The writing has been on the wall for what seems like years, but it's official. After previous rumors claimed that Microsoft would be unveiling the next Xbox in May, today the company has confirmed that at 1pm EST on May 21, 2013, the world will see "A New Generation Revealed," and what's next for Xbox.
The official confirmation comes courtesy of Major Nelson, and while the details are still being kept under wraps, the full unveiling will be streamed for free to Xbox fans around the world. Assuming you have an internet connection (and no, we're not going there).
With the event putting the rumor-mongering to an end (hopefully), gamers will be treated to even more details concerning the next Xbox come E3 just a few weeks later. Here's the official:
On Tuesday May 21st, we’ll mark the beginning of a new generation of games, TV and entertainment. On that day, we’ll be holding a special press event on the Xbox campus and we invite you to join us via the live global stream that will be available on Xbox.com, Xbox LIVE and broadcast on Spike TV if you are in the US or Canada.
On that day, we’ll share our vision for Xbox, and give you a real taste of the future. Then, 19-days later at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, we’ll continue the conversation and showcase our full lineup of blockbuster games.
We are thrilled to pull back the curtain and reveal what we’ve been working on.
Given the timing, and the company's growing desire to become an entertainment center, not just a gaming console, we'd recommend keeping expectations low for now. It's entirely possible that the event will focus on the Xbox TV, streaming video and music applications, with a more game-focused showing being scheduled for E3.
The strategy is an interesting one for those keeping an eye on the 'next-gen console war' between Sony and Microsoft; Sony got momentum swinging their direction by announcing the PlayStation 4 first, but with Xbox's event just weeks before E3, could they carry the preceding days and the event itself? Only time will tell.
What do you hope to see from the official unveiling? A closer look at the programming architecture as Sony chose to emphasize in their reveal event, or something a bit different?
Leave your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to the site for more Xbox 720 news in the coming weeks.
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Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.
Source: Major Nelson