Microsoft announces new Xbox and PC cross-buy and cross-play program

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 13, 2016 11:52 AM CDT

E3 2016 - Microsoft today announced the Play Anywhere initiative that brings cross-buy to Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One consoles.

Microsoft announces new Xbox and PC cross-buy and cross-play program

When a game is marked with a "Play Anywhere" sticker, gamers can buy one version of the game and play it both on Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One systems. Gears of War 4 will be one of the first games launched under the initiative, with full cross-buy and cross-play support across the two systems.

We know that Microsoft would tighten its focus on cross-platform gaming with Project Helix so this isn't really a surprise. I'm thinking that most of the high-profile exclusives will be marked with Play Anywhere, meaning the Xbox brand is now a service that bridges both PC and console. Microsoft also unveiled the new Xbox One S, the fabled Xbox One Mini console that's 40% smaller than traditional Xboxs, sports up to a 2TB HDD, full 4K UHD video playback, and a new Xbox One controller--all for $299.

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$299 Xbox One S coming in August with 4K playback and HDR

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 13, 2016 11:42 AM CDT

UPDATE: As predicted the $299 Xbox One S is just the 500GB model, and the 1TB Xbox One S is $349 with the 2TB Xbox One S priced at $399.

E3 2016 - Microsoft today announced the Xbox One S, a slimmer console with 4K video playback and HDR support.

The Xbox One S is priced at $299 and releases this August, Xbox division head Phil Spencer revealed at Microsoft's E3 event. The Xbox One S is 40% smaller than the current Xbox One console, and features up to 2TB HDD storage, an integrated internal power supply, and most notably, 4K UHD video playback. The Xbox One S also supports HDR for improve visuals.

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Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War III gameplay footage shown at E3 2016

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Jun 13, 2016 11:25 AM CDT

E3 2016 - Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War III has been pushed at E3 2016 by developer Relic Entertainment, with official gameplay footage debuted at the show. Check it out below.

Relic Entertainment is buildinf up some hype here, especially when the franchise was previously with THQ and when the company closed down, fans of the Warhammer 40K series were left wondering what was going to happen with the franchise. Sega later purchased the rights to the franchise, and teamed with Relic Entertainment on the new game. There's no release date on the game just yet, but we know it's coming in 2017.

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Watch Microsoft's E3 2016 press conference live here

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 13, 2016 11:24 AM CDT

E3 2016 - Microsoft is set to kick off its E3 2016 livestream in just minutes now, and will likely show off the future of the Xbox brand.

Watch Microsoft's E3 2016 press conference live here

Expect to see the new Xbox One S (Xbox Mini) at the event, along with the two new Xbox streaming sticks. We'll also see a ton of new Xbox and Windows 10 PC games like Dead Rising 4, Crackdown 3 and Halo Wars 2. We could even see some Xbox Scorpio teases!

You can also catch the stream on Xbox.com or YouTube.

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Origin's 34-inch all-in-one Omni gaming PC is now shipping

Anthony Garreffa | Computer Systems | Jun 13, 2016 9:50 AM CDT

E3 2016 - Origin's new Omni all-in-one gaming PC is now shipping, with it being an awesome 34-inch AIO gaming PC with a 21:9 UltraWide display packing some seriously fast hardware.

The Origin PC Omni features a 34-inch 3440x1440 curved panel, and inside you can configure it with Intel's latest Core i7-6950X processor, up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and even NVIDIA's new GeForce GTX 1080 video card. The Omni AIO gaming PC makes use of Origin's Frostbyte CPU liquid cooling system, and Origin's professional overclocking expertise. Origin boss Kevin Wasielewski and founder says: "All-in-one PC users no longer have to make comprises, the ORIGIN PC OMNI offers the full performance and upgradeability that games and enthusiasts crave. With it's gorgeous 34" Ultra-Wide 3440x1440 curved display, support for up to an Intel Core i7 6950X processor, 32GB of DDR4 Memory, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, the ORIGIN PC OMNI delivers the best of every world".

Just how powerful is the Omni? Check out the all-in-one features, and what the best CPU and GPU can be packed inside of the 34-inch AIO gaming PC.

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Bethesda details future DOOM plans, first 'premium' DLC out next month

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Jun 13, 2016 9:00 AM CDT

E3 2016 - Bethesda announced VR support for DOOM and Fallout 4 earlier today on the HTC Vive, with the company now detailing future DOOM plans. DOOM's first 'premium' DLC will be released next month, dubbed 'Onto the Evil'. Onto the Evil will include:

id Software has also said that there will also be free updates to DOOM's multiplayer mode, with two new modes arriving next month. The first, is 'Exodus' that is a one-flag capture the flag (CTF) mode that was described as a "uniquely DOOM experience". The second piece of the DLC puzzle is 'Sector' which is a multizone capture-and-hold mode. There will also be three additional free-for-all modes, which will include the classic mode, which will be released in the summer. Bethesda adds: "all of these new modes will be playable on any existing or future maps, and will be free for all players".

Additionally, there'll be a free demo of DOOM available later this week, and for a limited time - during the E3 week. The demo of DOOM will be available for the PC, Xbox One and PS4 this week, featuring the first level of the game. Bethesda exec Marty Stratton explains: "With just a month past since our launch, we hope you've only scratched the surface of fun we packed into the game. And we can't wait to give you even more ways to compete, create, play and fight like hell".

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Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn in a huge deal worth $26.2 billion

Anthony Garreffa | Business, Financial & Legal | Jun 13, 2016 8:02 AM CDT

E3 2016 - In the midst of E3 2016, Microsoft has just announced its plans to acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. The deal will see the creator of Windows acquire the work-focused social networking giant in an all-cash deal, with LinkedIn's share value at $196 each, a 50% premium over LinkedIn stock before the deal.

LinkedIn will remain independent within Microsoft, keeping its own branding with existing LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner included in the acquisition, and will now report to Microsoft boss himself, Satya Nadella. Nadella said: "The LinkedIn team has grown a fantastic business centered on connecting the world's professionals. Together we can accelerate the growth of LinkedIn, as well as Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics as we seek to empower every person and organization on the planet." Microsoft is planning to close its acquisition later this year, and the deal has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies".

This is Nadella's first big acquisition since he took the CEO position over two years ago, with Microsoft now positioning itself as the "world's leading professional cloud" now mixed together with the "world's leading professional network". With over 433 million LinkedIn users, Microsoft now has a company that was letting those near half billion users network, find employment, and reconnect with old colleagues, and so much more.

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Razer's new HDK 2 VR headset matches Oculus Rift specs for $200 less

E3 2016 -- It's safe to say that when the majority of the world discusses VR, three companies dominate the conversation: HTC, Oculus, and Sony. With today's news out of E3, that conversation probably needs to include another party. That would be Razer who, together with Sensics, are looking to push their Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) platform further into the spotlight. They're doing it by introducing the 2nd generation HDK 2 VR headset that not only brings OSVR up to spec with the Vive and Rift, but also significantly undercuts them in price.

Razer's new HDK 2 VR headset matches Oculus Rift specs for $200 less

"What we're doing with the software platform is facilitating the creation of an open virtual reality ecosystem that different companies and brands can include their hardware and software technologies within, "Jeevan Aurol, Product Marketing Manager for OSVR, tells me during a recent interview. "Ultimately, we want to create an ecosystem that's very similar to the PC ecosystem today".

Aurol then calls out how gamers assemble a PC. They choose their GPU, mouse, keyboard, chassis, hard drives, and various other components based on their personal preferences, and they end up with a gaming rig that's customized to their tastes. "We're trying to do that with the VR industry," he says. Razer wants you to be able to walk into a store someday, choose between 20 different VR headsets and 20 different controllers, and just have them work together in harmony. That's their goal for OSVR.

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Battlefield 1 maps detailed, weather system changes gameplay elements

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Jun 13, 2016 7:47 AM CDT

E3 2016 - Battlefield 1 has been revealed, and it looks like DICE has pulled off one of the most exciting Battlefield games yet with its WW1 setting, and the tweak to gameplay with dynamic weather, and added destruction of the environment. It's like a super-powered Battlefield, based in World War 1. If you haven't seen the official gameplayer trailer, check it out below:

Now that Battlefield 1 has had its huge showing, some new information is being discovered. Reddit user 'Euden' was at the EA Play London event, where he got some hands-on time with Battlefield 1. Starting with Euden saying: "Best thing: the weather system and how it changes up the gameplay, the guns felt great and it felt really authentic. Best looking battlefield to date! My best moment was the map turning foggy, suddenly the control point I had taken in the sun became gloomy with troops hiding in the houses defending it, It truely felt like something out of a movie with allies running in bayonetting people. It was crazy".

The destruction is something I was hoping would be amplified, as this is a next-gen Battlefield title. It looks like DICE has made my dreams come true, with Euden elaborating on the destruction in Battlefield 1: "There was quite a lot of destruction in the game with houses coming down on people , the destruction is great, you can create craters with tanks and hide in them which is cool also".

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AMD's PC Gaming Show during E3 will shine a brighter light on Polaris

Anthony Garreffa | Video Cards & GPUs | Jun 13, 2016 3:49 AM CDT

E3 2016 - AMD will be hosting the PC Gaming Show at E3 2016 once again, and it'll also be working directly with PC Gamer on the show, which starts in 9 hours from now.

During the show, we're expecting to hear more about the Polaris architecture and various video cards - but now that the Radeon RX 480 has been revealed, is it time to hear about the Radeon RX 470? It packs the same Polaris 10 GPU as the RX 480, so let's hope that AMD kicks off E3 2016 with a bang. The live streams will be on YouTube, Facebook and Twitch, so we'll embed one of them once it goes live.

Just recently, we had a leaked 3DMark Fire Strike results on the Radeon RX 480, where it was beating the GeForce GTX 980 - which is double the price. We've also seen the SAPPHIRE Radeon RX 480 Nitro, and the MSI Radeon RX 480 Lightning, which MSI has updated us on and said it was a total fake. Boo.

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