E3 2018: Microsoft confirms new Xbox console in development

Xbox E3 2018 briefing: Microsoft has confirmed that the company is developing the next-generation Xbox console.

Written by Anuj Bhatia

New Delhi | Updated: June 11, 2018 08:27 AM IST

3 min read

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E3 2018: Xbox head Phil Spencer has confirmed that the company is hard at work developing a brand new console. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft teased a “new Xbox” console in development during the company’s E3 2018 conference in Los Angeles. No details on the hardware front were shared, but the company assured that there will be a sequel to the Xbox One X, the company’s latest console. This is the first time Microsoft has acknowledged that the company is hard at work on the next-generation Xbox console.

“The same team that delivered unprecedented performance with Xbox One X is deep into architecting the next Xbox consoles, where we will once again deliver on our commitment to set the benchmark for console gaming,” said Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, Microsoft.

Also read: Microsoft Xbox One X review: The ultimate 4K gaming console, but at a price

Spencer was quick to admit that the upcoming console will replace the Xbox One X, which went on sale in November last year. The new Xbox console will likely rival Sony’s PlayStation 5, which is expected to be released in either 2019 or 2020.

During the event, Spencer also confirmed that Microsoft is working on a game-streaming service. While he was not ready to reveal full details yet, Spender did say that the service will offer “console-quality” gaming on “any device”, including smartphones. The move is aimed to rival Sony’s PlayStation Now streaming service.

Also read: E3 2018: What to expect from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo

As expected, Microsoft announced a lot of new games and exclusive titles for the Xbox One consoles and Windows 10. The show started with an announcement related to the next Halo game – Halo Infinite. There were few details on the game itself, including a release date. Crackdown 3 was officially confirmed to hit the market in February 2019. A new trailer for Shadow of the Tomb Raider was also unveiled. Gears of War 5 was also announced, which is exclusive to Microsoft’s Xbox One and Windows 10 platforms. And, of course, Forza Horizon 4 was shown off in detail.

Anuj Bhatia

Anuj Bhatia is a personal technology writer at indianexpress.com who has been covering smartphones, personal computers, gaming, apps, and lifestyle tech actively since 2011. He specialises in writing longer-form feature articles and explainers on trending tech topics. His unique interests encompass delving into vintage tech, retro gaming and composing in-depth narratives on the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. He covers major international tech conferences and product launches from the world's biggest and most valuable tech brands including Apple, Google and others. At the same time, he also extensively covers indie, home-grown tech startups. Prior to joining The Indian Express in late 2016, he served as a senior tech writer at My Mobile magazine and previously held roles as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. Anuj holds a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. Email: anuj.bhatia@indianexpress.com ... Read More

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