It wouldn't be a proper launch day without a few hiccups. Just like we've seen with Sony's own next-gen console, the PlayStation 4, so too are there a few problematic issues that are being reported by new owners of Microsoft's Xbox One.
First up, FIFA 14 players are reporting a tumultuous encounter with a bug that causes the game to crash, and another that renders online options inaccessible. As a post on EA's FIFA 14 Help page describes, the first can occur when using "two separate controllers, both assigned to user profiles, and then using controller two to navigate the bootflow when FIFA 14 is loading." The second issue is over bootflow. If the Xbox One is left inactive until it goes to sleep on the game's title screen, online features are inaccessible when the console "wakes."
EA is working on a patch for these two bugs, as well as other issues, but for the meantime, the company is advising these basic workarounds: For the controller bug, "only use controller one to navigate the bootflow of FIFA 14. You can turn on and use the controller two once in the main menu." As for the second bug, it's fairly self-explanatory - "don't suspend the console when on the title screen. If you do, simply restart the console."
The update is expected later today. EA is also aware of the following issues, and is working on solutions in a future update:
- FIFA fans cannot join Friends Only matches via a friend's profile (PS4 Only). You should: Accept the invite from the user when it comes through and you will be able to join the match properly.
- Title crash in Co-Op seasons if the captain is using a custom formation and the non-captain does not have any custom formations (XB1 Only). You should: Make sure you have the same amount of custom formations as your teammate, or not use them.
- The 'Seasons Win' item in the EA SPORTS FC catalogue will not be properly received if gifted to a friend. (BOTH PS4/XB1) You should: Hold off on gifting this item until the upcoming title update.
- Compatibility improvements with Xbox voice commands (XB1 Only).
- When playing as a GK in Pro Clubs, you will have no way of changing the camera off of the 'End To End' camera (XB1 Only).
The next problem is a bit more complicated then a game crash that can be solved by a basic title update. A number of Xbox One owners are reporting errors with the console's disc drive. Complaints of it have popped up on Amazon, with one user writing, "The optical drive doesn't work just makes a bunch of grinding noises when you insert a disc. I would totally give this negative stars if I could! I am going to bring this back and get a PS4 instead which is what I should have done from the start. $100 less for a better product sounds like a win-win to me." Another claimed that the drive was "noisy and it damaged all my discs." A thread on Reddit has similar complaints, and links to videos of the problem in action (seen below).
Day one issues are expected with new consoles, but are never easy to deal with. Four broken disc drives obviously amount to a very small percentage of the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Xbox Ones that will be sold this weekend. Still, let's hope the problem is limited to a small amount of owners, and that Microsoft can fix the problem for those affected.
As of today, the Xbox One is now available worldwide for $499. The new console claims an 8-core x86 processor and Microsoft hopes it will take the place of the family room cable box by letting you watch Blu-ray movies and TV through the console, in a "seamless transition" that lets players switch from playing games to watching shows and/or movies. It comes fully loaded with 8GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive.