Microsoft missive on new Xbox hardware keeps everyone guessing

It’s been a long time since Microsoft (MSFT) provided updates on the Xbox hardware. Already excited over the company’s impressive presentation at the recent Electronic Entertainment Expo, the gaming aficionados might be looking for something on the hardware front now.

According to a communiqué released by the tech giant this week, it is planning to announce a new hardware for Xbox at the Gamescom video game fair to be held in Germany in August. However, it is not yet known what exactly is in store for Xbox users and prospective customers at the event.

It does not mean that Microsoft will be unveiling the Xbox Two at the Gamescom fair – for which we will have to wait for a couple of more years, according to sources.  If the company is not talking about an all-new Xbox, the next possibility is a revamped Xbox Elite controller, which recently made an unofficial appearance on the web.

Microsoft has every reason to add value to the Xbox Elite controller, which became an instant hit among users after being launched a few years ago. Meanwhile, there is speculation that the next Xbox hardware will be a blend of multiple devices.

While promising to announce the new hardware with new features and accessories at next month’s event, the statement also hints at a surprise, leaving Xbox fans speculating, especially those disappointed by the long delay in the release of Crackdown 3.

Microsoft is planning to announce a new hardware for Xbox at the Gamescom video game fair to be held in Germany in August

Since there were no significant releases from Microsoft Studios since Sea of Thieves – though Forza Horizon 4 is all set to hit the consoles later this year and an array of new releases were announced at the recent Electronic Entertainment Expo – a ‘surprise’ game release cannot be ruled out. It needs to be noted that the response to Sea of Thieves was not very encouraging in some markets.

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Meanwhile, reports say that release of the latest franchise of Crackdown, the action-adventure series from Realtime Worlds, is tentatively scheduled for February 2019.

The wish list of Xbox users also include cloud streaming to mobile devices, a promise made by Microsoft long ago, that would allow users to play games on the go. And, there was an offer to add VR features to Xbox One, something the company seems to have forgotten about.

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