Los Angeles (AFP)
Microsoft unveiled the name and appearance of its upcoming Xbox Series X gaming console, promising an even more immersive player experience as the group tries to thwart competition and cope with rising streaming.
During a presentation Thursday in Los Angeles for the 2019 Game Awards, Microsoft has presented for the first time the future console shaped tower, and a new wireless controller.
In June, referring to the "Scarlett project", the group had already reported the capabilities of its console, saying it would be four times more powerful than its latest device, the Xbox One X, released in 2013.
The existing games will be compatible with the new console, detailed the American company, while promising an "even more realistic, immersive, interactive and surprising atmosphere".
While the release date of its new console was set at the end-2020, just like for the Sony PlayStation 5, its price has not yet been specified.
PlayStation 4 sales have surpassed Xbox for more than two times over the last five years, but Microsoft hopes to take revenge with the Xbox Series X, while its rival has not yet unveiled the technical details of its next machine.
"The Xbox Series X could give Microsoft first place for console power, as it did with Xbox One X," said Matthew Kanterman, analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence.
The entire video game industry should take advantage of this war of the ninth generation consoles. Kanterman expects sales to be 20% higher than those of the previous generation.
In this environment of innovation and the power of increasingly advanced consoles, these devices are however threatened by the emergence of "cloud gaming", remote video game services. Google launched last month its service Stadia, allowing players to connect via any device connected to the internet.
© 2019 AFP