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Xbox One Can Run Windows 8 Games Using Almost the Same Code

Ravi Sinha — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 08:25:54 +0000

Remember when Microsoft was teasing that developers might be able to run Windows 8 games on the Xbox One due to the similarities in their interfaces? Well it turns out that it’s very much a possibility and requires very little extra work, according to Naoyuki Isogai, who is the Director of Xbox Marketing Group in Microsoft Japan.

Speaking to Game Revolution about the ability to turn any Xbox One into a development kit and about how big this would be for Japanese developers, Isogai stated, “Yep, I think it will be pretty big. This is a new system that will attract Japanese independent developers. Because, as I said, users can put something different than games on the right hand side of the screen, and this area not only gaming or video or music, but wide variety of apps could be posted in here. So they can try new things with Xbox One.

“And the apps posted in here are not only here, but could be expanded to full screen as well. It’s using Windows, so the development technology used for that is about the same as Windows 8. Windows apps are basically developed in what’s called Visual Studio. Furthermore, if anyone develops a game for Windows 8, they can take that game with almost the exact same code, to the Xbox One. It’s up to the developer if they want to or not.

When asked the follow-up question if a developer could really create something for Windows 8 and get it running on Xbox One using almost the same code, Isogai responded, “Yeah, almost the same code.”

Given the relatively larger selection of apps across Windows 8, this would give the Xbox One an even bigger edge in the casual market, something aided further by the use of Kinect and other multimedia functions. In fact, if developers create games for Windows 8, it will take virtually nothing to port said titles over to the Xbox One (like Halo Spartan Assault, for example). Will it help push the Xbox One past the PS4 when both consoles release this November? Stay tuned.

Titanfall: Microsoft Not Sure Whether It Will Be Released In Japan

Ravi Sinha — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 15:51:01 +0000

It’s not secret that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 doesn’t have the biggest following in Japan. In fact, it routinely ranks as the worst selling console among the lot, week in and week out. Microsoft is looking to change this with the Xbox ONe, which at least features some titles that will appear to gamers in the East, namely Titanfall which won the Future Award at this year’s Tokyo Game Show.

But will it even be released in Japan?

Microsoft Japan’s Ryotaro Hoshi was asked about the same by Game Revolution, since many multiplatform games (Titanfall will also be on PC) didn’t make it to Microsoft’s console in Japan but released on PC, like From Software’s Dark Souls. So if not on the Xbox 360, will it at least release on PC in Japan? Hoshi stated, “I don’t know, it’s EA’s title. It’s not our title, so…

“I don’t know, but I think if you visit EA, they’ll know. It’s pretty hard to comment on the third party games.”

Hoshi didn’t have many good answers to give about how they would ensure the new Xbox One sells better in Japan. Will that mark the console for death when it releases in early 2014 for Japan? We’ll find out.

Xbox One Releasing in Early 2014 for Japan

Ravi Sinha — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 09:21:13 +0000

Microsoft Japan President (yes, they have one of those) Yasuyuki Higuchi has confirmed that the company’s next generation Xbox One console will not arrive in Japan until early 2014. According to an interview with 4 Gamer (translated by Dual Shockers), Higuchi stated that Japan is a “Tier 2 country” and that the console “won’t be delayed too much from the North American release.”

It’s more about market demands than anything else – it’s not like the Xbox 360 has been setting the charts on fire in the country since releasing there. As of now, other countries in Asia – including India – aren’t due to see the Xbox One launch till 2014 end. This could possibly be due to the reduced demand for the console in these countries.

Then again, since Microsoft dropped the region-locking with the Xbox One, who’s to say we won’t see the console propagate to other countries in that time? It’s not like internet connectivity is the problem any omre, though a one time check-in will be required.