Microsoft has stepped out and confirmed that the Xbox One games console will indeed allow gamers to begin playing games before the entire download has completed. An unnamed Microsoft rep has spoken with Polygon to convey the news to the on-looking gaming world, and although we'd long since suspected as much, it's nice to have the confirmation there enabling us to draw a line under any uncertainty.
The Microsoft Xbox, which was shortened by the Redmond outfit from DirectX Box, is a relatively decent name for a flagship console. But things could have been oh so different, since Microsoft toyed with some pretty abominable monikers for its entertainment box before arriving at the eventual name.
The Xbox 360 may have enjoyed a slight victory over the PlayStation 3 in terms of market share, but when it comes to Japan, there is only one winner. What with Sony being a Japanese company and all, there's a very lopsided favoritism towards the next-gen PlayStation 4, which is perhaps why Microsoft doesn't seem too bothered about getting the Xbox One out to that particular market. According to Yasuyuki Higuchi, a Japanese VP of the Redmond-based outfit, the Xbox One won't be reaching Japan until 2014, with the nation having been dealt the rather unflattering label among the software maker's "tier two."
Most of the details of Microsoft's upcoming Xbox One console have now been disclosed, and with Don Mattrick having now stepped out to quash any notion of problem pertaining used games and such, fans and prospective purchasers can now begin to look forward to the Xbox One release date. Naturally, the software maker has been vague with regards to a release date, but according to Amazon U. S., the console will be released on November 27th of this year, affording gamers plenty of time to snap it up before the big holiday rush.
Well what do you know, maybe miracles do happen and maybe, just maybe, multinational corporations do listen to their customers. At least, Microsoft does.
The stingy Xbox One used games policy has been picked apart considerably by the media and gaming world over the past couple of days, and now it has emerged that Microsoft's next-gen console may not function in unsupported countries. While Sony has stepped out and explained that the PlayStation 4 will have no issues with used games, ambiguity and uncertainty surrounds the Xbox One, and now a disclaimer posted on the Xbox.com website throws up a potential region-locking issue.
Both Sony's PS4, and Microsoft's Xbox One, are now available for pre-order through various retail outlets. Details and more info on pre-ordering can be found right after the break.
Today's been a big day for announcements in the technology space, not least with Microsoft taking to the stage at this year's E3. We'd all geared ourselves up for an Xbox One onslaught, and whilst we were treated to some new next generation loveliness, it was the current Xbox 360 that caught our attention the most.
When Microsoft announced the Xbox One a couple of weeks ago, the big unveiling left more questions unanswered than it actually answered, especially when it came to things like the ability to lend games to a friend, or how resale of those games will work if at all. This caused something of an online backlash against the unreleased machine, and was something that Microsoft could have potentially avoided if it had had all its ducks in a row.
Microsoft's Xbox One is a fairly good looking device. Yes, granted, it is a little bit set-top boxy for some people's liking, but all told, it will make a nice aesthetic impression on most living rooms. Some unofficial renders of the machine have just popped up on Sketchfab, and if you fancy taking a closer look at the forthcoming Microsoft console, now you can. Bear in mind, these are not endorsed officially by Microsoft, but since Xbox LIVE's Larry Hryb a.k.a. Major Nelson tweeted about the designs, they've at least been dealt an air of legitimacy.

