A little here…a little there…
Usually, when a console update rolls out, it does so without any huge fan fair. Hell, I’m pretty sure I could just look at a PS4 and cause it to starting downloading a patch of some kind. While typically just used to fix some miscellaneous bug or address a system problem, updates have been a staple of gaming for years.
These days are a bit different. With the advancements of our hardware (and the implementation of the video game “dashboard”) we are afforded so much more. I can remember back when the greatest extras the Sega Saturn or the first PlayStation had to offer was a CD player. In 2014, the Xbox One and PS4 continue to evolve into full-fledged media hubs. The consoles that early adopters picked up at launch will perform vastly different by the end of their life cycles, all due to the advancements and updates being pushed down from their respective “motherships.”
Next month, we will be treated to yet another one of these steps forward in the Xbox One’s evolution. Microsoft will be updating its next-gen hardware with additional features that could very well set the stage for big changes in the future. While things like “snapping” achievements to the side of your screen might seem like small potatoes to some, for others (like those achievements hunters out there) it will be a welcomed addition.
So let’s take a look at this and other new features that will come in July a bit more in-depth.
Oh Snap!
I can admit this freely: I was pretty obsessed with my Gamerscore at one point. From spending many sleepless nights trying to bring my LEGO Star Wars achievements to a full 100% / 1,000 points, to renting both King Kong and Avatar in order to pick up a few simple freebies; it was a sick time for me. Now, with the new Achievements Snap app, hopefully gamers can avoid embarrassing little episodes like that. This handy little feature will allow you to keep track of which achievements your closest to toppling (in real-time) or allow you to sort them in order of importance based on what you’re working towards at the moment. By far the best option is its ability to search the web for helpful tips and tricks, if you happen to be stuck on an obstacle. This is naturally something YouTube has afforded us for years, but having it right at your fingertips (inside your console) is certainly convenient.
“Come together…right now…over me” – The Beatles
Joining various content together under one banner is a personal pet peeve of mine (but in the best way possible). Whether it’s a greatest hits album in music, a film box set, or a completion disc of my favorite game series, I eat that kinda’ stuff up! In the July update, the Xbox Wire details new features they say will give publishers “…options for great digital bundle and disc compilation offerings in the future. As we test this feature, we’ll be seeing more flexible combinations of game titles and game content.” While this sounds like a direct reference to the upcoming Master Chief Collection of Halo 1-4 , could this game be just the proving grounds for something bigger in the future? Is Microsoft testing the waters of possibly offering more digital content under one roof? Who knows, but with their competitor’s PS Now streaming service on the horizon, it would be wise for Team Xbox to consider some type of answer soon.
Honorable Mention…Developer’s June Update
Before July, the Xbox One received an update to its XDK. What this meant for developers was the freedom to utilize additional GPU power in order to push their game’s performance further on Microsoft’s console. Will opening up this precious resource finally allow us to see just how far this next-gen tech can be pushed? After all, its Achilles heel thus far has been its inability to compete with the PS4 (who’s had no problem churning out true 1080p graphics and 30-60 frame rates per second). Now, with game makers literally being able to unhitch the heavy caboose that was the Kinect (which is credited as the x-factor bogging things down), we’ll finally see if this was merely an excuse up ‘til now.
As you can see, a myriad of small updates add up to many important advancements overall. The Xbox One of today performs substantially better than its previous self of just one year ago. I’d like to think that the Xbox of 2015 will do even better. That’s the hope, to say the least.
With their rival priming for the launch of products like PlayStation TV, PS Now and more; the competitiveness of the market isn’t going to get any easier anytime soon.