Xbox One Specifications Revealed at Microsoft Event
Microsoft revealed the specifications for the Xbox One during today's special unveiling event for the new console.
The company not only announced the hardware, but also confirmed the name of the system that was previously rumored to be called the Xbox 720 or Durango.
The console features 8GB of RAM, an 8-Core CPU, 500GB hard drive, a Blu-ray drive, HDMI in and out ports, USB 3.0, 802.11n wireless, and a built-in Kinect sensor. Microsoft described the Xbox One as an "all in one system" that is made for encompassing games, entertainment and television all into one device.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Unlike Sony, Microsoft actually showed the crowd and those watching the livestream via the internet the actual system. The console sports an all-black frame and features a controller that looks almost identical to the one found on the Xbox 360.
The graphic capabilities on the Xbox One were displayed during the introduction of the new "Call of Duty: Ghosts" game. Three comparisons were made during the presentation that featured images taken from "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" and the company's next-generation "Ghosts" title. The difference in graphic capabilities was astounding as the new system is able to create visuals with life-like detail, all the way from the scars on a man's skin, or the hairs on a dog's body.
Contrary to some of the rumors, the Xbox One is not an always online console. U.K. marketing director Harvey Eagle stated that the system will not require a constant internet connection.
"It is clearly designed to be connected to the internet, and hopefully from what you've just seen you realize some of the benefits that brings," he said. "But if your internet connection drops, you will still be able to play games, still be able to watch Blu-Ray movies and still be able to watch TV."
Eagle also confirmed that Kinect must always be connected to the Xbox One in order for users to play games.
"Kinect does require to be connected to Xbox One in all cases," he added.
The system will not be backwards compatible. Xbox Live Vice President confirmed that the Xbox One will not be able to play original Xbox or 360 games.
"The system is based on a different core architecture, so back-compat doesn't really work from that perspective," he said.
The Xbox One is designed to improve over time thanks to cloud computing. The console will have the ability to communicate with servers in the cloud to increase the computational potential of the system. Xbox One Director of development Boyd Multerer commented on the relationship.
"[As a developer] I can start doing things like shifting latency insensitive things to the cloud. You may have a limited number of transistors in your house, but you have an unlimited number of transistors in the cloud," he said.
Microsoft also promised to launch 15 new exclusive titles for the Xbox One within the first year of its release with 8 new franchises making their introduction on the system. Xbox will also have first dibs on "Call of Duty" downloadable content as it was on the 360.
The Xbox One will be available later on this year. Microsoft plans to reveal much more about the system during this year's E3 on June 6.
