Brett Molina

USA TODAY

Microsoft confirmed it will launch two Xbox One consoles: a slim model supporting 4K visuals and a more powerful box dubbed Project Scorpio that will support virtual reality.

The tech giant made the reveals during a press conference Monday ahead of the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.

The Xbox One S is 40% lighter than the original Xbox One, and will feature support for 4K content and a redesigned controller. The device also boasts a built-in power supply and can stand horizontally or vertically. It will launch in August starting at $299.

"We are creating more choice in your gaming experience than ever before," said Xbox chief Phil Spencer to open Microsoft's E3 conference.

Microsoft also unveiled "Project Scorpio," a high-powered Xbox One launching next year capable of supporting native 4K content and virtual reality headsets. Spencer says "it's the most powerful console ever built."

Although Scorpio is a year away from release, Microsoft Studios Publishing head Shannon Loftis hopes game designers are inspired by what it offers. "We want developers to start thinking about what they want to do with that power."

Microsoft did not provide details on the price of Scorpio or what type of VR support Scorpio would feature.

Rival console PlayStation 4, developed by Sony, raced out to an early lead in global console sales. As of May, Sony sales PS4 sales topped 40 million worldwide. According to research firm IHS Technology, Microsoft's Xbox One boasts an install base around 21 million.

Piers Harding-Rolls, director of games research at IHS, compares the Xbox One S move to Sony launching a slimmer PlayStation 3 during the previous console cycle. "The reversal in fortune of this generation compared to last means that Microsoft has to be aggressive with its console upgrade strategy to gain market initiative," he says.

Meanwhile, Project Scorpio gives Xbox an entry into the growing virtual reality market. Sony plans to reveal more details on its PlayStation VR platform during a press conference in Los Angeles on Monday night.

Also unveiled during the Microsoft event: Play Anywhere support allowing players to play some games on both Xbox One or Windows 10, and customizable controllers players can craft in a variety of colors.

Prior to the launch of the event, Spencer paid tribute to victims of the shooting in Orlando killing 50. "You should know you are not alone," said Spencer. "The gaming community mourns with you."

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