Microsoft reveals new console at E3

Microsoft has revealed its new console, which it says is the most powerful ever made.

The Xbox One X has the fastest chip ever used in a console and will be capable of showing games with better graphics and clarity than ever before, the company said.

It will go on sale on 7 November, Microsoft said during a spectacular dem- onstration at the E3 games conference.

The console, originally known as Project Scorpio, is set to rival Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro—which launched last year—as the flagship games console on the market.

Microsoft has been under pressure to overtake Sony, after the current generation PS4 steadily outsold the Xbox One following the launch of the two systems in 2013. Xbox boss Phil Spencer said the new system would also feature the “most diverse” line-up of games ever produced by the firm.

During a press conference, some of the first off these games were previewed, including a new game from the popular Assassin’s Creed franchise - Origins.

Microsoft also demonstrated a new game in its exclusive racing series, Forza Motorsport 7.

The E3 show floor opens in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Mr Spencer confirmed the Xbox One X will cost £449 when it goes on sale on November 7.

The Xbox boss also announced that the console’s backward compatibility scheme - which enables old games from previous consoles to be played on the newest systems—was being extended to the original Xbox. Mr Spencer said video games should be “celebrated” in the same way as books and films.

“Xbox empowers game developers, large and small, to create different types of games for every type of player,” he said.

“Not only do we have the biggest cross-platform blockbusters on our platform, we’ve also scoured the world to bring our fans unique content from creative artists that capture the imagination.” THE INDEPENDENT