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Report: Microsoft to announce new Xbox hardware, Xbox One controller at E3

Xbox is preparing a salvo of announcements to remind Sony that Xbox is still the One.

David Craddock

April 27, 2016 2:29 PM

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Not to be outdone by the leaked documents confirming the existence of an upcoming PS4 revision as well as Nintendo's announcement that its codenamed NX console will be a no-show at this year's event, a report from a Microsoft blogger points to the unveiling of an updated or brand new Xbox, and a revamped controller for Xbox One.

Brad Sams, a tech blogger who covers the Microsoft beat, has inside sources at Microsoft telling him to "expect to see new hardware at the event and there will also be a new standard controller that ships with the Xbox One," per his report.

Sams' sources have told him that the new controller will resemble the current gamepad, but will ship in a new color.

Microsoft continues to probe deeper into Xbox/PC interconnectivity. "Seeing as Microsoft wants to make Windows 10 on the desktop and Xbox one a 'killer combination', they are looking to leverage the ecosystem to create unique experiences for games that are on other platforms too," according to Sams.

Specifically, Microsoft hopes to create a form of Xbox/PC crossover experience that cannot be easily replicated by Sony or other competitors, giving both current Xbox One owners and consumers yet to make a decision on which current-gen machine to buy all the more reason to throw in with Xbox.

All of this is for naught if Microsoft has no answer to Sony's PlayStation Neo leaks—and it appears it does. "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."

Sams' report adds fuel to the fire started by Xbox chief Phil Spencer, who has tease that Microsoft will discuss topics beyond Xbox One and Windows 10 in the coming weeks. Given the time of year, that can only mean E3, less than a month and a half away.

Of course, Spencer has all but ruled out a half-step Xbox One. "If we're going to move forward, I want to move forward in big numbers. I don't know anything about any of the rumors that are out there, but I can understand other teams' motivations to do that. For us, our box is doing well. It performs, it's reliable, the servers are doing well. If we're going to go forward with anything, like I said, I want it to be a really substantial change for people–an upgrade."

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.