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Here's everything Microsoft just announced at Gamescom

Microsoft's Gamescom briefing brought a surprising amount of announcements, not without a splash of controversy. Here's everything important from team Xbox.

Jeff Bakalar Editor at Large
Jeff is CNET Editor at Large and a host for CNET video. He's regularly featured on CBS and CBSN. He founded the site's longest-running podcast, The 404 Show, which ran for 10 years. He's currently featured on Giant Bomb's Giant Beastcast podcast and has an unhealthy obsession with ice hockey and pinball.
Jeff Bakalar
2 min read

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Microsoft

Earlier today at the annual Gamescom trade fair in Cologne, Germany, Microsoft held a briefing that included some high-profile gaming announcements and news. Here are all the major bullet points from the press conference.

  • Rise of the Tomb Raider, the follow-up to Crystal Dynamics' stellar 2013 game, will launch as an Xbox One exclusive in late 2015 -- though there does seem be language that leaves the door open for a release on other platforms down the road. As of now it's only an Xbox One game.
  • Xbox One will be getting new features including DLNA, USB playback, boot-to-TV, an updated friends section among others according to Xbox Wire.
  • Two new Xbox One bundles will hit later this year. An all-white console packed with Sunset Overdrive will go for $400 (without Kinect) on October 28, and a Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare-skinned Xbox One with a 1TB hard drive and the game for $500 on November 3 (also without Kinect).
  • Microsoft debuted an impressive gameplay demo of Remedy Entertainment's Quantum Break which is set to hit exclusively on Xbox One in 2015.
  • The Halo 5: Guardians beta will begin on December 29.
  • Moon Studios' charmingly dark platformer Ori and the Blind Forest will launch on Xbox One and PC this holiday season.
  • The Fable Legends multiplayer beta will start on October 16.
  • "Evolve," the recently delayed shooter from the team that brought us the Left for Dead series will offer an Xbox One beta in January 2015.
  • Xbox One digital pre-order and pre-loading begins with Forza Horizon 2 and FIFA 15.

We'll have more from Gamescom in Germany as it breaks.