The launch of the Xbox One is less than two months away, and Microsoft knows it has a large perception gap to close against Sony’s PlayStation 4. In order to educate people about its recent Xbox One policy reversals and allow gamers to try out its next-generation console, Microsoft today announced that it will be taking the Xbox One on the road.
The “Xbox One Tour” will begin on October 1 and run until the end of the year, even after the launch of the Xbox One in late November. People in large North American or European cities will be able to play Xbox one games during what Microsoft is calling “experiential events.” The events are free, though limited to people at least 18 years old and attendance is first-come, first-serve.
Games featured during the tour will include Forza 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, Killer Instinct, Dead Rising 3, Crimson Dragon, Max: Curse of the Brotherhood, and LocoCycle.
The first 13 cities on the tour have been announced and include Paris, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago, Vienna, Atlanta, Dallas, Berlin, Phoenix, San Francisco, Dublin, Los Angeles, and London. The first “One Tour” event starts on October 3 in Philadelphia. Tour dates leading up to launch day can be found on the “One Tour” website.
In addition to the tour, Microsoft will have “Test Drive” tour busses roaming North America and Europe, hitting college campuses, music festivals, and other locations. The “Test Drive” busses will hit many major cities left out of the tour date announcements.