Tag: Xbox

What is the Xbox Series S?

After the Xbox Series S price leaked, Microsoft confirmed the budget version of its next-gen console will cost $299.

It’s been a rough summer for Microsoft’s gaming division as the launch of the new generation of consoles draws near. After an unimpressive and meme-worthy gameplay reveal of Halo: Infinite – Microsoft’s flagship title for the fall – the game was delayed to 2021, leaving Microsoft without a highly anticipated killer app for the upcoming Xbox Series X.

On Monday, an image of the Xbox Series S – Microsoft’s yet unannounced budget version of a next-gen console – was leaked online. According to the leak, the Series S will sell for $299. Microsoft acknowledged the leak on Tuesday morning, and confirmed that the Series S will launch with an estimated retail price of $299.

So, what is the Series S?

Microsoft is advertising its new flagship console, the Xbox Series X, as the most powerful console ever. The Series S, much like the Xbox One S before it, is a more affordable version of the console for people who aren’t obsessive over resolution and framerate. All next-gen Xbox games will run on both the Series S and Series X, so you’ll be able to play the new Halo on the S – you just might not get quite the same performance, especially on a 4K TV.

So far, we only have an image of the S and the pricepoint, and Microsoft is yet to reveal the full specs of the machine along with the launch date (which is expected to be in November). More leaked promotional footage for the Series S notes that the machine can get 120 frames per second at a resolution of 1440p, is DirectX Raytracing ready, and packs a 512 GB SSD.

That last point could prove to be an issue, as it does not seem like the Series S has a disc drive. If you are indeed going all-digital with the Series S, it won’t be long until that 512 GB hard drive is full. Just ask Call of Duty: Warzone players, who regularly have to install colossal patches. In the modern age, it’s possible you may only be able to fit 4 triple-A games on that SSD.

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Halo Infinite: See gameplay of the next Halo game, and all the other Xbox reveals

See all the trailers from Thursday’s Xbox Games Showcase.

Microsoft showed off its lineup of next-gen video games for Xbox Series X on Thursday during the Xbox Games Showcase, and while the hour-long show was disappointingly light on actual gameplay and heavy on CGI trailers, Xbox fans did get an extended look at the upcoming Halo installment, Halo Infinity.

Microsoft did not reveal the release date or the price of the Xbox Series X on Thursday’s show.

The Games Showcase opened with an eight-minute demo of Halo Infinite campaign gameplay, which features Master Chief slaying grunts and driving a Warthog. Unfortuantely, no precise release date for Halo Infinite was revealed, and the release window is still “Holiday 2020.”

Here’s a rundown of all the other trailers that were revealed:

State of Decay 3

Forza Motorsport

Fable

Grounded

Everwild

The Gunk

CrossfireX

Warhammer 40K: Darktide

Tell Me Why

Balan Wonderworld

Watch Dogs Legion

Hello Neighbor 2

Echo Generation

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How to watch Thursday’s Xbox Games Showcase

Microsoft will show off Halo Infinite and its other next-gen titles for Xbox Series X on Thursday.

We’re getting closer to the release window for the next generation of home video game consoles, and on Thursday, Microsoft will show off its slate of next-gen games for Xbox Series X during an Xbox Games Showcase.

We’ve already seen a third-party focused Xbox presentation, but Thursday’s show will focus on what Xbox Game Studios have been up to. You can expect a good chunk of the show to focus on Halo Infinite, set to release later this year.

We already know what the Xbox Series X looks like, but it remains to be seen if Microsoft will reveal the release date or the price on Thursday. As of now, XSX is set for a “Holiday 2020” release.

So, what time should you tune in?

The Xbox Games Showcase will begin at 12:00 p.m. ET on YouTube and Twitch. You can watch the show below.

If you missed the official reveal of the Series X, here it is.

Trio of former Warriors to participate in players-only NBA 2K tournament

Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins and Harrison Barnes will compete in a players-only NBA 2K20 tournament.

NBA action is still on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Yet, a form of basketball will be returning to national television soon. Representatives from across the league will gather on Friday for the first installment of a players-only NBA 2K20 tournament.

The competition will air on ESPN over 10 days. Sixteen different players, including three former members of the Golden State Warriors, will participate in the video game tournament.

Players were seeded one through 16 with league tenure and 2K rating determining their position. Former Dub Kevin Durant is at the top of the list, with Demarcus Cousins at 11 and Harrison Barnes at 15. The rest of the field is mixed with young players and All-Stars like Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, Devin Booker and Domantas Sabonis.

Odds would point towards each player using their squad in the tournament. However, with no current Warrior represented, Golden State’s 2k team is up for grabs. While the Warriors record currently sits at the bottom of the NBA, their 2K roster is stocked full of top-rated players.

Stephen Curry is rated 95 overall with a 99 when it comes to 3-point shooting. Although he’s still injured, Klay Thompson sits at 86 with a 95 rating from beyond the arc. Behind the Splash Brothers, Andrew Wiggins is rated 82 with both Draymond Green and Eric Paschall holding 79s.

With the Los Angeles Lakers waiving Cousins before he ever suited up in yellow and purple, the Kentucky product could be a candidate to run with his old squad in the 2K showdown.

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