The Xbox One craze is up and going, with Microsoft having released their console in more than 13 key countries now. With already one million units sold, you could think that the advertisement would be at a low. However, it is not. There are some hidden messages and treats to be found around the internet with the simple use of a modification the old and nearly forgotten Konami Code.
If you are not familiar with the concept, don’t worry. That doesn’t mean you are not a real gamer, it just means you either haven’t been a gamer from the old days, or you just haven’t come across this interesting cheat code exploitation, which now Xbox One uses for advertisement.
The Konami Code had first appeared in the Nintendo Entertainment System, back in 1986 with the release of the game Gradius; however, it was mostly popularized with its usage in the famous Konami title “Contra”. The code is a simple one, it is simply a key-pressing sequence, and has been introduced in both many Konami and non-Konami games. We can also see its appearance and reference in many places, including famous game movies like Wreck-It Ralph. Now, the Konami Code is being exploited by Microsoft and we can use it to find hidden messages across the World Wide Web.
The original Konami code follows the key sequence of *Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B and A* However if you want to use it to find the hidden Xbox One Easter eggs you will have to change the B and the A with an X and an B. Using the arrows of the keyboard to follow the Konami Code and adding these two letters, while in huge gaming sites, such as IGN and Euro gamer, the screen will tear up and you will see a teaser of one of the Xbox One first-party titles Forza Motorsport 5. After the teaser, a screen giving you the instructions to tweet “#keycode” appears with a message that by doing so, you will have the chance to win Xbox prices.
The modified Konami Code seemingly can’t be used, while you are searching the web using Google Chrome, so if you are, but you want to see the Xbox One Easter egg, you will have to switch to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. Currently the code is found to be embedded on IGN, Eurogamer and OXM, but it is unknown in how many other sites it can be found.
The tactic by Microsoft for advertising the Xbox One is quite a different one, from what their opponents on the side of Sony with PlayStation are using. However, it is interesting, unique and gives you the opportunity to win additional Xbox One prices. That being said, if you are pumped about the new console and want to check out Forza Motorsport 5 and who knows, maybe win some prizes on the way, you have to surely head out and try this Konami Code, to see what it is all about. Moreover, experiment on other sites, as you never know where Microsoft could’ve placed a hidden ad for Xbox One.