CO/GAMER: 3 Reasons why Xbox One offers the best gaming experience this holidayseason

Eclipsing both Hollywood, and the music industry, video games have become a staple in many homes around the world. Revenue is forecasted to grow to approximately 111 billion USD worldwide this year, and now more than ever companies like Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are fighting for a space in your living room.

Surrounded by digital rights management controversy before its release in November 2013, and a launch price greater than the PlayStation 4, Microsoft has faced an uphill battle with the Xbox One from the get go. Fast forward and now, almost two years later Microsoft has learned from its previous mishaps, and is ready to give you the ultimate game experience.



Here are the three reasons why I think Xbox One will offer the best gaming experience this holiday season.

3. EA Access 

EA offers a service that is exclusive to Xbox One, called EA Access. What’s really cool about this service is, you can play from a library of EA titles with absolutely no restrictions at all. There are more than 10 games to play from, games like Titanfall, Battlefield 4, and Dragon Age: Inquisition, provide countless hours of fun, all with unlimited play.

The best feature of EA Access is the ability to try new EA games five days before they are released, imaging playing games like Need for Speed, FIFA 16, and NHL 16 five days early! If you like the game, you’ll get a 10% discount when you buy it digitally, and your game saves will carry over. How awesome it that! Additionally, you’ll get a 10% discount on any DLC, and expansion packs from EA.

There is however a cost to become an EA Access member, you can either pay $4.99 per month, or $29.99 for a full year’s subscription. If you figure in the 10% savings on each game you buy, its easy to see that the savings pays for the monthly fee, its like getting all the perks of EA Access membership for free.

The ability to play EA games five days early, a 10% discount on games, and unrestricted access to a library of games that is constantly growing easily justifies the low cost. Still not convinced? Did I mention you can play STAR WARS Battlefront five days early? 'Nuff said!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR2j5GTq9NU

2. Free backwards compatibility

One of the most requested fan features, backwards compatibility is coming in November to the Xbox One. Unlike other consoles that make you pay to play games you already own, the Xbox One will natively support more than 100 of your favourite Xbox 360 games. If you have a game that’s not on the compatibility list, just submit the game name to Microsoft via Xbox Feedback. Microsoft is listening to what the fans want.

You’ll be able to play games like Borderlands, Mass Effect, and Perfect Dark Zero just to name a few. To play a supported game is really easy, if you have the disc based version of a supported game, simply put the game into your Xbox One and you’re ready to play. What about if you bought the game digitally on the Xbox 360? Not a problem, the game can be installed from the “Ready to Install” section of the My games & apps on your Xbox one.

When you are playing Xbox 360 compatible games, your favourite Xbox One features including screenshots, GameDVR, and even Windows 10 streaming are available for you to use. If you’re playing multiplayer games it won’t matter if your friends are playing the same game on an Xbox 360 or Xbox One, you will still be able to play with them. Microsoft has announced, that all future Xbox 360 Games with Gold titles will be playable on the Xbox One, so now you get more free games every month.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPQuDyWULNU

1. The best exclusive holiday game line up

At this year’s Xbox E3 media briefing in California, Microsoft showcased a lineup of Xbox One exclusive games for the fall that will absolutely knock your socks off. All the heavy hitters are releasing this fall and you can only play them on Xbox One. Take a look at these exclusive Xbox One games and you'll see why Xbox has the best games this holiday season.

  • Halo 5: Guardians – featuring the longest campaign of any Halo game, new abilities called Spartan abilities that can be used by anyone at any time, and brand new multiplayer modes Warzone, Arena and Breakout are just some of the reasons that this is the best Halo game to date.


  • Gears of War: Ultimate Edition – remastered in glorious 1080p, this game includes five campaign chapters that have never been released on Xbox, and two new multiplayer games modes Team Deathmatch and King of the Hill.


  • Fable Legends – this free-to-play adventure features cross-play compatibility with Windows 10 PCs. Play as the heroes in a four player co-op action game, or play as the villain in a real-time strategy game. It’s like two completely different games in one.


  • Forza Motorsport 6 – featuring 26 locales, all the tracks from Forza Motorsport 5 in addition to 10 new tracks, Turn 10 Studios have went above and beyond many peoples expectations. In addition, for the first time ever in a Forza Motorsport game, night racing and wet weather effects are included all running at a staggering 1080p and silky-smooth 60FPS. Another first for the series is the ability to choose between a male or female avatar.


  • Rare Replay – covering the past 30 years of Rare games, this compilation features 30 classic games including Banjo-Kazooie, Battletoads, Perfect Dark, and Conker’s Bad Fur Day to name a few. Included with the compilation are a ton of extras, ranging from documentaries, concept art and unused music from games. There is something for everyone in this impressive compilation.


  • Rise of the Tomb Raider – With more emphasis on exploration and puzzle solving, you follow Lara in the next chapter of her adventure. Traveling to the most treacherous and remote regions of the world, Lara uses the environment to her advantage. By examining murals and other items she comes across, Lara can now learn to read foreign languages and the etchings on the walls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTx9-ohAeWo

Final thoughts

Its obvious that Microsoft has upped the ante this holiday season and is offering the best gaming experience hands down. With early access and discounts on EA games, backwards compatibility that doesn't charge you to play the games you own, and the absolute best line up of exclusive games that you cant play anywhere else its a clear choice where to spend your gaming dollars.

Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments section below.

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