Xbox One S release date, specs: 'Gears of War 4' edition launching in October

Xbox One S "Gears of War 4" 2 TB Limited Edition Bundle The Coalition, Microsoft

Unveiled during this year's E3, the Xbox One S is going to support 4K resolution gaming and high-dynamic range color (HDR) while also being slimmer and more compact. While the base version is speculated to launch by Aug. 31 based on its Amazon listing, a special "Gears of War 4" themed version is set to launch with the game in October.

According to a report from IGN, this limited edition Xbox One S bundle will retail for $449 and have 2TB of hard drive space. This is significantly larger than the baseline Xbox One S models as they will be released with only 500GB and 1TB of storage available.

The Limited Edition alters the look for both the Xbox One controller and the Xbox One S console, giving it a rusted red look and the "Gears of War 4" logo etched onto the top of the console. The report also confirms that consumers who already own an Xbox One and are not interested in getting the Xbox One S can purchase the controller separately.

Gamers who avail of the bundle will be able to play "Gears of War 4" four days early. It is also pointed out that the claw marks seen on the Xbox One S "Gears of War 4" Limited Edition 2TB bundle are not a simple paint job but were etched into the console's cover by a laser, adding to the limited edition's special aunthenticity. 

"We talked a lot about the theme of 'reclaimed beauty' in the world and the impact the brutal Swarm were having on it. The laser etched scratches, the deepest they've ever done on a console, represents using the console as a shield blocking Swarm attacks," explained Rod Fergusson, studio head of developer The Coalition, in an interview with Mashable.

According to the interview, pre-orders will be open in August and shipments will begin in the middle of September.

News
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales

Hundreds of people gathered at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday for the annual Royal Maundy service, held in Wales for only the second time in the service's 800-year history.

Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service
Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service

Over 150 years since a north Wales church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, the sound long intended for its tower is finally set to be heard at an Easter service.

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre
'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose' is beautifully written, with an unusually nuanced approach to political matters.

MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift
MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift

Alastair Campbell famously declared "We don't do God."