Back when I was still in university, I used to browse Gamespot all the time. November 2001 was the launch month for the OG Xbox and Nintendo Gamecube. I still remember DOA3 got the Gamespot award for best graphics, technical. DOA3 looked a step above DOA2, which was technically still in the same generation of consoles. It was really a sight to behold. Nothing on PC looked that good, and it ran flawlessly at 60fps.

Hi all. Considering getting XSX. Anyone knows whether Japan set has any disadvantages compared to Spore (apart from needing an adapter)?

There is a seller for Japan set offering 12 months supplier warranty for both console n controller. A few other sellers for Spore set only offer 3 months or 0 month for controller. Tx in advance.

i bought my set (which was a SG set) for rm 3299..i guess the extra was worth it considering the hassle for RMA in case anything happens

hahaha i also think the same thing
but i curious if i download all the game in console.
i can bring out play without internet access right ?

Most games with any live service or connection to server doesnt work without connection to XBL, Single player games should work if you set your console to offline, i would assume the same for PS5.

Will I be missing out a lot? The last I played and finished were actually Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2? Lmao.

Dunno if this is a silly question but I’m gonna risk it: is there a way to VPN only the XSX console without resorting to VPN-ing the router, turning the entire home network into US soil. 

I know VPN apps are not allowed in the MS Store from within the console itself. I was hoping I could use the console, since already connected to the TV, as streaming device for HBO MAX & Disney+ subs I already have. Talked to NordVPN tech support, they say it’s either I VPN the router, resulting in the entire home network becoming US soil , or hotspot off another PC that is wired to the router, running VPN. Both options are problematic to me. If this isn’t possible, looks like I’m stuck with streaming from Fire Stick 4K Max for my shows. Matrix Resurrection is coming to HBO MAX day one with theatrical release so need to hurry a bit.

More or less what the steps NordVPN tech support explained to me.

In short, create a hotspot on a PC wired physically to the router, turn on VPN on that PC, get XSX to login into that VPN-ed hotspot created on that PC, voila!

Unfortunately that is not a long term solution for me. I cannot leave a PC running every time I got the itch to watch a show on Hulu or HBO Max.

TripleB's option is much more elegant and permanent, ie; I can leave the VPN running indefinitely if I can tunnel the XSX console to only accept a VPN-ed connection, without VPN-ing the entire home network.

I could just turn VPN on and off by the Asus app on my phone, but that introduces rubberbanding connection between a tunneled VPN connection and back to local connection un-VPN-ed. Or I could just do what I'm currently using now, stick with my current dedicated streaming device ( that is not the XSX, it's currently a Fire TV 4K Max) and just live with it.

The whole reason why I'm keen in pursuing a VPN-ed XSX is that my Microsoft account is already a US account. VPN-ing that account on my XSX just makes sense, and opens up all the features currently enjoyed by US-located user with their XSX. It's infuriating seeing I can download the HBO Max and Disney+ app on the console itself and not able to do anything about it just because I'm stuck in here. I'll be happy to subscribe if HBO Max and Hulu is available here locally. Disney+ is available here but not at the highest quality settings with 4K Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Disney+ Malaysia version only max out at 1080p 5.1 audio, due to the service provider running the streaming service under a web browser protocol wrapped in an app-like interface.

VPN-ing the XSX also means I can simplify my setup/routine.

Currently it's: turn on Fire TV 4K Max , turn on NordVPN on Fire TV 4K Max, wait till it has secured a firm connection with NordVPN USA, then only can boot up HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+.
If I can VPN only the XSX: turn on SXS with the controller.....done. VPN is done automatically on router, and permanently too if I can tunnel that VPN specifically only for the XSX.

Thank you for those insights.My current setup (XSX for gaming, FireTV 4K Max for streaming) already allow me to do so, I'm just looking for a way to get rid of the Fire TV 4K Max from this equation, and have XSX absorb the streaming (TV shows & movies, not game streaming) duties.

XCloud, I can already use my mobile devices, and those are with OSes that allows NordVPN app to be installed and tunnel out for XCloud. Not entirely fond of the streaming quality. Still prefer natively installed gaming. 

I will look into SmarrtDNS as you suggested. Thank you, and you linked to NordVPN's guide too, awesome!

Apologies to everyone for hijacking the space here for my queries. Not surer how relevant the questions are towards XSX related things are.

I'll shut up now.

NordVPN has been flawless for me. It was initially subbed for my WFH needs, then mind start to wonder what else I can do with it.

Now it's been 3+ years since I've started subscribing with them. My yearly sub expires around Black Friday, and NordVPN has been very generous with their offerings to returning subscribers, add Black Friday savings on top of that............sahweet!

I used Nordvpn smart DNS on my TV before, for getting Prime Video and Netflix content. Unfortunately it messed with my Disney+ Hotstar app. It only showed the Hotstar content and none of the Disney stuff haha. So now I use smart DNS on the Xbox for Prime, and the native TV apps for Netflix MY and Disney+.

expressVPN also got this smart DNS thingy? does it affect your gaming ping ka?

Wow. That Matrix Awakens demo is seriously impressive. Besides the low framerate and occasional stutter, it really does look like the best videogame graphics ever. The raytraced reflections obviously run at a lower resolution than your actual character, but the effect looks convincing enough from afar. I wonder if this will eventually become a game, or is it just a tech demo?

RGB? Like those lights at tom yam shop ? I was never a fan of Phillips Hue TVs. 

Naaaaah, I prefer the image to cut off at the thin bezel of my C1 OLED, not to continue past the bezel with more lighting. I also prefer that "image suspension" look of the inky black OLED. Image look suspended in the air when your background around the OLED are completely dark. And I game in the dark, just the way I like it. Getting out of the gaming area is like accidentally staring directly into the sun after a solar eclipse.

The plan is to have the light base just like how companies present their wares in conventions, with lighted panels under their rare items being displayed. Of course at conventions, they're also behind see-through perspecs to prevent visitors touching these rare items, but I'm not going to suffocate the XSX doing that. I see lots of PS5 perspecs/acrylics covering sold in Shopee, I hope those consoles are never accidentally turned on while under those perspecs/acrylic covers. Or any sort of covers. Watch those temperatures!

Hence why I prefer cubicles in entertainment cabinets. Less dusting required.....although from previous images I posted, they're not entirely dust-free either. Need to do more dusting, but I'm just lazy.

the unreal 5 matrix experience really blew my mind
can't wait for the actual games using the unreal5 engine

reminds me of the days we were wowed by the jaw dropping 3Dmark's Max Payne "Matrix" hall gunfight demo exactly 20 years ago

Lol ... me these days also like KO around 9~10pm in living room while watching Youtube or movie with wife, lolz ..
Always wanna game night time but end up woke up around 2am and ugh, go into room and continue sleep till morning
Enjoy the break and freedom bro
Once married , whole life another changes 

Xbox series S and X cannot play from external drive

In general, Xbox / Xbox 360 / Xbox One games can be played from the internal SSD, external SSD or external hard disk. Games that are designed for Series X|S, as well as optimized / enhanced for Series X|S can only be played on internal or external SSD. Ori and the Will of the Wisps, for example, is an Xbox One title that can be played on SSD or hard disk. But in order to play it on X|S enhanced mode, it must be installed on internal or external SSD only. Same as Samurai Shodown and Forza Horizon 4.

I did actually mean the expansion SSD. I thought it was self explanatory. My mistake. External SSD could have meant SSDs in USB enclosure too. My mistake.

A caveat: Play Xbox Series X|S games via USB drives
Titles developed with upgrades for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S need Microsoft-approved SSD storage, but diving into the technicalities, that's not always the case. The way Xbox Series X|S Optimized games are developed means that some don't require the full benefits of SSD storage and operate via USB-based storage devices. Under the hood, these titles essentially run as standard Xbox One games, only with some enhancements when booted on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S systems.

In reality, that means some Xbox Series X|S Optimized titles can be on USB hard drives, even if not formally intended. While entirely functional, this may impact performance or load times when running these titles on your system. You can identify these games through the following steps.

Open My games & apps on your Xbox console.
Navigate to your chosen game.
Press the Menu button.
Select Manage game and add-ons.
Select the File info tile.
If the fourth line of displayed text reads AppModel:XDK; Gen:Durango; and the sixth line reads ConsoleType:XboxOneGen9Aware; the game still runs on external USB hard drives.
If the fourth line of displayed text reads AppModel:GDK; Gen:Scarlett; and the sixth line reads ConsoleType: XboxGen9; the game doesn't run on external USB hard drives.
Various top Xbox Series X|S titles are among those compliant with USB drives, including Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Rocket League, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Minecraft Dungeons, to name a few. Check your Xbox games via the above steps for additional details on your library.

That I didn't know. Not sure if the hit to performance or load times are significant or not when running off a USB drive though.