E3 2019 hasn’t even officially started and Microsoft has already given the gaming community a lot to talk about. Today, they showed a record breaking 60 games for both console and PC. We also got a look at what’s next for Xbox Game Pass, the ability to stream games with Project xCloud, information on the next generation Xbox console code named Project Scarlett, and more.
Let’s take a look at the highlights!
Games, games and more games
If there is one thing clear, there is certainly no shortage of games coming to the Xbox One. The Xbox E3 briefing featured a mixture of Xbox One exclusives and third-party games. Xbox fans can look forward to games such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Borderlands 3, Dying Light 2, Elden Ring, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and CyberPunk 2077—to name a few.
Speaking of CyberPunk 2077, the crowd at the Microsoft Theatre went absolutely nuts when we found out that Keanu Reeves was in the game. Not only that, but he came out on stage in person to reveal the game’s launch date, April 16, 2020. It was a truly electrifying experience to be part of it all.
First party games
From the looks of it, Xbox Game Studios is in full swing. We learned that Double Fine Productions will be soon be a part of Xbox Game Studios and that PsychoNauts 2 will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass. Twelve games were shown from a variety of different genres and two DLC packages. Here’s a list of games shown:
- Battletoads
- Bleeding Edge
- CrossfireX
- Forza Horizon 4 LEGO Speed Champions (DLC)
- Gears 5
- Gears Pop!
- Halo Infinite
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Minecraft Dungeons
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Wasteland 3
- The Outer Worlds
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
- State of Decay 2: Heartland (DLC)
Xbox Game Pass comes to PC
Since launch, Xbox Game Pass has tripled the number of partners and as such has grown dramatically. Starting today, gamers can join the Xbox Game Pass for PC beta and by the end of the summer have access to over 100 games. Furthermore, Xbox announced Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will include Xbox Game PC on console, Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass on PC for $16.99 CAD.
Quite possibly the biggest announcement for Game Pass on PC is that the Halo Chief Master Collection will be available day 1 to download Game Pass members.
Stream games with Project xCloud
Last year, Phil Spencer mentioned engineers were working on a service that will stream console quality games to just about any device. That service is Project xCloud and starting this October, gamers will be able to stream games from their library and Xbox Game Pass from their own Xbox One console.
When Project xCloud launches this fall, it will be in preview. So, there may be some bugs to work out but gamers will be able to stream their games directly to a mobile device.
The next generation Xbox console is coming holiday 2020
Phil Spencer closed out the Xbox E3 briefing with new information on the next generation Xbox console. Code named Project Scarlett; the console will have the ability to display games up to 8K resolution with 120 frames-per-second. Further more, Project Scarlett includes a next generation SSD that can also be used as virtual memory.
Moreover, we learned that Halo Infinite will be a launch title for Project Scarlett. And, a brand-new trailer for Halo Infinite was shown.
The Xbox E3 briefing shows that Xbox is investing in the future
The Xbox E3 briefing was chalked full of games and new information on their next generation console. While a lot of what was shown were trailers and not demos of the games, it was still pretty impressive. I’m excited to try out Project xCloud and see just show well I can stream games from my Xbox One to mobile devices.
Furthermore, I can’t help but be excited for Project Scarlett and Halo Infinite. I look forward to hearing and seeing more of them both. While there may not be a whole lot of first party content coming in 2019, next year seems like there will be more than enough games from Xbox Game Studios.
Make sure to bookmark and visit the Best Buy blog as well as our E3 hub frequently from June 8 – 13. Here we will have special offers, including pre-order links to new games, and the latest news and impressions from the show floor. And, don’t forget to check out my Twitter and Instagram feeds as well as Best Buy Canada’s.
Here’s are the social media links for you to bookmark:
- My Twitter account @4Scarrs_Gaming
- My Instagram account @4scarrsgaming
- Best Buy Canada Gamers Club’s Twitter account
- Best Buy’s Instagram account
We also want our E3 2019 coverage to be interactive. So, let us know how we’re doing with your likes, comments, and shares! Don’t forget to enter the Road to E3 Mega Giveaway contest from Best Buy. It will give you a chance to win great gaming prize bundles.
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I watched most of this press conference, there are so many games coming out. I’ve been meaning to play the 1st Ori, and now that the 2nd has a release date I am on a deadline if I want to play it before the sequel comes out. I’ve never really gotten into Minecraft, but Minecraft: Dungeons looks fun. Cyberpunk looks amazing!
That Game Pass Ultimate looks like it is essentially the same price a year as the base version of Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold. So if you are a subscriber to both, you might as well upgrade to the new version.
There is a lot to look forward to with Microsoft. I was a little surprised that nothing was mentioned about their recent partnership of sorts with Nintendo, but perhaps those announcements are waiting for Tuesday’s Nintendo Direct.
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