Report: Microsoft Dissected A PlayStation 2 When Developing The First Xbox

Although understanding the Xbox platform now is presented to be an open ecosystem of platforms that bridge between one another either through the same-named retail units, PC, or more recently with Android. But during the incarnation of Microsoft’s video game empire, the firm certainly looked for inspiration as to how to construct its own system. In a report from Bloomberg this week, we learned that Microsoft during the early phases of Xbox attempted to acquire big name companies for its first-party endeavors. Those include Electronic Arts, Midway Games, and even Nintendo at the time in the early 2000s. But as you can guess, the firm left empty handed and solved its issue with Bungie which introduced the platform-defining Halo franchise. But for the history of the Xbox architecture, the same report discloses that Microsoft looked at competing hardware for pointers. In particular, the Windows company dissembled a PlayStation 2 when understand the core elements for constructing a console for retail purchases. We actually had to take a PS2, we took the entire thing apart, put it on a giant wood board… [we] went through every component, every piece and priced it out and tried to figure out how many screws and how much did it cost. Aaron Greenberg, Xbox General Manager Following the disarrangement of the PlayStation 2 unit, Microsoft’s first functioning “Xbox” was met with issues as you would expect. Upon inserting discs into the disc drive, the disc would continuously eject with scratches all over the surface. Atop of that, there happened to be a 1/4 chance that the unit would crash when in use. But one unique element introduced from Microsoft for its system happened to be high-speed internet. The mechanism was developed for the console for future reference what is now labeled ‘Xbox Live’. While other platforms introduced the feature later on, Microsoft happened to pioneer the implementation before the service became readily available. Elsewhere this week, it is revealed that Microsoft might be taking more inspiration from Sony Interactive Entertainment. While not definitively coming, Microsoft did survey new Xbox Series X owners if they would like to see features from the DualSense controller on the Xbox gamepad. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you surprised Microsoft studied the PlayStation 2 when developing the first Xbox? Source: Bloomberg

Production For Eli Roth’s Borderlands Movie To Kick Off In Budapest Very Soon

For 2020, the film industry ended on an off note with the box office release for Paul S.W. Anderson’s Monster Hunter. Though more fans were hopeful to see the film following a promising trailer prior to the film’s debut, the motion picture only lasted a day when releasing in China before being pulled from cinemas nationwide. The decision was made from a derogatory joke pointed towards people of Asian descent that made it into the final cut. However, looking forward for other productions, new word has broken out for another video game-adapted film. This one being Eli Roth’s upcoming Borderlands flick, the project is set to start filming in the coming future. While not much has been disclosed on plans for the movie since its announcement well over a year ago, a new tip comes from The Hollywood Reporter. In the new report, Midatlantic Films lead Adam Goodman spoke with the publication pressing that the film among other productions are to initiate at its studio in Budapest, Hungary very soon. We’re opened up space for a Lionsgate film, Borderlands [starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart], we’re doing season three of Jack Ryan for Paramount TV, and we’re doing a Marvel project, which, for the usual security reasons, I can’t talk about. We’re basically fully booked for the coming cycle, until the summer, which, hopefully, will be the last cycle of shows we have to do under COVID-19 protocols. To give more context to the featured film, The Hollywood Reporter also solidifies a recent rumor involving Kevin Hart for the film. In December, reports surfaced suggesting that Lionsgate is in negotiations with the comedian/actor for a leading role as Roland. But at the time of reporting, there did not happen to be any concrete confirmation in regards to Hart’s casting. Elsewhere previously, director Roth did comment on one actor casted for the film – Cate Blanchett. When speaking with Entertainment Weekly, he offered the honor for Blanchett to be starring in the coming production with green lights flashing for her to be casted as Siren Lilith. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you excited about the Borderlands film so far? Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Twitch In Response To Remove PogChamp Emote Will Now Be Randomized Every 24 Hours, Starting Today

In the first week alone for 2021, this new year already stands to be on-par with how the world left 2020. While stress from the near-year length coronavirus epidemic already kept people on edge last year, there was also the fast-approaching presidential election in November as well. Following votes being casted in all 50 states, president-elect Joe Biden was determined to be the winner. However, current standing president Donald J. Trump detested the results and went to the courts to resolve his outcome for the presidency for a second term. But despite his ambitions, the president did not manage to remain in his position entering 2021. And as a result of that, his supporters marched the streets of Washington D.C. in protest of the results on January 6th. But, the events turned to the worst as his supporters and other like-minded individuals stormed into the Capitol Building and other federal structures during their protest which shook the United States and people across the globe watching. Howbeit, there did happen to be a handful of people that supported the action done – one being Twitch emote star Ryan “Gootecks” Gutierrez. In response to his stance on the matters, Twitch officials pulled the plug on the ‘PogChamp’ emote leaving users in discourse for a replacement. But in a new tweet in response to an alternative, Twitch announces a random emote will take the iconic emote’s place every 24 hours. Although many Twitch users did propose other regularly used emotes to replace the legendary emote, the decision came to be one that answers the burning question for the past two days now. “We want the sentiment and use of Pog to live on – its meaning is much bigger than the person depicted or image itself– and it has a big place in Twitch culture. However, we can’t in good conscience continue to enable use of the image,” Twitch stated responding to PogChamp’s removal. “We will work with the community to design a new emote for the most hype moments on Twitch.” Given that Twitch did want to find an alternative that might bare a more positive notion for its users, the company ultimately decided the plethora of streamers and other likenesses would better define what “Pog” stands for the platform. Are you fine with the decision made by Twitch in replacing PogChamp?

Microsoft Pledges Absent Final Fantasy Games Are Still Set For Xbox In 2021

Upon the influx of games that continues to pour into Xbox Game Pass in the past year, the ones that remain to be the most surprising arises from the east. In particular, Japan: franchises like Yakuza, Kingdom Hearts, and Final Fantasy are among the plenty that Xbox users could not believe would launch for its platform only surfacing on the PlayStation store or Nintendo eShop in the past. But alas, Microsoft back in last 2019 during its second annual X019 event announced that those aforementioned franchises are expecting an inflow of releases for Xbox – more precisely Xbox Game Pass. And while the majority of these games are already available, more is certainly on the way. Most recently, Microsoft disclosed the remaining mainline installments for Yakuza will be shipping as soon as the end of January. As for the lingering Final Fantasy releases that yet received an Xbox port, that is expected to take place sometime in 2021. According to a statement issued to TrueAchievements, the firm is planning to distribute more Final Fantasy entries later in the year through the service. As we announced at X019, we are excited to bring the Final Fantasy franchise to gamers with Xbox Game Pass. We have done so throughout 2020 and will continue to do so in 2021 and beyond. We look forward to announcing specific launch dates for more Final Fantasy titles in the future. Relayed by TrueAchievements, these games are still due for release via Xbox Game Pass: Final Fantasy X: HD Remastered, Final Fantasy X-2: HD Remastered, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. However, many are still hopeful to eventually witness the welcoming of Final Fantasy XIV Online to Xbox in the near future. In June 2016, it was reported from an interview with director Naoki Yoshida that Microsoft approached Square Enix on a port for Final Fantasy XIV Online, but the platform was said to be lacking experience. But in the years following, the platform has evolved especially after welcoming Phantasy Star Online 2 in 2019. You can read the initial report by heading here. What are you most excited to see be welcomed to Xbox from the Final Fantasy series? Source: TrueAchievements

Microsoft Chose To Utilize AA Batteries For Xbox Controllers To Enforce Player Choice, New Statement Shares

While differentiating Microsoft’s Xbox with the competing PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, there are apparent elements that stand apart from one another. But at the same time, some things are even more similar than they appear between the sum. Howbeit, for how the firms decide to power its controllers, Microsoft is the only one still sticking out from the others. In that, the Xbox controller remains to still depend on AA batteries to power the gamepad when in use. As for the latest DualSense controller, Joy-Cons, and Nintendo Switch Pro controller, those utilize a built-in batter which can be charged through USB-C. But oddly enough, Microsoft never directly pursued the same path as its competitors. The conversation went to suggest in some claims that Microsoft is in the Duracell’s pocket following a recent interview with the firm’s UK Marketing Manager, Luke Anderson. “There’s always been this partnership with Duracell and Xbox… it’s a constant agreement that Duracell and Microsoft have in place,” he shares. But, the understanding went in terms of presuming that Microsoft is forced to further utilize batteries for its controllers. However, in a statement with Eurogamer, the firm clarifies the decision is solely based on user choice. We intentionally offer consumers choice in their battery solutions for our standard Xbox Wireless Controllers. This includes the use of AA batteries from any brand, the Xbox Rechargeable Battery, charging solutions from our partners, or a USB-C cable, which can power the controller when plugged in to the console or PC. Although Microsoft at the base level with its controllers do require batteries to operate, the firm does elaborate that it is not the only option. Alike with rival gamepads, there is a rechargeable battery pack which can be recharged via USB-C and does not require additional batteries for further use. While there is no denying the partnership between Microsoft & Duracell, especially when the new console ships with a pair of AA-branded batteries, the agreement does not stand on the shoulders for other alternatives. Purchasing more batteries or using rechargeable alternative – users are given options that best suit their convenience. More recently in relevance to the Xbox controller, Microsoft sent out a survey to next Xbox Series X owners polling if they would like to see DualSense features on its own controller. You can read the full report by heading here. How do you use your Xbox controller to power it? Source: Eurogamer