Microsoft announces Xbox One Project Scorpio and XOneS

The first big news from the Microsoft E3 briefing is that they have 2 console updates in the works. That's right 2. While it is common for console manufacturers to wheel out a minorly updated console variant after several years, throwing out 2 in quick succession is a novel move.

The first variant will be the Xbox One S, another in the line of slimmed down console updates that will go on sale in August this year. It will include support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) gaming, 4K DVD and Blu-Ray playback. It is advertised as being 40% smaller and we have to assume that the cooling and noise related reasons for the first designs large size have been dealt with. It is still very early in the xbox one life cycle so it is unlikely that this will have any impact on existing xbox one gamers, but it may encourage those who haven't tried it yet to jump in.

A limited edition launch edition of the Xbox One S will be available in early August with a 2TB hard drive for $399. Soon after there will be 2 further standard models available: a 500GB edition for $299, and 1TB for $349.

The second planned console though will have gamers considering their options. Project Scorpio is their name for a vastly updated console with the aim of providing pc style high level graphics. Supporting VR gaming and 4K resolution games the console will need to pack some high end hardware and despite mentions of a price point that console gamers will accept it is unlikely to be a cheap upgrade.

The 'S' console is slated to come out before the similar planned PlayStation 4 update so this may help Microsoft regain ground in the console sales fight. But the concept of Project Scorpio may give gamers pause to wait and see what that will cost and whether the features are worth the wait and price.

Importantly, Microsoft have confirmed that Xbox one games will be released to be playable on all of their console variants. So there will not be any Scorpio only games, and no one left out.

So, xbox gamers, are you keen to get a look at project scorpio? And any one else tempted to pick up an Xbox One S this christmas?