Xbox E3 2016 Briefing: How to watch it and what to expect

Microsoft has announced the time and date for its annual pre-E3 media briefing in Los Angeles.

It is traditionally the first to host its press conference on the Monday before the show opens, requiring the world’s games press to queue for entry early doors. And this year is no exception.

We’ve received the official invite so we’ve decided to detail the information it offers and give you a few thoughts on what we expect to be revealed during the event.

Xbox

When is the Microsoft Xbox E3 2016 Briefing?

Microsoft will host its annual E3 press conference on Monday 13 June in the Galen Center, LA. The invite states that the doors open at 8.45am but the actual presentation doesn’t start until 9.30am (PT).

That’s 12.30pm (ET) and 5.30pm in the UK.

It traditionally runs for an hour and a half.

Is there a Microsoft Xbox E3 2016 Briefing livestream?

Microsoft always livestreams both the event and a build up show, with interviews and chat beforehand.

This year it will be hosting the livestream on its Twitch channel. It will also be broadcasting live through the Xbox Live Events Player on Xbox One and Xbox 360.

You can even go to a Microsoft Store in the US to watch it, or on Spike TV in the States or Canada.

We’ll also the feed itself nearer the event.

What hardware will be launched at the Microsoft Xbox E3 2016 Briefing?

With Sony’s plans to unveil an updated version of the PlayStation 4 heavily tipped, speculation has also turned to Microsoft. It is expected to announce an upgraded Xbox One during its E3 press event.

Little is truly known about the Xbox One.5 or Xbox One 2, as it is currently dubbed, but several sources claim a new version of the console is coming. It might even be an Xbox One Slim.

Two images appeared online that allegedly show a new wireless chip for an updated console, the other a listing by a Chinese manufacturer that suggests a new machine has been in production for a few months.

READ: E3 2016: All the launches, games and consoles to expect

Neither have been validated or confirmed but during our visit to the Xbox Spring Showcase event in San Francisco in February, Xbox boss Phil Spencer did tell us that it is in Microsoft’s plans to upgrade the console.

Watch this space.

Microsoft

What games will be announced at the Microsoft Xbox E3 2016 Briefing?

Like last year, we fully expect a fast and furious announcement event crammed with updates on already known titles and a few surprises.

There will be games coming out for both Xbox One and PS4 that might be reserved for the Sony event held later that day. There will also be cross-platform games that will be shown at the Xbox conference.

Here then are the games we think will make an appearance during the media briefing (we’ll update the list when we hear about others). We’ve included both first and likely third-party titles.

• Crackdown 3
• Elite Dangerous: Horizons
• Forza 7 (name to be confirmed, stars the Lamborghini Centenario)
• Gears of War 4
• Gigantic
• Halo Wars 2
• Planet Coaster (possible Xbox One announcement of the Windows 10 game)
• ReCore
• Scalebound
• Sea of Thieves
• Titanfall 2
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands
• Unannounced Tomb Raider