Microsoft focused most of their gamescom 2015 press conference on new games for Xbox One. However, they also took some time to make some great tech announcements.
Arguably Microsoft's biggest announcement at E3 was backwards compatibility for Xbox One. The company confirmed today that the Xbox One will be able to play 100 Xbox 360 games for no additional charge this November. You'll be able to use both digital and physical copies of 360 games in the new console. The latest backwards compatible games announced at Gamescom are Gears of War and Shadow Complex, both of which can be played now by the select group of gamers testing the feature.
The library of backwards compatible titles will expand over time as well. For example, all future Games with Gold titles for Xbox 360 will be playable on Xbox One. The community can also vote through Xbox Feedback on what Xbox 360 games they want to see playable on Xbox One. Thus far, gamers have cast over 3 million votes at the site.
During gamescom, Microsoft also revealed a new feature for Xbox One: DVR for over-the-air television. You can record TV shows in the background and even schedule them in advance. If you're not home, you can add or change your recordings through iOS, Android, or Windows 10 devices. You can also stream your shows to these devices. Windows 10 phones, tablets and shows download these recordings as well so you can watch them anywhere even without an internet connection.
The Xbox One controller, meanwhile, will be getting a Chatpad peripheral. The Chatpad fits underneath the controller and lets you easily write out redemption codes or messages. Xbox One users can also use two programmable buttons to instantly access features like Game DVR. Microsoft will release the Xbox Chatpad in November for $34.99.
If you need a new Xbox One controller, you can buy dueling Halo 5 gamepads. The first, inspired by Agent Locke, has a metallic paint job and blue accents. The second controller has a green and orange paint job based on Master Chief's armor. Each controller also comes with a bonus in-game visor for Halo 5 and will be released in early October for $69.99.
Microsoft is also producing a special Halo 5-themed console. The 1TB console comes with a digital copy of the game, wireless controller, a Warzone REQ Bundle with 14 premium Requisition Packs, and the Halo: The Fall of Reach animated series. The bundle will be priced at $499.99.
The second 1TB Xbox One bundle announced today includes FIFA 16 instead of Halo 5. The package includes a downloadable copy of FIFA 16, three Xbox exclusive FIFA Ultimate Team Loan Legends and one-year of EA Access. The FIFA bundle will set you back $399.99. European gamers can opt for the same bundle with a 500GB console instead for 319 pounds/369 euros.
These new Xbox One bundles are just half of the hardware bundles planned for the fall. Microsoft previously announced Forza Motorsport 6 and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition consoles are on the way.
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