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(Credit: Microsoft)Over the past few months, the hottest hot-button issue in gaming concerns always-on internet connections. Requiring users to be online to play offline games isn’t popular among gamers, to put it mildly, particularly after tech issues surrounding this very topic pretty much doomed the anticipated SimCity back in March.

So when rumors began swirling that the next Xbox (now called the Xbox One) would indeed require an always-on connection to function properly, the web went nuts. Would such a seemingly draconian practice really be part of Microsoft’s future?

We finally got some answers today, though they’re still a little confusing.

Xbox One, mysteriously defying gravity (Credit: Microsoft)Since the rumormongers starting whispering about Microsoft's next-generation console over a year ago, one of the most controversial topics has been the fate of used games.

Some reports said the system would make it impossible to play them. Analysts scoffed at this, saying Microsoft wasn't stupid enough to alienate a substantial portion of its audience with such a sweeping move -- not to mention anger its biggest retail partner, GameStop, who sees significant revenue from used game sales.

Today, Microsoft itself finally weighed in on the matter, though if you were hoping for crystal clarity, you're likely going to be a bit disappointed.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)
Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled its newest gaming console, the Xbox One, with a slew of new capabilities. But one thing it won't do is play Xbox 360 games.

by Shara Tibken, CNET

Because the new gaming system has a different chip architecture -- Advanced Micro Devices' x86 instead of IBM's PowerPC -- the Xbox One won't have native compatibility with 360 games. It's unclear at this time whether Microsoft will create a solution for that, such as making some of the more popular games compatible or allowing users to access older titles through a cloud-streaming system. But it doesn't look like that's going to happen right now.

Master Chief and the master storyteller (Credit: 343 Industries/Getty Images)Halo may not have made it to the big screen, but it's getting its own TV show.

And one helluva producer.

As part of the Xbox One reveal Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled plans for Halo: The Television Series, which will air exclusively on Xbox Live. To assuage any fan fears about the show's quality, the Redmond-based company has partnered with legendary movie-maker Steven Spielberg to create it.

Microsoft's Don Mattrick showing off the Xbox One (Credit: Microsoft)The next-gen console war is on.

Putting an end to weeks months years of rumor and speculation, Microsoft formally pulled the wraps off its Xbox 360 successor during a media gala at its Redmond HQ on Wednesday. It’s called the Xbox One, and according to the company, it’s an “all-in-one home entertainment system” aimed squarely at taking over your living room. No specific release date or price was announced, though it will be available worldwide later this year.

(Credit: Sony)

Microsoft's next-generation Xbox will dominate headlines tomorrow, but Sony couldn't resist stealing one more news cycle for the PlayStation 4 today.

The company has released a teaser video showing off its upcoming console, which was conspicuously absent at Sony's own event in February.

Well, showing off is probably overstating it. The video strives to build on the suspense of the PS4's appearance with lots of blurred shots, quick cuts and extreme close-ups of things that appear to be the backs of fans and corners of the machine. See for yourself:

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talks about Xbox (Credit: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

By Derrick J. Lang, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- It's almost time for a new Xbox.

Eight years have passed since Microsoft unveiled the Xbox 360, double the amount of time between the original Xbox debut in 2001 and its high-definition successor's launch in 2005. With the next-generation Xbox expected to be revealed Tuesday, anticipation for the entertainment console's latest evolution is higher than Master Chief's spaceship.

Madden NFL 25 Anniversary Edition (Credit: EA)Madden, the go-to franchise for NFL fans, is upping its game.

EA has unveiled a limited ‘Anniversary Edition’ edition of the upcoming Madden NFL 25 that will come with a free Sunday Ticket subscription, letting owners not only play simulations of the entire NFL season, but watch it live, too, whether they're in-market or not.

The special version of the game, which is only available via Amazon, has been marked up to $100, but there is something of a caveat. The subscription included will only cover NFL Sunday Ticket on computers, tablets and mobile services.