New Xbox One details, including the release date could be unveiled next month
Microsoft is reportedly planning to hold a press conference at Gamescom 2013, the company’s first time doing so at the European event, with an Xbox One release date announcement a possible inclusion.
Although the manufacturer has yet to formally confirm its plans, Microsoft is reported to have contacted Gamescom organisers and leading developers to alert them to their Xbox One themed press conference plans. Gamescom 2013 is set to be held in Cologne, Germany between August 21 and 25.
According to CVG, third party studios have been invited by Microsoft to appear during the event, hinting at the possibility of a number of new Xbox One games being showcased during the conference. An Xbox One release date announcement could also be on the cards, with the Xbox 360 maker so far pegging its next-gen console to arrive sometime in November.
Speaking on the reports, an official Microsoft spokesperson stated: "We're excited to be back at Gamescom this year but we're not announcing any further details on our plans at this time. Please stay tuned for more details."
It has been suggested that Microsoft will hold a one hour event in a bid to not only improve its footing in European markets, but counteract Sony’s confirmed Gamescom presence.
Earlier this week claimed insider sources suggested that Sony would confirm the PS4 release date during its own Gamescom press conference, an event which will also reportedly see a number of upcoming PS4 games demoed to the public. Sony has yet to respond to these claims.
News of a Microsoft announcement at Gamescom comes just days after the company parted ways with its former Xbox leader in a very public fashion. Don Mattrick, previously President of Interactive Entertainment at Microsoft has left the computer giant just months ahead of the Xbox One launch to join social gaming company Zynga.
Mattrick’s departure follows Microsoft’s decision to reverse controversial plans to introduce DRM limitations on the next-gen console which would have seen Xbox One gamers charged to play pre-owned or borrowed games.
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