Although the Xbox One has been revealed and, more recently, finally been given a release date, we’re still learning new and exciting things about Microsoft’s console every day. The official Microsoft support channels on the various social networks have been inundated with questions from eager gaming fans, and, slowly but surely, the Redmond company is getting around to divulging some of this important information. In the latest, it looks as though the Xbox One will be able to connect up to eight controllers at any one time, meaning those looking to enjoy extended family / friend multiplayer match-ups probably won’t need to keep rotating. By the same token, the PlayStation 4 will only support a maximum of four, but given the limited support for more than four competitors, as well as the practical issues, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
Like the PS4, the Xbox 360 can only process four controllers at any one time, but with the next-gen being superior to its predecessor in almost every way possible, Microsoft has felt it necessary to double the quota.
With online multiplayer being such a staple part of the console experience nowadays, there’s certainly less emphasis on local multiplayer as gamers take to the Web for an almost endless supply of fresh challengers of varying ability levels. With that said, those looking to entertain or with large families can technically have up to eight people playing supported titles at once if they go with the Xbox One.
Of course, the real challenge will be finding enough space to seat the eight people, as well as requiring a television large enough to comfortably support an eight-way split-screen battle. Suffice to say, it’s likely few will utilize the controller support to its maximum capacity, however it’s nice that it is there.
The Xbox One is launching on November 22nd, and while this is later than the PlayStation 4’s November 15th drop in North America, it will still arrive before its big rival in several key markets, including the UK.
We’ll be sure to keep you posted on any more Xbox One or PlayStation 4-related tidbits, so stay tuned to our coverage here at Redmond Pie!
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