As we keep going with our E3 updates of games and technology, we now focus on what Microsoft’s keynote had to offer not only for Xbox One players but also for Windows 10. To kick off their keynote, they introduced their newest console, the Xbox One S. Its faster, smaller, has 2 TB of memory, 4k resolution and will be releasing August 2016 for only $299. Complete with a new wireless controller, I can foretell that this console is going to get a lot of attention.
After that, we saw a huge amount of games that not only are going to be exclusive for Xbox One, but Windows 10 users as well. They’re really pushing the idea of game play cross compatibility amongst PC and Console users using Xbox Live. Will this mark the era to end the console wars? To start, they showed us Gears of War 4, which if you purchase a copy for Xbox, you will also receive a copy for PC. This list goes on with games like Recore, Forza Horizon 3, Battlefield 1, Inside, Tekken 7, Dead Rising 4, Scalebound, Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, and Halo Wars 2. A huge list of titles to start expecting as early as September this year. Also mentioned were games like Final Fantasy XV, Minecraft, The Division: Underground expansion, Gwent, and Killer Instinct.
Fans were also given a look into some of the new features that will be added into Xbox Live. Clubs, Looking For Groups, and Arena are three new Xbox live features to help players connect with new friends, get groups together to play games and complete missions, and sign up and play in competitive leagues.
Along with a great opening at the beginning of the keynote to show us the Xbox One S; Microsoft was also pleased to introduce fans to their newest upcoming development, Project Scorpio. This will be their biggest console that will be releasing during holiday season next year. It will have full 4K resolution for all games and programs, faster speeds and bandwidth, and lastly be completely capable of VR gaming. This may also be a hint at Microsoft’s future plans for their own VR headset.
This was a major keynote at E3 that rivaled in comparison with Sony’s. Better start getting your shopping lists ready.
-Dan Schmidt (Intern)
