Microsoft reveals Xbox One prototypes

Dohc-WP

Ron Burgundy
Microsoft has taken the wraps off some of the design process and prototype looks for its upcoming Xbox One console.


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Xbox creative director Carl Ledbetter discussed the journey to the final look and feel of the console as part of Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference 2013, as reported by Polygon.

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"We wanted to make it simple and elegant, and we wanted it to be crafted and tailored, so it's all about quality," Ledbetter said. "Using those principles, we started to design."

The process involved a team of 30 staff creating initial sketches, which were then turned into physical prototypes. Those models were then put in situ, placed in lounge rooms to give the team an indication of how the devices would look alongside other consumer electronics.

"The design you see here," Ledbetter said, showing the final Xbox One unit, "this is where we start to apply things like gloss and matte finishes. How does the vent pattern look? How does the brand come through the front? How do we make the font look high quality, just like the high-definition televisions in people's living rooms?"

The creative director also revealed that Microsoft created more than 200 prototypes for its new Xbox One controller, with users able to discern minute differences between different configurations. "We found that, when people put these in their hands, [they] could tell the difference between a 10th of a millimetre in size," Ledbetter said.

The Xbox One is scheduled to go on sale this November.

Source: Gamespot
 
With Microsoft reversing some of their online requirements for the XBOX One; are the consoles still 100% dependent on the new XBOX Live infrastructure? If so, it means that South Africa still won't see the new XBOX One until our local XBOX Live infrastructure is upgraded - and who knows how long that would take? For Microsoft's sake, I hope they decide on their launch dates for ALL countries sooner rather than later - otherwise the PS4 is going to kill their market share.

For example: I was planning on buying both consoles at launch, but if the XBOX One is going to be delayed for months due to "infrastructure" dependencies in our 3rd World country, then I'd rather just buy the PS4 and build its library. By the time the XBOX One does finally launch here, I'd be much less inclined (or even interested) to buy it. And I have a feeling a lot of people are going to be in that boat.
 
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