How Microsoft Can "Steal" the Show at E3 2018

Thenerdstash:

Every conference this year has some type of expectation heading into the LA Convention Center this June except for Microsoft. We could be getting a first look at Halo 6. Maybe, like I said before, Scalebound miraculously returns from the grave. Or maybe they mess it all up by announcing yet another version of the Xbox One.

[DarkVoyager]

“How Microsoft Can Steal the Show at E3 2018“

We hear the same thing ever E3. I’m positive Sony will win E3 as usual.

[JaguarEvolved]

The only way is to record the whole show at e3 and actually steal the recording without asking permission to take it

[Skull521]

Now is the time for the Steam App, e3 would be a perfect time to showcase it

[morganfell]

Exactly. No thinking, reasoning individual would allow MS to steal anything with a press conference. The intelligent person would force Redmond to actually deliver on their promises.

But PT Barnum's favorite people, the MS enablers, will be on game sites before Phil is through and they will be proclaiming the second coming of gaming.

When are gamers going to stop being sheep and wake up. You are hurting all of us. It doesn't matter what a company promises or shows, especially in a damn press conference. What matters is that which they actually deliver. Wake up..

[mkis007]

skull...so now all ms games on Steam? that would bypass their store...

[thenerdstash]

Like I said in the piece, Sony is stacked for sure (Hopefully we get a gameplay trailer at E3 for Death Stranding). I just thought Microsoft is the wild card and has a chance to shock some people

[DarkVoyager]

“I just thought Microsoft is the wild card and has a chance to shock some people“

Haven’t they been the wild card since 2013?

I don’t care about 4K, timed exclusives, and backwards compatibility. They need to show new compelling games.

[firelogic]

They're doing an in-depth look at Death Stranding, Last of Us 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and Spider-man which means gameplay demos for sure. We've already seen Spidey in action but it'll be the first time we see the other 3. I think Sony wins E3 with those 3 first-looks by themselves.

[trooper_]

They had their chance last year and the years before that. You can't be a wild card and not do anything praiseworthy or impressive.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I really can't see how Microsoft would shock me at this point, they have almost nothing for me this late into the gen.

[thenerdstash]

100% can't agree more with you on 4K, timed exclusives, and backwards compatibility. They've been using that as a featured aspect of their conference for years. They have to walk in there Sunday with AAA quality games

[morganfell]

Actually they need to show up later with games that make it to store shelves. Otherwise its the same as usual. They will say and do anything - except be honest - in order to make a splash.

[Godmars290]

Thought Devolver Digital won the last one?

[Aceman18]

They can show me games that I'm actually interesting in instead of the usual gears, forza, halo. Crackdown, fable will not be enough for me.

Show me something amazing MS

[super_bruno]

Simple, they can't.

[mandingo]

I'd say nintendo won

[mkis007]

Lets see, this wouldn't steal it, but what if Kingdom hearts was fully released on xb1.

[Rimeskeem]

Ill likely just take a shot every time I hear "native 4K" cause that will be the key phrase I assume

[DarkVoyager]

That and “Xbox One Launch Exclusive” over and over and over...

[shinoff2183]

I always thought that was funny

Launch exclusive lol

[Chevalier]

Even better yet. Premier launch trailers!

[showtimefolks]

What does launch exclusive mean though

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

The words "launch exclusive" only became a thing this gen.

[thenerdstash]

"Backwards Compatibility" is up there too

[Gaming_Cousin]

Introducing, just for E3 THIRTY MORE BACKWARDS COMPAIBILITY TITLES FOR YOUR XBOX ONE! These amazing games will be at your disposal RIGHT! NOW!!

[Lighter9]

Let's not forget "World Premiere."

[RpgSama]

The World Premiere exclusives are the best! Hahahaha.

[Silly Mammo]

Yeah I hope Sony announces more of those. /s

[KickSpinFilter]

You must have alcohol poisoning then if your doing the same thing on here!

[dumahim]

RIP Rimeskeem

[trooper_]

-tosses a rose-

rip Rimeskeem.

[Tazzy]

Native 4k but with older games for the original Xbox and Xbox 360 Microsoft is going to end up being the next SEGA.

[rainslacker]

I hope they come up with some new term. Ms is good at coining new things.

Something like, "really true natural 4k multisourcing interleave technology". Which will of course be better than 4k, even though it's what devs are already doing.

[ApocalypseShadow]

How does one come back from being totally dominated in hardware sales,software sales, market share, mindshare,award-winning-highly -rated games and an add on platform like vr by the competition? You don't. So, how does one steal the show?

Their current franchises haven't made a dent. Uncancelling scalebound won't even raise Sony's eyebrow. Adding MR to Xbox one x would be nice. But again, too late to matter. Play anywhere only gives reason not to buy or play on the main hardware. And, how many gamers really think developers want to give away a free pc version? Lol! Not likely without a fat check. And game pass? Just kills the trade in value of 1st party games in my opinion in favor of service fees to MS. Still trying to kill used games.

All MS can do is just slow the bleeding. The damage is done. Their strategy to screw gamers at launch destroyed most of their reputation. Their lack of investment in 1st party can't be spun. There's no comeback. They **HAD** to 180 or risk leaving the console industry. Not wanting to try to make a BR game is the same lack of risk taking MS is known for.

Even if they throw money around and announce they bought up companies to develop games,the fruit still won't bare until next Gen at the earliest. They are beaten this Gen. Going head to head against Sony at launch showed they have no clue how to beat a multi time market leader. No show stealing will happen. Too many self inflicted wounds.

[thenerdstash]

Scalebound is mainly used here as an example for new IPs for the company. I, like many Xbox players, love Gears and Halo but there is only so many times I can spend $60 on those franchises.

Totally disagree with you on the "Not Wanting to try to make a BR game is the same lack of risk taking MS is known for". Even though the genre is thriving now, the whole thing can implode at any second due to copycat games, law-suits, lack of "innovation" in the genre, etc. Look at the fan uproar on CoD and Radical Heights.

Microsoft shouldn't just develop one just because everyone else is. Totally agree with your point that their current first-party franchises haven't come close to the other platforms though.

[Godmars290]

Given that we're only talking about E3, realistically, all they have to do is make a major announcement with concept trailers and footage. That's how they took one E3 with Kinect, and again when introducing cloud distribution. They don't actually have to deliver anything, just generate hype.

What do or could they do the genuinely to turn things around? Announce a AAA title, show live footage on stage, announcing availability that day. Announce other titles with specific release dates.

Less seriously, announce they're dropping physical consoles and going 3rd party, walking out on Sony's stage to show off Halo and Gears on the PS4.

[rainslacker]

I dunno. I think a lot of people are beyond being patient with me. Spencer had already indicated it'll take time, and that only settled well with the x box devout.

However, given the current climate, I wouldn't be surprised if they backpeddle on announcing games close to release.

[morganfell]

This what I was stating above. They do not have to deliver, just show something flashy and their acolytes will.do the rest.

And Rain, they will backpeddle discreetly. They'll announce games with dates they already know they can't hit but they will do so to make a splash at E3. The unthinking supporters will be running up and down every forum telling gamers how MS kept all these super secret projects with mystery Dev teams under wraps.

Then later with no trade show around things are quietly delayed while Phil tells everyone he was just there with the team and had a blast playing the latest build. And again the xboxers will fawn and cheer.

[shinoff2183]

That's how they got even close to sony last gen was by releasing way before them. PS3 at 600 surely didn't help

[KickSpinFilter]

Plus RROD also added to the numbers.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

The ps3 made quite a few mistakes, pricing, the cell processor... It really gave the edge to Microsoft that gen.

[MuddyWaters]

This is about this years E3, not your PTSD. They still hold your interest otherwise you would not be talking about them so much.

All they need to do is announce some major titles and hope Sony is just going to show already announced games and have Nintendo not have any big surprises. That's it, not too complicated. Sony never stole the show last year and neither did Microsoft, so it's entirely possible Microsoft can if you can see the shows with an open mind.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Everyone did terriblely last E3, I'd still be shocked if Microsoft did anything worthwhile this E3, we can already make a good guess about Sony and to a lesser extent Nintendo.

[Tazzy]

Nintendo did it but they have exclusives to help them out Microsoft they have the exclusives but they're not great exclusives Nintendo and Sony have the exclusive power.

[rainslacker]

Ms isn't trying to win this gen anymore. They're trying to save face long enough until they can announce their next console and distract people from their software line up like they did with the x1x.

They'll have a couple big games for the launch, and possibly adopt a cross gen paradigm built into the mid gen model, making it like they still.care about the x1. But ms being who they are will likely drop the older hardware after a year.

If be surprised if they even have any more big aaa games other than forza this gen, given that they said all their 1st party games will be on game pass.

[MuddyWaters]

"If be surprised if they even have any more big aaa games other than forza this gen, given that they said all their 1st party games will be on game pass."

The next Halo is coming this generation and there will be more AAA games as well. I understand it's the cool thing to do and crap all over anything they do or say but to suggest they only have smaller games in the pipe like State of Decay 2 until the next Xbox is ridiculous. What kind of community do we have here that actually believes this nonsense? There won't be another Xbox for likely at least 2 more years and to Microsoft the typical generation as we know it is changing, so it's not like they need to hold games back for 2 or 3 years so they can save it for Xbox Two or whatever terrible name they give it.

[Z501]

Crazy when you think about it.
They tried to screw gamers at launch. Barely any 1st party aaa exclusives. Currently.
Why would/should anyone support a company who does that?

[ArchangelMike]

Even if. Even if Ms somehow work a miracle and win E3, they've still lost this gen. They need to start building 1st party studios, like - yesterday. Even if they announce new 1st party studios, the games won't be ready until next gen. But here's the thing, MS are going full blown GAAS. That's what you'll see at E3, and it won't win them anything.

[thenerdstash]

If the service included better first party IP's would it be worth it in your opinion? Just curious. I have Game Pass and personally, think it's been worth the price so far

[ArchangelMike]

Well that's great for you, enjoy your games. I have no issues if you think you're getting value for money. The issue here is if Ms can "steal the show at E3". I'm curious to know if you think then they can, and especially if you think GAAS will win them E3 - even if they throw in single player games into the mix

[KickSpinFilter]

"Xbox fans can easily play this game for $10 on Xbox GamePass or buy it for $30 it's no fuss or big deal"
Quote from DA-ROOSTER (a very "hardcore" XB1 fanboy)

Exactly what MS wanted from Xbox gamers "no fuss or big deal It's only $30 or $10!"

It's exactly what I fear about Game Pass just lowers gamers expectations about the games they are getting, and will this spread across whole industry. As a gamer it seems like a really great deal. As for what it does to the industry? Could be terrible.

[thenerdstash]

I was just curious on your thoughts man. No worries. Yeah, I think that it is possible but if they start talking about "Native 4K", new consoles, or the Kinect 3.0 then they have no shot to walk out of E3 looking good.

Sony is stacked without any surprises in their conference (and there will be a few for sure). Ubisoft has Beyond Good & Evil 2 and AC: Odyssey. Nintendo has Smash Bros. which will always be a win. EA has Battlefield V and Anthem. We have no idea what Square Enix is going to be doing there but Tomb Raider is a lock to be featured.

Microsoft has little to no confirmations heading into E3. I think the game pass service can definitely be accepted by gamers if they had more high-quality titles available for it.

[ArchangelMike]

The problem I have is that I really don't think GAAS is consumer friendly in the long run. I could be wrong, but already the lack of AAA exclusives and the lack of single player games generally, seem to be the fruit of GAAs. That will only get worse whereby the only type of games that really work for GAAS are multiplayer, microtransaction and DLC heavy games. That's why MS are pushing this fake narrative that downplays singleplayer games - even though Sony and Nintendo are demonstrating the success of single player games. They want the gamer to believe that GAAS is a good thing, when in reality it's a way to lock the gamer into a perpetual money sink without them even owning the content.

[thenerdstash]

You may be right that game pass may not be consumer friendly in the long run. It really depends on the content inside it. If we keep getting duds like Sea of Thieves then it'll definitely fail but if they can put out some new, quality IPs for game pass along with Halo 6, Gears 5, etc. they should be fine

Disagree about MS pushing a fake narrative that downplays single player though. In my opinion, MS is attempting to be more multiplayer heavy due to Sony and Nintendo's success with these single player games.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I don't really care for Square-Enix, they've been mostly a disappointment for me the last decade plus, at least I got World Of Final Fantasy.

[shinoff2183]

What's gaas?

[ArchangelMike]

Games as a Service, i.e. your online only multiplayer games that offer you paid content updates over a period of time. Microsoft want to be the Netflix of gaming, but I'm not convinced that the way gamers consume games is the same way as people consume movies.

[Jinger]

@archangel

What about all these super successful MP games that people buy battle passes, seasons, DLC, MT packs etc etc.

Just take a look at the majority of the most popular games right now. Hell, look at the PC market with paid subscriptions to MMO's. Gamers will absolutely accept GaaS if the game is compelling and fun and there is enough content released to make it worth buying the new packs and content.

[dumahim]

@Jinger
"What about all these super successful MP games that people buy battle passes, seasons, DLC, MT packs etc etc."

That's all well and good, and there's certainly money to be made there, but there's a limit to how many of these kinds of games can be supported. A few will thrive and many are going to crash and burn hard. MS seems to want to go all in on this, even to the point of excluding the traditional game model that has worked for decades and seems to be working well for Sony and Nintendo.

[shinoff2183]

I got down voted fir asking a question?
Thanks arch for answering

[Jinger]

"The problem I have is that I really don't think GAAS is consumer friendly in the long run. I could be wrong, but already the lack of AAA exclusives and the lack of single player games generally, seem to be the fruit of GAAs. That will only get worse whereby the only type of games that really work for GAAS are multiplayer."

You know that all MS games will be on GamePass as well, right? I wouldn't really call SoD2, Ori 2, Halo, Gears, Forza, Crackdown 3 GaaS titles. Just because they have a MP mode, doesn't mean that it is GaaS. All those games I listed have SP modes.

[Godmars290]

Kind of funny how so much is repeatedly put on E3 when it really has little to no substance. A new game shown could take years, a decade, to come out or be canceled as soon or even before everything is over.

[Z501]

Agreed.
If people don't think that statement is true. Let me point you towards MILO & Cirque Du Soleil

[Spurg]

The writer says he is fed up seeing games like halo 5, gears of wars 4 and others but then proceeds to say they should announce games like halo 6 and gears of war 5 at this E3.

I don't know who's writing these but please be a bit more creative.

[thenerdstash]

I'm not the only one who plays Xbox and even though I'm getting a bit tired of Halo and Gears (not to the point to being fed up yet though), there are still a lot of people who play and enjoy those franchises.

Yes, I would prefer MS just announce new IPs but they need to just announce games period at E3.

[trooper_]

They need new franchises in conjunction with those two.

Relying on the same three franchises with nothing new and refreshing means the death of a console.

[tontontam0]

"Microsoft exclusive games now coming to playstation."

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Most of them are on pc anyway, so why not.

[criticalkare]

More world premiere announcement

[Zool 08]

The only way this is going to happen is if Sony cancels their conference or all the Sony exclusives are coming to XBone, and the chances of either of those happening are slim and none. I'll rephrase none.

[RosweeSon]

Buy Sega and it’s not happening so..

[ninsigma]

For me:
A couple new killer looking AAA "exclusives"
A few really imaginitve indie "exclusives"
Gears 5
Halo MCC on PC
Proper fable sequal/reboot

[Lighter9]

They only way that they can steal the show is if no one else shows up.

[Gamist2dot0]

Announcing a price drop for X to $399.

[CrimsonWing69]

I mean if they announce a hell of a lot of exclusives that are coming out like this year and next... maybe? Doubtful, though. I'd suspect that any new AAA games from here on out will be for their next platform.

[JeffGUNZ]

For me, I am not just about exclusives or bust. I own a PS4 and an Xbox One X and I game mostly on my Xbox as all my friends are playing there and I just love Live. To me, I like games in general and not just exclusives. My favorite game since 1.8 is the Division and that is multiplat. I do play exclusives on their respected platforms, but I never understood why people think exclusives are the only thing that matters, especially this part in a generation when all platforms have console variants that are low priced. I love my Xbox One X and I love my PS4, so maybe I just see it differently. With that said, MS needs to invest in more first party exclusives. Xbox 360 was a FPS drive console, games like Halo, exclusive deals with COD, is what made a lot of FPS fans come to Xbox. They need to deliver more blockbuster franchises if they want to grow the brand.

[Rippcity]

Most people are like you when it comes to exclusives and console loyalty. N4G is notorious for being biased towards Sony so you have to factor that in when looking at comments here. The majority of people making decisions on which console to buy are usually basing that decision on where their friends are playing. I'll buy some games on Xbox because I know my brother will be there. Some I go PS4 because I have a few friends that play there. Thankfully most of my friends all own and primarily game on PCs so most of the time that's what I end up buying. But again, all totally relatively to who I wanna play with. In total agreement that MS needs more exclusives/franchises but I'm sure they are doing just fine with the sales the multiplats are getting them. The only thing we can do is hope that MS hears the feedback and will start investing in their own first party studios.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Bias towards Sony? Need I remind you of last gen.

[Z501]

"N4G is notorious for being biased toward Sony"
I'll put it nicely. You joined in 2016. N4G existed BEFORE 2016.

NOT calling you a child. But this is one of those instances where the child doesn't realize his/her parents were once teenager's too. Yes, there was a world before you.

Long live the glorious days of the open zone.

[Rippcity]

Sure I'm not gonna pretend like I've been here since the beginning. My comment was more referring to the current state of the site and as it stands, yes the majority of comments you see in these forums are pro Sony/PS4. I was more just trying to clear up his confusion because he said "I never understood why people think exclusives are the only thing that matters" which, if you're only looking at N4G, people do think. Point being is that no, exclusives are not the only thing that matters.

[Z501]

"people think exclusives are the only thing that matters"

proof/source where someone said or wrote 'exclusives are the only thing that matters' Otherwise, you literally made that up.

People say exclusives are a primary reason to choose one console over another. I've never seen anyone say it's the "only" reason. (been here since 07')

[JeffGUNZ]

You need a source? https://www.n4g.com

There is your source. Read the comments just in this thread. The connotation that exclusives is everything is so apparent just in these comments alone. You ever hear the expression "reading between the lines"? Yeah, that applies here. I also never said EVERY person, just people (mainly on sites like these) portray exclusives as the end all to everything. If you can't see that, specifically just in these comments alone, then you might need some reading comprehension skills.

[Z501]

Yep, no proof.

"people think"
To YOU. "People" could mean 2.

[Heavenly King]

I think it is easy to say that they will show Crackdown in the most bombastic possible way. But aside of that I dont know what else they can show to "steal E3"

[syphon32]

Steal the show..., forget steal the show... how about this as a title " How can MIcrosoft reclaim their relevance at E3 2018"....

[Pancit_Canton]

By buying out Sony's PlayStation gaming division. Of course, there's a probability 99.9% chance of Sony telling Microsoft to "**** off"

[SovereignSnaKe]

I really don't care about exclusivity, I mean I've been in the Xbox camp since 2007 and I've never touched a Halo game and I played 20 minutes of a free copy of Gears of War and thought it was awful. Believe it or not there's a whole separate faction of Xbox gamers who don't care about those tired franchises, despite poorly thoughout articles telling you otherwise. How about something entirely new and heavily story driven akin to the first time everyone saw BioShock, Metal Gear, Mass Effect, Resident Evil, ect.

[Skankinruby]

If that's what you want you're in the wrong 'camp' then, just sayin

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Satya comes on stage and fires everyone

[Tankbusta40]

Keep Phil Spencer off the stage... Hey I can dream right? He always makes himself the center of E3 and the games should be the focal point.

[ScootaKuH]

No they won't steal the show, but they'll probably buy it

[battlegrog]

Game streaming service

[Father__Merrin]

Even if Microsoft have a good showing it's still a loose loose for Xbox owners. All previous years releases have been poor.

[AgeInTheCage]

Love how they show a console that maybe 2% of their fanbase owns as the thumbnail, also love how the xboxone s players conveniently forget that their version of multiplat games always looks the worst out of the 4 consoles.

[welly300]

Yeah tell us your selling xbox division to Sega....

[JokerBoy422]

Good read and very good points

[sprinterboy]

Can't see MS beating gameplay footage of tlou pt2, spiderman, got and death stranding but hey they can try I guess

[corroios]

It wont be with a Gears Battle royale game, that's for sure.

[FallenAngel1984]

Five years into Xbox One’s lifecycle and people are seriously still unironically saying “wait till E3?”

[madpuppy]

The problem with MS is that they are stubborn, They could be quite competitive if they just did the one thing that just about completely Guarantees success, A couple of first and second party studios creating quality original exclusive content. Instead, they keep "playing games" and second guessing the gaming community.

[RadicalCannibal]

Phil Spencer farting on stage will win E3 for me

[LordJamar]

All these haters but you people will be the one watching Microsoft with a sniper rifle even tho more then half of you hate xbox and dont even own one and dont plan to. Its odd tbh

[PiNkFaIrYbOi]

Give up try again next gen.

[milohighclub]

By announcing the closure of their gaming division.

[chiefJohn117]

Balls in MS court, they just have to execute and make the shot.

[MrSec84]

How is the ball in their court?

[chiefJohn117]

Cause Sony already revealed their hand and MS is in a "buzzer beater" position with all eyes watching.

[MrSec84]

Even though Sony have already confirmed they have more to show, to the point where they had to spread 4 major announcements across as many days before E3 even begins.
Yeah Sony haven't revealed their hand, there's also Nintendo, who will be pushing to get games announced to cover them to support their sales targets for Switch.

Neither Sony or Nintendo are going to let up on the announcements and neither have shown their hands, both have a tonne of resources that Microsoft doesn't.

[chiefJohn117]

Whatever you say

[mandingo]

They can't sadly

[MrSec84]

I think the only way that happens is if they announced a new Banjo, Perfect Dark, Fable, Conker, Crimson game, new IPs from 343, The Coalition and Turn 10, all with great looking concepts and real gameplay and with all being fully fledged AAA exclusives for XBox One.
With all coming out over the next 18 months.
Along with revealing great new entries to their core franchises like Halo, Gears and Forza Horizon.

You may get the odd thing, but those games will no doubt be on every XBox platform going forward and it assumes that neither Sony, Nintendo or big 3rd parties won't push hard with their announcements.

Microsoft would basically have to become a different, games focused company, who hired a tonne development talent a minimum of 3 years ago to provide the resources to make those games.
They'd also need to follow through on getting those games out in a quality and polished state for release and they'd need to have enough resources to prepare for next gen.

It's basically not going to happen.

[DivineAssault]

They arent stealing anything until they ditch this "monetize all" mentality..

[Smokehouse]

“All of these games shown today will be available for purchase today and will be on game pass next month.”

Just an unreasonable assault of first party and 3rd party titles. Clashing and competeing with themselves in a show of corporate cannibalism the likes we have never seen. I would give it to Microsoft...

[nRicosS]

Become "thief"

[2ndhandcorn]

The only show i watch at E3 .