Leading up to E3 the focus was heavily on Microsoft delivering games, lots of games. Luckily for Xbox fans, they did just that, with some 50 titles old and new on show. We got the usual updates to core franchises, Halo, Gears and Horizon, as well as some premiered footage of multi-platform titles Cyberpunk 2077, Metro Exodus and a brand new Devil May Cry.
Elsewhere, we got a clear indication Microsoft are pushing towards a subscription-based model. Game Pass, their browsable catalogue of downloadable titles, took centre stage, with news Forza Horizon 4 and Crackdown 3 will both launch on the pay-monthly service. Phil Spencer also confirmed work is underway on a streaming solution, making a Netflix-style future seem inevitable.
All in all it was a great turnaround from Microsoft, definitely their best showing of this generation, but when you strip away the 3rd party games and focus on what was actually exclusive, you’re left with a handful of titles, the majority of which are also headed to PC. Scratch beneath the surface then, and it’s clear Microsoft are still struggling for exciting new IP.
So what are they doing about it? Buying game studios is what. Four to be precise. Forza Horizon developer Playground Games seems like a no brainer, but when you throw in Ninja Theory, Undead Labs and Compulsion Games, it’s clear Microsoft are putting massive effort into revitalising the Xbox brand and winning back their fanbase.
We have to be realistic about this and realise games from these new studios are likely years away. Probably next-generation away. So Microsoft are definitely building for the future. With persistent rumours of them selling off the Xbox brand, this is a clear statement they’re in this for the long haul. It’s real shot in the arm for Xbox fans, and great news for gaming in general.
List of games with media:
Battlefield V – Trailer
Battletoads – Trailer
Captain Spirit – Trailer
Crackdown 3* – Trailer
Cuphead DLC* – Trailer
Cyberpunk 2077 – Trailer
Devil May Cry 5 – Trailer
Division 2 – Gameplay
Dying Light 2 – Trailer
Fallout 76 – Trailer
Forza Horizon 4* – Trailer
Gears of War 5* – Trailer – Cinematic
Gears POP* – Trailer
Halo Infinite* – Trailer
Hyper Universe – Trailer
Jump Force – Trailer
Just Cause 4 – Trailer
Kingdom Hearts – Trailer
Metro Exodus – Trailer
Nier Automata – Trailer
Ori and the Will of the Wisps* – Trailer
PUBG* – Trailer
Sea of Thieves DLC* – Trailer
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – Trailer
Session – Trailer
Shadow of the Tomb Raider – Trailer
Tales of Vesperia – Trailer
Tunic* – Trailer
We Happy Few – Trailer
* denotes exclusive title