Xbox One: 5 details revealed at E3

Microsoft reveals the console's price, release date, and a slew of new games

Microsoft VP Phil Harrison
(Image credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Xbox One is the all-in-one media center that will replace basically every electronic device in your living room, Microsoft gleefully announced last month. Not mentioned: Anything about video games.

That all changed Monday at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Here is what gamers can expect from the Xbox One:

1. It's not going to be cheap

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Will recession-weary shoppers be willing to spend $500 on the Xbox One, not to mention the cost of games, when it is released in November? A lot of that will depend on how Sony prices the upcoming PS4.

2. Master Chief will be back

Fans can expect a new Halo game in 2014. Microsoft was light on the details, except that the game would be made by 343 Industries, the Microsoft-owned company that took the franchise over from Bungie to make Halo 4. Microsoft said the latest iteration would run at a speedy 60 frames a second.

3. Expect several exclusive titles

Love Call of Duty? The studio behind that game, Respawn Entertainment, is releasing a futuristic first-person shooter called Titanfall that involves blowing things up in giant mechs. Also to be released: Racing game Forza Motorsport 5; Ryse: Son of Rome, a hack-and-slash titled based in ancient Rome; and a brand-new Killer Instinct game.

4. Xbox 360 will get a makeover

Don't feel like shelling out $500? The Xbox 360 is getting a sleek new redesign and hundreds of new games. Xbox Live Gold members get the added bonus of two free games (starting with Assassin's Creed 2 and Halo 3) every month from July until the Xbox One is released in November.

5. You can pre-order it right now

No need to wait in line at Best Buy. You can pre-order the Xbox One right now and get a special controller that says "Day One," letting people know you are a person with both disposable income and very little patience.

Keith Wagstaff is a staff writer at TheWeek.com covering politics and current events. He has previously written for such publications as TIME, Details, VICE, and the Village Voice.