Xbox E3 Briefing: Everything that Happened

[Video version of this post: https://bit.ly/2t3MoZT]

Day two of E3 2018’s major conferences has come and gone, and with it, our second conference.

The first of the big three to have their show this year is Xbox, and the Xbox conference was full of big first-party reveals, indies, and more utterances of the words ‘Exclusive’ and ‘Premiere’ than you can shake a stick at. 50 games were shown over the course of the show, in what was a much faster-paced display than EA’s conference.

Let’s get into details.

Halo Infinite

First off, was a biggun. As is typical for this franchise, the first trailer shown at the conference was a whole lot of “what could this be?” until finally, “oh sweet, it’s Halo”. Yep, the next Halo game is Halo Infinite, and while not much in the way of info was shared during the show, Halo Infinite appears to be essentially Halo 6. Though, note that the footage shown here was confirmed after the show to be simply engine footage showing off the new Slipspace engine, and is not taken from the game itself. However, it does highlight elements of the direction the game will be heading. Developer 343 Industries has since said that the game is a long way off, and that Halo Infinite will have a new art style partially inspired by fan feedback. Seemingly, Master Chief is going back to his roots. No word on a release period as of yet, though it’s rumoured the single player portion could come next year, with multiplayer releasing in 2020.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Next up, the second title in the Ori series of Microsoft exclusive platformers, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, which was premiered with a lovely little trailer that shows some Donkey Kong Country and Rayman Legends like action. If you’re a fan of either of those, keep an eye on this. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is out next year.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Thirdly, another big one! Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the next game from From Software, developer of the Souls/Borne games. Sekiro looks much faster paced than even Bloodborne however, and more acrobatic too, even featuring a grappling hook that can be used to zip around in combat. That’s also out in 2019.

Fallout 76

After this, Bethesda Softworks director, executive producer, and absolute unit Todd Howard showed up and announced that Fallout 4 is now available on Xbox’s Gamepass service. He left us with something even better though: world premiere gameplay of Fallout 76, and some juicy details. It’ll be set in West Virginia, and it’ll be four times the size of Fallout 4, which is no small feat. Clearly, it seems to be running on the Fallout 4 engine, though, this engine has been updated with lighting, rendering, and other graphical improvements. In-universe, Fallout 76 is a prequel to every Fallout game thus far, taking place only 25 years after the nuclear war, and over 200 years prior to Fallout 4. No release date was revealed here but thanks to the convenience of time passing, I can tell you that Fallout 76 will be released on the 14th November, 2018.

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

Life is Strange and Vampyr developer DontNod Entertainment revealed their next title after this. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is a standalone single episode prequel to Life is Strange 2, and will be available completely free on Xbox, PS4, and PC this month, June 26th. In the game which I don’t want to type the title of again, you play as Chris, a young boy who dreams of being a superhero. Since this is Life is Strange, I’m guessing he’ll get his wish, for better (or probably), much worse.

Crackdown 3

Now, Terry Crews! Who doesn’t love him? He was here in trailer form to promote recently delayed Xbox and PC exclusive Crackdown 3, which got a gameplay trailer and nothing else at the Xbox showing. But at least we got Terry. Crackdown 3 is out February 22, 2019.

Nier: Automata

Android love-story Nier: Automata, Platinum Games saviour hit from last year is no longer a PlayStation console exclusive, as the ‘Become as Gods’ edition of it will be out on Xbox One on June 26th, with Xbox One X Enhancement to boot, and all DLC included. This is one I’ve still got to get to, and hey now I have even more choice on how I can do that, though I’m a PS fanboy at heart. Sorry, Phil.

Metro Exodus

A new gameplay trailer for Metro Exodus came next. Exodus, the third in 4A Games fantastic Metro series, is bringing Artyom open-world, and this trailer hinted at the story he’ll be forced to gasp for breath through. The outside world gives some Fallout vibes, and weapon customisation and upgrades seem to be more in the focus this time around. Metro Exodus is out January 22, 2019.

Kingdom Hearts III

In all its goofy, cheesy glory, Kingdom Hearts III was shown off next, with a new gameplay trailer showing some expansive looks at worlds including Frozen, Tangled, and Wreck-it-Ralph. This is also the first time Kingdom Hearts has ever graced an Xbox console. Even though I have absolutely no idea what’s going on in the lore of Kingdom Hearts, I’ll say this looks absolutely spectacular. Square Enix revealed Kingdom Heart’s release date a couple of days ago at a Kingdom Hearts live concert: January 29, 2019. The wait’s almost over.

Sea of Thieves

Rare’s seafaring title Sea of Thieves took the spotlight next and showed a little trailer that summed up the game’s existence so far, and teased future content in the Cursed Sails update, coming in July, and The Forsaken Shores update, coming in September. Yarrr she goes.

Battlefield V

Following its teaser at EA Play, we got a reveal trailer for one of Battlefield V’s War Stories, and then we moved on.

Battlefield V is out on October 19th.

Forza Horizon 4

Our first big gameplay showcase of the conference was for newly-revealed Microsoft exclusive Forza Horizon 4, which got a reveal trailer and a live gameplay demo. The big focus with this instalment is its shared world, which will allow players to take part in races and events with other drivers seamlessly, the action no longer reliant on AI-driven rivals. Also new is seasons, with real-time weather changes affecting both the environment and your ability to drive well in Horizon 4, which will also be completely in 60fps.

Forza Horizon 4 will be set in the UK, though the weather on show seems to be a bit unrealistic because I’m pretty sure it’s never snowed here ever. Can’t get it all right, I suppose. Forza Horizon 4 is launching on October 2nd 2018, and will be free with Xbox Game Pass the same day.

Acquisitions

At this point we got onto the business side of the show, which to be honest was still pretty exciting. Here Microsoft VP of Gaming Phil Spencer brought the news that Microsoft Studios has acquired five new developers: The Initative, a new studio, State of Decay developer Undead Labs, Forza Horizon developer Playground Games, Hellblade developer Ninja Theory, and finally, We Happy Few developer Compulsion Games. All of these seem like great additions to Xbox’s first party line up, and in the years to come just might give them some more strong exclusives that aren’t Halo or Gears of War. At the rate that Playstation’s going, they’ll need ‘em.

We Happy Few

After these announcements, we got a story trailer for psychedelic survival indie We Happy Few, plus the reveal that it will be coming out of early access and releasing in full on August 10th, 2018.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds

Big hit turned overshadowed Battle Royale PUBG was up next, and we got a trailer that, after some suspiciously not buggy gameplay, teased new map Sanhok, releasing in Summer 2018, and an as yet unnamed snowy map, releasing in Winter 2018. Also coming at some point is the new War Mode, and new weapons and items. No word on if it’s coming to other consoles yet, but fingers crossed for more news on that soon.

Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

PlayStation usually seems to be the one who gets all the JRPG goodness to themselves recently, but that’s not so here. Remaster Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is coming to Xbox One and other platforms in Winter 2018. This is the first time Tales of Vesperia will be officially released in the West.

The Division 2

Another big reveal and gameplay showcase came in the form of Ubisoft’s The Division 2. After a little trailer, a gameplay demo played that showed the sequel’s Washington DC setting, and more varied environments. There are even trees this time around, and a colour other than grey. A cinematic trailer followed the demo. The Division 2 comes out March 15th, 2019.

FastStart

In what is sure to be the technological breakthrough of the generation, Xbox Game Pass titles will soon launch 2x as fast, with the new FastStart system.

Yea, I’m not sure why this was here either. Does this count as a premiere?

Then, we got a snazzy trailer for Game Pass that showed some of the games the service has on offer.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the concluding chapter in Lara’s origin story, as much sense as that makes, got a trailer at the show next, which teased story and revealed a first look at gameplay. While it looks like much of the same, when the same equals two stellar Tomb Raider titles, I really can’t complain. The trailer showed some new story details and new and familiar characters, and teased a prevailing theme in Shadow of the Tomb Raider: how Lara’s tomb raiding destiny might be turning her into something she won’t be able to come back from. Dark character arc incoming. See it unfold on September 14th.

Session

Contrary to what almost everyone thought when this trailer started, this is not Skate 4…Rather, Session, a game that looks very much like Skate is coming to Xbox One next year as a console launch exclusive, as well as PC.

Black Desert

Long-in-development Korean MMO Black Desert will finally get its console release on the Xbox One as a launch exclusive. I’m going to hazard a guess and say you don’t know much about this one. The fantasy MMO revolves around a conflict between two nations, and features PVP sieges and castle battles, but also allows for much safer activities such as housing, farming, and trading. It’s coming to Xbox One in beta during the fall of this year.

Devil May Cry V

Dante (the real one) is back. Devil May Cry V was, leaks aside, revealed next, and it’s coming in Spring 2019. I’m not really sure how to explain anything happening in the trailer but it seems to be more of the crazy fast paced emo action the series is known for. Looks sick. In this instalment, Nero, that’s the short-haired one, is out for revenge against some guy, after said guy cut off his favourite arm. That’s the extent of my understanding, but I’m all for it. Furthermore, it’s been in development for over four years, and it’s been ten years since Devil May Cry 4, so no doubt this is a long time coming.

Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course

Last year’s indie darling Cuphead is getting an expansion! Named ‘The Delicious Last Course’, it’ll introduce a new playable character, Ms. Chalice, as well as more bosses, weapons, and more of everything else you’d expect from the 1940s cartoon run and gun. No specific release date on that yet, it’ll be out next year. Expect delightful rage and frustration.

Tunic

Another indie got the spotlight next, one developed by a single person at that. Tunic, an Xbox console launch exclusive, is all about a cute little fox exploring the world in a Zelda-inspired adventure, complete with combat, puzzles, and climbing. No word on Tunic’s release date yet, but Steam has it listed as 2019.

Jump Force

Microsoft entered the final act of their conference with new game reveal after new game reveal, and the wave started with this anime crossover fighting game. Jump Force, from Bandai Namco, pits characters from Dragonball, Naruto, One Piece, and more all against each other in 3v3 matches. Expect a lot of passionate shouting, from both the fighters and the hordes of pleased anime fans. Releasing 2019.

Dying Light 2

Next, another big AAA reveal, the sequel to 2016’s Dying Light, Dying Light 2! Techland’s sequel was introduced with a trailer that showed off Dying Light 2’s world. Since the Harran epidemic, the virus seems to have gone global, and the game’s tone seems much darker than the original’s overall. Surprisingly, there also seems to be far fewer zombies in the daytime, with human enemies and gangs being a bigger threat, but of course, never forget about those whom come out at night.

Chris Avellone, narrative designer of Dying Light 2, who also was a designer on classic RPGs like Fallout 2 and Icewind Dale, came out and emphasised how your actions and decisions in Dying Light 2 will have major consequences both in plot and the world around you. A gameplay demo showed some examples. Choices and branches make up the DNA of Dying Light 2, which currently has no release date.

Battletoads

Bet you weren't expecting that one. Battletoads! Yup, a new Battletoads game is in the works, and will presumably serve as a follow-up to the 1991 classic. The teaser promised genre mash-ups, 3 player couch co-op and hand-drawn 2.5d graphics. An Xbox console exclusive, no further information was shared, but it’ll be out next year.

Just Cause 4

Thanks yet again to the cursed leak spirit, we already knew about this next one. Just Cause 4, from Avalanche Studios (whom really seem to be juggling a lot lately, with this, Rage 2, and Generation Zero), was quote-unquote revealed next. Not a whole lot of info was shared in the reveal trailer, but long time series protagonist Rico Rodriguez is back, and he’ll be coming up against his greatest enemy yet: tornadoes (and hopefully a more interesting story). See the outcome on December 4th, 2018.

Gears Pop!

Xbox’s massive franchise that doesn’t feature the colour green in is back. Yep, that’s right, it’s Gear of War Funko Pop.

Not what you were expecting, huh? No real details on gameplay for this yet but hopefully it’s more fun out of the box than Pop figures are. Coming 2019 to mobile platforms.

Gears Tactics

Thankfully, that’s not all the Gears news. Rod Fergusson, studio head at Gears dev The Coalition came out and shared Gears Tactics, a real-time strategy Gears of War coming next year as well. Looks very XCOM. Exclusive to PC, it’ll be a prequel to the entire series thus far, feature massive boss battles, squad and gear customisation, and more of everything you’d expect from an XCOM game.

Gears 5

But that’s still not all! Nope, to end the Gears segment, Rod introduced Gears of War 5, or…Gears 5, the ‘Of War’ being shaved much like JD’s head. New to the franchise with this instalment is a female main protagonist in Kait from Gears 4, more stealth emphasis, and the colour blue. A trailer was shown teasing the story, in which Kait seems to be going rogue on her own personal agenda, as well as showing off some gameplay. Gears 5 will be out in 2019.

Future Tech

Phil Spencer took the stage one last time after the Gears segment, and addressed some of the next Xbox technology on the horizon. He vaguely described the next wave of Microsoft AI that will make gaming and characters more immersive. Like EA, Xbox will be launching its own streaming service, allowing games to be streamed to devices such as your mobile phone. Spencer promoted ‘console’ level quality for the service, on any device, but we’ll see how that goes.

He also alluded to new Xbox hardware, saying the team who brought us the Xbox One X is working on the architecture for the next ‘Xbox consoles’. Yes, that’s right, consoles. Perhaps the next generation will have its own standard and more powerful One X like combo as well, or maybe it’ll be something entirely different. In any case don’t expect much more on that until at the least, next E3.

Cyberpunk 2077

One final surprise came after this while Spencer was talking, as he was cut off while giving his closing speech.

Not by a stage invader though. Yes, finally, CD Projekt Red has given us a real look at the world of Cypberpunk 2077, their next big project after The Witcher III. While it was only one trailer that set up the world, everything about that looks great. In Cyberpunk 2077, you play as V, one of many cyber-enhanced individuals living in a run down violence-ridden, yet massively high tech futuristic city. Setting-wise, it looks to be the complete opposite of what CD Project Red have made themselves a big name with. Cars, guns, and a sure to be massive shiny metropolis. Since the conference, it’s also been revealed that Cyberpunk 2077 is primarily a first-person game, though you can switch to third-person while driving.

Some fun things about this trailer, these codes you see at the beginning here? Turns out they were all codes to The Witcher III with all of its DLC, which is yet another nice example of how CDPR is one of the best game devs out there today. Additionally, during the closing screen, this message popped up for like a frame. This image doesn’t show all of it, but the full message, among other things, assured fans that 2077 has been the studio’s main focus ever since The Witcher III’s final DLC Blood and Wine shipped. It says that while the studio isn’t ready to talk about when it’ll release just yet, the game’s going to be massive, will be completely DRM-free on PC, will feature absolutely no microtransactions of any kind, and will be supplemented with substantial DLC akin to the generous offerings that The Witcher III got. Finally, CD Projekt Red thanked fans for their patience. Again, no word on release period yet, but hopefully it won’t be too long before we know. Surely, it’ll be worth the wait. Cyperbunk 2077 will be out for current-gen consoles and PC…one day.

And that wraps up Xbox’s 2018 conference. Overall, a great, fast-paced conference, with a diverse range of exclusives and other titles, and not a single mobile gameplay demo in sight. Just how we like it.

What did you think of the conference? What games shown are you most excited for, anything more you would’ve liked to see? Feel free to sound off in the comments below. Bethesda’s conference will be up next, but until then, thanks for reading.