Microsoft Hints at New Xbox Console With E3 Countdown

Microsoft has posted a countdown to the E3 gaming conference on its blog, which many have interpreted as a countdown to the next version of the Xbox.

A Wednesday post on the Major Nelson blog says simply "And it's on ..." with an animated countdown clock to E3, which is now at 158 days.

The post offered no other details, but commenters immediately speculated that it meant the arrival of a new gaming console. "New Xbox yesssss," the first commenter said.

Others suggested that Microsoft needs to "win back the gamers" with its next Xbox, including exclusive games. Several people, meanwhile, criticized the Kinect sensor.

"I'm ready! Been ready for a new Xbox since 2010. But please please please don't launch crap hardware because you decided to pack in Kinect," wrote Jdrm03. "I want some awesome hardware, not a crap gimmick. Seriously, I would gladly pay $600+ for an awesome console that has some huevos under the hood."

The countdown comes about a month after a report from Bloomberg said that Microsoft will unveil a new Xbox console in 2013. The wire service cited unnamed sources familiar with the company's plans, and said the new version — codenamed Durango — will arrive in time for the Black Friday and Christmas shopping crunch.

At the time, a Microsoft spokeswoman skirted the question. "Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend the console lifecycle by introducing controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships," she said in November. "We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention."

The Xbox Live gaming network turned 10 in November.

E3 2013 runs June 11-13 in Los Angeles; stay tuned for all the details.

For more from Chloe, follow her on Twitter @ChloeAlbanesius.