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E3 2021: Xbox has everything to prove, it's time to show off the fruits of its software investments and there's little margin for error

ZywyPL

Banned
Actually with Sony delaying everything to 2022 and being cross-gen, this will be indeed an opportunity for MS to have a promising conference. If they'd show games that are coming in 2023 but in return are next-gen only, they'd have a good promise to sell their consoles.
 

Mahavastu

Member
TBH, I already thought that last year before XBox July Showcase: that XBox must show everything they got and impress us, otherwise they are in big big trouble for the Series X launch.
And despite them having a far from stellar show, having to cancel their only major 1st party game Halo and have no real "next gen" stuff to show, they still sell out every box they can manufacture until today within a few hours. So in the end it did not really matter as much as I thought.
I think they will still sell out most units they build in the next 12 months, no matter how great / bad the E3 show is. There are some who buy it for Gamepass, some because their XBox One shows its age and needs improvement, some for simply have the same games look and run better or load faster.
 
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Black_Stride

do not tempt fate do not contrain Wonder Woman's thighs do not do not
I want to see gameplay from Hellblade 2, Perfect Dark, Avowed, Starfield, Forza Horizon 5 or Forza 8 and Fable

If they show these and they look good then they can knock it out of the park

  • Hellblade 2 - not a chance they are likely only now starting to migrate it to Unreal Engine 5 production version.
  • Perfect Dark - mate....i dont think the first character models are even finished yet.
  • Avowed - I highly doubt it.
  • Starfield - Highly likely we will see gameplay or atleast some inengine shit
  • Horizon 5 - Im guessing yes....with a 2021 release too.
  • Forza Motorsport - its likely a nextgen exclusive so theyll only show it next year.
  • Fable - We are a ways off from this one
 

FritzJ92

Member
Lmao if you think this E3 is make or break you are delusional. How is it make or break but they are selling out with literally no major 1P games launched yet. In my opinion they have a good 6-8 months of not releasing anything because it starts to hurt them. Also it’s been proven that even if the games come late the buyers will still turn around and purchase the hardware. Momentum can be built.
 

Riky

$MSFT
m531g7y.jpg


Just bring it on.
 

Black_Stride

do not tempt fate do not contrain Wonder Woman's thighs do not do not
This is the one that I am mixed on. I can see a single track lap similar to GT7 reveal

I didnt think about that.
IF theyve built enough models and tech to actually do a single lap they might actually show it off.

Well thats why imma tune in.
Theres very little Microsoft could show me right now that would disappoint me.......lest its a really weird or woke indie games show, then im out.
 

RowdyReverb

Member
I’ve always been an Xbox fan, but I went with PS5 at launch since I hadn’t played any of the PS4 exclusives. I felt like I had plenty of time to pick up an Xbox Series X later on once the acquisition exclusives start to roll out.
That is to say, I agree with the argument in the OP. Xbox has a ton of potential this gen, but it feels far off right now
 
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reksveks

Member
I didnt think about that.
IF theyve built enough models and tech to actually do a single lap they might actually show it off.
The point that I am fixated on is that they already have done one early round of alpha tests so clearly there is something there. I just don't know if the visuals are there in a way that they would want to show it.
 

Mr.ODST

Member
Expectations in check, only really looking forward to Halo in terms of excitement for this, anything else is a bonus
 

Ellery

Member
Yup. Xbox said they can fill the spotlight and this year's E3 is all about Xbox and games that build the foundation for the next generation of consoles and many years to come.

I am not sure what to except, but Hellblade 2 for sure and there have to be some surprise AAA games that we simply don't see coming.
Halo infinite was last year and while I still want to see it and probably play it I can't hide that it was delayed and so it is kind of a net neutral for me in this regard. If it had released last year in a good shape we wouldn't be excited for it at this year's E3. I still am, but there has to be a lot more than Halo Infinite for Xbox.

Honestly as with all of those events the things I am looking forward the most to are the surprises that we don't see coming and I want the Xbox show to be as good as it possibly can be and I would be happy to buy an Xbox Series X if they can convince me.
 

yurinka

Member
I think it's still too soon to 'prove everything'. The big AAA games of studios bought recently won't be able to show next gen only gameplay of games made under MS because big games need time to be developed.

Many of the studios bought in the recent years are still working on their main games they were making before being purchased, so they will even be published elsewere with little to no MS influence (like Psyconauts 2, Deathloop or Ghostwire Tokyo), or are still way ahead in the future, planned to be released starting in late 2022 or early 2023 (and way beyond that).

So outside this games, Halo and likely Horizon 5 or Starfield I wouldn't expect to see gameplay from other MS games. If something, they may show a Gears 6 logo or CG/target render teaser.

For the rest of the games I think we'll only see more cinematics/cgs if we see something, and I bet they will make a big focus on some deal with a big multi game to debut on Gamepass (like the next Battlefield) plus some indies or to make some additional acquisition (like Crytek, Remedy or Netherrealm), maybe some console port of Flight Sim or AoE4, some 3rd party timed console exclusive from some well known dev (Kojima?) plus to add some Bethesda games more on Game Pass.

I think they will have a very solid conference but I'd keep the expectatives low because even some of these more 'realistic' bets could be just fan wishes, so I wouldn't expect megatons.
 
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Hobbygaming

has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
  • Hellblade 2 - not a chance they are likely only now starting to migrate it to Unreal Engine 5 production version.
  • Perfect Dark - mate....i dont think the first character models are even finished yet.
  • Avowed - I highly doubt it.
  • Starfield - Highly likely we will see gameplay or atleast some inengine shit
  • Horizon 5 - Im guessing yes....with a 2021 release too.
  • Forza Motorsport - its likely a nextgen exclusive so theyll only show it next year.
  • Fable - We are a ways off from this one
e7kLU67.jpg
 

RoadHazard

Gold Member
Hasn't this been the thing for like 10 years? Which begs the question, what the hell was Microsoft doing all of last gen? I remember the expectation was that they were building up studios to rival Sony and that's why they didn't really have that much for several years, but then... nothing? Fine, not nothing, but not far from it.

But they are in a better position right now for sure. With the XBO it felt like they had already lost the battle before it was even launched due to their terrible original plans for it, while the Series X is a console that has been implemented very well, and now they "just" need games. Maybe not to beat Sony (I think that is all but impossible globally), but to give them a better match this time around.
 
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Hobbygaming

has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
Lmao if you think this E3 is make or break you are delusional. How is it make or break but they are selling out with literally no major 1P games launched yet. In my opinion they have a good 6-8 months of not releasing anything because it starts to hurt them. Also it’s been proven that even if the games come late the buyers will still turn around and purchase the hardware. Momentum can be built.
The longer it takes for them to get the ball rolling, the more they risk gamers getting a PS5 over the XSX though
 
Everybody saying “isn’t this just the same” nah it ain’t - because they have a new console out. They have done a lot right with the moves they’ve made service wise and hardware wise - but there has been no graphical showcase or large release on specifically for Xbox. I don’t care about things being cross-gen as that seems to be a thing but I am expecting them to show things that look actually good, take advantage of the new hardware to some degree and are Xbox properties.
 
The longer it takes for them to get the ball rolling, the more they risk gamers getting a PS5 over the XSX though
That's why the XSS exists. It's an impulse buy and it will provide a way to access Game pass. MS is not in a contest with Sony to just sell boxes they want subscribers.

This e3 will not make or break anything with Xbox. It's just another opportunity to show off their latest games. Most fans will be happy with it, most haters will not.

Hasn't this been the thing for like 10 years? Which begs the question, what the hell was Microsoft doing all of last gen? I remember the expectation was that they were building up studios to rival Sony and that's why they didn't really have that much for several years, but then... nothing? Fine, not nothing, but not far from it.

But they are in a better position right now for sure. With the XBO it felt like they had already lost the battle before it was even launched due to their terrible original plans for it, while the Series X is a console that has been implemented very well, and now they "just" need games. Maybe not to beat Sony (I think that is all but impossible globally), but to give them a better match this time around.
Xbox shed development studios and talent for a good part of the last generation until they introduced back compatibility, play anywhere, and Game pass. Then they started getting new studios and ramping back up. That period of decline had long term effects they are getting close to getting out of.
 

Joey.

Member
My final predictions for Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda showings -

<Not listing any Game Pass predictions because we know there will be a bunch of them, third party titles or acquisitions>

- No Shows
Alpha Dog Studios, Compulsion Games, Id Software, InXile Entertainment, Ninja Theory, Roundhouse Studios, Tango Gameworks, The Coalition, The Initiative, Turn 10 Studios and Undead Labs

- 343 Industries
Halo Infinite (campaign and multi-player, November 12th, 2021) *opener*

- Arkane Studios
Project Omen (Austin studio - cinematic and gameplay trailer, 2022)

- Bethesda Game Studios
Starfield (cinematic trailer and gameplay trailer, Fall 2022) *closer*
The Elder Scrolls VI (gameplay teaser trailer) *closer*

- Double Fine Productions
Psychonauts 2 (gameplay trailer, September 2021)

- Machine Games
Wolfenstein III (cinematic and gameplay trailer, Spring 2022)

- Mojang Studios
Minecraft new content segment

- Obsidian Entertainment
Grounded (full release version trailer, new content, July 2021)
The Outer Worlds 2 (cinematic trailer)
Avowed (gameplay trailer)

- Playground Games
Forza Horizon 5 (cinematic and gameplay trailer, October 2021)

- Rare
Sea of Thieves new content segment

- World’s Edge
Age of Empires IV (short gameplay trailer, PC, October 2021)

- ZeniMax Online Studios
The Elder Scrolls Online segment

- Global Publishing
Project Typhoon
Flight Simulator (Asobo)
Star Wars KOTOR remake (Aspyr)

I believe that Halo Infinite opens the showcase with a short gameplay trailer for the campaign and then show some stuff from the multi-player. Starfield ends the show completely but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a gameplay teaser trailer of The Elder Scrolls VI after Starfield. If the above happens or mostly happens, it will already surpass last year easily and be one of their better showcases in the last decade. Looking forward to the showcase in general and looking at all the other showcases, only Nintendo could surpass it.

This would be great.

Would've liked to see what Ninja Theory's HellBlade II and what the Coalition and the Initiative are working on too but this is a really good list.
 

Hobbygaming

has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
That's why the XSS exists. It's an impulse buy and it will provide a way to access Game pass. MS is not in a contest with Sony to just sell boxes they want subscribers.

This e3 will not make or break anything with Xbox. It's just another opportunity to show off their latest games. Most fans will be happy with it, most haters will not.


Xbox shed development studios and talent for a good part of the last generation until they introduced back compatibility, play anywhere, and Game pass. Then they started getting new studios and ramping back up. That period of decline had long term effects they are getting close to getting out of.
I just want them to be great but you're right about subscriptions being their bigger focus. I'm more of a traditional gaming kind of guy
 

Jaybe

Member
For me, I need them to announce some great games coming to game pass day one before the year is out and I need more than Halo Infinite, FH5, flight sim and psychonauts 2 as I don’t have much excitement for them. Hope they have some first party surprises or have opened their wallet wide for some third party game pass day one goodness you bridge the first party drought. CGI and logos aren’t going to cut it.
 

Brofist

Member
The whole idea that everything hangs on this E3 is a little cringeworthy. But for their fans sake, yeah they need to show the receipts soon.
 

Papacheeks

Banned
The whole idea that everything hangs on this E3 is a little cringeworthy. But for their fans sake, yeah they need to show the receipts soon.

From what it sounds like on how their show is frames up. Expect more focus on Bethesda titles, gamepass exclusives like bf6 or something that big.

No avowed, no fable, no perfect dark.
 
Demand outstrips supply for all 3 consoles. It's a want the industry/gamers have for Xbox first party to come out swinging. In reality they cannot manufacturer fast enough to keep up with demand. Business wise it makes sense to keep people happy and push gamepass across what devices exist with consumers already or can actually be purchased within the immediate future.

Another words gamers and media have their collective heads up their own arses and aren't looking at the age old feasibility of business supply vs demand.

I too want cool games from Xbox first party, more "now" than "coming soon" please. In reality I'm very happy with my Xbox ecosystem and have more games than I have time to play.
 
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How many times do we need to say it: marketing is all nice, but proving oneself is in the delivery.

MS had very good e3 shows early last gen, yet the goods never came.
 

Ozzie666

Member
Honestly, I still think Microsoft is a year away from showing anything meaningful, beyond Halo Infinite. They showed/teased Hellblade 2 way to early, it's straight out of the Ubi Soft playbook. CGI Trailers or logos aren't going to make much of an impact. Everwild is another prime example, when the developers comes out and says they have no idea what the game or game play is, I mean really? unless they were trolling hard.
 

supernova8

Banned
Didn't we just have this almost exact same thread like a week or two ago?

 

Kenpachii

Member
They need to start dropping games in 2021 and a lot of them.

Its probably going to be another 2022-23 fest of promises.
 

Billbofet

Member
XB has built the best ecosystem of any console, so now they need the next-gen games to fill in the gaps.
Regardless, I feel whatever is shown will be picked apart endlessly and not good enough.
Sony does much of the same shit announcing games early, but they seem to get a pass (Shenmue III, FFVII Remake, Last Guardian).

I'm excited for all three consoles, but XB does really need to put out. Forza Horizon 5 and I'm a happy man!!
 
Based on how this forum has reacted to every other showcase, I don’t think there is anything that would satisfy you. Microsoft will be more than fine in the long run though.
 

Papacheeks

Banned
My issue is a lot of Bethesda will be most of the show. And Microsoft will get credit if those games are bangers.

They had nothing to do with development of these titles.

Well I guess that's money well spent if that's how it plays out this Sunday.
 
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