Xbox 720 components shipping now - Report

As Microsoft's next-generation reveal event is set to kick off in just a few hours, a new report claims components for the platform are already being shipped for manufacture.

Supply chain sources speaking with Digitimes (via Games Industry International) say related orders are currently being shipped in small volumes before a ramp-up is expected in Q3 to prepare for a demand surge in Q4.

A number of companies are listed as component makers in the report, including Lite-On Technology and Delta Electronics (power supply), Lite-On IT (optical disc drive), Asia Optical and Newmax (sensing lens), Foxlink (connectors), and Jentech Precision Industrial (cooling modules).

The sources said the next-generation Xbox orders are expected to "strongly boost" business for the above-mentioned component makers in the second half of the year as development ramps up.

Lastly, Foxconn Electronics is reportedly conducting assembly of the next-generation Xbox. It is one of the world's largest electronics manufacturers and, despite controversy, assembles products for major companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Dell, among others.

The New York Times reports that three Chinese employees at Foxconn died in recent weeks from what appeared to be suicides. A statement from the company said that none of the deaths were work-related and that they occurred outside of the company's factories.

Microsoft will share its vision for the future of games and entertainment during its high-profile next-generation event today, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. PDT. This includes first looks at Call of Duty: Ghosts, a next-generation FIFA title, and EA Sports' new UFC game.