LINKSYS Announces New WTR Gaming Router Designed For Xbox One

The New WRT Gaming Router Designed for the Xbox One Family of Devices (WRT32XB)

Linksys and Rivet Networks teamed again on the new WRT32XB, the only router optimized for high-speed gaming when using Xbox One.  The WRT32XB router incorporates the Killer Prioritization Engine (KPE), which will auto-detect any Xbox One, including Xbox One S and Xbox One X, and prioritize gaming packets automatically to provide serious console gamers with the best online gaming experience. The Killer Prioritization Engine identifies, prioritizes and accelerates Xbox gaming network traffic from any Xbox One console above all other devices in the home to deliver lower ping times and optimize online gaming. The KPE protects Xbox gamers from extreme lag spikes at the router level and reduces peak ping by up to 65% on Xbox One consoles delivering consistent and superior reaction time during intense gaming scenarios.* The new user interface and firmware is also custom-built for gaming traffic control.

For a limited time±, users who purchase the WRT32XB router will receive a three-month membership to Xbox Game Pass at no additional cost. Xbox Game Pass provides users unlimited access to over one hundred Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles, including fan-favorite exclusives such as Halo, Gears of War and Fable.

The global gaming market of more than 2.2 billion gamers generated $109 billion dollars of revenue in 2017 of which 31% is from Console Gamers according to the latest Global Gaming Market Report from Newzoo. “With more than $33 billion spent on console gaming this past year, these gamers expect to have the best gaming experience possible,” said Vince La Duca, global product manager at Linksys. “The new WRT32XB gaming router helps provide Xbox gamers with another tool in their arsenal to get an advantage over other players.  We are committed to giving gamers the performance they want to beat their opponents.” 

“Integrating Killer Networking technology into a new Linksys WRT router specifically for Xbox One gamers, is a first for the console gaming industry and it shows that advancements are being made to enhance the gaming experience on all platforms,” said Bob Grim, vice president of marketing and business development at Rivet Networks.  “For the first time, gamers will have a router that is designed specifically to prioritize Xbox One packets as well as their Killer-enabled PCs to identify and prioritize important gaming network traffic and ensure their gaming experience is fast and smooth no matter what else is going on in their home network.” 

Linksys WRT32X Enterprise Grade Hardware

The WRT32XB router starts with enterprise grade hardware: 1.8 GHz Dual-Core ARM CPU, 802.11ac Wave 2 Dual-band 3×3 wireless radio, 256MB Flash and 512MB of DDR3 Memory, and 5-port SOHO-grade Gigabit Ethernet switch with TCAM.  For the software, the core firmware level uses the latest stable Linux kernel version for a streamlined and lightweight code base with low latency as the top focus. The secret ingredient and key innovation is the integration of the Killer Prioritization Engine. 

WRT32XB Router Key Benefits:

• Wi-Fi router built purely for gaming which identifies, prioritizes and accelerates Xbox One gaming and all gaming traffic
• The WRT32XB router will also provide synchronization with Killer-enabled PCs to provide gaming traffic a priority on wired and wireless connections
• Prioritization engine powered by Killer Networking delivers up to 65% reduction* in peak ping on Xbox One for faster response time
• Blazing fast 1.8GHz Dual-Core processor for simultaneous high-speed data processing
• Custom-built gaming user interface and firmware specially tuned for online gaming traffic

Product Technical Specifications:

• Wi-Fi Technology: AC3200 MU-MIMO
• Network Standards: 802.11a/g, 802.11n, 802.11ac
• Wi-Fi Speed: AC3200 (N600 + AC2600) ‡
• Wi-Fi Bands: 2.4 and 5 GHz (simultaneous dual-band)
• DFS certified for operation in the clear DFS channel airspace
• 5-port Pro-grade Gigabit Ethernet ports: 1x Gigabit WAN port, 4x Gigabit LAN ports
• Other: One (1) USB 3.0 port, One (1) Combo eSATA/USB 2.0 port, Power
• Antennas: 4x external, dual-band, detachable antennas
• Processor: 1.8 GHz dual-core
• Memory: 512MB DDR3 RAM / 256MB Flash
• Wireless Encryption: WPA2 Personal
• VPN Support: PPTP IPSec pass‐through
• Storage File System Support: FAT, NTFS, and HFS+
• Browser-based Setup and custom graphical user interface

Linksys and Rivet Networks Collaborate to Improve the Already Best-In-Class Gaming Prioritization

Linksys and Rivet Networks are improving the Killer Prioritization Engine (KPE) to cover more devices. With automatic software updates that will roll out throughout the first half of 2018, the Linksys WRT family of gaming routers, including the WRT32X and WRT32XB, will now optimize gaming across all platforms – PCs, consoles, and mobile.   This means that users gaming on any device will get their gaming prioritized as #1 over all other traffic on the network, providing for a better online gaming experience with less lag.  This is done by moving the application level stream detection onboard the router which intelligently and autonomously recognizes the network traffic from all devices coming into the router and prioritizes the traffic for a fully dynamic quality of service to reduce latency while gaming – no matter what else is happening on the network.

La Duca added, “The Global Gaming Market Report from Newzoo reports that in addition to console gaming, mobile gaming is the fastest growing gaming segment at 32% spending more than $35 billion this past year, and with Killer Prioritization now detecting gaming traffic on mobile devices, the WRT32X is the best gaming router for this growth area of online gaming.”

Also included are stylized improvements to the user interface to reflect the new Killer Prioritization Engine, as well as improved network traffic and speed test visualizations. The WRT32X will give gamers the advantage of faster frags and lower ping times. 

Pricing and Availability

The new Linksys WRT Gaming Router – WRT32XB is planned for availability in the USA for an estimated MSRP of $299.99 starting in February 2018. Pricing and availability for the EMEA region will be announced at a later stage. 

The new software enhancements for both the WRT32X and WRT32XB are planned to roll this spring globally.  

Linksys will be highlighting its WRT Gaming Routers at CES –Booth# 30750 in South Hall 3.

About Rivet Networks

Rivet Networks is a technology and products company that focuses on creating the best possible networking experience. Rivet offers a mix of hardware, software, and cloud-based technologies to deliver solutions that are both powerful and intuitive. Through their Killer™ line of networking products, Rivet Networks offers unprecedented speed, intelligence, and control for gamers and performance users alike. For more information about their Killer brand of technologies, please visit www.killernetworking.com.

* “Killer reduces peak ping by up to 65%" calculated from the reduction of peak ping rate from 103 milliseconds (ms) to 45 ms when using the Killer Prioritization Engine on the WRT32X and an Xbox One using a 10 megabits per second (Mbps) down/2Mbps up internet connection that has multiple devices consuming the 10Mbps connection.

± Launch promotion will provide WRT32XB purchasers three months to Game Pass at no extra charge. Promotion will continue while supply of Game Pass codes lasts. More details are available on the packaging of the WRT32XB router.

‡ The standard transmission rates—2600 Mbps (for 5 GHz) and 600 Mbps (for 2.4 GHz)—are the physical data rates. Actual data throughput will be lower and may depend on the mix of wireless products used and external factors. Maximum performance derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual performance may vary, including lower wireless network capacity, data throughput rate, range and coverage. Performance depends upon many factors, conditions and variables, including products used, interference and other adverse conditions. In order to achieve the best performance, this router must be used with a compatible AC3200-class WRT wireless device. Specifications are subject to change without notice.  An active, customer-purchased Internet Service Provider broadband account is required for connection of these routers and other connected computers and devices to the Internet.  Some devices may require additional wireless adapters or an Ethernet cable to connect to these routers. May require a software/firmware update available for download at linksys.com/support.