On the Way From Microsoft at E3 2016
Trailing to Sony’s PlayStation 4, Microsoft has invested heavily into exclusives for the Xbox One, surpassing Sony who last generation seemed to release an exclusive every month. Where the Windows creator has faltered though is in their approach towards gamers, as a disastrous reveal of the Xbox One gave their competition the opportunity to run away with the lead. But Microsoft are still defiant after last holiday’s ‘greatest games line-up in Xbox history’ campaign was mostly successful and acted as a statement of intent. With E3 coming up, Microsoft again seem to have a strong line-up for the Xbox One this fall, and rumors of upgraded hardware and a push towards bridging the gap between PC gaming could spell the emergence of a new Microsoft. Here we go, this is what we can expect from Microsoft at E3 2016.
Starting with what we already know, Xbox’s marquee title this fall with an October release date is Gears of War 4. After a recent beta, we can expect more single-player footage from the game alongside further details concerning its multiplayer portion. This will probably be where Microsoft’s aggressive ad campaign begins as developers The Coalition strive to surpass the successes of Gears past.
The second most important tile, depending on how you look at it, is Halo Wars 2 being developed by Creative Assembly who just shipped Total War: Warhammer. With reports of relatively soft sales for Halo 5: Guardians, relative to its 10+ million unit selling predecessors, Microsoft will be sure to put everything they can into Halo Wars 2. They’ll certainly be hoping for strong sales on PC with the games RTS nature more suited to be played on the company’s Windows platform. 343 Industries Studio Head, Bonnie Ross mentioned after the Master Chief Collection debacle that all future Halo titles would have betas. Now while she probably meant the mainline FPS’, Microsoft could announce a multiplayer beta for the game that looks set to drop in November with Gears 4 filling the October slot.
That still leaves us with that September slot, which will almost certainly go to Forza Horizon 3. Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games have alternated between the mainline Motorsport and off-shoot Horizon games for four years and with Forza Horizon 2 being announced at E3 2014 only to come out three months later, the tried and true formula will probably continue in 2016.
Lower down the rung, Crackdown 3 should be getting a release date and was recently reported to have some type of multiplayer portion available this summer. It would be more than surprising to not see any footage of that one at the big show. Rare’s Sea of Thieves may be unlikely to release in the calendar year, but again, this is another title we’d expect to see some footage from.
On the Japanese side of the Xbox lineup, there probably won’t be any mention of PlatinumGames’ Scalebound that was delayed into 2017, yet Mega Man director Keiji Inafune’s ReCore will almost definitely get some screen time if not a release date (likely in 2017) and gameplay reveal.
So with three massive games likely to be on the fall schedule, is that enough for the Xbox One? Alongside some smaller titles like Cabybara’s Below, Limbo successor Inside from Playdead Games, and the darling of E3 2015, Cuphead from Studio MDHR that would make for one hell of a holiday. If Microsoft already plans to release Forza Horizon 3 this year, and can add one more title to their lineup for holiday 2016, they will be well on their way to cutting PlayStation 4’s lead. What we don’t know isn’t much of a list, as Fable: Legends has been cancelled and the hope of Fable 4 dashed away by the closure of Lionhead Studios.
Just like with Sony, rumors have been circling regarding new Xbox One hardware, alongside a recent report of a slim version of the console planned to be released this fall and a PS4K-like upgrade (Xbox Scorpio) sometime in 2017. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft even mention next year’s reported Xbox Scorpio, or if the announcement of a slim model is enough to drive sales while keeping their mouths shut for now on the console’s future in 2017. The company could also announce a more friendly and involved partnership with Oculus Rift if they do indeed touch on Scorpio, as Sony’s VR movement might leave their competitors even farther behind.
I personally take hope from Microsoft’s partnership with Creative Assembly, owned by SEGA, in that it could pave the way for the Japanese publisher and Microsoft to partner again for the return of a long forgotten original Xbox exclusive. Here’s to Jet Set Radio Future 2!