Watch Microsoft's E3 2016 livestream here
Reports of new Xbox One hardware have circulated for months; now we can find out which ones got it right (if any!)
Much about this year's E3 has changed, but Microsoft once again kicks off the Monday gauntlet of press briefings with its morning Xbox showcase. This year's lineup will no doubt feature plenty of Xbox One software to get excited about, but signs point to some new hardware as well.
Microsoft is reportedly readying at least one new Xbox One system, and has cut the prices on all current bundles in a possible attempt to clear the retail channels in anticipation of this new system. Multiple sites have reported that the hardware is code-named Scorpio, and will have a significant upgrade in horsepower to enable the machine to better handle VR experiences. However, Scorpio is believed to launch next year, so E3 may see nothing more than a slimmer form factor Xbox One with a larger hard drive, or possibly even a streaming media box. And of course, there's still the possibility of more gaming applications for the HoloLens augmented reality tech.
On the software side, Microsoft's favorite messaging line at E3 2015 was that it had "the greatest games lineup in Xbox history." Some of that lineup is still awaiting release and likely to get some love at the company's E3 2016 briefing, specifically Gears of War 4, Recore, Crackdown 2, and Sea of Thieves. Real-time strategy spin-off Halo Wars 2 is also on the way, and it would be odd to go an E3 without some word about a new Forza and a new proper Halo first-person shooter.
Whatever Microsoft has in store, you can watch it happen right here, starting at 9:30 a.m. Pacific, 12:30 p.m. Eastern, and 5:30 p.m. BST.