Microsoft decides games can be exclusive to Xbox Series X

Microsoft has decided that developers can make games just for the Xbox Series X, including those from first-party studios.

One of Microsoft's most debated policies for the upcoming generation is that games must also run on the PC and older Xbox One consoles. In recent weeks, that policy appeared to have softened so that third-party developers could decide what hardware to support.

First-party studios, however, still appeared to have to develop games for all the Xbox One...

24 July 2020 | Gaming

Opinion: PS5 and Xbox Series X audio upgrades will be as impressive as their visuals

With the upcoming consoles, audio technology will finally get a generational leap alongside visual fidelity.

One of the most intriguing parts of the PS5 technical announcement was that of the Tempest Engine. System architect Mark Cerny quite rightly said that audio hasn't received the same attention as visual upgrades over the years, despite it being an essential part of the experience.

Sony started its work on a 3D audio system out of necessity for its PlayStation VR...

13 July 2020 | Gaming

Sony games chief says next-gen is a ‘paradigm shift’ as PS5 unveiled

Sony has finally unveiled the PS5's design along with a host of games that will kick off a new generation described as a "paradigm shift".

The internet has had its usual fun with the physical design of the upcoming console. Many have pointed out that it looks like an obnoxious router, while others have likened it to a "new expensive campus," the eye of Mordor, and even an aircraft...

12 June 2020 | Gaming

Unreal Engine 4.25 adds support for Xbox Series X and PS5

The latest version of Unreal Engine has been released, adding support for the Xbox Series X and PS5 next-gen consoles.

Despite potential shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both of the new consoles are still due to release later this year.

We've already seen the specs revealed for each console and the features they'll support. The new Xbox has the overall power advantage, but the PS5 is still no slouch and has some unique tricks up its sleeve like ultra-fast loading...

6 May 2020 | Gaming

Xbox chief Phil Spencer expects next-gen games to be like ‘2D to 3D’

Xbox chief Phil Spencer is expecting a truly generational leap in games will occur later this year, likened to the jump from 2D to 3D.

We know from the specs that both the Xbox Series X and the PS5 are monsters that finally compete with even high-end PCs. However, there were some pretty photorealistic games available on the One X and PS4 Pro – so can we really expect that much of a jump? Spencer believes so.

Anyone who's been around games for multiple generations knows...

28 April 2020 | Gaming

Former PlayStation dev calls Xbox Series X a ‘beast’ compared to PS5

A former PlayStation developer has praised the Xbox Series X as a "beast" compared to the PS5.

Chris Grannell is an industry veteran who has spent years at PlayStation studios behind the likes of Horizon: Zero Dawn and the WipEout series.

The raw specs difference between the two consoles was clear, but the praise from a former PlayStation developer puts Sony on notice that this generation might not be as easy as the last.

“The machine that Microsoft has put...

24 April 2020 | Gaming