The Microsoft presentation included first looks at a wide range of titles and more details on the latest member of the Xbox family of consoles.
Microsoft has hosted their annual E3 press conference in Los Angeles. In front of a live audience at the gaming expo, the company had a host of announcements – over 40 in total according to the head of Xbox, Phil Spencer.
X Marks the Spot
The closing announcement from 2016 was the opening topic for 2017. The updated Xbox One, previously referred to as “Project Scorpio” was officially unveiled as Xbox One X.
Launching worldwide on November 7, the Xbox One X is described as the most technically advanced console Microsoft has ever made. Along with the confirmation of some of the technical specifications came details of the pricing for the new console. The pricing has been confirmed as $499 in America and £449 in the UK.
Xbox’s Head of Software Engineering, Kareem Choudhry, took to the stage to discuss some of the things that players can look forward to – such a native 4K visual and audio capability, full compatibility with all Xbox One games and accessories and also how the technology used to create the Xbox One X can be used to help gamers and developers get the best overall experience.
Xbox One X will launch worldwide on November 7 2017. Watch the premiere trailer below
Forza Motorsport 7
With a little help from Porsche, Microsoft unveiled the first look at Forza Motorsport 7. The latest title in the series will feature the biggest lineup of cars ever gathered for a Forza title, with over 700 to be included in game. These include – according to Creative Director Dan Greenawalt – “the largest collection of Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Porsches ever assembled”. In addition, more than 30 environments will be playable each with their own dynamic weather systems.
To showcase the game, Greenawalt was joined on stage by pro driver and Porsche driving coach Shannon McIntosh and pro racer and stunt driver Verena Mei for two gameplay demos. For the demonstration, McIntosh drove the new Porsche 911 GT2RS – which was also officially revealed on stage – around a track in Dubai, while Mei drove the Nissan GTR around one of the most demanding racetracks in the world – the Nürburgring in Germany.
Forza Motorsport 7 will be available on Xbox One and PC from October 3. Watch the premiere trailer below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dokpy_KIuyA
The Beginning of the Brotherhood
Fans got their first official look at the next chapter in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. In Assassin’s Creed: Origins, players take on the role of Bayek. Described as the “last of the Medjay”, Bayek is a soldier in Ancient Egypt who is on a mission to protect his people from outside forces who are looking to take control.
Along with a teaser trailer, fans got a first look at the gameplay as Bayek returned to his hometown of Siwa. Looking to rid the town of the imposter, Medunamum, the demo showcased both the stealth and open combat, along with some of the weapons at Bayek’s disposal. Also shown is how Bayek’s symbiotic relationship with his eagle familiar can also be utilised as a tool for scouting various locations and rooting out targets.
Assassin’s Creed Origins is scheduled to be released on October 27. Watch the reveal trailer below
Looking Ahead
During the presentation, a large number of trailers were shown to display some of the upcoming titles that players can expect over the next few months:
- Metro Exodus – the latest instalment in the Metro franchise debuted an atmospheric trailer and teased a 2018 release.
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds – the hugely successful battle royale PC title will be coming to consoles later in the year, with Xbox One X exclusivity at launch.
- Deep Rock Galactic – this co-op first person shooter see players work together as a team of dwarfs exploring a vast, procedurally generated cave system.
- State of Decay 2 – fans got a fresh look at this zombie apocalypse survival-horror sequel, which will launch in Spring 2018.
- The Darwin Project – this action packed competitive shooter was unveiled with a little help from Shoutcaster Jethro Tull.
- Dragon Ball FighterZ – this 2D fighter will have players battling it out in up to 3v3 combat
- Black Desert – this PC MMORPG will be coming to a launch exclusive for Xbox One in early 2018
- The Last Night – this cyberpunk adventure will be another Xbox launch exclusive
- The Artful Escape – help Francis Vendetti break free in the latest title from Annapurna Interactive.
- Code Vein – the dystopian, vampire-centric RPG will be launching on Xbox in 2018
- Tacoma – the space station based title from Fullbright will be coming to Xbox One and PC on August 2.
- Super Lucky’s Tale – the action platformer, originally released for Oculus Rift, will be released on Xbox One on November 7.
- Cuphead – the vintage cartoon themed shmup and platformer finally has a confirmed release date of September 29.
- Crackdown 3 – a new 4K trailer confirmed the game will be heading to Xbox One and PC on November 7.
- Ashen – After an initial reveal in 2015, this RPG will be released on Xbox One and Windows 10.
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps – Ori’s much anticipated next adventure was unveiled alongside a live performance from composer Gareth Coker.
- Life Is Strange: Before The Storm – discover more about Chloe’s earlier years in this three-episode prequel coming later in the year.
Along with these titles, fans also got a look at what will be coming up from ID@Xbox with a special sizzle reel during the presentation, featuring games from the whole range currently in development via the initiative.
Sea of Thieves
Rare’s seafaring adventure will be landing on consoles and PC in early 2018. This was the announcement made during the gameplay demo for Sea of Thieves.
Players got a more in-depth look at how the missions will work in the game as a team of four completed the Voyage of the Secret Shrine. Opening with the crew preparing the ship for their voyage, the demo took players onto the high seas through a shipwreck guarded by sharks and finally to the hidden shrine. With treasure in hand, the demo then showed how players would have to work together to successfully return home.
Sea of Thieves is scheduled to be available on Xbox One and PC in early 2018. Watch the gameplay demo below.
Middle Earth: Shadow of War
The battle for Middle Earth continues on, with fans getting a look at new gameplay from Shadow or War. Continuing the narrative established in Shadow of Mordor players will follow Talion once more as he seeks to stop the spread of evil across the world, with the spirit of the elf lord Celebrimbor with him always.
In the new demo, Monolith Productions Creative VP Michael de Plater explained how players will be able to build their forces any way they choose. The game will feature new areas of Middle Earth, new character classes, combat styles and also an upgraded Nemesis system for players to test their skills. The sequel will introduce the player to new orc societies as they travel through Mordor to ultimately face the forces of Sauron himself.
Middle Earth: Shadow of War is scheduled to be released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on October 10. Watch the gameplay demo below.
Forwards and Backwards
During the conference, Xbox’s Phil Spencer discussed how the Xbox One X will be able to bring players the best audio, visual and gameplay experience to date. For this to be possible, Spencer announced that several titles would be getting free 4K updates for the Xbox One X. These include over 30 first party titles like Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, Halo Wars 2 and Killer Instinct along with more than 30 third party titles such as Resident Evil 7, Rocket League, Final Fantasy XV and Ghost Recon: Wildlands.
Among the titles to receive a 4K update is Minecraft – which will also be launching updates during the rest of the year. In the summer, the Better Together update will bring players closer by allowing connectivity between Minecraft users on Xbox One, PC, mobile devices and Nintendo Switch. This means that players will be able to transfer content – from save game to purchases and world progress – between devices quickly and easily. The Super Duper Graphics Pack in the fall will also bring updated visuals, new skins, and maps to players alongside the 4K update.
While the future looks bright, so does the past. During the presentation, it was announced that the popular Backwards Compatibility program on Xbox One would be further expanded. First launched at E3 2015, the system allows for Xbox 360 games to be played on Xbox One and later this year, those titles will be joined by original Xbox titles – such as Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge. More details on the full library of titles will be announced closer to launch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq_Q77bJ3H0
A New Anthem
Closing the show was the full reveal of the new IP from BioWare – Anthem. First teased at the EA Presentation, players got a true first look at this new adventure. Introducing the extended gameplay demo, the game’s Senior Producer and Director, Jon Warner, described the new and complex world players will be inhabiting in the “shared-world action RPG.”
Now living inside a heavily walled city, the player will be a Freelancer who is tasked with doing whatever is required to protect humanity. Using customisable exosuits known as “Javelins”, players will be able to explore the world outside the walls. The demo showcased two types of “Javelins” – the Ranger and the Colossus – along with some of the locations and entities players will face in this new world. The demo also confirmed that players will be able to join together in multiplayer to help each other with missions.
Anthem is scheduled for a 2018 release on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. Watch the gameplay demo below.
For more information on all these announcements, watch the conference in full below.
Words by Megan Roxburgh