Here's two Xbox One things that Microsoft would rather you didn't know
Two pieces of interesting news this morning about the Xbox One: apparently the BBC are really struggling to make the iPlayer work on the system… and did you know Microsoft are paying YouTubers for positive mentions of their new hardware?
Revelation #1
According to gossip leaked to Ultimate Gaming Paradise, the BBC are struggling to make the iPlayer for Xbox One work with the One’s mandatory Kinect functions – so voice and motion controls. Though the catch-up as was previously touted as a launch app with the system, it apparently now won’t be ready until Q2 this year – so still a few months away.
Apparently the problem is to do with the camera picking up rogue notion – with small and meaninglessly gestures affecting playback on screen. Another unforeseen consequence of the console’s extra-sensory controls?
It has also been speculated that they’re having difficulties adding “live replay” functionality to the app – which enables you to rewind Live TV up to two hours, which is already available on the iPlayer website and has been promised for the Xbox One version.
The other difficulty appears to be in support from Microsoft – apparently they’ve been slow to respond to the Beeb’s requests for tech support, which contrasts badly with Sony who have been super helpful.
Whilst as UGP point out, this also reflects badly on the BBC given their numerous IT cock-ups over the years, it appears to be MS who are unhappy. UGP allege that a blocked phone number claiming to be from Microsoft’s Press Office called them up to threaten them not to run with the story. So, umm… don’t tell anyone, right?
Revelation #2
If you start to notice that the sneezing panda has started playing Titanfall or that Rebecca Black is looking forward to the weekend so she can play Dead Rising 3, don’t act too surprised. According to Neowin, Microsoft have started paying famous YouTubers to positively mention the new console.
It’s perhaps unsurprising, given that YouTube is particularly popular with the sort of young gamers who they’re targeting, but it does blur the lines with unlabelled product placement if the presenter of your favourite YouTube show suddenly starts explaining why they love Halo with no scene in which they receive a suitcase full of money to preface it.
Apparently the contract that has been leaked offers remuneration to the tune of $3 per thousand views in exchange for a verbal mention or at least 30 seconds of Xbox One gameplay footage.
Where the deal gets a bit murky is that it says that Microsoft will withhold payment if they say anything negative, or even reveal the existence of the deal.
So next time you’re on YouTube, if someone is being weirdly positive about the mediocre Ryse: Son of Rome.
