console

How to best manage input lag on Xbox Series X|S

by
loading dots 2

The best ways to lower input lag:

  • Always choose Game Mode on your TV (other modes can have more than 1/10 of a second of input lag)
  • If you’ve been having spikes of input lag that seem strange, switch to a wired controller
  • Microsoft optimized the official wireless controller for latency, but it can still be prone to interference
  • Choose Performance Mode over Quality Mode (30 FPS has double the input latency of 60 FPS)

I’ve had the Xbox Series X for about two years, and in that time it’s been mostly smooth sailing when it comes to input latency. There’s been a little weirdness at times (I’ll get to that below), but for the most part, responsiveness has come down to:

  • The display I’m using
  • The type of controller I’m using
  • The game I’m playing

Read more

Starfield 1.7.33 Update: and so it starts

by
starfield new atlantis constellation walkway

It’s incredible the state Starfield launched in when you stack it up against both prior Bethesda releases and games launches like Cyberpunk 2077. Things just work for the most part. Sure, I’ve seen my fair share of floating rocks (geodes?) and wonkiness with AI, but nothing game busting. And look, there’s over 1000 planets so it’s probably going to take a little time to full iron out the procedural generation.

Read more

PS4 essentials: does it overheat?

by
ps4 overheating

The first time I heard my PS4 fans kick into overdrive it was more than a little troubling (not to mention annoying). Those familiar with laptops and other fan cooled electronics know that, most of the time, things are kept to a quiet whir.

But sometimes, especially for those with older PS4’s, it can seem like your console is taking off from a runway. The noise can be so loud that you may even question whether the PS4 can overheat to the point of damage.

The short of it?

PlayStation 4 consoles do have the potential to overheat, but you probably won’t have to worry about such a scenario in most cases (and with certain precautions taken). Thousands of hours of testing and most likely millions spent (research and development) by Sony’s have taken the console to its limits before ever shipping to consumers.

Read more

Can you change your appearance in Destiny 2 New Light?

by
character overview

Since the release of New Light and Shadowkeep, Destiny 2 has seen a myriad of new ways to customize and alter characters to your liking. Armor 2.0, transmog, and an easy to digest shader system have all played their part in making this a reality. Enter New Light: playing (enjoying?) Destiny 2 again 11 essential … Read more

The man who designed the look of the PS4

by
who designed the look of the ps4_

From its sleek angles to minimalist footprint, the original PS4 was largely championed for its design while the Xbox One drew comparisons to the VCRs of yesterday.

Further revisions to Sony’s next-gen console took a bit of a different approach – the Slim sliding into the background and Pro opting for a stacked approach – but its design ethos largely remained intact.

A couple standout special editions like the 20th Anniversary Edition and Destiny 2 PS4 Pro Bundle added some flare to the otherwise conservative console lineup and, as a whole, Sony has continued to prioritize its gaming first mantra.

Whether high end Bluetooth headphones or 4K TVs, the importance of elegance is something that can be seen across most of Sony’s consumer electronics, and in the case of its latest consoles, the principle falls in the hands of Tetsu Sumii.

Read more

More Fuel to the Hype Filled Microsoft XO18 Fire

by
microsoft xo18

Despite Halo Infinite’s absence, Microsoft’s XO18 to be held in November marks a sort of celebratory status for the Xbox division’s return to form. I’ve spent much of this generation watching the Xbox One from the sidelines, only recently playing more of the system, and it’s been a journey signed with valleys and peaks to say the least. Phil Spencer’s commitment to making the Xbox One a fantastic place to play, and Satya Nadella’s support of Microsoft’s gaming division, have made its most recent years a joy to watch. What’s more, the possibilities for the Xbox Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, are as tangible as ever.

Read more

9 Xbox One Grinding Games to Start Your Next Addiction

by
monster hunter world anjanath

Grinding in games can make you experience a flash of an existential crisis at times, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t incredibly satisfying..

The incessant chase, whether for loot or any other in game commodity, is one that almost never ends, and as a result, makes grinding games an insane bang for the buck.

If you’re an Xbox One player in search of your next hearty time sink, look below for some of the best grinding and loot games on the system.

Read more