240°

Microsoft's E3: what to expect and what not to expect

OXM ticks off the possibilities for E3 2012, including secret EA games, Skyrim DLC, People Can Fly's latest and a mystery core game project from Microsoft Vancouver.

dirigiblebill4813d ago

Dead Space 3 please, and I'll have some of what People Can Fly's cooking.

redDevil874813d ago

why would you want that for the MS E3? EA could show it off themselves, don't you want something brand new?

BiggCMan4813d ago

Anybody expecting more than Kinect stuff for about 60% of the show, Halo 4 for the finale, and some more extras perhaps on Xbox Live, really doesn't know Microsoft. I would love to be proven wrong, but I just don't see it happening any other way period.

TheXgamerLive4813d ago

Mysterious vancover project.....Thief IV for consoles only. release holiday 2012.

Disccordia4812d ago

Uhh no, Thief is an Eidos Montreal game

TheXgamerLive4812d ago

I know, i'm just wishing out loud for some thief IV news and If I speak on it, it will happen, right? :) haha

4813d ago
Patriots_Pride4813d ago (Edited 4813d ago )

In a perfect world:

The announcement of the XBOX 720
5 AAA new exclusives 360 games
Xbox Live free
Killer Instincts Next Gen
Conkers F#$ed up Day
Xbox Portable
Halo 4 on PC 6 month after the 360 release.
MS buys Bioware from EA.

_Aarix_4813d ago (Edited 4813d ago )

In a perfect world:
Theres no diesease
No famine
No hate or racism
No body or animal is on the street

Thats a perfect world. Your idea of a perfect world is crappy.

If youre talking about gaming then:

No one gives a s*** what console you have.
People would enjoy games for what they are.

BitbyDeath4813d ago (Edited 4813d ago )

That perfect world would come with it's own issues like the world being out of resources due to it being so overpopulated.

Good and evil need to coincide for humans to exist.

Ontopic: Xbox3 announcement would be good.

Captain Qwark 94813d ago

maybe you should run ms lol toss in a true sequel to banjo or conker as well.

LOGICWINS4813d ago

"Xbox Live free"

I think bundling a one year XBL Gold subscription in every new 360 would make more sense. MS keeps getting their XBL revenue from existing XBL members and newcomers have a great incentive to buy a 360.

Making XBL free would do nothing but limit the 360's already limited exclusive lineup.

KMCROC544813d ago

Added a few items for my perfect world .

The announcement of the XBOX 720
MS buys Bioware from EA.
Killer Instincts Next Gen
5 AAA new exclusives 360 games
Conkers F#$ed up Day
MS buys Crytek
MS buys Epic
MS buys CD Projekt RED
Buys or negotate long term agreement for games exclusivety.

Disccordia4812d ago

Diablo 3 exclusive to 360
Agent & FFv13 switch to exclusive 360
GTA 5 announced exclusive to 360
Kingdom Hearts 3 exclusive to 360
MS buys Thatgamecompany
MS acquires Naughty Dog from Sony
/s

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4812d ago
Kingdom Come4813d ago (Edited 4813d ago )

Surely EA would keep Dead Space 3, Dragon Age 3 and Army of Two (3) for their own conference unless it utilised Kinect in some manner. Due to Ubisofts confirmation that all future games would incorporate Kinect mechanics I would expect either Splinter Cell 6 or Rainbow Six Patriots to be demonstrated.

Microsoft have been hugely disappointing over the past 2 years at E3, they open so brilliantly, with a handful of exclusive demonstrations and multiplatform demonstrations but frustratingly follow them with an agonisingly lengthy, Kinect focused footage. It's almost as though they've forgot whose watching the conference...

Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing Halo 4 footage and for (hopefully) a handful of announcements. This E3 will be a blast nonetheless, with so many games expected to he demonstrated:
- Halo 4
- Crysis 3
- God of War Ascension
- Splinter Cell 6
- Rainbow Six Patriots
- Assassins Creed III
- Bioshock Infinite
- Resident Evil 6
- Lost Planet 3
- Borderlands 2
- Far Cry 3
- Dead Space 3
- Last of Us
- And many, many more

And so many developers working on currently unannounced games. I can't wait.

Captain Qwark 94813d ago

pump the brakes dude, where the hell is dark souls sequel, dragon age 3 and the witcher 3???

Kingdom Come4813d ago

I only wanted to list practically announced titles man. Plus, after Dragon Age 2 my expectations for 3 are dwindling. As for Witcher 3, I doubt we'd get an announcement so soon to the release of the Enhanced Edition.

Captain Qwark 94813d ago

alright fair enough. agreed about da3 as well but im hopeful bioware realizes how bad they f*cked up 2. and your prob right about TW3 but at the same time while the series is fresh in peoples mind it may be a good time

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260°

AMD CEO Shares Vision Behind Xbox Partnership and Next-Gen Chip Roadmap

AMD CEO Lisa Su talks about the Xbox AMD partnership, next-gen Ryzen + Radeon chips, and AI rendering tech coming to all Xbox devices.

Read Full Story >>
clouddosage.com
Obscure_Observer4d ago

AMD is really building hype around their unique partnership with Microsoft to help and build an advanced and seamless Xbox ecosystem across all Xbox consoles and devices.

I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimized chips" though? Seems ambitious.

Next year´s Xbox Showcase already looks promising and exciting. Here´s hoping they deliver.

InUrFoxHole4d ago

They had best show 3yrs in a row. Heading for another

VenomUK3d ago

Obscure_Observer said “I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimised chips" though? Seems ambitious.” To me, I interpret this to mean rather than having a couple of X/S products for launch and a handheld there is a longer term plan to release new products with higher specs at timed intervals. I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec.

Agent753d ago

But Microsoft forgot the games.

KwietStorm_BLM3d ago

It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever.

Ganif3d ago

Correct.

"Sony's PlayStation 6 reportedly will feature an AMD semi-custom APU with a Zen 5 CPU and UDNA GPU, capable of 4K 120FPS and 8K 60FPS gaming. The console will include X3D cache and advanced AI upscaling technology."

https://www.tweaktown.com/n...

Obscure_Observer3d ago

"It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever."

I doubt that AMD´s CEO would waste her time making this huge and important partnership announcement over a tech that will be 7 years old by the those next gen consoles will be released.

Notellin3d ago

You should have just lead this comment with the fact that you have zero understanding of technology in the consoles and instead have a Toms Hardware online forum level of education.

Obscure_Observer14h ago

"It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever"

I´d told you were on some bs

https://www.pcgamesn.com/wp...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 14h ago
Agent753d ago

But Microsoft forgot the games

Obscure_Observer3d ago

@VenomUK

"I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec."

Very interesting theory. Still not sure how MS would actually make it work.

KwietStorm_BLM3d ago

"I doubt that AMD´s CEO would waste her time making this huge and important partnership announcement over a tech that will be 7 years old by the those next gen consoles will be released."

How old is the tech in consoles? It's not a huge announcement. It's marketing and you know it is.

Obscure_Observer2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

"How old is the tech in consoles? It's not a huge announcement. It's marketing and you know it is."

Dude, what I know for certain is that a tech as old as X3D chips which is actually *older* than both PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, is hardly the reason behind this new partnership between AMD and MS to build new *custom silicon* for next generation of consoles.

And yes it´s a huge announcement since AMD is working closely with MS to co-develop custom SoC which will allow backwards compatibility across all MS´s next gen devices allowing seamless integration between devices and full backwards compatibility across all generations of Xbox consoles.

I also know is that this announcement don´t have anything to do with Playstation and their strategy with AMD for the PS6, so stop comparing the two pretending that you know what´s going on, because you clearly don´t.

If Sony is working on something remotely similar, that´s remain to be seen.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 14h ago
Fishy Fingers4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Some odd, deliberate wording, no branding, not 'Xbox consoles, Xbox handhelds' specifically, feels and sounds like they're building towards hardware that anyone can be used or licensed to/by themselves and other manufacturers.

Multiplatform software and hardware 'Xbox/AMD APU'.

Obscure_Observer4d ago

I guess you missed Sarah Bond´s next generation Xbox announcement this week, were she clearly states:

"I´m thrilled to share that we´ve established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including, *our* next generation *Xbox consoles*."

But hey, I don´t think you´re entirely wrong, maybe MS will build their own Xbox consoles while licencing other manufactures to build and sell their own Xbox branded consoles. Who knows

BeHunted4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I think you watched the wrong video. It's below the description, or you can watch it directly on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/kprpRvsOua...

HyperMoused4d ago

Shares vision....we provide chips for money, this deal will sell many chips, we will make lots of money...good vision

Christopher4d ago

The marketing behind this is so heavy that I worry about the actual outcome. Why are they just not showing us the product, why all this talking in market speak?

Lightning774d ago

Probably because the next xbox isn't ready to release yet?

The marketing and rumors seem to be heavy out of no where. The rumor was a 27 release but it maybe it could be 26 new console launch instead.

Who knows.

Eonjay3d ago

There PR is alrways super heavy handed. No one is acutally buying an Xbox as is.
Also it is very early to be talking so much about a next gen console.

Obscure_Observer3d ago

There´s a lot of people interested on Xbox Next and its ability to run games from major stores like Steam.

We know that the PS6 is just around the corner as well, but so far, no news on what it might improve over the PS5 or PS5 Pro.

However, Sony already made public that their priority and actual focus is the PS6. So its not "very early" to talk about next gen when the very console manufactures are talking about it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3d ago
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210°

Activision Forces Adverts into Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone Loadouts

With the launch of Call of Duty Season 4, Activision quietly put adverts inside loadouts for Black Ops 6 and Warzone, sparking a backlash in the process.

23d ago
23d ago
lukasmain23d ago

Putting Ads in a pay-to-play Premium title? Well done Microsoft. Well done /s This is really scummy.

jjb198122d ago

This game will never change because these sweatlords love buying up all the skins and bundles that become obsolete the following year. They're the ones perpetuating Activision's greed.

VenomUK21d ago

If Microsoft introduces adverts into its other games I hope it can do them without disrupting the immersion of the game world. So for example in the new Fable game it would look out of place if there was a billboard advertising Cadillacs.

A far better way to do it would be to have a wizard conjure a 'dream cloud' in front of your character and then in the cloud you can see the Cadillac car and see the text with price and availability and hear a booming sales voice promoting the car. That would work so well as it wouldn't be a billboard and completely, 100%, fit in with your character's adventuring in Albion. Doesn't that sound so much better?!

crazyCoconuts21d ago

@venom, or how about our of 100 farts in Albion, 1 of them has a Cadillac pop out

VenomUK21d ago

@crazyCoconuts That’s undeniably off-beat - but it could really work!

22d ago
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410°

Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined

Xbox's handheld ambitions continue unabated, but the focus is shifting towards improving Windows 11 for third-party handhelds — for now. The Xbox Series X 'Melrose' successor is safe, with development continuing at full pace.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
25d ago
25d ago
25d ago
shadowT25d ago

Is there really a market for handhelds next to mobile?

Vits24d ago

If they run the same games as the main home console, then yeah, sure.
But if they need specially tailored games just for them? Probably not, unless there isn't a home console for comparison (see Switch).

RaidenBlack24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

I am kinda low-key happy this happened.
Dont want another Series S situation (games to be designed from 4 to 12TF scale and not 10 to 12TF).
Hope PS follows suit as well. Tablet SKU sharing with console for 10th gen, will just continue the cross gen -esque development/design phase/nature.
Want a proper 20+ only TF rasterized next-gen plz (+ frame-gen and the lot).
If anybody wants to continue the cross-gen, the Series S|X, PS5 will remain for that. And Switch 2, if you gotta go even lower in the TF range.

ABizzel124d ago

Yes and No. All of the PC handhelds combined have struggled to sell 7 million units, which would be a flop for any “console”. So the market is extremely niche because of price and target market (the informed hardcore gamer / casuals aren’t picking these up).

These handheld PCs are $500 or more, and offer at best Xbox Series S performance levels, so it’s best for MS specifically to just partner with ASUS, instead of investing millions if not billions.

Sony can make their own with custom AMD hardware due to their partnership, and stronger global brand for hardware. But even then it brings the question, of being a lower resolution PS5, and what does that mean for PS6 cross-gen (likely another generation where the first 3 - 4 years are just upgraded last-gen games).

Kosic24d ago

Imagine a Wii U style console, where the tablet doesn't rely on the console it's self, you download the game on the console under the TV and play in 4k glory, then you can remote play, get some unique game features if using both console and handheld in tandem. Then you can download the games in 720-1080p to play on the go, continue your progress, and continue on the TV when you get back.

Sony could get away with this due to exclusives, and that would be a reason for sales. Look at the portal.

I can picture seeing new hardware having some sort of GPU dock, where the handheld runs 1080p, and the dock has additional hardware to bring in 4k/60 specs.

I do think handheld gaming is going to be a strong future, imagine Nintendo release a new upgraded GPU dock for the Switch 3, every 2 years. More frames, sharper graphics on the same game for an extra £150 for a dock with a built in GPU chip. Console cycles doesn't have to be renewed, just the hardware can be improved by them reselling docks to us again and again with small/yearly upgrades like mobile phones.

GamerRN24d ago

Did you just imply that Sony can make a better stronger handheld than Microsoft? You do realize we are talking about Microsoft, the tech giant, right? If Microsoft can't make one that's cost effective, Sony definitely can't...

Brand and market share means nothing when you are a trillion dollar company

ABizzel123d ago

@GamerRN

It has nothing to do with what company can do it, or what company can spend.

For anyone taking a basic business class there is a term called ROI, and Xbox home consoles are selling at an all time low, meaning their ROI on a handheld is a risk that doesn’t make sense, even if they can afford it. Businesses are there to make money and it doesn’t make sene for MS to invest in a handheld that’s a companion device when their current home consoles they’ve spent 20 years working on are at an all time-low, when they can invest with little risk with what ASUS already has to offer.

This is why Sony can build a better device, because they have less risk involved, meaning they can invest more in their own product, and they already have an exclusive partnership with AMD on creating features and hardware. So in this specific case, YES Sony can built a better handheld, due to custom hardware, customer tools, low level APIs, compared to an off the shelf product running Windows or a Window Xbox kernel =.

TheEroica24d ago

I play steam deck primarily... Don't play consoles or mobile. The deck covers it all.

badz14924d ago

@shadowT

The Switch is a handheld, so will the Switch 2. what are you on about?

Cacabunga23d ago

To run native games offline? Anytime

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 23d ago
CrashMania24d ago

Funny to see the alt already damage controlling and having a meltdown with multiple accounts in the comments already.

Sad for MS if true, a dedicated handheld would go down a lot better than a rog ally 2 with an Xbox sticker on it I think.

crazyCoconuts24d ago

It couldn't have succeeded for a number of reasons. Now they've retreated to the Windows front and trying to keep that relevant for gaming. How long before Windows Central realizes there won't be a real console successor to Series X either?

Lightning7724d ago

Except there is. That project is reportedly full speed ahead.

Outside_ofthe_Box24d ago

@Lighting77

So was the handheld until today...

Lightning7724d ago

@outside obviously not since they sidelined it and they wanna see how the Asus does. Are you saying they're gonna cancel the next console?

crazyCoconuts24d ago

@lightning - I'm admittedly trying to box you in here - Do you think the next Xbox console will have Steam on it?

Outside_ofthe_Box24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

@Lightning

Here we go with having to spell everything out.

If I told you yesterday that Xbox was going to sideline the handheld console what would your response have been? Probably something along the lines of "I doubt that since Phil has been talking about it for some time now"

My point is just because they are "full speed" ahead now does not mean that will not change in future. As we have seen with the handheld. Do you understand what I'm trying to say now?

Lightning7724d ago (Edited 24d ago )

Box me in? No you said the same thing you've always been saying for years now. Those are the rumors to have Steam integration.

What about it

If you told me they were gonna cancel it tomorrow it would nothing more than fanboy talking points. I only wait for credible sources not what someone else says.

Also this is the handheld not a full blown new console. The Asus is yet to release and they're waiting to see how that thing does. Critical thinking is my strong suit you should try it some time if you can. But Ok cool well you hang your hat on that I guess. Main New console is gonna get cancelled even though the handheld is a different marketing device than the main the console itself.

__y2jb24d ago

I think there is a 75% chance there will not be another Xbox. There is zero reason to buy one now. No way it can possibly sell more than 10m units after Xbox went third party.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 24d ago
BLow24d ago

That's what they do. Goalposts shift like the wind.

I'm really confused on why they are making a "first party" device and also have a Rog Ally with their sticker on it. Make this make sense. How is their own device going to be any different?

Your console doesn't sell and they expect a handheld to?

RaidenBlack24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

The Rog Ally one is gen agnostic ... as you deciphered, it was to be the updated Rog Ally but just with Xbox branding. PC handheld with some Xbox features.
The handheld Xbox is/was supposed to be sharing the same gen/ecosystem with the next-gen (10th gen) Xbox. Think Series S but handheld ... it'll run the Xbox OS or whatever the next Xbox will run.
...
As for anybody wondering/confused why MS is doing another Xbox console ... coz mainly its the 10th gen of home consoles next, which started wayy back in 1972 for the 1st gen. And MS wanna be part in it, in the 10th anniversary gen of consoles. If they gotta bow out, they can't do that at 9th i.e just before 10th. They wanna stick around till the 10th or the X-th gen and check what the fuss happens.

Outside_ofthe_Box24d ago

Curious as to what excuses the spam was saying. Because prior to this news, the Xbox handheld was used as proof that Xbox is still committed to the hardware space. This handheld being scraped is not a good sign...

24d ago
Outside_ofthe_Box24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

@Spam
You can replace scrapped with pushed back if you like. It's not a good sign either way.

24d ago
1Victor24d ago

asq3= obscured: “ What’s your source on the handheld being scrapped? “
Read the article from Microsoft own website and one of your favorite quotations site when it’s something bad about Sony.
Oh BTW good luck with your next SPAM account.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 24d ago
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