Xbox 720 Release Date: Report Confirms May 21 Reveal

Those wishing that Microsoft would finally reveal the next-gen Xbox to the public in April will be disappointed to know that the system will not be seen until at least May, according to the latest word of a Microsoft Insider. Paul Thurrott, of the Windows Supersite, recently revealed many different facts about the upcoming system, one of which was that Microsoft is now planning to show off the system on May 21. A new The Verge report based on inside sources now further confirms that these are indeed Microsoft's plans. 

Microsoft is apparently planning a small unveiling of the next-gen Xbox, and the May 21 presentation will give people outside of Microsoft their first chance to get first-hand details about the system. This will serve as a prologue to much bigger presentations in June, at the 2013 E3 conference and Build 2013 developers conference. Microsoft may be motivated to release the details about the system in May rather than wait until E3 due to the many rumors and leaks that have already come through the grapevine about the next-gen Xbox.

Thurrott's statement is the latest in a long line of next-gen Xbox rumors that have surfaced this past week, such as new details about the system's always-online ability. It now appears that the system will shut down games that go three minutes without an Internet connection. The uproar about this rumor caused a very public outburst from Microsoft employee Adam Orth on Twitter, who lashed out at people who disagreed with this function.

In addition to revealing the planned date for the next-gen Xbox's reveal, Thurrott also stated that the console will feature a $300 subscription-based model, and a $500 stand-alone version of the console. While we don't know if any of this is true, as Microsoft has repeatedly stated that they will not comment on any rumors about the device, we should only have to wait six more weeks until Microsoft puts these rumors to rest.