In a few hours, Microsoft's next-gen console, the Xbox 720/Infinity will finally make its debut after much teasing and anticipation.

And of the many rumors that hit the console, it seems that the IllumiRoom will be one of the technologies that fans can witness at the May 21 event. According to GameSpot, the report came from Windows blogger Paul Thurrott, who has been noted for his accuracy when it comes to gaming reports.

The IllumiRoom has been teased before as a groundbreaking technology for gaming, as it can alter the space that it is set in and bring the gameplay to a whole new level of interactivity.

In the same report, it seems that those who have been looking forward to a subsidized Xbox 720, which was reported to be available for $300 in exchange for signing up to a two-year contract with a $15 per month payment on Xbox Live Gold, will be disappointed.

Hopefully, all of these features and offers will be cleared up tomorrow at the Microsoft event.

What to expect on May 21

Given that it's just a week from the E3 2013, gamers are still wondering what would be the difference between conducting an event beforehand. But according to GameRant, a Microsoft representative, Aaron Greenberg, who is also the Chief of Staff for Interactive Entertainment Business, the gradual unveiling of the next generation of the Xbox will come in parts.

"We're really going to tell one story across two events,' said Greenberg in a podcast as quoted by GameRant. "So we're going to start on the 21st and really that's about revealing the next Xbox platform, really our vision for the future of games, the future of entertainment. We definitely have a lot of surprises planned."

Though the hardware and features of the console may be the star of the event, the promised showcase of Call of Duty: Ghosts and EA's FIFA 14, not to mention the big surprise awaiting Battlefield 4's "big news" may also be worth waiting for at the event.

Winning the cloud competition?

Since Microsoft has kept its next-gen Xbox console close to the chest, little has been confirmed about its hardware specs, and the ones that have been rumored put it at the same pace as the PlayStation 4.

However, according to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft has been working on the area of cloud streaming games and other content for the final version of the next-gen Xbox 720.

Based on statements from sources, the reports adds that there have been many prototypes leading to the final version, and these tested device have been focused on ensuring that the Xbox console goes beyond your common gaming purposes.

This may be Microsoft's way of setting itself apart from Sony and other console competitors, while at the same time making the Xbox Infinity the center of the living room experience, so that the market will expand beyond just gamers.

News about the online streaming may be what also fueled the rumors regarding the need to be always-online when using the Xbox 720, even when on single-player mode.

RELATED STORIES