Though it might not be the most well-received marketing strategy amongst hardcore gamers, Microsoft has really been promoting their forthcoming 8th Gen console, the Xbox One, as an “all-in-one entertainment machine.” Where gamers take offense is at the idea that the One will be more focused on streamlining social media, and less gaming-centric.
That’s not to say that gaming itself cannot be a social activity, at least in a sense. In fact, one of the most successful parts of both of the One’s predecessors, the Xbox and Xbox 360, was their interactive online play. Naturally, the One will provide more avenues for this continuously growing mode of gaming, and earlier today Microsoft revealed details about one of the most crucial aspects of online play: the chat headset.
Testing, testing…
As you can see, the One’s headset doesn’t cosmetically vary too much from the headset that gamers know and (kinda) love on the 360. Internally, there are some notable upgrades. For starters, the newest incarnation of Microsoft mono chat headset uses wideband digital audio as well as a unidirectional microphone. Additionally, while the headset remains connected to the gaming controller, users will now be able to both change the volume or completely mute the game without taking their hands off the controller. Technology: does it ever cease to amaze?
Following the unveiling of the One’s headset, Microsoft also broke the news about an additional play and charge kit for the Xbox One controller. According to their press release about the new feature, the new controller for the One holds a “long-lasting” rechargeable battery that can be juiced up while playing, or when the console is in standby mode. Though not a complete departure from the 360’s style of charging, the new in-game charging feature does seem to borrow from Sony’s design for the PS3 controller.
Are any of you even listening??
So, now that you know about the headset that you Microsoft fanboys will be using for the next decade or so of gaming, what do you think about it? Are the improvements an exciting and progressive move, or are they mild and uninventive? Did Microsoft make a good move here, or will these headsets be received as well as their newfound policy on game sharing?
