According to Kotaku UK, multiple sources presumably close to Microsoft claim that a new Xbox One Slim will be unveiled at E3 next month, and will release before the end of 2016. Several similar rumors pertaining to some sort of upgraded Xbox One console have been circulating for several months, but this latest one also claims that 2017 will see the release of a new Xbox that will feature superior hardware over the current model. The report states that both devices are part of a “wider strategy” called “Project Helix.”
The two consoles form part of a wider Microsoft strategy, codenamed “Project Helix” according to one source, to converge Xbox and Windows.
The story continues to state that the supposed 2017 console will have a “more powerful GPU” and be “capable of supporting the Oculus Rift” and that “Microsoft is pursuing a partnership with Oculus.”
The above claims in particular seem to be quite likely for a number of reasons. Microsoft is yet to announce any sort of competing hardware to go up against Sony’s PlayStation VR, and there’s already existing examples of the two companies working together in the past, what with the Oculus Rift system coming packaged with an Xbox One controller as standard.
Whatever the reality turns out to be, we won’t have to wait much longer to find out. E3 kicks off on June 14 and will feature conferences from both Microsoft and Sony, as well as the latest game announcements and trailers. We’ll be covering the whole lot over the three-day period, so be sure to check back regularly.
To read the full report, click here.
