E3 2015: Microsoft · 6:40pm Jun 15th, 2015
Backwards compatibility with the Xbox 360 announced. Digital games will automatically begin downloading into your library. If you didn't have a bigger hard drive yet, well, they're basically saying buy one. (I've got 16GB left on my HDD).
Halo 5 gameplay looks alright. Unfortunately, Prometheans were featured, but I didn't notice the cheap-ass tactics they used in Halo 4. Here's hoping that's not prominent in the final version either. $10 that the AI-controlled squadmates are absolutely fucking useless on Legendary.
The new multiplayer mode is Warzone. 12v12 with AI as well. Looks to be a competitive version of Firefight on steroids. Just hope the tryhards who hate bots just fuck off.
I started chuckling at the VR partnerships with Valve VR and Oculus Rift. Once again, the barrier to entry is insanely high, and they're staying quiet on that. To put it in perspective, my brand new $1400 gaming PC is barely above the Oculus Rift's recommended system requirements.
Augmented reality, on the other hand... Holy fucking shit. The Microsoft HoloLens version of Minecraft blew my freaking mind. Go find a video of that demonstration. Consider me on the Hololens hype train.
Rare Replay was announced. 30 Rare games for $30, including BattleToads, Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Jet Force Gemini, and Perfect Dark. In short, five or six really great games and 24 meh ones.
Fallout 4, as uninterested as I am in it, will support mods on Xbox One, but can only be created PC. Major, major kudos to Microsoft on this one. Console Fallout fans are going to be getting one of the biggest perks the PC has to offer.
Xbox Game Preview was also announced, their answer to Steam Early Access. I primarily ignore the criticisms of Early Access; wait and read the reviews, jackasses. I own two Early Access games on Steam, Distance and Road Redemption, and and pleased with both.
Gears of War Ultimate Edition was announced. If they tune down the fucking steroids, it might get a thumbs up from me. I'm wondering if the score has also been remastered, because that was some good music back in 2006.
Gears of War 4 gameplay was shown last of all. Having recently played Gears 3, I'm wondering what is next. It looked like we're going up against Sera wildlife. Didn't recognize the characters either, but I'm not a huge Gears fan either.
So rather than wait for EA's press conference, I'm gonna go do some window shopping, and hope I come home to Battlefront footage. No more behind-closed-doors bullshit, EA. Show us what you're giving us for our money.
I'm also looking forward to Sony's press conference, for the simple fact that after their smackdown at E3 2013, they have completely fallen off my radar, and nothing has compelled me to get a PS4.
We can't forget the DOOM reveal, either.
I'm a pretty big Gears fan and I have to say I didn't recognise the girl. The dude seems familiar, though...
By the way - no mention of EA Free Access for Gold Members? That's something to be pretty hype about, as far as I can tell.
And holy shit backwards compability and the ability to play with people on X360 on XBO.
3152230 That was last night. These points are from Microsoft's briefing.
3152242 Another thing that has me interested is the "Elite" controller.
I can't wait to hear people bitching about unfair advantages. Get on the PC level, kiddies.
EA Access is free for Gold members for E3 week only. It's a great deal, something I gave my thumbs up on from day one, but it hasn't been enticing enough to download. My Xbox One is seriously pressed for space. I'm either gonna have to set money aside for a bigger drive, or delete some games. Seeing how Halo 5 is the only console game on my radar this year, I'll probably stick with the 500GB unit I have now.
3152254
By the way, I'm currently downloading the Gears Remastered Beta. Check your messages/Smartglass.
I'm shocked at the number of announcements that had me going, "Good job, Microsoft, you did good this year." Far more positive than negative. I haven't forgotten, but I will happily forgive.
I'm interested in Sony's conference as well. It will be interesting to see if they're even going to try to top Bethesda or Microsoft.
I'm still holding out hope that Nintendo will bring something good, too. About the only thing on my radar with them is the new Zelda title.
So question— I slept really F***ing late and jumped into the conference right at the end of the backwards compatibility part. Am I mistaken or did they say that you could also use 360 retail discs? I thought the whole reason they couldn't do that the first time was because of new system components, but then it sounded like we could use our old discs now... 0.o
I presume the backwards compatibility is 360 games on the one? Meh, would be more excited if I could play them on windows 10 since I don't nor am I likely to ever have an XBone.
I've heard about the Hololens. It looks cool but I've heard some people who've tried it say it has a severely limited field of view which kind of breaks the immersion.
--Sollace
You know, it's funny how Sony has done very little to impress people lately, yet they're still in first place in the console war, and Microsoft is dead last. I guess that goes to show that the console wars now a days mean diddly squat in regards to actual quality of the gaming library for game systems.