image credit" remedy/Microsoft
We might find ourselves in for a pretty big E3. Rumors about an upgraded version of the PS4 codenamed "Neo" have been flowing like water since GDC, and we're starting to get a sightly better picture of what's in store from Microsoft as well. A recent report from Microsoft blogger Brad Sams on Paul Thurrot's blog says that the company will indeed be showing new Xbox hardware at E3, as well as a new standard controller for the Xbox One. Here's Sams:
"The company also has something else up its sleeve that I still don’t have all the details on but it’s a much bigger deal than an updated standard controller. While the rumors of a PS4K have been running rampant, and I don’t know yet if this new device is set to take on that console, they will have another, much larger hardware related announcement, at E3 this year. I had previously heard that they were working on a new Elite console, they recently announced an Elite bundle, but I am not sure if this is an update to that product or something brand new."
It dovetails with recent reports that a second generation Xbox One has already entered production, as well as with some of the myriad and vague things Phil Spencer has said about the Xbox One's hardware future. what the device is, however, is something of a mystery. It could just be an Xbox One Slim, which would be pretty par for the course at this point in the generation. It could come with a 1tb hard drive standard, or it could even include some the graphical upgrades rumored to be coming from Playstation. It could also, I suppose, be something completely different. It's not out of the realm of possibility! Microsoft is working hard to expand the Xbox brand beyond the one box, and it's possible they've got a left turn up their sleeves. As I said, Phil Spencer has at times hinted towards upgradeable consoles, said he didn't want people opening up Xbox Ones for upgrades, and said that we shouldn't expect an Xbox 1.5. So it's difficult to read too much into those.
If Microsoft is indeed announcing new Xbox hardware at E3, the real question than becomes whether this is a "we're working on it" sort of announcement or a "this is coming out in the fall." Major platform holder announcements at E3 are often geared towards fall releases, and the manufacturing reports would support that. If Sony is showing up with both PSVR and the Neo in the fall, Microsoft will need something to counter with.
Nintendo's NX might not be making an appearance, but all reports seem to indicate pretty big showings from both Sony and Microsoft at this year's E3.
