Train2Game News New 1TB Xbox One

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E3 has come early for Xbox fans, as Microsoft has unveiled an exciting upgrade to its home console, the Xbox One 1TB.

GAME is pleased to announce timed exclusivity of the latest technology that can be purchased in store or online from today.

The new console, which is exclusive at GAME until June 20th, can be the ultimate entertainment system for the home with its improved double the storage is also equipped with a new controller, fitted with a new 3.5mm headphone jack.

The new 1TB version will be available for either £349 for the console or as part of a bundle with either Elder Scrolls Online or Lego Jurassic World. Gamers that already have an Xbox One or Xbox 360 can take advantage of our fantastic trade-in offer. Saving £100 when they trade-in, making the console only £249.

Charlotte Knight, UK Retail Managing Director at GAME, said:

“Gamers will have been waiting until E3 for such a big announcement like this, so we’re excited to announce this with Microsoft and bring it to households early.

“The new 1TB version will give gamers loads more storage and judging by the response we’ve had, demand for this from Microsoft fans is likely to be high.”

To purchase this exclusive new console or find out more information, visit your local GAME store or check out game.co.uk.

As well as trading in, those who purchase from GAME will also earn 2% back in Reward points on every transaction, which they can then use to spend on even more great games, tech and accessories.

Train2Game News Xbox Game Streaming

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Arcadia is the name of Microsoft’s in-development streaming games tech.

That’s according to ZDNet, which says Arcadia is being developed by a new streaming team in Microsoft’s Operating Systems Group and is designed to replace the ‘Rio’ streaming tech demonstrated last year.

Arcadia, which is being built around Microsoft’s existing Azure cloud network, will not just stream games but also apps – the site even says that the company at one stage saw Arcadia as a way for Windows users to access Android content. This idea has now apparently been put on hold, although recent job ads for the Arcadia team do ask for candidates with experience with iOS and Android.

ZDNet doesn’t believe Arcadia will be demonstrated at the upcoming Windows 10 reveal next month, although Xbox boss Phil Spencer will be talking.

Sony became the first console platform holder to branch out into game streaming. It acquired streaming firm Gaikai in 2012 and this year launched its PS Now service in North America. Other streaming games firms, such as OnLive, have struggled to gain traction.

Train2Game News Destiny DLC

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Activision and Bungie today announced that Destiny Expansion I: The Dark Below will be available for download on December 9th.

The Dark Below marks the first expansion to the universe since Destiny’s record-breaking launch in September and features all-new weapons and gear to earn through new story, co-operative and multiplayer activities.

“Destiny was created as a living universe, which has allowed us to improve the experience post launch in real-time,” says Harold Ryan, President of Bungie. “It also gives us insight into the things players are looking for in new content. We’ve seen from feedback that people want new activities, gear and weapons and of course the immensely popular Raid. The community helps shape our development decisions and that’s really important to us.”

Destiny Expansion I: The Dark Below will feature the following:

o   New weapons, armour and gear to earn, including Legendary and Exotic items
o   Light Level cap raised to 32 and five additional Bounty slots added
o   New story quests and missions – after years hiding amongst the Hive shadows, a new character, Eris, has come forth bearing an ominous warning: The Hive seek to summon a god, Crota, to destroy the Earth. Find Eris in the Tower to take on special quests that include three new missions where you will increase your Light and earn new rewards
o   New co-operative Strike, The Will of Crota, pits you and your Fireteam against Omnigul as she works to expand the Hive army at the command of her master, Crota
o   Three new competitive multiplayer arenas
§  Pantheon – set deep within the Black Garden in an ancient Vex temple that features Vex-designed landscapes and tight corridors
§  Skyshock – an old interplanetary defence array that offers both vehicle and infantry engagements
§  The Cauldron – an abandoned Hive ritual site that offers close-quarter combat
o   New six-player Raid, Crota’s End, set deep within the depths of the Hellmouth
o   PlayStation platforms will also get access to an exclusive co-operative Strike, The Undying Mind and an exotic weapon, and more (timed exclusive until at least Autumn 2015)

Players can purchase The Dark Below individually (£19.99), or as part of the Destiny Expansion Pass (£34.99), which includes both Expansion I and Expansion II, on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One and Xbox 360.

Train2Game News: Microsoft post good sales results

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Microsoft, the world’s largest software firm, has posted better-than-expected earnings for the October-to-December quarter.

The firm reported a net income of $6.56bn (£3.94bn) for the quarter, up from $6.38bn a year earlier.

Its earnings were boosted by strong sales of its new Xbox game console and its Surface tablets during the holiday season.

The company also saw strong demand from businesses for its cloud services.

Overall, the firm’s revenue rose 14% during the quarter to $24.5bn. Its shares rose close to 4% on the news in after-hours trading.

Microsoft’s chief executive, Steve Ballmer, called it a great quarter and said that investments the firm was making in devices and services was driving the strong results.

The quarterly results showed a 13% increase in consumer sales. This was boosted by 7.4 million unit sales of Xbox consoles, up from 5.9 million a year earlier.

The new Xbox One, which was launched in November, contributed more than half of overall Xbox sales numbers in the quarter.

Sales of the firm’s cloud programs, such as Office 365 and Azure, more than doubled in the December quarter from a year earlier, while sales of its Surface tablets doubled from the previous quarter.

Train2Game News: Microsoft allowing self publishing on Xbox One

Xbox OneMicrosoft have announced they will allow self publishing for indie titles on the Xbox One. This is excellent news for Train2Game students.

Microsoft have also announced that each console can be used as a development kit, much like the way that Apple devices can be used as such.

Here’s the official statement from Xbox corporate VP, Marc Whitten:

“Our vision is that every person can be a creator. That every Xbox One can be used for development. That every game and experience can take advantage of all of the features of Xbox One and Xbox LIVE. This means self-publishing. This means Kinect, the cloud, achievements. This means great discoverability on Xbox LIVE. We’ll have more details on the program and the timeline at Gamescom in August.”

Whitten also told Kotaku that dev kit functionality will not be available at launch, but will be added ‘at a later date’.

This dispells all concerns of the accessibility and exposure of indie game on Xbox One, Whitten promises they will live on the Xbox Live Marketplace with the major titles.

Whitten explains “Of course there will be different pivots inside of that. There will be everything from what are we curating, kind of like spotlight content, to the normal discoverability stuff like recommendations, what’s trending, what’s got a lot of engagement on the platform. But you shouldn’t think of it as there’s an indie area and a non-indie area.”

With this announcement it opens up an entirely new indie market for Train2Game students and Student Studios with all the features of the Xbox One, allowing you to get creative with features such as Kinect and the Cloud.

Train2Game News: Home Gaming Competition

Gaming SetupAttention all gamers! Do you think you’ve got the ultimate video gaming set up? Do you treasure your home entertainment centre above all else? Is your lounge set up for gaming complete with your favourite comfy DFS sofas?

Well, here’s your chance to prove it! Send us a photo of your best home setup and if you’re chosen, you’ll win an Amazon voucher worth £50!

It really doesn’t matter whether you favour an Xbox over a Nintendo Wii, or even if you are a diehard Playstation fan. Show us what makes your lounge setup stand out above all others and we’ll see if we agree!

What We Want to See:

This is your chance to be creative and send us a photo of your best gaming set up. Whether you prefer to unwind in the lounge while playing your Wii, Xbox or Playstation or if you choose to chill in your office with your awesome gaming PC; it doesn’t matter where you are or what you play!

What we’re interested in is what your place looks like, the whole gaming room feng shui if you will, when you immerse yourself in the gaming zone. Send us a photo and you could be a winner! Best of luck!

To submit your entry contact: maria@train2game.com

Terms and Conditions:

  • This competition is open to all www.Train2Game.com readers in the UK
  • Prizes cannot be swapped for a cash alternative
  • Multiple entries will be disqualified – please include your contact details (shipping address, contact telephone number and full names) in the email
  • Emails must be received by 30 July to qualify
  • By entering this competition, competitors will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to be bound by the rules, and all entry instructions given are deemed to form part of the rules of the competition
  • Train2Game’s decision over the winning entry is final
  • Your email address will only be stored for the purpose of this competition and will not be passed on to any third parties
  • The winner will be informed by email

Train2Game News: Microsoft Reverse Xbox One Policies

Xbox OneMicrosoft have listened to their fans and have backtracked on some of the more controversial Xbox One policies.

Since Microsoft announced that the Xbox One would need to connect to the internet once every 24 hours, you can only sell used games to certain retailers and that sharing games would be different, the console has come under attack from many people.

Consumers felt like there choices were being taken away from them.

Microsoft have now heard these attacks and have changed their policies to one that should appeal more to the wider market.

An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games – After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.

Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today – There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360.

Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console – there will be no regional restrictions on the console.

These changes will impact some of the scenarios that previously announced for Xbox One, such as when swapping from one game to another will of course require a change of disc and features such as the “Driveatar” for Forza 5 will still require a constant connection.

The Kinect will still have to be always connected to the console as Microsoft believe that is a key part of gaming in the future and want Developers to be able to use it without worry.

The sharing of games will work as it does today, you will simply share the disc. Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold. Also, similar to today, playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray.

In the article from Don Mattrick detailing the changes, it finishes saying “We appreciate your passion, support and willingness to challenge the assumptions of digital licensing and connectivity. While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment, we will give consumers the choice of both physical and digital content. We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds.”

Train2Game News: Xbox at E3

Xbox OneE3 has begun and the first subject I will report on from the event is the Xbox E3 Conference which was on at 5:30pm GMT, yesterday.

The event began with an incredibly stunning trailer for Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain, featuring the voice of Kiefer Sutherland. The trailer displayed incredibly beautiful graphics using the Xbox One system and they are truly jaw dropping. The game play its self looks big, epic and is open world. This new adventure of snake uses interesting stealth mechanics and action to achieve your goals.

It was a beautiful start to the conference.

The rest of the conference was full of the new stunning games for the Xbox One for all audiences and fans.

There was another old favourite game returning to console market, Killer Instinct, the beat-em-up game published by Rare and Nintendo that was made popular in 1994, released as an Arcade machine, then later ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Killer instinct was displayed on stage by Double Helix Games, the creators of the reboot.

Games for the younger audience were also displayed. Minecraft: Xbox One Edition looked beautiful some how. I have no idea how the Xbox One has made simple blocks beautiful but they managed it!

One of the more interesting looking games and mechanics was that of Project Spark. You create the game world using the Kinect Voice Recognition, saying phrases such as “Woodland” and the land would be covered in Woodland. You can then go through and shape the world in a way you see fit and give inanimate objects intelligence to fill many roles. The possibilities are truly endless for the game.

Forza 5 was shown at the event and this was one of the most intelligent features I have ever seen in a game. With their feature known as “Drivatar” as you play the game, it will learn what you do and how you race, with what it learns, when you are not playing the game, your friends and people around the world can use your Drivatar to race against. In a way, there is no AI to race against, instead you race against people matched to your level so there is always a challenge through out the game. It is an incredible idea.

With it being an Xbox conference there was of course a few first person shooters.

Battlefield 4 was shown and looked absolutely beautiful, with incredible action and an exciting pace. They didn’t display any multiplayer game play however.

There was also a teaser trailer for the next Halo game that completely blew me away. As I sat there watching the trailer, trying to work out what I was seeing I was shocked and excited to see the Master Chief unveiled, that was one of the best moments of it for me.

There was several other games mentioned through the conference.

The Xbox it’s self was announced to be very heavily integrated with the Smartglass app. Using it from keeping an eye on other players stats to displaying the user interface.

The price was the biggest downfall of the console however. In the UK the console will be £429. A price many aren’t sure is worth it.

Train2Game News: More Xbox One Details

Xbox OneMicrosoft has released a website detailing how the Xbox One will handle its online connection, second-hand games, and the all-new Kinect.

Microsoft calls the Xbox One a “modern, connected device,” and means every word of it: the console needs an online connection every 24 hours.

“With Xbox One you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies,” reads the page explaining the console’s online features.

“While a persistent connection is not required, Xbox One is designed to verify if system, application or game updates are needed and to see if you have acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend. Games that are designed to take advantage of the cloud may require a connection.”

Once games are installed from either a retail disc or Xbox Live purchase, that game will be available at any time in the cloud. Microsoft says that “discs will continue to be a great way to install your games quickly,” pointing to the retail disc as merely a delivery system for the game license and code. Xbox One lets up to ten family members log in and play a shared library of games on the console, so specific family members won’t need their own game license. The system will allow trade, trade-in, and resell Xbox One games, but only if game publishers allow it.

“We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games,” says the game license page.

“Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers. There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once.”

Finally, Microsoft tackles the updated Kinect, which has led to privacy concerns in some consumers. Though some games may require Kinect functionality, the peripheral can be turned off, even in the Xbox One’s standby mode.

“If you don’t want the Kinect sensor on while playing games or enjoying your entertainment, you can pause Kinect. To turn off your Xbox One, just say ‘Xbox Off.’ When the system is off, it’s only listening for the single voice command — ‘Xbox On,’ and you can even turn that feature off too,” says the Kinect portion of the site.

“You will determine how responsive and personalized your Xbox One is to you and your family during setup. The system will navigate you through key privacy options, like automatic or manual sign in, privacy settings, and clear notifications about how data is used. When Xbox One is on and you’re simply having a conversation in your living room, your conversation is not being recorded or uploaded.”

Microsoft has answered a ton of questions for consumers and the media, but those answers may not be the ones we were hoping to hear.

Train2Game News: Next Xbox name rumours

Xbox 360sMore rumours have hit the web today about the next generation Xbox Console. This time regarding the name of the system.

Fusible have noticed that Microsoft have registered several domain names using “Xbox Fusion” including XboxFusion.info, XboxFusion.biz, XboxFusion.de, XboxFusion.co.uk, amongst others. Xbox has other names registered such as XboxNext.com and XboxGold.com

Names being kicked around include the Xbox 720, Xbox Infinity, Xbox Infinite, Xbox Gold, Xbox 8, Xbox Durango, Xbox Next and more but Xbox Fusion seems more likely to be the name of the next console.

Microsoft may have balanced the risk of a leak versus the embarrassment they suffered during the Halo 4 and Kinect launches when it turned out that they hadn’t registered the domains ahead of time, ensuring that they were forced to buy them from those who were quick enough to grab them before Microsoft could.

I am personally quite glad, if the rumours are true, they are moving on from the 360 name. It is a new beginning and I never liked the idea of just doubling the number. It seemed a bit lazy to me.

The details of what this could mean along with other details should all be announced on the day all Microsoft fans are looking forward to, May 21. This is the day that Microsoft will be making a huge announcement on.