What we know about Xbox One!

Since the Xbox One launch event, people have been wanting to know more about it. Microsoft/Xbox haven't said to much but we do know a few key features. The biggest things gamers have wanted to know is how Xbox One will handle Pre-Owned games, and how the Xbox One connects to the internet.

Below are the key things we know about the Xbox One. We hopefully will know the rest after the Xbox One E3 event on Monday. What is below is by reliable sources an quotes but MOST of it is said by Microsoft.

• Does the Xbox One require online connection?

Yes, Xbox One will need to connect every 24 hours to play games on you main console. If you are using a different console you will need to connect every hour. Some games and services may need permanent online connection if the developer says so. If you are at a place with no internet such as a Military Base, you will not be able you use the Xbox One. Blu-Rays and DVDs are exempt from this restriction.

The reason the Xbox One will need a internet connection is for the Xbox to check make sure it is the owner playing the game and access the cloud. As a result, you can play all your games from any Xbox One console

• What kind of internet connection do I need?

Microsoft recommends a broadband connection of at least 1.5Mbps.

• Can I play my games on my friend's Xbox One?

Yes, as long as you're sign into yourself. Otherwise your friend will need to buy the game at full price. Even if you bring your disk with, you cannot play the game on their account.

The clearest stance on this comes from Eurogamer's interview with Harrison:

"I can come to your house and I can put the disc into your machine and I can sign in as me and we can play the game. The bits are on your hard drive. At the end of the play session, when I take my disc home - or even if I leave it with you - if you want to continue to play that game [on your profile] then you have to pay for it. The bits are already on your hard drive, so it's just a question of going to our [online] store and buying the game, and then it's instantly available to play. The bits that are on the disc, I can give to anybody else, but if we both want to play it at the same time, we both have to own it. That's no different to how discs operate today."

Microsoft's Major Nelson (Larry Hyrb) put it this way:

"Should you choose to play your game at your friend’s house, there is no fee to play that game while you are signed in to your profile."

But then if you go home and leave the disc with your friend, they will have to pay for that game if they want to play it on their own profile.

•  Can my friends and family play my games on my Xbox?

Yes, but only if a game is installed on a console, anybody who uses that console can play it through that console's parental controls. "Your friends and family, your guests and acquaintances get unlimited access to all of your games  Anyone can play your games on your console, regardless of whether you are logged in or their relationship to you," says the official information.

• Can I play pre-owned games?

Yes, but this one kind of sketchy. The license system says you can, but the person who buys the game cannot since each game can only change positions once.

"Microsoft Studios will enable you to give your games to friends or trade in your Xbox One games at participating retailers. Third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers,"  

Xbox.com says.

Read IGN's wiki for some more details.

• How large is the hard drive?

500GB, but you can't use it all says Microsoft. The small print says:

"Xbox One system software uses a significant amount of storage; less internal storage will be available to users."

• Do we always need to use the Kinect?

Sort of, you can 'Pause' it if the game or service does not require it, but

"The all new Kinect is now an essential and integrated part of the platform.  By having it as a consistent part of every Xbox One, game and entertainment creators can build experiences that assume the availability of voice, gesture and natural sensing, leading to unrivaled ease of use, premium experiences and interactivity for you,"

says Microsoft's Xbox One FAQ. You canot turn off Kinect's microphone, says hardware program manager John Link (via Polygon). It's always listening. But in its idle state, it's evidently only listening for the phrase "Xbox On", rather than passively absorbing your conversations.

• Does the Kinect automatically upload information to Microsoft?

No.

"You can play games or enjoy applications that use data, such as videos, photos, facial expressions, heart rate and more, but this data will not leave your Xbox One without your explicit permission,"

says Microsoft.

• Where will that live TV stuff be at launch?

U.S.A., but with a gradual global rollout planned.

• Is it backwards compatible in any way?

No, games from the Xbox 360 will not work on the Xbox One.

• Will my Xbox Live Gold account transfer?

Yes, says the Xbox One FAQ:

"You do not need to buy a new Xbox Live Gold membership. Your current membership will work on both Xbox 360 and Xbox One."

• What about my gamer score?

Yes, that's also going to be coming with you as well - along with your Avatar.

"All of the gaming identity that you have on Xbox 360 will be there on Xbox One as well,"

said Harvey Eagle.

• Will I need to pay for Xbox Live Gold?

Yes, the head of Xbox in Europe told The Metro: "Yes, we still see that as a chargeable service... I think that people understand that for a premium service that gives access to so many different rich parts of entertainment. Our consumers are happy and I think we represent great value there actually. If you look at the plethora of things available now through Xbox Live, particularly the Gold service and what we put behind Gold, we’ve got no plans to change that."