There will be an optical drive on the Project Scarlett Xbox console

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If the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition had you worried that Microsoft was dropping the optical drive for its next-generation console, then a couple of execs from the company are here to assure you that it won’t be going away for this version. Xbox chief Phil Spencer and Microsoft Game Studios head Matt Booty confirmed to different outlets that you will be able to use your disc collection with the Project Scarlett Xbox console. Spencer told GameIndustry.biz, “But we know that people still have discs. So even when we put out things like the Xbox One S All-Digital edition, we are very clear with the name because I am not trying to confuse anybody, that if you are somebody that has a library of discs, or that’s the way you want to acquire the content, then you should buy the Xbox One S, not the Xbox One S All-Digital... which is why we put it in the name. I want to give people choice, and right now physical is a choice that millions of people love.”

Booty echoed his sentiments in an interview with Eurogamer, “Scarlett will have an optical disc drive. I still have films at home on physical media—not many, but a few of my favorites. We know people have an attachment to buying games on disc, to building a collection.” This doesn’t necessarily mean that we won’t see a disc-less version of this console, though. Project Scarlett is the next-generation console from Microsoft. It’ll run on a custom-designed processor based on AMD’s Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA architecture, GDDR6 RAM, and will support 8K gaming, ray-tracing, variable refresh rate support, and framerates of up to 120 frames per second.

Source: The Verge

Ubisoft CEO believes we’re down to the last generation of consoles before streaming takes over

We’re slowly noticing the transition of different segments into streaming instead of owning media, whether these be for music, TV shows, movies, etc. Gaming seems to be the next thing and one of the big names in the industry seems to think it’s almost upon us. Ubisoft CEO and co-founder Yves Guillemot believes we’re down to one last generation before this will be completely replaced by the ability to stream games to a number of platform-agnostic devices.

“I think we will see another generation, but there is a good chance that step-by-step we will see less and less hardware,” Guillemot told Variety. “With time, I think streaming will become more accessible to many players and make it not necessary to have big hardware at home.”

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Xbox One update gives players snap mode for achievements

Microsoft stays true to their word and releases a July update for the console. This update brings the ability to double tap the Xbox button to snap an app. Players will also be able to check out the new snap mode for achievements. This specific update has been part of Microsoft’s Xbox One preview program and will be rolled out internationally in the coming days. According to Ubergizmo, there will be select regions that will even get additional voice control features.

Sony surpasses Nintendo in game console sales for FY2013

It’s been a long time coming but now Sony has managed to overtake Japanese rival Nintendo in the game console market for the 2013 fiscal year. Sony was able to sell 18.7 million consoles which is a few million more than Nintendo’s 16.3 million figure. These sales reflect current generation consoles like the Sony PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Wii U as well as previous generation machines like the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Sony PS 3, and Sony PS Vita. We’re hoping this isn’t the start of Nintendo’s descent but it’s not looking good at the moment.

Source: Ubergizmo