Microsoft revealedu00a0this at E3, but today they had plenty of details to drop. Mainly, that users would be able to start playing select Xbox 360 games on their Xbox One consoles beginning in November and that there would be 100 games available at launch. Also, all future Xbox 360 games in the Games with Gold program, which gives Xbox Gold subscribers free games, will now be backward-compatible.”Today, Microsoft also confirmed the November launch date for the overhaul of Xbox One’s interface. The redesigned dashboard will emphasize speed, performance and simplicity.u00a0For Xbox One users with Kinect, Windows 10’s Cortana will also offer gamers audio controls.”Microsoftu00a0announced thatu00a0DVRu00a0capabilities areu00a0coming to the Xbox One next year and that gamers will soon be able to record television subscription-free through the One using an over-the-air digital tuner. The service will also be able to stream content to any Windows 10 device which should really serve as a great connector for devouring content on Microsoft products.”Halo was front-and-center for much of Gamescom today. In addition to showing off plenty of footage from Halo 5, there was a surprise announcement of Halo Wars 2, which Microsoft didn’t say much about, but did specify that itu00a0will be coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 in fall of 2016.”Microsoft also showed off a brand new Chatpad for Xbox One controllers today. It’s pretty much the same as the 360’s, albeit with the addition of improved audio buttons on the sides and user programmable keys that can be used for functions like screenshotting oru00a0recording in-game DVR clips.”In addition to showing off a ton of sweetu00a0Halo gameplay, Microsoft unveiled a $500 souped-up limited edition Halo 5 Xbox One that looks really really cool. The console includes a matching (equally really really cool) controller and a digital copy of Halo 5.”
In addition to the multitude of sick new gameplay footage we saw today from developers at Gamescom, Microsoft revealed, confirmed and offered updates on some major new projects and features that will be coming to the Xbox One in the upcoming months. The Xbox One is slumping behind the PS4 in the console wars and it seems Microsoft is looking to go forth with features focused on strengthening the Xbox/Windows ecosystem and working to further cement the One as the living room’s central entertainment powerhouse.
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