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GameStop expecting new console announcements at E3

Get ready for some console announcements at E3, GameStop says.

GameSpot staff
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GameSpot staff
2 min read

Speaking today during GameStop's latest earnings briefing, COO Tony Bartel said the retailer is expecting new consoles to be announced at E3 2016.

He didn't say if they'll come from Microsoft or Sony, but rumors and reports claim that both companies have new hardware in the works that could be announced during the annual show.

"We expect E3 to focus on key titles in the back half of the year and console announcements," he said. "We also expect VR to generate significant gaming consumer and press interest."

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On the subject of virtual reality, Bartel said he expects GameStop to be a major player in selling headsets, including this October's PlayStation VR.

GameStop management also confirmed today that, while it is expecting new console announcement at E3, presumably from Microsoft and Sony, the company is not yet modeling any sales projections into its business outlook.

The same is true for Nintendo's NX, which is scheduled to come out in March 2017. A slide from the company's briefing today does, however, include a look at how meaningful NX sales could be based on the performance of past Nintendo consoles. Take a look:

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Microsoft is reportedly working on two new Xbox One consoles, one of which is apparently a slimmed-down model that could be announced at E3. Looking further out, reports claim Microsoft is also working on an Xbox One system that is four times as powerful as the current one.

As for Sony, it is reportedly working on a more powerful version of the PlayStation 4. Keep checking back with GameSpot for more on E3 2016 in the days and weeks ahead.

For more on GameStop's latest earnings report, check out the key takeaways here.