RUMOR: At least one Xbox One virtual reality game is already in the works

As we brace ourselves for E3 2016 (14-16 June, gaming fans), the speculation is ramping up about what we can expect to see. With the Xbox One trailing Sony's PS4 in the console race, the pressure's on Microsoft to come up with something of note.

The logical next step is virtual reality, what with the PlayStation VR arriving later this year, and a major development studio has confirmed to Ars Technica that it does indeed have an Xbox One VR title in the works for a planned 2017 launch.

Microsoft's current flagship console doesn't have VR capabilities or indeed a VR-compatible headset to go with it, so it sounds very much like some upgraded hardware is on the way - hardware this dev studio is targeting.

Getting in the VR game
Unfortunately, we don't know the name of the studio or the name of the game, but Ars Technica says the title will be demoed on PC or PS4 at this year's E3. Apparently, we're talking about "an established, long-running franchise" developed by a European studio here, so make of that what you will.

The obvious conclusion is that there's a VR version of the Xbox One coming next year: churning out high-resolution, virtual reality graphics requires a heck of a lot of processing power, which is why many industry insiders think a more powerful PS4 is also on the way.

Is Microsoft going to take the wraps off an Oculus Rift-ready, enhanced Xbox One at E3 2016? It's impossible to say for sure, but this is another hint in that direction. As usual, we'll bring you all of the E3 news from LA as it happens.

RUMOR: More E3 Xbox VR Talk

The ESA recently added the ability to search E3 2016's official website for the category 'Xbox One virtual reality' and it appears as though multiple companies have registered under said category, including: Maximum Games, Rebellion, Readily Information Company and 3DRudder.

You may be familiar with a couple of these companies, as Maximum Games is the maker of Farming Simulator and WRC series, and Rebellion is team behind Battlezone 98 Redux and the Sniper Elite series.

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E3 2016 RUMOR: Xbox VR Coming Next Year?

It's almost a foregone conclusion that Microsoft will unveil at least one new and upgraded model of Xbox One at this year's E3. It was originally believed that a souped-up version of what released in late 2013 would serve to fix the performance gap that has existed between PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Better hardware would mean that it could (theoretically) hit higher framerates, output at higher resolutions -- the kind of technical things that have held back some titles on Xbox over the past three years.

New developments indicate that an improved Xbox One might also serve the purpose of being virtual reality-capable. As reported by Ars Technica, a PR representative reached out to the site to book an E3 appointment for a VR game on PC, PS4, and Xbox One that is being developed by a well-known European studio. Further, the game is "set in the universe of an established, long-running franchise."
This is more than a PR mix-up. Ars responded to confirm that the rep intended to include Xbox as a platform; the rep replied in the affirmative.

Barring some kind of last-minute audible from Microsoft, it sure seems like VR for Xbox is all but certain. This may have been foreshadowed by Microsoft teaming up with Oculus last year to ship new Rift headsets with an Xbox One controller. Conventional logic would dictate an E3 press conference reveal, but maybe new hardware will be enough for one show. We'll find out in a little more than two weeks' time.

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NEWS: Mods for Fallout 4 are Coming to Xbox One Next Week

As posted on today on Bethesda's Twitter, Mods for Fallout 4 are Coming to Xbox One Next Week on May 31st.

Fallout 4 mods will be available to everybody for free, and first on Xbox One. You can browse the hundreds of Fallout 4 mods that have already been created here.

Mods for #Fallout4 are coming to #Xbox One next week on May 31st. #Fallout4Mods pic.twitter.com/cqxgyQyvJv

— BethesdaGameStudios (@BethesdaStudios) May 27, 2016

NEWS: Fallout 4 – Mods Coming To Xbox One Soon

When Fallout 4 released last year, many of you were excited to hear a modding capability was being added to allow you to modify various components of the game. Using Bethesda’s Creation Kit (the same tool used to create Fallout 4), modders can create new quests, environments, characters, dialogue, outfits, weapons and more. Read more about Fallout 4 modding at Bethesda’s website.

Fallout 4 mods will be available to everybody for free, and first on Xbox One. You can browse the hundreds of Fallout 4 mods that have already been created here.

This feature is coming to Xbox One soon, and Xbox's Major Nelson recently had the opportunity to view a couple of the mods created by some of the top modders.

You might also want to follow Xbox on Twitter as they will be celebrating the launch of Fallout 4 mods on Xbox One with a giveaway – giving you the chance to win a custom “Pip-Boy” Xbox One console just for voting on your favorite mod.

With the power of the Creation Kit and the creativity of the Fallout 4 community, the possibilities of what you can do are endless and I look forward to seeing what the modders do with it.

BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE: SSX is Coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility Today

Today it looks like we will be only getting one backwards compatible game playable on the Xbox One.

SSX is coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility today.

*As always, those that own these games digitally will be able to download them again for free from the "Ready to Download" section of the Xbox One. If you own Alan Wake on disc, you can also put this in and the necessary files required to make it work will be downloaded.

 A modern day reinvention of one of the most critically acclaimed arcade franchises of all-time, EA SPORTS™ SSX will allow players to experience the franchise’s signature fun and adrenaline-packed gameplay across iconic mountain ranges all over the world. Utilizing NASA topographical satellite data, we’ve mapped out a Massive World for players to explore. Using a Google-Earth inspired interface, navigate throughout nine expansive mountain ranges and regions, each with multiple peaks and multiple drops. SSX packs reality-defying gameplay into every run letting players Race, Trick, and Survive down huge open mountains. 

FREEBIES: Xbox Live Games With Gold For June 2016

For the month of June, Xbox Live Gold members will receive four new free games – two on Xbox One and two on Xbox 360 – as part of the Games with Gold program. You can play both Xbox 360 titles on your Xbox One with Backward Compatibility

*Titles are available as free downloads for qualifying Xbox Live Gold members in all markets where Xbox Live is available. Some regions may offer different titles depending on market availability.

On Xbox One, Xbox Live Gold members can download Goat Simulator ($9.99 ERP) for free during the month of June. The Crew ($29.99 ERP) will be available as a free download from June 16th to July 15th.

On Xbox 360, starting Wednesday, 01 June, Super Meat Boy ($14.99 ERP) will be free for Xbox Live Gold members through June 15th. Then on June 16th, Xbox Live Gold Members can download XCOM: Enemy Unknown ($39.99 ERP) for free through June 30th.

NEWS: Rocket League Cross Network Play Between Xbox One and PC Arrives

Today’s the day!

As we promised in March, cross-network play for the Xbox One and Steam PC versions of Rocket League will officially roll-out later this afternoon by 3pm PT/ 6pm ET/ 10pm UTC, making it the first-ever Xbox One game to support cross-network play with a Steam PC game.

Nearly 2 million Xbox One players have already competed in Rocket League since we launched in February 2016, but with today’s new cross-network update, your potential pool of teammates and opponents will grow even larger!

It’s an historic moment for us here at Psyonix, and we’re really excited to bring Xbox One and Steam PC players closer together. Cross-network play has been something that Xbox One gamers have been asking us for since the day we launched, and thanks to Microsoft’s new cross-network policies, we’re proud to give it to them.

Enjoy the new feature — and remember — you can toggle cross-network play on or off with an easy-to-find check box in the Options menu (see a preview below). Have fun!

Xbox-Cross-Network-Menu

Note: Online matchmaking services may not be available until the patch has fully deployed.


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BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE: Today We Are Getting Six New Backwards Compatible Games

Today Microsoft has bestowed on us six classic Xbox 360 games that are now backwards compatible and playable on the Xbox One.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown, DuckTales: Remastered, Hexic 2,Magic 2012, Domino Master & Unbound Saga

*As always, those that own these games digitally will be able to download them again for free from the "Ready to Download" section of the Xbox One. If you own Alan Wake on disc, you can also put this in and the necessary files required to make it work will be downloaded.

From the award-winning creators of Civilization comes an action-strategy game about humanity’s last stand. Threatened by an unknown enemy, the Earth’s governments unite to form a secret paramilitary organization, known as XCOM, to combat this extraterrestrial attack. As the commander of XCOM, you control the global defense team in a battle against a terrifying alien invasion. Control the fate of the human race by creating and managing a fully operational base, researching alien technologies, planning combat missions, and controlling soldier movement in battle.

 Go back to one of the golden ages of gaming, but now refined with a level of detail that will please the most hardened devoted Disney or retro Capcom fan, alike. Featuring hand-drawn animated sprites, authentic Disney character voices talent and richly painted level backgrounds from the classic cartoon TV series, Scrooge McDuck and family come to life like never before. The gameplay retains the authenticity of its 8-bit predecessor, simple and fun, with slight modifications to improve gameplay flow and design. Embark on an authentic DuckTales adventure, as Scrooge McDuck and his three nephews; Huey, Dewey and Louie travel to exotic locations throughout the world in their quest to retrieve the five Legendary Treasures.

Ready to put your hex-busting skills to the test? The game’s not over until you build a full cluster, flower, or line of black pearls! For an extra layer of challenge, match wits with a friend or the devious computer player in Battle mode. 

Face off against the AI, or gather your allies for the new multiplayer format: Archenemy, where you team up to take down a boss opponent. And if one of your fellow Planeswalkers drops out, no problem–the AI will drop in for uninterrupted action! Featuring ten unique decks, Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 also lets you customize those decks. As you progress in the game, you can enhance your deck by swapping in new, unlockable cards! Gather your allies. A challenge awaits.

Domino Master game! Play against friends and family, or challenge the world on Xbox LIVE.

Guide Rick and Lori through dozens upon dozens of environments filled with realtime physics, destructible objects, fearsome foes, and wicked bosses. Unlock a huge variety of super-skills and power moves on your journey through the wild comic world of Toxopolis! Break off a weapon and RAGE OFF THE PAGE!

YSK: Xbox One Has A built In Display Calibrator

From TV salespeople to TV reviewers, you'll often hear the word "calibrate" thrown around. It is said that getting your TV calibrated will improve its performance and increase its accuracy.

Calibrating a tv will get you the best possible picture your TV or display can produce.  A little known fact in the tech world is TVs DO NOT COME FROM THE FACTORY CALIBRATED.  While you may like the picture your display provides chances are it's not correctly calibrated.

To properly calibrate a display you should hire a pro to come to your house with special tools to do the calibration, however this can cost hundreds of dollars.  The next best option is to use a calibration DVD/Blu-RAY, this can still cost about about $20+ to purchase.  Why spend all that money, save it to buy games.

Xbox One has a built in display calibrator, here is how to use it:

1. Scroll left on the Home screen to open the guide.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select All Settings.
4. Under Display & sound, select Video output.
5. Choose Calibrate HDTV, read each screen carefully

Note: This will allow you to manually adjust your TV using the TV remote or the options in the TV menu. The adjustments are done to your TV not the Xbox.  Some of the setting in the Xbox One TV calibrator may be called something different on your model.