You’ll need at least 99GB of hard drive space for ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’

It might be time to clear some space on your PS4 or Xbox One if you’re waiting for Red Dead Redemption 2 to come out. Rockstar Games support website showed you’d need at least 99GB of space to accommodate the game—whether you get a digital or physical copy of Red Dead Redemption 2. On the PS4, you’ll need 99GB if you install it via disc. If you get it digitally, you’ll need an extra 50GB for the installation process (which will be freed up once the game is installed). Now for the Xbox One, whether via disc or digitally, you’ll need 107GB of space. Those who pre-ordered the game will be able to start the pre-load process today at 12 a.m. ET. The game officially launches on October 26.

Source: Polygon

Microsoft enables support for mouse and keyboard for Xbox One, announces partnership with Razer

You’ve asked for it, you got it. Microsoft just announced that its adding keyboard and mouse support for the Xbox One and select Xbox testers get to try this out in the coming weeks. Most wired and wireless USB keyboards will work with the Xbox One but it’ll be up to the developers to support this in their games. It will not be enabled by default as Jason Ronald, director of program management for Xbox, says the development team know their games the best and they would know what experience would work best to provide an “optimal and fair gaming experience” for its players. PC gamers tend to have a movement advantage over players with controllers especially in games like first-person shooters, this new feature might help level the playing field. Microsoft has been working with big and small studios on this new feature and needs feedback from its Xbox testers to make sure it’s as close to perfect when it officially launches later this year.  

The company also announced a partnership with Razer to allow Xbox One users to use Razer hardware and use its Chroma lighting effects. Microsoft plans to release more details about this partnership during the Inside Xbox stream on November 10th. 

Source: The Verge 

‘Warface’ Early Access comes to the Xbox One

For those who have been waiting, Warface Early Access is now available for the Xbox One. It’s accessible through five different types of Early Access packs. Each one is centered around the needs of different game classes: Rifleman, Medic, Engineer, and Sniper. The fifth one is a Collector’s Early Access pack that brings together the content of the four aforementioned packs and adds a pistol, knife, and “premium in-game currency.” These Early Access packs provide certain weapons and their unique golden versions with enhanced visuals and stats. 

Other Xbox One-exclusive content include an additional hunting PvP mode Bag and Tag, a number of diverse PvP maps, and a Cyber Horde raid where you will “need to make the most of your arsenal.” 

Microsoft adds Amazon Alexa support for the Xbox One

For select gamers in the U.S., starting up your Xbox One is as easy as calling out for Alexa. The console now supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa—that is if you’re part of the Xbox Insiders program. This Amazon Alexa skill will let you do things like switch the console on, open games, capture screenshots, control media playback, among other things. Not sure what else you can do, just say, “Ask Xbox what can I say?” Of course, to play, you will need to use your controller.

This isn’t the first time voice control has come to the Xbox One. Microsoft’s own assistant Cortana is supported by the Xbox One but you’ll need either their headset or the now discontinued Kinect cameras and motion tracker to get this to work. So, of course, the convenience of talking to nearby smart speakers will make things more convenient. In case you’re asking, the Xbox One doesn’t support Google Assistant just yet. But Microsoft isn’t closing the door on supporting it in the future. The company has said it will "continue to evolve this experience and grow our voice integration across devices, digital assistants, and voice services."