Microsoft E3 press conference: When is it, what do we expect to see?

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Microsoft is gearing up for what could very well be its most important E3 in years. The console giant is rumoured to not only debut new console hardware, but may also be dipping its toes into virtual reality.

In addition to all the rampant rumours and speculation we can expect to see a selection of new and existing games at the Microsoft conference this year. Gears of War 4, ReCore and Sea of Thieves are just some of the cool titles set to make a splash.

The event is only weeks away so TrustedReviews has compiled everything you need to know about Microsoft at E3 and what we expect to see.

WHEN IS IT MICROSOFT E3 2016 PRESS CONFERENCE?

Microsoft will hold the first conference of the event on Monday, June 13 at 9:30am PT/5:30PM BST.

WHERE CAN I WATCH IT MICROSOFT E3 PRESS CONFERENCE?

The conference will be livestreamed on Xbox.com, Twitch and available to watch on your Xbox One and Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live Events app.

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WHAT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED FOR THE MICROSOFT E3 2016 PRESS CONFERENCE?

Forza Motorsport is set to have a big presence this year, with a new entry in either the main or Horizon spinoff series to be announced. The new title will be revealed as part of an official partnership with Lamborghini Centenario acting as the game’s cover car. We wouldn’t be surprised if the game came to both Xbox One and PC considering Microsoft’s continued dedication to Windows 10.

Related: Upcoming Xbox One Games 2016

Gears of War 4 will most definitely make an appearance with both campaign and multiplayer content on show. We’ve only seen one small glimpse of the campaign, so we’d love to get a closer look at its new narrative and characters.

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Crackdown 3 has also been pretty quiet since its reveal at last year's E3, so we definitely need to see some more of that.

Beyond this, we know very little about Microsoft’s lineup for E3 2016. The company has kept its library of forthcoming games and hardware incredibly secret, and we can’t wait to find out more.

WHAT MIGHT BE REVEALED AT THE MICROSOFT E3 PRESS CONFERENCE?

Halo 6 is a possibility, albeit in the form of a short CG teaser confirming the game’s premise and potential platforms. The forge mode for Halo 5: Guardians recently debuted on Windows 10, so a simultaneous release for Xbox One and PC makes sense for Microsoft.

Further gameplay details on Sea of Thieves, the new IP by Rare, will likely be revealed too. Sea of Thieves is an open-world adventure game that will focus on multiplayer interaction and user-generated content made using in-game creation tools. This new IP could see Rare returning to its charmingly creative roots, taking clear inspiration from the likes of Banjo Kazooie and Viva Pinata.

Related: Sony E3 2016 press conference – what we expect to see

ReCore is yet another title from Microsoft we haven’t seen since last year. This year we should see the first gameplay reveal and some release details for the game, which is coming to Xbox One and PC in 2017.

Cuphead has also led the line for Xbox's indie offerings, but a prolonged spell of silence needs to come to an end the morning of June 13.

We expect Battlefield 1 to be a flagship title at Microsoft’s conference, and we’d like to see a live gameplay demonstration to show off the game’s archaic setting and new WW1-inspired mechanics. Modern shooters have rarely touched such a setting, giving Microsoft the perfect chance to promote the game on their platform.

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It isn’t all about games this year though, as Sony and Microsoft are rumoured to be revealing a slew of new hardware at E3 2016. Microsoft will allegedly unveil two new Xbox One consoles: the Xbox Mini and Xbox Scorpio.

The Xbox Mini will have the same specifications as the current console in a smaller and more refined form factor. It will also sport a 2TB hard drive, according to Kotaku. Microsoft is rumoured to announce this new hardware at E3 with a release date set for later this year.

Xbox Scorpio, on the other hand, is planned as a significant upgrade to the original Xbox One. Poised to have an impressive performance target of 6 teraflops, the new console will be considerably more powerful than the original, which runs at a modest 1.32 teraflops.

Related: Overwatch Review

The Scorpio could also support the Oculus Rift. According to reports, a major developer is currently working on a VR title for Xbox One to release in 2017. This supports the sources put forward by Polygon, and the Scorpio could certainly handle VR with such specs.

Microsoft plans to release Xbox Scorpio at some point in 2017, but much like the Mini, it may see an announcement in the coming weeks. If this string of rumours comes to fruition, Microsoft could very well be joining the virtual reality game at E3 2016.

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WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE AT THE MICROSOFT E3 2016 CONFERENCE

We’d love to see the introduction of a new IP. Sure, the likes of Halo, Forza and Gears of War are great, but a brand new juggernaut to join those ranks would be most welcome. E3 is also the perfect time to prove naysayers wrong with a selection of small, interesting titles or a unique AAA juggernaut.

The loss of Lionhead Studios also leaves Microsoft in a vulnerable position, having just cancelled a massive project in the form of Fable Legends. Fans and consumers alike would appreciate something new, innovative and exciting, and so would we. Funnily enough, this could come in the form of virtual reality.

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If Microsoft does plan to throw its towel in the virtual reality ring, we want them to do so with a bang. They should debut new hardware and exciting new software in VR that cannot be found anywhere else. Playstation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive will all be out in the wild come 2017, and Microsoft does not want to be left behind in such a battle.

Related: The Witcher 3 - Blood and Wine Review

Such a shift towards virtual reality does raise some eyebrows regarding the Microsoft Hololens, a device that has seen little attention in 2016. Last year it blew our minds with a hands-on Minecraft demonstration, showcasing technology that placed you inside a living, breathing game world.

It’d be great to see the Hololens utilised in a different fashion during Microsoft’s E3 conference, or applied to Xbox One is a way that feels worthwhile and intuitive. We currently have no release information on the Hololens, or whether its price will be attainable for the average consumer. All of this information would be an excellent way for Microsoft to make it marks on E3.

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This last wish is a long shot, but a surprise announcement that would bring us to tears. Imagine if Rare suddenly announced Viva Pinata 3 for Xbox One. An E3 dream come true.