The team at Microsoft and Xbox know how to do press conferences well, particularly in terms of showmanship, at renowned international gaming conventions. The briefing at E3 2017 was certainly spectacular, especially with the announcement of the world’s most powerful console, the Xbox One X.
Today, Xbox was true to form with their Xbox Gamescom 2017 press conference, which many of us were allowed to witness live on our screens at home through a live-stream of the conference on the Microsoft owned streaming platform, Mixer (a platform we, at Attack On Geek, use to live-stream games).
While the conference featured a heap of new trailers for already announced games, fans were also graced with new details surrounding the Xbox One X, exclusive game titles, and special edition consoles and accessories.
Below is a breakdown of all the announcements. Let us know your thoughts on these reveals and announcements in the comments below or over on our Facebook or Twitter pages.
Xbox One X Pre-Orders Now Available
Since its reveal at E3 2017, Xbox fans have eagerly awaited the opportunity to pre-order the Xbox One X console. Today, Xbox revealed that pre-orders for the console are now, finally, available.
Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition Announced
Among the details revealed about the upcoming Xbox One X console at Xbox’s Gamescom press conference, was that of a special, limited edition console, dubbed the ‘Project Scorpio’ edition.
Referencing the console’s codename, which had been used up until the Xbox One X announcement at E3, the Project Scorpio edition comes with a slightly modified design.
According to Gamespot:
Microsoft says the Project Scorpio edition was designed “to celebrate both our heritage and the power and precision that we are bringing into our future.” The system and controller each sport the words “Project Scorpio” printed on them–the system features it on the left side of the front, while the controller has it written between the d-pad and right analog stick. There’s also a “sophisticated and dynamic graphic pattern across the exterior,” and Microsoft notes that the packaging was inspired by the first Xbox.
The console will also come with an “exclusive” vertical stand, giving gamers the flexibility to stand the system upright if they prefer. Availability of the Project Scorpio edition will be limited and pre-ordering will be the only way to get one. The Project Scorpio edition will launch on the same day as the standard version of the console on November 7 and will cost the same, at $749 NZD.
New Light Mode Feature For Xbox One Dashboard
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At the press conference today, Microsoft unveiled a new UI design for its Xbox One dashboard: the Light Mode.
Dark mode is what users are currently familiar with and features a grey background. Light mode, however, swaps the grey out for a white background that is much brighter and arguably more welcoming. Users will soon be able to toggle between Dark and Light modes, which will add to the customisation that current Xbox One updates are providing.
The focus of this new UI design and layout is “speed, customization, and expression”, which provides users with quick access and navigation. The release date for the revamped dashboard is yet to be announced, however preview program members have access to it now.
New Minecraft Xbox One S Bundle Announced With Special Design And Controller
Though the Xbox One X was the highlight of the press conference at Gamescom today, Microsoft did also manage to reveal a special, limited edition Minecraft-themed Xbox One S bundle, which includes a 1TB custom designed console based on the game’s distinctive grass blocks, a ‘Creeper’ Xbox One controller, a digital code for Minecraft and its Redstone Pack, a vertical stand, and a transparent underside with “Redstone circuit accents.”
The bundle is available for pre-order on Microsoft’s online store for $569NZD.
A special pig-themed controller will also be available but sold separately for $109.99NZD. The Creeper controller can also be purchased individually for the same price.
Full List of Xbox One X Enhanced Games
From the press conference today, Microsoft has released a full list of games that will feature Xbox One X enhancements. During the press conference, Aaron Greenberg, the Marketing Manager at Xbox, alluded to the list, mentioning Quantum Break and Halo 5: Guardians as key games to receive optimizations.
Each game that receives the Xbox One X enhancements will get these updates for free, which can include, but are not limited to, 4K resolution, anisotropic filtering, HDR, and high-resolution textures. However, it is up to the developers to decide how their games take advantage of the more powerful hardware.
As of right now, more than 100 Xbox One games will be upgraded when the new console launches on November 7. The entire list of confirmed enhanced games can be found here.
New Game Details & Trailers From Gamescom 2017
Assassin’s Creed Origins New Cinematic Trailer
Manage Your Own Jurassic Park with Jurassic World Evolution
New Xbox One S Bundle Released Alongside Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds
Microsoft will help with Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds development on Xbox One.
Recore getting a Definitive Edition on August 29th
The next few months are going to be very exciting, that’s for sure. For more on the Xbox One X, be sure to follow us on here, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Mixer.