Microsoft Corp. plans a “special unveiling” related to the Xbox, suggesting that the world’s biggest software maker will use the event to introduce the latest version of its game console.
The event will be held May 21 at Microsoft’s Redmond, Wash., headquarters, according to the e-mailed invitation. It will also be shown online, via the Xbox Live service and the Spike TV network.
The software maker is planning a new version of the console to maintain its 27-month lead over Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co. in a market projected to expand to $70 billion in 2017. It’s also adding features to the Xbox designed to help it withstand the shift to games downloaded to computers and mobile devices.
Microsoft will “share our vision for Xbox and give you a real taste of the future,” Larry Hryb, the Director of Xbox Programming who goes by the name Major Nelson, on his official Xbox blog.
Microsoft will use an Advanced Micro Devices Inc. processor in the next Xbox game console, seeking to cut the cost of building machines and get developers to create more titles, people with knowledge of the matter said earlier this month. Xbox has led console sales in the U.S. for the last 27 months, according to market research firm NPD Group.
Business, Pages 20 on 04/29/2013