Microsoft is already announcing a number of freebies before the Xbox One has launched. Apparently, a number of lucky Xbox fans will be getting either a free Xbox One or a free copy of Killer Instinct.

This follows rather alarming reports about the Xbox One may need to reboot every once in a while to update its cloud features, thus disrupting gaming.

The news of a free Xbox One notified via email was first speculated to be a fake since, you have to admit, it was something that's almost too good to be true. But Ghoststorm reports that a tweet from @Xbox has confirmed the authenticity of the email.

"If you've received an email from Xbox@engage.xbox.com, it is legit. You should also see a message on your Xbox 360."

Microsoft has not released any statement as to how the chosen lucky ones have been picked. However, from the looks of it, the users are most likely Xbox 360 owners and have been loyal fans of the current-gen console. If you did receive an email, best to check if there is a message in the Xbox 360, to ensure the legitimacy of the message.

Killer Instinct is free for devoted Xbox fans

Another freebie that is supposedly being rolled out is a free copy of Killer Instinct on the Xbox One. Engadget has a snapshot of the message, which says, "You're a fan of ours and we're a fan of yours. Thank you for your dedication to Xbox. We want to show you our appreciation, so we're giving you: Killer Instinct."

Apparently, the copy has all characters unlocked, and it will appear on the inbox of the Xbox One come November 22 together with the instructions on how to claim the free gift.

According to the report, while the promo seems randomly raffled off to Xbox subscribers, some factors like Gamerscore and LIVE tenure were considered.

Comparisons of the issues of the PS4 and Xbox One: Read more here.

The Xbox One: Prepare for the console you'll use for 10 years

The current-gen consoles have been in the gaming industry for more than five years, taking into account both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. But now, Microsoft is saying that the next-gen console will last far longer than how the current had gone.

"Xbox One is going to start ahead, in terms of the experience we can deliver. And because we're built for the future, we're going to stay ahead," said Craig Flannagan, director of marketing for Microsoft Canada Xbox in an interview quoted by GameFront.

"I think there is not a better experience you can buy this holiday. This is a console that will last you conservatively a decade, if I had to put a bet down today."

Xbox One holds two featuers over the PS4's head: Read which features give the Xbox One the edge over Sony's console.

With the pace of technology changes, updates, and trade-ups, it's hard to really say that a device will last for that long. Unless there's a chance that Microsoft will roll out an updated version of the hardware after around five years (generally in the same manner that the PS3 slim was released sometime after the original's launch), then perhaps there is a chance that 10 years is a good measure for its life.

But it may also be a good idea for Microsoft to look into its competition. With Valve rolling out Steam Machines next year, and more kinds of gaming and consoles rolling out, putting the Xbox One as a 10-year machine may be overestimating the capabilities of the present machine.

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