Microsoft May Have Already Had the Best E3 2018 Press Conference

The Microsoft E3 2018 press conference was one of the most intriguing prospects heading into this year's event. The Xbox One hasn't exactly been doing so hot, with it lacking the exclusives and exciting upcoming games to stand out beside the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

[Gazondaily]

I think Sony will have the better show based on the great titles that are about to release. Death Stranding is the one in really hyped for. Maybe fewer surprises but more gameplay for some great looking games like Death Stranding, Shenmue and Ghosts of T.

But the Xbox show format was really good. Perfect pacing and no Minecraft chat or overly long talkative stuff.

Perfect for Xbox fans with the usual ips plus the new studio acquisitions and the really strong statements for the future of Xbox at a time when there were a lot of doubts.

[morganfell]

The only slow part of the show was the head of Gamepass. It isn't the material she presented but that she seemed uncomfortable. Other than that the pacing was tight.

[DarkVoyager]

I honestly don’t know about that. This was in my opinion one of Microsoft’s best showings to date.

Halo: Infinite, Gears 5, and Forza Horizon 4 all looked great and they will all run at 60fps now which is a huge plus for me.

I also like the fact that they purchased Ninja Theory. Amazing studio.

And last but now least I’m a huge fan of Gamepass and the fact you get all Microsoft published exclusives at launch.

Microsoft are also working a next gen console codenamed Scarlet.

[GaboonViper]

Well said.

[DarkVoyager]

“Did they say 60fps on the OG Xbox One?”

Here’s where I got the information.

https://www.dualshockers.co...

[UltraNova]

Well comparing previous MS E3 showings then yes this year's was stellar...

[Godmars290]

I don't think Sony's track record is all that good.

They may - certainly - bring the games after the fact, but usually a 3rd of their E3's are bore-fests.

[ApocalypseShadow]

You forgot to add the /S.

Don't know what to say if you believe that though.

And, it's still hilarious with all that world exclusive premier, launch exclusive, etc. Why does MS try to muddy the waters on the definition of the word "exclusive?" What are they hiding?

[shinoff2183]

Wth have you been watching? Come on man us that what you post to make yourself feel better

[Ceaser9857361]

Godmars then prolly you saw Sony Press conference E3 2006.. Because Sony was always great this gen. They have revealed new games and continued doing so and also revealing more info about the games which have been revealed. Xbox finally had a great E3 this year. Coz until yesterday Xbox had boring shows.. Sony was always a step ahead.

[pwnmaster3000]

Agreed I said this earlier but sony doesnt even have to show any new ips ( which I don’t think they will) to have a good show. They have way to many exclusives to make up for it. Especially they have yet to release any gameplay for death stranding, lastofus2, and ghost of T. Plus they will most likely show off Spider-Man and days gone.

The only thing I see that Sony can’t top is them acquiring a studio. I doubt they will do that

[shinoff2183]

Sony will show something new I'll put money on it

[doggo84]

Sony have already acquired a new first party studio. If I'm not mistaken it is located in San Diego and is made up of ex naughty dog devs

[showtimefolks]

Pwn

They do have options but they just started a new studio in San Diego

And Sony bend is hiring for a new IP from what I understand they may have a 2nd team

Teams like ND and Santa Monica have more than one team within the studio

Some studios that Sony could acquire

Insomniac
QD
Blue point

[shinoff2183]

There still should be doubts. The xbox one x isn't even that old. They should worry about games right now

[ps360s]

But it seems like the Xbox fans are happy with the current state of the Xbox one >.<

FIVE years into the Xbox one console and it toke Microsoft FIVE years to acquire studios (longer if you count Xbox 360) 50/50 so they can counter the criticisms and for a show, only time will tell.

FIVE years of waiting and waiting while Sony throwing out EXCLUSIVES after EXCLUSIVES...

FIVE years too late as I said before

But I guess we all can look forward to the next Xbox console (hopefully) but these newly acquire studios can either end up being like Rare or thrive, we will never know until Ms can show us that they will deliver true exclusives akin to Playstation

[UltraNova]

Agreed, we'll just have to see soon enough.

[yeahright2]

Maybe. For me, MS had one job and that was to convince me to buy an xbox. and they have me close to it, just not an xbox1. Halo/gears/forza I don't care about, If I did, I would have already owned an xbox. And most of what was shown is coming to PS4. So for Xbox one, still no interest. BUT, for that next xbox, they have me cautiously hyped. the new studio plus all the acquisitions are all good things, ninja theory being the one I'm worried about losing their creative freedom. I really don't want to see them turn into the next rare.
But to me, even if Sony has a better show, unless it blows me away, I'd still say MS won in a way. Mainly because they actually have my attention as far as xbox goes and that's something I didn't think would happen again. Honestly, I was just watching their conference to see the third party titles that weren't going to be on anyone else's stage.

[ABizzel1]

@Septic

100% this.

The Xbox conference was absolutely great as far as pacing, quantity of titles, diversity of titles (thanks to a mix of first and 3rd party), etc.... The problem IMO is a lot of the games they showed were 3rd party which is great for pacing and content, but they're coming to PS4 so that's not a huge bullet point for their conference IMO. Exclusive wise pretty much everything they showed was 2019 or at this point likely on Xbox4 which leaves XBO with a barren 2018 carried by multiplats. The have the message best on Xbox, but that's not 100% true because yes you can have the best overall performance on the XBO-X, but you also get the worst overall performance on the XBO (which is what the majority of Xbox owners have).

That being said I think this E3 was almost everything they needed to do to set the expectation that the Xbox brand is still involved with gaming, and will get it together next generation and compete again. They have 5 new exclusive developers (although only Ninja Theory is the only real big wow from those studios considering the others made average / indie / exclusives to begin with). Also letting fans know Game Pass will continue and they're working on a successor consoles (which will probably be 2020, but honestly I could very well see them trying to pull a 360 and launching in 2019 to get a head start on next-gen and PS5). The only thing that would have made this conference and the content great was actual content releasing this year. At least 2 - 3 surprise exclusives of A - AAA quality releasing this holiday along with Forza, whether it was Splinter Cell, Alan Wake Remastered, Crysis Trilogy Remastered, and one actual AAA exclusive, that would have at least gave 2018 some love.

This was a conference for Xbox fans first and foremost which was a killer for, however, for non there was nothing there to really excite them to purchase an XBO in 2018, or 2019 either really since the console is closing out this generation with the same franchises it's known for Forza, Gears, Halo (probably XB4).

My opinion is still a strong 8 and I mean 8.0 - 8.9 lower for non-fans, a higher 8 for Xbox fans.

Content: B+ (great mix of 3rd party, console services / future hardware, and 2019 - 2020 first party, )
Pacing / Flow: A- (just like E3 Sony's 2016 it was all about the games, the opening was the only slight)
2018 Games: C- (Honestly this would have been MUCH lower if not for 3rd party showings)
Future: A- (5 exclusive studios, nice 2019 line-up, and a new console being worked on)
Megaton: B+ (Ninja Theory, but no game to show so not a complete Megaton IMO)

Overall Conference: B (Solid 2018 conference let down by a lack of 2018 games, specifically exclusives.)

[mrmikew2018]

It was a good show, it should really bring the confidence up for the Xbox community who exclusively enjoy the Xbox ecosystem. However, it’s extremely premature to even state they had the best conference.

The only downside from that conference that MS didn’t announce anything coming out for the XBO this year.

[lociefer]

What xbox did today was what ps has been doing nearly every e3, albeit with more exclusives. BUT its good that MS are getting back in the game, more competition = more exclusives for us which is always good

[shinoff2183]

Yea and ms had a smart comment when sony did it and did it better mind you. So for them to turn around and do it was really asinine

[yellowgerbil]

death stranding is better than everything shown combined

[doggo84]

No doubt. When that TLOU 2 gameplay gets revealed people will be blown away

[Tobse]

You dont know what the game is about or have ever seen gameplay, yet somehow its better okeh

[yeahright2]

If you take away cyber punk 2077, maybe.

[yellowgerbil]

I am pumped for both that and sessions, but I've been watching a lot of death stranding conspiracy videos on YouTube so am super pumped about concrete info on that fame. My personal highlight is going to be Dreams though

[TheGamez100]

Great show they put out and should be how any conference should do it. Cant believe this is the same guys that tried giving us that tv, always online, the cloud, and kinect crap. However its only the beginning. Its gunna be down to exclusives and well...mcsft didnt have much, i mean sure there are console exclusives. Not sure why some are already saying theyve won e3 when the big boys sony and nintendo still have presentations lol. But yes it was a damn fine presentation with game after game, pooped myself with a few titles that were announced. Please continue with what youre doing mcsft. PS and Ninty need that competition.

[Razzer]

“Cant believe this is the same guys that tried giving us that tv, always online, the cloud, and kinect crap. ”

They fired that guy a while back. Taking a while to fix his mess.

[Strange_Evil]

I don't get what was so great. The conference was tight but the announcements were so weak. Literally no megaton announcements. Their exclusive roster is as weak as we knew a month back. We get the same routine of Halo, Gears and Forza. Nothing out of the box was announced. Most of the studios they bought were already only making Xbox games and weren't catering the PS4 apart from Ninja Theory so no major loss there for the opposition camp.

Yeah with Sony cruising with a subdued conference this time, they might have the best showing but there was nothing there as a PS4 owner that enticed me to run and get an Xbox One. If the purpose was to sell the Xbox as the place to game then I feel they missed the mark. The conference felt more like it was placating its existing userbase to stop the exodus after the negative press in the past 3-4 months due to their exclusives bombing and Sony hitting it out of the park with GOW.

I was really looking into getting the One X later this year but I might wait more now.

[trooper_]

I agree.

Saying it was the best conference is stretching it.

[mrmikew2018]

I see your point and I agree.

[MrSwankSinatra]

For Microsoft standards this has been their best presser in a while, but even then thats not saying much when the major announcements were multiplats and the exclusives were just another chug in that old ass gear in the Microsoft machine. Gears, Halo and Forza, the gear is broken a little cause Fable wasn't present.

[CaptainObvious878]

"The conference felt more like it was placating its existing userbase to stop the exodus after the negative press in the past 3-4 months..."

You hit the nail on their head. The fact that Phil had to specifically mention they were making another xbox for next gen was really telling of how much damage they believe they've done to their customer base.

Just think about that for a moment.

MS believed their relations with their fan base were so bad, they head of the gaming decision had to say they weren't abandoning physical consoles next gen.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Jumping the gun real quick there tex

[maybelovehate]

I thought it was extremely well produced. So many great games. But disappointed they didn't have a new Xbox Elite Controller.

Kingdom Hearts 3, Ori and Shadows Die Twice were my favorites.

[bluefox755]

Lol, if that was the best, then the bar is pretty damn low.

[shinoff2183]

Let's let Nintendo and sony have a turn to before you crown

[PhantomS42]

Agreed. Microsoft was certainly the best so far you are comparing it to EA and Bethesda who consistently have awful to bad shows. It was a very good show with exciting reveals but I think the focus on multiplatform games kind of hurt them for me. Still had a great time that shows unlike Bethesda who talked way too much showed way too.

[fishaz780]

Bethesda never have a bad show, Microsoft’s this year was sub par. I was hoping we would get a glimpse of the Rumoured Fable, perhaps some Banjo Kazooie. Instead we got Sea of Turds and another flaming Gears. I want new ips. I am sick of MS milking franchises I love to the point they become mediocre. MS right now is just plain disappointment

[PhantomS42]

@fishaz780
Bethesda has never had a bad show? You clearly didn't watch yesterday's show and last years was worse. The only good show they had was their first one when they revealed Fallout 4.

[yeahright2]

@fishaz, that's a big matter of opinion. Consider this, I don't like first person games. What does Bethesda have for me?

[techsquisite]

uh, no. one thing microsoft has taught me is to not bet against sony.

[yeahright2]

To me the biggest problem MS has at E3 is follow through. Up to this conference, MS's best showing was 2014 I think it was, the "mic drop" one, and from that, the only game still standing id crackdown and interest has waned on that one.

[leemo19]

The bar was pretty low to begin with, but the best conference jumping the gun on that. Until all the conference are done can't really say who has the best. MS had a solid conference probably put it ahead of Bethesda, the thing still lacking is wheres the epic exclusives. Most of the games were multi-plateform, you can't say Xbox is the best place to play games, when good portion of the games can be played on other platforms. The only big announcement was acquiring NT, other than that it was B- conference, much better than last year but still lacking again on the games that make me want to get a XB1

[Tzuno]

The high point was announcing work on next Xbox, the rest was ok but no skyrocketing.

[laoboy_Smoke]

Sony still has a good chance of coming out on top, but Xbox did their thing. Let's not forget that Bethesda had a great showing too, didn't realize how funny Tod Howard is lol.

[Broomfondle]

By the best, you mean better than EA's press conference.

[Damrock]

All i can remember from the entire press conference was the amount of games shown that i'll be able to get on Ps4...

Halo 6...horizon 4...gears 5.... none of those were surprises to see, would of been nice to see some new stuff that was pushing gaming.

[Artemidorus]

It's not perfect but it's a better one, one that provided a future for hardware.

[J-DARKnes]

Ok I must have really and I mean really high standards because I was not impressed. I mean it was better than last years but nothing special. Besides Sony is up next and let's not forget about Nintendo. I say they did better than EA but I wouldn't call it the best of E3 2018.

[mrmikew2018]

I agree, like I stated earlier the author is jumping the gun, it was good, but it wasn’t a megaton conference.

[Vrabstin]

I will compromise with "They tried really hard.".

[chaos999]

I don't think Microsoft is in a good position as you guys told.

Remember that Microsoft ALWAYS shows GAMEPLAY and titles that COMES OUT in that year at E3.

For the first time they showed teasers.
Like Sony did in the past.
I don't like this change at all.

[Jayszen]

It was a good show, but nothing special. Why? Regarding exclusives (well for Xbox and PC), no new games for this year apart from FH4. Crackdown 3 looked mediocre, Other new games were from the usual suspects, Gears, Halo, etc. As regards third-party game announcements, most of these were multiplats, and will be available also on the PS4. Only the acquisition of new studios was really new and out of these two of the studios already only make games for the Xbox and only Ninja Theory was the real surprise, more associated with Playstation until recently. In any case, games from the new acquisitions will take some time and most likely benefit the next generation.

The announcement of working on a new console was disappointing when the X has only been out for 8 months and is, in reality, a brand new console under the guise of an upgrade. Should gamers invest in the Xbox One X then or just not bother? If a new console is being developed what was the point of the X? After all, if Microsoft is determined to come out with a new console when Sony does, shouldn't the emphasis have been on making new games instead of a new console then in 2016 and 2017? Had this happened, gamers would not face the drought of exclusives that they are facing now and for the last year. The truth is that Phil Spencer has given up on this gen and is trying to ensure that they start the next gen on the right foot and are a strong challenge to Sony and Nintendo. .

[plmkoh]

They learnt their lesson not to pull embarrassing stunts like randomly debut a Porsche GT3. The Gamepass lady was awkward but quickly forgiven. It is a good standard for E3, but things have escalated quite a bit by competitors since 2014.

[ILostMyMind]

lol

[Tobse]

I dont think any conference will Match the Content and World Premieres,was a good show

[PaulFiend]

Gears-Halo-Forza, the usuals

[kranker]

Definitely great. Showed that 3rd parties aren't about to turn their back on ms. Only flaw is the lack of exclusive games.
Highlight for me were the new Fromsoft game and DMC5. Sekiro looks incredible by the way.

[RabbitFly]

It was their best showing in a while. But as always it was a bit third party heavy, while slightly muddying the exclusivity of the titles.

My personal highlights were as follows:

Microsoft acquiring Ninja Theory. While not a megaton developer they have great potential and it could be very interesting to see what they do with proper backing from Microsoft.

Sekiro reveal. Nice to finally see what Shadows Die Twice is, it does look a lot like it is From Software's take on the Nioh Formula though.

Devil May Cry 5 announcement. One of the worst kept secrets of E3 2018, but I still enjoyed the showing. Nice to see them return to their roots.

The Division 2 gameplay. The gameplay was as expected and the game was already announced. However this was the first I heard of it being set in Washington, which I found interesting.

Session - I have been following this for a while. I was very surprised to see it show up at Microsofts press conference. I am hoping it can bring back some of the magic Skate 1 and 2 had.

Dying Light 2 announcement - Cool showing and the addition of Chris Avellone as a narrative director is interesting. Also.. Was that New York?

Battletoads - Just because it came out of the blue and was funny.

Cyberpunk 2077 - Fun to finally see some more from this. The trailer also seemed to indicate that the game will have some driving mechanics, which is interesting.

There were other titles shown off that also were interesting, but these were the ones that stood out to me. All third party games though.

[DialgaMarine]

Other than buying 5 studios and a new Battletoads, it was exactly what I expected: Gears, Halo, Forza, and a bunch of indies and multiplats. It was a good show in that it was no bullshit and straight games after games, but everything was either on PS4 or PC as well. Xbox basically had no real identity here to the point that the constant use of the word felt redundant. No real argument was made to buy an Xbox. Gamers are better off just buying a good PC, PS4, abd Switch, and they’ll be able to enjoy MS’s entire show.

[Harryvok]

Only games I had some interest in exclusives wise was Gears 5 and Halo Infinite. I’ll get Cyberpunk for my One X because it’ll run better, but I think my PS4 Pro is still going to get played a hell of a lot more than my Xbox based on that show and what we know PS4 has on the horizon.

Crackdown 3 looks downright awful. Still waiting for meaningful content for Sea Of Theives to make the actual gameplay varied and fun.

I expected less from Microsoft though, so that’s something!

[Indigon]

It was a good show but most of the games that made the most impact are multi-platform. So it was a good solid show that Microsoft needed but it didn't sell me an Xbox.

[Doabarrelroll]

Seriously? It was a good show but lets not praise it more than it deserved. I have a feeling people are over hyping MS E3 this year because of how bad EA’s E3 was yesterday.

Yes by MS standards it was good, which isn’t saying much because MS’s E3 the last few years haven’t been that good,but their E3 can be easily broken down.

- No new exclusive games this holiday besides Forza, so no Xbox fanboys bragging about holiday line ups thats for sure
- The only exclusive announcements was literally Halo, Gears, and Forza, but most with little gameplay. Battletoads saved xbox from Halo, Forza, Gears jokes.
- 90% of games shown WILL be playable on PS4, the power advantage which MS is STILL bragging about is irrelevant this far into the gen.
- The biggest megaton which was the studio announcements people seem to forget TWO of the studios were already only making Xbox games so they might as well be Xbox studios. The other two studios haven’t proved themselves yet completely and one studio is legit brand new. Ninja theory however was a shocker. However it is no doubt a great step that MS NEEDED to take better late than never. BUT they STILL haven’t fixed the main issue and that is the present, xbox gamers are already constantly bring up 5 studios and need to stop over praising this announcement like they do MS’s megatons every E3.

All in all it was well paced and a good show that without a doubt made Xbox gamers happy and turned some heads in their direction. But it also was MS essentially telling gamers that aren’t Xbox fans currently wait till next gen.

[jhoward585]

The new Battletoads will be made using 2d hand-drawn graphics according to the trailer. That really Sucks.

[yomfweeee]

Microsoft had nothing to show except sequels to their main 3 franchises. They try to cover this up by announcing some studio acquisitions, which normally isn't done at E3. Ninja Theory was really the only significant one because the others already worked with MS mostly.

They lost already before Sony and Nintendo went.

[glenn1979]

Solid show from microsoft they plant seed for the future of the next xbox

[Wallstreet37]

6.5 out of 10. Compared to their other lackluster shows in the past it was definitely a step up. But As i figured almost all those showings were multiplatform games. Studio acquisitions were decent. Forza was star of the show. Also we have come full circle and it looks like their back to the holy trinity for them (Gears, Halo, Forza repeat which for me isnt a good thing as Gears and Halo last outing was boring imo).

Sonys show will more than likely be alot better. There was nothing really exciting and definitely nothing on par to the new games like Spiderman let alone TLOU2 tht will be shown tomorrow.

[DaGreatOne]

It was a pretty good show. What I got from it was the fact that Microsoft is listing and trying to fix their shortcomings. Some may feel it is just empty promises but I choose to be optimistic. This is the kind of news you should want to hear as a gamer.

[DaGreatOne]

Listening*

[StormSnooper]

The title of article is suprising to me. There was nothing noteworthy in that show imo. This is literally the first time I’ve felt like that in any E3. The biggest announcement was a business decision to acquire ninja theory.

[kevnb]

they beat ea :)

[jensen86]

It was alrite but nothin amazin the only things that got me excited was division 2 fallout n a few other multi plats bethesda is winnin in my eyes rite now theres was much better

[2paclives]

MS did very good. It was all about the games. And that's how it should be. Forza Horizon sold me. I'm happy.

[Hedstrom]

The problem fot MS is that the most interesting that they showed on their stage is third party. But they have laid a nice foundation for the coming gen with the purchase of new studios :)

[OffRoadKing]

Better than they've had in the past for them but too early to say best this year overall. Still nothing that exciting and the usual Halo, Gears, Crackdown, Forza routine.

[Cheesetoenails]

It was indeed a good conference. One of their best. I am looking forward to both Sony and Nintendo's.

[xRacer74x]

Nintendo might be able to say something about that least to me.

[QUIMICOMORTAL]

How? with nothing for 2018 save another forza H?
Or with no new AAA ip announced?

[Smokehouse]

I enjoyed it a lot. I will probably play all of those games eventually.

[StormSnooper]

Really? This wasn’t even an acceptable conference, let alone the best.

[Psychonaut85]

Based on the game pass thing, their general situation and some comments Phil Spencer said last night (our technicians are working on the next Xbox consoles(plural)), I'm predicting next E3 Xbox announces that they will release two consoles holiday of 2020. A weaker version without a disc drive, for $349-399 range (maybe as low as $299) geared at people who use gamepass, and also sort of embracing that Xbox has become a secondary console for many people. And a souped up version for $449-499 range, with a disc drive that will be more powerful than the PS5 (based on his comments that they're dedicated to staying the "best place to play games"), geared more towards their hardcore fans. It fits their current mentality of building an ecosystem, instead of being console brand focused. Just a thought.

[King_Lothric]

After watching Sony's conference I am totally convinced that Playstation exclusive games are on a total higher league that Xbox cannot dream to have.

[GrimReaperGamer]

The gameplay & CGI trailers shown at this conference where great, but much like Sony this conference had its own problem. In Sony's case the problem was the pacing (Live music & jump cuts to panel) and showing specific games/content (VR stuff, COD BO3/4 maps, Destiny DLC) that ultimately had a negative impact on their overall conference. The main games Sony showed off where tremendous with the majority being exclusive games Last Of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, Death Stranding, Nioh 2 & Spiderman followed by a few 3rd party Control, Resident Evil 2 Remake & Kingom Hearts III.

Microsoft on the other hand had great pacing for their conference but lacked the heavy hitting exclusive titles. Yes Ori Will of the Wisps looks great and I'll definitely be buying it Day 1 like Gears of War 5, but other than that we got Cuphead DLC meh, Sea of Thieves DLC meh, PUBG new content meh, Session meh, Crackdown 3 a game in development hell, Battletoads trailer which was just a piss poor teaser and the next installments of Microsoft's normal 3 Gears of War (1 of my favorite gaming franchises), Halo, & Forza. The majority of Microsoft's conference where
multi-platform games and while some of those games where definitely hype games for me like Cyberpunk 2077, DMC 5, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Kingdom Hearts III (shown at 3 conferences this year) & Shadow of the Tomb Raider, there where plenty of other games I couldn't care about Fallout 76, Captain Spirit, Neir: Automata (I already own on PS4), Metro: Exodus, Battlefield V, Tales of Vesperia, Tom Clancy's: The Division 2, Black Desert, Jump Force, Dying Light 2, Tunic & Just Cause 4,

Overall I thought both conferences where solid and I can't wait for all the new games coming next year and beyond.