Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Xbox One News and Rumors … or the Same Thing

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) said its unveil of the new Xbox gaming and entertainment console was so big that it needed two forums  in which to cover everything. The first  avenue was he reveal of the console itself – talking about the hardware and the features that supposedly will take not only gaming, but home entertainment to an entirely new level. At least, that was what Microsoft wanted us to believe.

However, in the wake of that reveal, which came on the heels of Sony’s introduction of PlayStation 4 – the top competition for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and its Xbox franchise in the gamine world – it seemed that what Microsoft was offering, while a definite upgrade from Xbox 360, was not revolutionary enough to sway any PS3 users away from Sony. At the same time, though, it seemed like Xbox One isn’t so un-inspired that it is scaring away its loyal Xbox 360 fans. We are only looking at this in the context of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), which submitted a pre-order report on each of the consoles, and the latest figures seem to indicate that the popularity race is just too close to call, with PS4 holding a very slight advance-order lead without a full reveal yet (Sony is apparently planning to do a full release of its console at this week’s E3).

“It’s not clear yet which of the two will have the edge when they launch later this year – what’s certain, though, is that fans are already excited about how the next generation of consoles will change the world of gaming and home entertainment,” said Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) vice president Xavier Garambois.

With this backdrop as E3 kicks off this week in Los Angeles, while Sony is ready to reveal all of its PlayStation 4 features and hardware – and we imagine at least a few games – Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will have an opportunity to juice up more pre-orders on Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) in the coming weeks, as rumors are flying that Microsoft is expected to unveil a robust set of 20 games for the Xbox franchise, with 15 of them specifically for the Xbox One. Of those, it is reported, eight will be exclusive to Xbox One (thus, not available for PlayStation 4). Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer also teased something “huge” for Xbox 360 users that will be revealed at e#, but there is no idication that it will have to do with games – seems like it may be something more.

What are your thoughts about this? How important do you think this year’s E3 will be to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and its Xbox franchise over the next 12 to 18 months? Are a believer in Xbox One, or do you think PlayStation 4 will be the new future of gaming? Or do you even care? Give us your feedback in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: None