at 13:54

    Thats it, I am going back to PC, not impressed by Xbox one or PS4

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      May 22, 2013 at 14:18

      Someone needs a welcome back hug! 😉

      Reply

    • Apples ZA

      May 22, 2013 at 14:25

      Thanks buddy, always good to be back, I mean really, crap PS4 and Xbox one. Dont even get me started on how crap both consoles look design wise. pathetic from both companies.

      Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        May 22, 2013 at 14:31

        well we haven’t seen the PS4 officially yet… it could still be sexy

        Reply

        • ElNicko

          May 22, 2013 at 15:31

          or it could be even uglier than the xbox juan ??
          we shall see…….SOOOOON

          Reply

  17. Todor Doutchevitch

    May 22, 2013 at 13:54

    I can’t understand how MS can get it so wrong. Either MS are
    just being brutally honest, while sony are leaving any negative aspects out for
    the moment, or the console war is going to be over before it begins. I have an
    xbox currently, but I don’t have internet connection (Telkom cannot provide it
    in my area yet). This already rules the console out for me. However even if I
    have internet by then, the second-hand games issue or the 1984 big brother Kinect
    will be enough to convince me to go the PS4 route. Do you guys think that Sony
    also has similar second-hand and online verification features, but are just being quiet
    about it?

    Reply

    • CaptainNemo42

      May 22, 2013 at 14:48

      I wouldn’t rule it out that Sony might have something similar, but at this stage they are staying quiet on the subject.

      Reply

  18. RobbieH76

    May 22, 2013 at 13:59

    Guys, seriously dissapointed in microsoft, I love my x360, but, i’m leaning towards PS4 in a BIG way, by the way, another MASSIVE issue for me is, that the x1 only dedicates around 5GB of DDR”3″ ram to games, the OS takes around 3GB of memory, this console taught us 1 thing, RAM matters, with PS4 using around 1GB for OS, that’ll leave around 7GB for gaming…thats a massive + for PS4, correct me if I’m wrong(really not sure on the technicalities of that) but that will make the PS4 outlive the x1 by a fair margin, 2GB’s of over head is nothing to be sniffed at

    Reply

    • RobbieH76

      May 22, 2013 at 14:03

      Right now though, the RAM war isn’t that relevant as all the next-gen games will basically be the same for both consoles, but exclusives on PS4 @ end of life cycle will be able to do things that xbox1 can’t, oh and I don’t want to get shafted by NO SUPPORT from microsoft (exclusive games) in the last few years as I was SCREWED this GEN, envious over Last of Us & Beyond:Two souls….but yeah, g’bye M$oft

      Reply

  19. Jak

    May 22, 2013 at 14:10

    And no-one cares to mention the Halo TV Series! Wow, I’m shocked. Such a massive breakthrough!

    Reply

    • RobbieH76

      May 22, 2013 at 14:11

      LOL, they can SHOVE that where spielberg shits honestly

      Reply

    • RobbieH76

      May 22, 2013 at 14:11

      LOL, they can SHOVE that where spielberg shits honestly

      Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      May 22, 2013 at 14:19

      Funnily enough that was the one thing I thought might be cool, but then again I loves my sci-fi.

      Reply

  20. fred

    May 22, 2013 at 14:18

    Why did they not use that second HDMI for dual monitor support or something useful? A online free game system to rival ps+?? An lcd front panel for some sytem info , disc loaded??? Maybe direct LTE/4G dongle SUPPORT?? Backwards compatibility??? something to make me want it.

    Reply

  21. RandomGamer

    May 22, 2013 at 14:31

    You still need batteries for the controller??? You would think being NEXT GEN and all they would have moved forward. Microsoft WTF!!!

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      May 22, 2013 at 14:32

      I’m not sure which I would prefer… embedded batteries or replaceable

      Reply

  22. Rince an repeat

    May 22, 2013 at 14:42

    PlayStation: 4, Xbox: One. hahaha! And I agree, i am not choosing sides till E3. Then, and only then will you hear my RAAAAAAGE!

    Reply

  23. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    May 22, 2013 at 15:06

    I think Francis summed it up for me. Microsoft hasn’t convinced me that I need an xbox bar one.

    Reply

  24. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    May 22, 2013 at 15:06

    I think Francis summed it up for me. Microsoft hasn’t convinced me that I need an xbox bar one.

    Reply

  25. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    May 22, 2013 at 15:06

    I think Francis summed it up for me. Microsoft hasn’t convinced me that I need an xbox bar one.

    Reply

  26. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    May 22, 2013 at 15:06

    I think Francis summed it up for me. Microsoft hasn’t convinced me that I need an xbox bar one.

    Reply

  27. Gremoire

    May 22, 2013 at 16:51

    @Lazygamer Staff (Gavin). Love the reviews thus
    far.
    One comment though, regarding your comment on typos, spell check on the press
    release using English (US) checks out just fine. 🙂

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      May 22, 2013 at 16:59

      That was Gavin’s attempt at humour. He abhors US spelling.

      Reply

      • Gremoire

        May 22, 2013 at 17:39

        Lol. Quite understandable, from all the
        reviews I’ve read thus far it appears that the Xbox One is
        currently more geared towards the US market. With that said, I feel that they
        could have at least sent an English (South African) press release to THE best
        Gaming Site on the internet 🙂

        Reply

  28. RichardC

    May 22, 2013 at 20:13

    I think its kinda sux that they seem to be going the all-in-one entertainment route and not concentrating enough on games, but its something different I have to give them that andventually I can see the TV stuff working internationally, its just not for me.

    I want games and game like services for my console so I am siding with PC, PS4 and maybe a WiiU (is it backwards compatible tho, cause I still plan on picking up a 360 and maybe a Wii if necc to get some of that eclusive backlog action). I hope that MS is succesful though cause they can create a new pseudo market of gamers, its just not my market.

    My only real gripe about the system is that Kinect voice thing, while awesum and innovative and convenient, I just wander if you can have a normal coversation around the damn thing about the stuff you like without it going to every single, game, tv station, series, movie, song, website etc that comes up in the conversation. Geuss you can always just plug the thing out.

    Reply

  29. Bow down to the Masters

    May 23, 2013 at 07:34

    Master Race reporting in. I’ll stick to my PC, games will still look better than either of the two new consoles.

    Reply

  30. Bow down to the Masters

    May 23, 2013 at 07:34

    Master Race reporting in. I’ll stick to my PC, games will still look better than either of the two new consoles.

    Reply

  31. Deadman

    May 23, 2013 at 08:13

    i think its hideous

    Reply

  32. Travis Pike

    May 23, 2013 at 12:36

    coming from a South African who does actually watch NFL (although I live stream over web…go raiders!) and even tried out fantasy football last year, I still wouldnt use all those “features”… just let me play games

    Reply

  33. Bradley Alexander

    May 23, 2013 at 15:03

    Three typos in one paragraph in a press release… kills me. LOL. Color is spelled correctly refer to US spelling, Beveled is spelled correctly Refer to US Spelling, oh and wait, Molded is spelled correctly.

    Trying to make Sony seem better because they can make the console stand Vertically and Horizontally is silly. How do you know if the PS 4 can stand Vertically? You don’t even know what it looks like…

    Also look at the spec differences below, maybe this will clarify things for those “PS4” lovers…

    64 bit processing, with 8gb RAM. where the PS4 only uses 32 bits with 8gb RAM, from what I can remember 32bits only reads 3-4gb RAM. so what is the other 4gigs actually doing?

    Reply

  34. HvR

    May 23, 2013 at 15:50

    “Its a good name go forward from 360 you get to One” first time and Xbox One name explanation made sense.

    Except for maybe for Xbox One Sony didn’t.

    Reply

  35. Skyblue

    May 24, 2013 at 18:43

    The typo’s are Ameri-Engrish so I wouldn’t bother complaining. Agree on most points but I can’t see how you thought Live! would suddenly be free. M$ have been printing cash for years with the Live! model and I can’t see why that would suddenly change.

    Reply

  36. Orange Lada

    May 25, 2013 at 04:26

  37. George Frangs

    May 27, 2013 at 12:06

    Lol, if it looks like a Betamax, I wonder if we have to flip discs to get back to the start screen 😛

    Reply

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