Xbox One set for November launch

MICROSOFT will fire its latest weapon in the video game war this November, with the new Xbox One console launching in 21 countries at a price of $499.

The launch is likely to spark a head-to-head battle with main rival Sony, whose PlayStation 4 is due in stores before Christmas this year.

Its price, though yet to be confirmed, is rumoured to be up to $US150 cheaper.

Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer announced the arrival of the powerful new Microsoft machine at the E3 Games Expo in Los Angeles in the wee hours this moing, showing off a host of blockbuster sequels and promising more first-run titles.

The company provided little detail of the console's new hardware, however.

Mr Spencer said the company had opened five new Microsoft studios in preparation for the console launch, and was \"investing more than ever in games\" including new franchises and \"classics you've asked for\".

Game demonstrations included a new Forza Motorsport 5 with McLaren vehicles, Dark Souls II, zombie-killing game Dead Rising 3, and the retu of player-versus-player title Killer Instinct.

A new version of first-person, intergalactic shooter Halo with greater resolution was also promised but not demonstrated at the event.

New titles included an open-world, parkour-style adventure game from Insomniac called Sunset Overdrive, and a title that freezes time called Quantum Break.

But Microsoft executives provided little detail of the new Xbox One console's hardware at the E3 conference, failing to address conces about its requirement for a persistent inteet connection and conces it could allow publishers to prevent users from reselling games.

In a recent Microsoft blog post, the company confirmed Xbox One players would be able to play games for just 24 hours before being asked to \"re-establish a connection\" to continue playing.

The company will also only allow Xbox One users to swap game discs between friends who have been listed as Xbox Live contacts for at least 30 days.

Microsoft did announce plans for a redesigned Xbox 360 at the event, however, with a smaller, \"sleeker\" body.

The company also announced users would no longer have to buy games online using Microsoft Points, and prices would instead be translated into local currencies.

Sony is expected to counter Microsoft's announcements with its own press event at 11am EST today.