Tag: #E3

With Sony skipping E3 this year, Microsoft possesses a unique opportunity to take center stage and create an impact on many fronts. Not only does Xbox Game Studios have a bevy of announcements of their own (with 14 promised first party titles present and the looming announcement of the next generation Xbox), the company’s show stands as prime real estate for third parties hoping to create buzz with their new games. This E3 stands as Microsoft’s best opportunity to change the conversation around the future of their platform and you’d best believe they will try their best to do just that.

The Next-Gen Xbox

While it was essentially a given Microsoft would provide details on their next generation platform (having already declared its existence last E3), Sony’s detailed unveiling of the next PlayStation has assured Microsoft will reveal its own new system in a big way next week. Details are scarce at the moment, but we can make a few guesses based upon the company’s previous comments and trends.

1. The next Xbox will feature backwards compatibility. Given the rampant rumors that the next Xbox will continue Microsoft’s partnership with AMD for providing its CPU and GPU, it’s a safe bet that the Scarlett (the console’s code name) will feature full backwards compatibility with the current library of Xbox One games. Backwards compatibility has been a big initiative for Microsoft this generation, and it would be hard to believe that the company would allow Sony to take the mantle of “gamer friendliness” that they have worked so hard to earn with.
2. The next Xbox will have multiple SKUs. Microsoft does not seem keen to fully abandon brick-and-mortar retail spaces just yet, but the Scarlett will likely follow the company’s previous initiatives to create a fully digital gaming ecosystem. Microsoft’s hints toward a streaming and digital platform have not been exactly subtle. The release of the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition as well as their increasing emphasis on Xbox Game Pass and xCloud game streaming all point to a future where Microsoft’s digital storefront and streaming services stand front and center of their service model. With this in mind, we will more than likely see the reveal of a disc-based Scarlett as well as a disc less, all-digital, cheaper sister model unveiled simultaneously.
3. The next Xbox may release sooner than expected. Microsoft has a lot to prove in the next generation. After losing tremendous market share within the lifespans of the Xbox 360 and the Xbox One, the Xbox brand has to make some big bold moves if it wants to recover from its losses this generation. One way to make strides in the next generation would be to follow in the footsteps of the Xbox 360’s success and release substantially ahead of their competitors. Given that the next PlayStation will likely not release until late into 2020, Microsoft may try to seize the gap and push the Scarlett to market in the Spring (or, radically, holiday this year). With both Sony and Microsoft showing no aversion to selling iterative versions of their systems, Microsoft could conceptually release Scarlett early and, within two years, bring a more powerful version of the console to market against the next PlayStation. Being the sole next generation platform would give Microsoft ownership of the space and ensure they would be headlining nearly every big third-party game. This amount of buzz would be just what the company needs to begin turning the tides and ensure they remain competitive against Sony in the years to come.

Xbox Game Studios 14 Titles

Microsoft has promised an extended showcase of 14 first-party titles at this year’s conference. That’s quite a meaty promise, and there has been much speculation on what the company plans to show to fulfill this promise. SQD throws its hat in the ring with our own set of predictions.

• Halo Infinite – This title from 343 Industries is practically a given. First unveiled at last year’s E3, this year’s show should provide us with our first glimpse of gameplay. How well will Halo translate into an open world and what does this imply for the structure of the game (quests, levelling, builds)? How much will Azure and xCloud factor into the experience? We’ll surely find out June 9th!

• Gears 5– Another no-brainer. The Coalition will reveal the latest info on Microsoft’s flagpole series, and, by every expectation, they should present a nice, bombastic slice of gameplay to sell the shooter. Expect big set pieces, large hordes of enemies, and a look into co-op’s integration into the experience.

• Sea of Thieves– Rare and Microsoft have been committed to evolving this swashbuckling title with new modes and story quests. Considering the attention the title has gotten on Twitch, expect Microsoft to invest at least one more big content push for the game. Perhaps a popular tie-in is in the works?

• Crackdown 3– Almost every AAA title is developed with some form of download content in mind, so it stands to reason Microsoft has something in store for the beleaguered exclusive. While it may not have achieved critical or commercial notoriety, Microsoft could lean on a wacky single-player expansion to breathe some life into poor Crackdown.

• Mojang title– If you spent 2.5 billion dollars on a company, you would probably expect to see some frequent dividends from your purchase. With the arrival of Scarlett and the xCloud service, it’s nearly a sure thing that Microsoft will leverage the company in the form of some exclusive content for their new platforms. Will it be Minecraft 2? A Minecraft spin-off? Or perhaps a new IP is in the pipes?

• Ori and the Will of the Wisps– Microsoft’s Moon Studio’s latest project will surely have a presence during their conference. The question lies in what capacity will the anticipated sequel be featured. Will it be presented singularly, relegated to montage, or, perhaps, showcased as the latest project to be ported to Switch?

• Forza– With Playground Games critical gem Forza Horizon 4 recently released, the weight now falls on Turn 10 Studios to push the Forza brand into the future. If we have an official Scarlett reveal, put your money on Microsoft showcasing the new tech with a very pretty Forza demonstration. The question is whether the new Forza will a be truly next generation push or one of the inevitable cross-generation titles to bridge the gap.

• Battletoads– The time has come for the official return of Battletoads. No more shirts and logos; this year’s E3 will finally showcase gameplay from the anticipated revival. Hopefully Rare and Dlala Studios won’t disappoint with their “4K 2.5D” “genre mashup” (as per last year’s E3 trailer).

• Fable Revival– It has long been circulating in the rumor mill that Playground Games (of Forza Horizon fame) has taken on the task of developing a new installment in Microsoft’s celebrated RPG franchise. With Lionhead Studios going the way of the dodo, few would have expected a new Fable game, let alone from a study known for its racing pedigree (albeit in an open world). Yet, Playground Games stands poised to surprise, especially if the game can coincide with Scarlett’s launch.

• Phantom Dust– This one may be a longshot, but Microsoft has promised that the previously cancelled and now long-dormant Phantom Dust project will see the light of day. Microsoft has stated they were looking for the right developer to pick up the reboot. Phil Spencer spent a week in Korea and Japan this past March speaking to “developers and publishers” about their E3 showcase. Could Phil be in communication with a studio that’s picked up the franchise?

• Ninja Theory project– At last year’s E3, Microsoft sent ripples through the industry when they announced a series of studio acquisitions. Of the 4 studios, one was industry darling Ninja Theory who recently released the thematically ambitious Hellbade: Senua’s Sacrifice. However, the team behind this game was quite small, equalling approximately 20 developers at any given time. With 100 employees publicly listed and only a few VR projects to their name after Hellblade, its safe to say the team has something else in development and that this project may have had a hand in Microsoft pulling the trigger on their purchase. Perhaps we’ll see what this project was and on what platforms it will fall. (Author’s Note: Since the writing of this article, it has been leaked that Ninja Theory’s PVP title Bleeding Edge will be revealed at E3)

• Halo: Master Chief Collection– Though perhaps not as exciting as a game announcement, there stands a good chance that Microsoft may further update its collection of the perennial flagship franchise. With Halo Infinite marking a new chapter in the Halo saga, could the addition of Halo 5 complete the Master Chief Collection?

• State of Decay DLC– Microsoft is a fan of the “shadow drop” (making content available the day of the announcement) and an expansion for the exclusive zombie-survival sim would fit the timeline. Perhaps a new map or game mode will breathe new life into the game’s community.

• The Initiative reveal- Along with a slew of acquisitions, last year Microsoft also announced the creation of a brand new studio called The Initiative. Though the studio is very young, it’s quite possible that Microsoft may have a tease of what to expect from the Santa Monica game makers. Expect a CG trailer at most, though, but also bet on it being for the Scarlett.

Third-Party Showcases

It wouldn’t be an E3 show without some new looks and surprises from third-party developers. Given that major publishers are focusing more and more on their own E3 presentations, the amount of third-party content at Microsoft’s conference could vary wildly, but we would not be surprised to see the following in attendance supporting Xbox.

• Cyberpunk 2077– The white-hot RPG from CD Projekt Red will show up in a big way at Microsoft’s conference. Cyberpunk has already confirmed their presence at E3, and Microsoft’s conference will serve as the biggest stage to showcase their work. Expect an extended gameplay sequence, perhaps showcasing some city traversal and more dialogue/social interaction. Will we even get a glimpse of the spectacle that would be the next-gen version?

• From Software’s new project– The internet recently caught fire with the rumors that From Software’s next project is not only a new open-world title but a collaboration with famed author George R. R. Martin. However, a number of breadcrumbs may hint at the project showing up at Microsoft’s E3 conference. First, From Software unveiled new latest game Sekiro: Shadow’s Die Twice last year on Microsoft’s stage, so there is already a working relationship there. Second, Phil Spencer tweeted he was in Japan 3 months ago “getting input on future plans,” more than likely referring to Scarlett. It’s merely supposition, but Phil could have been meeting with From Software to cement plans to unveil their new next-gen project. Don’t expect exclusivity, but having this new game there will definitely make waves.

• Playdead’s next game– Playdead Games has a short but stellar track record. Having worked with Microsoft to release their first acclaimed game Limbo on Xbox 360 during the Summer of Arcade, Playdead would go on to reveal their next gem Inside at Microsoft’s 2014 E3 Conference. There has been radio silence from the studio for 3 years, but it may finally be time to pull back the curtain on their next project. They have hinted that their next game will make the jump to three dimensions, and, given their close ties to Microsoft, we very well could see this new venture on stage next week.

That’s quite a lot of content, but Microsoft (more than anyone) has a lot to prove this year in Los Angeles. Will they take bold moves and stake claim on the next generation? Check back next for our predictions post-mortem as well as more reactions from E3!