Phil Spencer, head of the Xbox division at Microsoft, has said chief rival Sony will have a strong E3 showing when the two companies go head-to-head with their press conferences next Monday.
Spencer, asked what he believes PlayStation's response to his promotion from Microsoft Game Studios boss was, commented on Twitter:
"I don't think Sony is intimidated. Sony is great brand and strong team. Competition is good, they'll have a good E3."
In response to a later tweet, he added:
"Xbox team is all working hard. There is a renewed sense of belief we are on a good path here, good vibe in the halls."
Finally, Spencer confirmed that Microsoft is good-to-go ahead come Monday:
"Completed our final rehearsal in Redmond this afternoon. Next stop – LA."
Despite the rivalry between the two firms, there has been the occassional thaw when, for example, Microsoft wished Sony all the best at the PS4's launch, a move the Japanese firm reciprocated when the Xbox One was released a week later.
Of course, Sony famously bashed Microsoft at E3 last year over the latter's original Xbox One policies and again at gamescom but it's nice to see the a corporate executive voicing support for its main competitor.
E3 will see Sony bring The Order 1886, Uncharted PS4, and DriveClub to the show while Microsoft is lining up Halo 5: Guardians, Forza Horizon 2, and Sunset Overdrive. Hopefully both companies will have some surprises in store as well.
