Beyond Just Games: E3 2016, Day 2: Microsoft Announcements Recap!

Microsoft had a simple but effective press conference. They knew what they wanted to show, and they showed it. As soon as the conference started, they didn't waste any time with their announcements.

Xbox One S

The very first announcement of the day. Microsoft will be releasing a new slimmer version of their current generation console. The new console will be called the Xbox One S and will retail for $299. The new console will also come with a new "fully customizable" controller which means players will be able to decide on the exact colour combinations and pick from the various button designs as well as being able to print their name or gamer tag on the controller in order to make it a fully personalized item.

Microsoft will also be releasing a few updates for their current gen console to add new features including background music, language and region independence, Clubs and a competitive tournament platform, Arena.

Project Scorpio

Xbox - Project Scor

Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's Xbox division, revealed that the rumoured project Scorpio is in development. Project Scorpio will reportedly be a new, more powerful version of the Xbox One console which will have improved hardware specifications and will be able to support 4K gaming and VR. Owners of the current version of the Xbox One needn't worry about lacking games when the new console is released because every game which will be released for the Scorpio will also be supported on the Xbox One and Xbox One S. The new console will be released during the holiday season, 2017.

Xbox Play Anywhere

Throughout the entire press conference, Microsoft emphasized the cross-play between Xbox and Windows 10 PC. Essentially every game you purchase for one system, it will be playable on the other and players on the different platforms will be able to play the games together online. Moving forward, titles which have previously been Xbox exclusives will now be Xbox One & Windows 10 PC exclusives, meaning you would be able to experience them on either platform.

Games

Microsoft had a slew of games to show this year, some with confirmed release dates, most with cross-play and cross-save functions for the Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. This is going to be quite a long list!