In five days' time Microsoft will reveal their next step in the future of home entertainment as they see it. All eyes will be on the conference floor as gamers and industry experts eagerly wait to see how Microsoft intends to best the competition. 

With Sony already having revealed the PlayStation 4 there’s a good build-up of momentum behind it as we ride the hype-train into this year's E3 central, But while they might have beaten Microsoft to the punch by already announcing a long list of exciting new features - including the ability to instantly share your favourite gaming moments via the share button and a new touch-screen controller - they've still got plenty of tricks up their sleeve. As it stands right now, the console itself has yet to be revealed.

So, with that in mind, all eyes are on the May 21 event to see if Microsoft can even it up before the industry reaches LA next month. Can they do it? And with the rumour-mill in full swing, will we be excited or bitterly disappointed by what we see? What do you think?

• Are you excited by the Xbox reveal on May 21?
• What new features do you expect them to reveal and what would you like to see from the next Microsoft console?
• Do you think that Microsoft has what it takes to be a serious competitor to Sony and Nintendo in the next generation?
• What surprises or guest appearances do you think we can expect from the Microsoft conference?

It's easy to get sucked into a good old-fashioned flame-war about which is the better console, I know, but let's try and make sure we avoid the pitfalls of insults and trolling - instead let's try and keep to constructive debate. You know what follows next...

As always, share your opinions with us in the comments. Feel free to discuss the topic and engage with each other’s ideas - but please be nice; there are no wrong answers. 

Attention!

Listen up soldiers, there's a tonne of new features packed into the latest Irwin Developer Videolog and we'll need your undivided attention for this briefing if we've got any chance of winning this war!

Here's the intel:

Warfunds

This brand new currency is awarded to Generals when their Assault Teams fight battles, and to Heroes when capturing objectives. Warfunds are specifically used to resupply Assault Teams - with prices depending on the assault team - and to ultimately help win battles.

New rifles

The Allies are now able to get their hands on the M1903 - a precise bolt-action rifle for long-distance fighting - and the Axis can use the semi-automatic Gewehr 43 for medium-range fighting and assaults. Time to lock and load!

Updated Mobile Command

Lastly, the Mobile Command for iOS and Android has been upgraded and armour-plated to provide the ultimate war asset for any aspiring General. Along with your normal array of bug fixes and stability patches, you can now join new wars and command your assault teams from within the app and wherever you are.

Head over to heroesandgenerals.com to learn more - that's an order! DISMISSED!

Oh hai guyz, long time no see. What's that, the Square Enix Weekly Recap is late? Yeah about that... it's got totally nothing to do with my new addiction to rage quit games like Cat Mario. Speaking of which, I really have an urge to replay 774 deaths but there's only so much hair I can pull out. Anyway, where were we?

Releases

• Hitman: Sniper Challenge and Gyromancer now free to play - Yes, you read that correctly! You can now play Sniper Challenge and Gyromancer for free, from within your browser - it's magic. Just head to coreonline.com.
• Tomb Raider Shipwrecked Multiplayer Map Pack out now - Got an itchy trigger finger? Then you might want to grab yourself the two new multiplayer maps for Tomb Raider, the massive beached ship arena "Lost Fleet" and the mountain-top shrine "Himiko’s Cradle".
• Tomb Raider Outfit Pack Now Available! - The Tomb Raider outfit pack is now available on all platforms. Grab the Demolition, Mountaineer, and Sure-Shot outfits for 80 Microsoft Points/€0.79/$0.99 each or buy all three for 160 Microsoft Points/€1.49/$1.99.

Development

• New Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remaster screenshots - Up until now you've only had the luxury of viewing the eye-watering HD graphics of Final Fantasy X HD Remaster, but that's all changed. These screenshots for the Final Fantasy X-2 HD portion of the game will fill that void.
• News Update! - There's a whole host of exciting changes happening to the Gameglobe website, including new membership options and the ability to follow your favourite creators. Head to the blog to read up on the full details.
• A peek into Q's laboratory - It's not just nifty changes that are happening to the Gameglobe website - oh no! Soon you'll be able to get your hands on some exciting new vehicle props including speedboats, helicopters, tanks, motocross bikes, as well as the ability to make your own vehicles! Gameglobe just got injected with a double dose of pure awesome.
• Holiday fun-bike - Our Danish friends at Reto.Moto snuck off work to enjoy a relaxing public holiday, the lucky sods. In their absence they left you an awesome Heroes & Generals bike video to enjoy.
• The Graphic Department went to France, part Deux - As grand as Google is at answering life's questions, sometimes when you want good reference material you have to leave the house and find it yourself. So armed with a platoon of cameras the Graphics team for Heroes & Generals took a tour across France.
• The Golden Rule - Whether it's rain, shine or even a public holiday, the Final Fantasy XIV development team are working night and day to bring you the MMO experience you've been waiting for.
• Field screenshots and more - The Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn website has been updated with a slew of delicious details, including the Bestiary and information on Bahamut and Odin!
• Letter from the Producer, XLV - We know, all these screenshots we keep showing you are lovely - dreamy in fact - but when can you get your hands on Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn? Well, worry not; this latest update from Yoshi-P divulges the answers to all those burning questions.

Community

• Gamer Chat: Special Edition - If you're a keen collector then a Limited Edition is something that will be highly sort after, but what really makes them so desirable to you? Tell us what you think - your opinion matters.
• Tomb Raider Community Roundup - No stone unturned, if there's anything happening in the Tomb Raider community, this is where you're going to hear about it - that and The Crystal Habit Monthly #19.
• HOB Salon Offering Up Lara’s Iconic Look - I'm not sure I'd make a good Lara Croft, but should I find myself killing deer, jumping across cliff ledges, and defeating ancient Oni warriors, I can do so knowing that I can get the official Lara Croft haircut to complete the picture.
• Official forums exclusive dev Q&A session #12 - Eidos Forums - If you've got a question for Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics, now's your chance. Head to the Eidos Forums and submit your questions before May 15.
• Thief Fan Kit - The Thief fan kit is out now and contains all the essential components a budding Garrett enthusiast would need to make a Thief website to best all fan websites. What's ours is yours.
• Meet the Moderators – Spyhopping - We wouldn't be able to run the official forums without the help and dedication of brilliant moderators like Lucy. Here's your chance to get to know her a bit more and to thank her personally for all her hard work.

Offers and competitions 

• Pre-order Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX now! - Mark your calendars: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 is coming to you on September 13. Make sure to pre-order now so as not to miss out on the limited edition art book.
• Fresh Tees up on TombRaiderStore.com! - Express your ultimate Tomb Raider fandom with these delicious new tee designs available from the official Tomb Raider store.
• Hitman: Absolution free for PlayStation Plus subscribers - Just a reminder that those lucky enough to have a PlayStation Plus subscription can pick up Hitman: Absolution completely for free this month.
• PlayStation Plus: Sleeping Dogs Joins the Instant Game Collection [North America] - Our North American PlayStation Plus subscribers can grab Sleeping Dogs for free this month.
• Playtesters Wanted [Montreal] - If you are lucky enough to be within a commutable distance of Eidos Montreal, then we might just have a fun little opportunity for you.

In the news

• Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII soundtrack remixes details revealed (Examiner)
• Square Enix Is Hosting Vagrant Story Art Exhibit (Siliconera)
• Tonogai's Suspense Manga Judge Gets Live-Action Film [Japan] (AnimeNewsNetwork)
• What's Hot in Final Fantasy XI! (Zam)
• Square Enix’s Transforming Car RPG Has Plenty Of Towns [Japan] (Siliconera)

Free is a lovely word, isn't it? It doesn't really matter what's been given away – as soon as the word gets out, it’s not long before you're overrun by hordes of hands grasping at the opportunity, much like Zombies hungering for brains. But today’s free isn't any old free, this is the awesome good kind of free that makes you want to kiss people on the mouth.

But not me, I'm fine, really. Thanks.

CoreOnline - our free-to-play browser-based game library – has just received two fantastic new additions in the shape of Hitman: Sniper Challenge and Gyromancer! These two games deliver the same HD quality experience you'd expect on consoles, but of course with the added benefit of being FREE and playable from within your browser.

Hitman: Sniper Challenge

Sniper Challenge was previously only available as a pre-order incentive for Hitman: Absolution, that let you pick up your Agency sniper rifle and challenge friends to rack up the highest score you could in 15 minutes, using nothing but the patience of a Saint and a steady hand.

Gyromancer

Gyromancer puts you in the role of Rivel, a summoner who leads a beast army as he battles his way through Aldemona Wood. But this isn't your typical RPG - in an interesting blend of genres you're challenged to innovative puzzle-battles that give the game a curious, yet complementary Bejeweled twist.

So there you have it, two fantastic games you can play right now, in your browser, for free!

Both games are made free thanks to short adverts played just before you get started. If that bothers you, don't worry, we've got you covered. You can pay $2.99 per month to get unlimited access to all games ad-free on CoreOnline, or you can purchase the games individually. Whichever way you want to play, and whatever your wallet is whispering in your ear, there's an option just for you.

To call Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD "just a remake" would be to do it a complete injustice. We're not talking about just up-rezzing some textures here… it truly is a complete remastering of a cult classic. Because of the tireless effort that's put into recreating such an iconic game, it's always a joy to see so many of you excited by what many talented people have devoted their lives to.

When we released the screenshots and the trailer back in March (you can see them here) the response was overwhelming. The only thing we could top that is to come back today with even more beautiful screenshots for you to enjoy - but this time for the Final Fantasy X-2 portion of the remaster!

Plus - we've got some familiar CG artwork for you to enjoy that's been lovingly given the HD treatment too.

If you like what you see then please let us know in the comments below and head to the game page for even more screenshots!