Microsoft has confirmed its Xbox division will be descending en masse on E3 once again this year. In a tweet, Xbox chief Phil Spencer said plans are underway for the company's E3 2020 setup.
“Our team is hard at work on E3, we look forward to sharing with all who love to play what's ahead for us. Our artform has consistently been propelled by the cross-section of creativity and technical progress. 2020 is a milestone year in that journey for Team Xbox.”
The news comes just a day after Sony confirmed it will be skipping E3 2020. Interestingly, the contrasting news from Microsoft and Sony tells a story about how each company has operated in recent years.
Certainly, Microsoft has dominated E3 in recent times while Sony has either been content with a back seat or not bothered to show up at all.
Our team is hard at work on E3, we look forward to sharing with all who love to play what's ahead for us. Our artform has consistently been propelled by the cross-section of creativity and technical progress. 2020 is a milestone year in that journey for Team Xbox. #XboxE3 #E32020
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) January 14, 2020
A few years ago, Microsoft salvaged what was then the wreckage of the Xbox One at E3 2016 with the launch of the Xbox One S and peddling back on bizarre launch decisions. Since then, E3 has been the base for Microsoft's major gaming announcements.
Among them was the announcement for the Xbox One X and the upcoming Xbox Series X.
Rivalry
In contrast, Sony has been largely quiet at E3, preferring to use individual global events to announce new hardware. It is worth noting despite Microsoft's hot streak at E3, Sony continued to dominate the 8th generation of home consoles with the PS4.
As we look to the ninth generation with the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, it seems both Microsoft and Sony will continue on their separate paths.
Indeed, E3 2020 now looks a likely place for Microsoft to offer more details about Series X. With a launch date late this year, we expect more information to be giving by Microsoft in Las Vegas.