Microsoft
Microsoft have arguably the most anticipated E3 conference of all. Their Xbox One unveil event was met with wildly mixed reactions, leaning to the disappointed. This means either way, E3 is a make or break event for Microsoft, at least with hard-core gamers anyway. Long before the unveil of the Xbox One fans were apprehensive of what the next box might entail, rumours of a require internet connection, used games fee and a focus on entertainment as opposed to games, left gamers sceptical of the next machine. Sadly, after the unveil event were unclear whether or not it requires an internet connection, with varying people from Microsoft saying different things, we know there will be a used game fee, which will be the same as a new game, and Microsoft is definitely focused on aiming the machine at a casual audience as an entertainment system. This has alienated many fans, while others are eagerly waiting for E3. The May 21st event may have just been Microsoft getting the entertainment side of things out and aimed at that casual audience that they knew would hear about the event, meaning E3 can be focused on games and gamers. Thats the hope. Whether or not gamers were impressed by Microsofts first showing, their business logic cant be faulted. They know the Wii-U has been a failure, which means a huge number of the casual Wii audience is now out there waiting to be wowed by a new machine; the Xbox One could be just that. Microsoft are thinking big, as confirmed by a recent story that Microsoft predict the eight generation will see console sales exceed 1 Billion units sold. Thats simply insane, regardless that they see that number as Xbox One, PS4 and Wii-U combined, there isnt any hope of that happening. The biggest selling console ever was the PS2, which sole 150 million units, add in Gamecube and Xbox sales and that doesnt even come near 1 billion. Their justification is that console sales increased 30% from the last generation, which is largely due to Wii sales, and that those figures are simply for gaming systems so an entertainment system could do way more. The difference here is that with the entertainment centred approach they could lose a significant portion of their hard-core fan base to Sony. Seeing as Wii-U hasnt sold well and Microsoft fans are feeling disgruntled its hard to see Sony amassing hundreds of millions of units sold. The current PS3 has sold 76 million units, the 360 sold 75 million, extremely far from 1 billion. Its a ridiculous expectation to say the least. With Microsofts focus so heavily on TV, movies, internet features and all things entertainment its hard to imagine a complete switch to gaming come E3. However thats the hope for gamers everywhere. At E3 we expect to see the 15 exclusives they promised, hopefully 10 of which arent Kinect or Arcade only. These exclusives should be made up of sequels to
Halo,
Gears Of War and
Fable, though its unclear whether or not
Forza and
Quantum Break are amongst those 15 exclusives. The idea of even 5 or 6 of those being great triple-A games is a very exciting prospect. Weve seen enough entertainment functions for now, give us the games well be playing and win back our interest in the Xbox One. Unlike Sony theyve already unveiled the hardware, which looks great but has caused concern over its size and weight. This means more of their conference can be dedicated to the things that matter. Not that seeing Sonys box doesnt matter but I dont expect Sony to spend over an hour telling me how to use a TV. E3 will be massive for Microsoft, their event left many with a sour taste in their mouth. This is Microsofts chance to either win those gamers back with great games, or to completely kill that established fan base by continuing its focus on all things entertainment. Regardless of which console youre more excited to hear more about, that includes Wii-U, this years E3 will be a mammoth event with a lot riding on it. What we see at this years event can determine what system and games millions of gamers buy and thus greatly shape the next decade of gaming. Poor conferences and marketing left Sony trailing with the PS3 for the majority of the seventh generation, neither company will want to make that mistake again. I dont know about you but I cannot wait for June 10th.
What do you expect to see at this years E3? What did you think of the Microsoft unveil event? Does it compare to Sonys, worse or better? And is this really the biggest E3 ever?