Day 2 of E3 2016 starts with the Microsoft conference showcasing hardware releases, Xbox Live updates and a plethora of game trailers to get us excited for the year of gaming that’s ahead of us.
Xbox One S
RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 2016
PRICE: Starting at $299USD
Starting out strong we catch a glimpse of the new Xbox Slim console has been announced by Microsoft. Dubbed as the sleeker model the Xbox One S contains a 2TB HDD, an internal power supply and a new modified controller.
In addition to the new console iteration being announced, Microsoft has also launched “Xbox Play Anywhere” which allows people to buy a game on Xbox One digitally and then play it on Windows 10.
GEARS OF WAR 4
RELEASE DATE: 11th October 2016
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC (With Xbox Play Anywhere)
Gears of War 4 has been shown off some highly scripted co-op gameplay sequences. Seems like very forced voice acting for such an action heavy game but the characters are a little bit more realistic in their movements. No longer are we just playing a walking fridge with a face on. Destroyable chest high walls have also been introduced which gives the game a more frantic feel.
Along with the gameplay showcase there will be a special edition Gears of War Xbox One Elite controller coming in the near future.
KILLER INSTINCT NEW CHARACTER
RELEASE DATE: Now
PLATFORM: Xbox One
After the success of Killer Instinct on the Xbox one the developers are releasing a tie in character with Gears of War 4 in the form of General Raam. This character will be FREE for all Xbox LIVE members this entire week and then purchasable afterwards.
FORZA HORIZON 3
RELEASE DATE: 27th September 2016
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC (With Xbox Play Anywhere)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTSUgXkfooA
It’s time to look at cars and what better way to do this than an update to the Forza Horizon series. A quick teaser trailer depicts a world set in Australia (WOOOO!) where there are new game types, beautiful environments to explore and a 4 player co-op campaign.
RE-CORE
RELEASE DATE: 13th September 2016
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC (With Xbox Play Anywhere) Exclusive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnKT9ZCGgBE
After being teased in 2015, Re-core is showing off the various adorable companions that will be in the game which will include SETH and MACK, DUNCAN. We also have some gameplay and it looks like this is going to be a 3rd person shooter with puzzle elements.
FINAL FANTASY XV
RELEASE DATE: 30th September 2016
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PlayStation 4
A gameplay sequence shows a party of characters taking on a creature that looks to be the size of a skyscraper. No more turn based action here folks, they have fully modernised the combat system which brings in some fluid action and hack ‘n’ slash fun.
BATTLEFIELD 1
RELEASE DATE: 21st October 2016
PLATFORM: PC | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One
If you are part of EA Access on Xbox 1 you will get it a week early on the 13th of October.
XBOX LIVE UPDATE
RELEASE DATE: Fall 2016 (Spring 2016 for Australia)
First up are the updates to the Xbox One software system.
Background Music, Language Region Independence & Cortana have been added to Xbox One system and will be available in an upcoming update to the console.
On the Xbox Live side of things there are a few improvements that will be added in the near future.
Clubs on Xbox Live – Make communities for your groups of friends
Looking for Group – Allows you to find like-minded players to complete set challenges
Arena – Focus on competitive games and possible tie-ins with the e-sports community. World of Tanks, EA Sports and more were announced as being included with this feature.
MINECRAFT REALMS & ADDONS
RELEASE DATE: 2017
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC | MOBILE
Friendliness update includes crossplay on multiple systems with dedicated servers that allows creators to explore and build creations with each other
Texture packs will be released for Pocket edition to allow for even more customisation but more information will be released at MineCon in September
XBOX DESIGN LAB
WEBSITE: https://xboxdesignlab.xbox.com/
PLATFORM: Xbox One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGxxXkDqRS8
“Now you can personalize your very own Xbox Wireless Controller with Xbox Design Lab. Start from scratch or customize an existing design online, choosing from a wide range of color combinations. You can even add laser engraving for a more personal touch. You design it. We build it. With Xbox Design Lab, the next Xbox wireless controller is truly in your hands.”
INSIDE
RELEASE DATE: June 29
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC
New teaser trailer has been released from the developers of Limbo. INSIDE brings across the dark setting of their previous game.
Along with this announcement, Limbo will now be free on Xbox one.
ID@XBOX
PLATFORM: Xbox One
See what’s new from ID@Xbox E3 2016 including CUPHEAD, Outlast, Deliver Us The Moon, Flint Tank, FAR, Slime Ranger, Figment, The Culling, BEACON, Stardew Valley, Hand of Fate 2, Below, Raiders, Bloodstained, ARK: Survival, Yooka Laylee.
WE HAPPY FEW
RELEASE DATE: July 26th
PLATFORM: Microsoft Game Preview / Steam Early Access
Announced back in 2015 we finally get to see a Gameplay sequence of We Happy Few. The gameplay shows a world where is forced to be happy with a drug known as Joy. When the main character doesn’t take his supplements the other characters turn on him and spout the line “Call Security we’ve got a downer here,” which I for one find hilarious.
GWENT – THE WITCHER CARD GAME
RELEASE DATE: September 2016 – playgwent.com
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC
After the huge success that was The Witcher 3, fans of the series started screaming at CD Projekt Red to create a standalone game for Gwent; a tavern card game within The Witcher Universe. The developers have listened and will be bringing fans what they have tirelessly asked for.
TEKKEN 7
RELEASE DATE: Early 2017
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC | PlayStation 4
Akuma from Street Fighter vs Hehachi Mishima from Tekken fight in a mix of cinematic and 3D combat sequences. Alongside this announcement is a copy of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 which will be available for Xbox Live Gold members using their backwards compatibility functionality.
DEAD RISING 4
RELEASE DATE: Holiday 2016
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC (With Xbox Play Anywhere)
Teaser trailer has been released announcing the next in the Dead Rising series. It shows the ultimate zombie slayer returns in an all-new action packed thrill ride. Using a variety of weapons, gadgets and mech-suits to tear apart zombies should be super enjoyable.
SCALEBOUND
RELEASE DATE: 2017
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC (With Xbox Play Anywhere)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ZVMU_KA-M
Finally some decent gameplay coming out of Scalebound and it looks really awesome. The 3rd person action games see’s you and your dragon beastie take on humongous foes such as the giant crab featured in this video.
SEA OF THIEVES
RELEASE DATE: TBA
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC (With Xbox Play Anywhere)
More gameplay for Sea of Thieves! After being teased in 2015 and then going dark I’m happy to see some more from a fully-fledged pirate game. I would suggest muting the trailer though as it seems to be in a wannabe Let’s Play style. Enjoy the beautifully crafted world and partake in all manner of swashbuckling.
STATE OF DECAY 2
RELEASE DATE: 2017
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC (With Xbox Play Anywhere)
After the huge success of the first game, the developers have come back for more zombie killing action. Just a teaser trailer has been released at the moment but it looks really interesting.
HALO WARS 2
RELEASE DATE: 21st February 2017
PLATFORM: Xbox One | PC (With Xbox Play Anywhere)
After this amazingly pretty trailer I can’t help but be hyped for Halo Wars 2. Multiple trailers were shown off for the next in the Halo Wars series after a 7 year gap from the original. To go along with this reveal, there is a week-long beta (June 14 – 21) on Xbox One that starts today so go and download it right now.
Experience an all-new story across 13 action-packed campaign missions. Play with or against friends, or matchmake with the Xbox Live community in a variety of multiplayer modes supporting up to 6 players.
PROJECT SCORPIO
RELEASE DATE: Holiday 2017
To end on a huge hardware note again, Phil Spencer came on stage to announce Project Scorpio as the next evolution of the Xbox One. He confirmed the upcoming console was designed to support 4K gaming and Virtual Reality and that all consoles will be compatible with each other. More details and pricing will be released in the future but for now we can be excited for what’s to come in 2017.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Holy crap that was a lot to process! The sheer number of games that were either teased or updated left me pretty excited for what’s to come. Xbox One Play Anywhere is the best thing to come out of the conference because it means I won’t have to play games on my Xbox One anymore. Jokes aside I’m looking forward to playing some of the games announced here assuming they will still be available for the PC when they release. The most notable releases for me would be Forza Horizon 3 and Sea of Thieves so hopefully we get some more information on those soon.
While the Xbox One S (XboneS) does look awesome, it’s not enough for me to replace my existing Xbox One. Maybe next year once Project Scorpio hits I’ll be picking up another console but for now I’m mostly excited to play Xbox games on PC. Couldn’t help but see there wasn’t any Hololens presentation this year. After it was introduced back in 2015 and demoed in Minecraft the only VR being used was in partnership with Oculus. We will have to see what the future holds in that regard.
This has been the best conference so far and if Sony can’t pull it together then I definitely think Microsoft has taken it out this year.
Stay tuned for more E3 2016 Day 2 action and let us know if you will be picking up a Xbox One S console. Next in line will be Ubisoft’s press conference which kicks off on Tuesday at 6:00AM AEST (5:30AM ACST, 4:00AM AWST). For all the conference times, be sure to check out our E3 2016 portal.