E3 2014: Microsoft Press Conference

Microsoft’s E3 2014 press conference was all about the games. Phil Spencer came out on stage and briefly talked to audience about listening to the gaming community. Spencer understands there is a lack of games for the Xbox One, so instead of talking about new features or the Xbox One price drop, Microsoft brought the games. The first of the new trailers was “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.” This trailer was packed full of exciting gadgets such as jet packs, invisibility and heat-seeking grenades.

Additionally, Microsoft announced “Forza 5 Horizon 2.” It is set for release on September 30, 2014. “Horizon 2” is an open-world racing game with more than 200 different cars. Expect a full weather system as well as a day and night cycle.

“Evolve” started off with a new monster reveal. Gamers were introduced to the Kraken. A rather large monster that looks like a crossbreed of Cthulhu and a xenomorph.

Ubisoft came to town with some actual gameplay. “Assassins Creed: Unity” will be the first game in the series to introduce four player co-op play. The demo showed off a contract where four players were sent to cause a distraction, infiltrate the castle, and then finally assassinate the target. Watch as four players worked in unison to take out their target.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62QxAJegws8

“Dragon Age: Inquisition” showed off a lot of gameplay in the newest trailer. This trailer revealed more characters as well as some exciting new locations.

“Sunset Overdrive” continued with the over-the-top humor in the newest trailer. After a quick explanation of the creation of the monsters for “Sunset Overdrive,” the main protagonist set out to battle the creatures in an amusement park.

New DLC for “Dead Rising 3” called, “Super Ultra Dead Rising 3 Arcade Edition Hyper Remix Ex plus Alpha” is set to be the next round of content for “Dead Rising 3.” This new content takes the existing characters from the Dead Rising series and pits them against each other in a series of games. There are almost as many costumes in this DLC as there are adjectives in the DLC title.

“Fantasia” and “Dance Central” are the two new games from Harmonix. Both of these games will solely use the Kinect.

Lionhead Studios debuted “Fable Legends.” Players are taken on a quest of magic and danger through the land of Albion. Four player co-op was also introduced during gameplay as four different types of characters fought an army of enemies. Another first for “Fable Legends” is the villain system. A group of players team up to against a single player, known as the villain. While in villain mode, the game turns into a tower defense type of game as the villain deploys creatures against the team of heroes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdMa22YETb4

“Ori and the Blind Forest” looked to be a stunning game.  This appears to be a buddy game as there is a panda/sloth-like creature and a little white rabbit. The two seem to work together to solve problems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9DFPxGsPlM

Microsoft and 343 Studios is teaming up to bring a whole lot of Halo to the Xbox One. On November 11, 2014, Bungie will be releasing “Halo: The Master Chief Collection.” This is a collection of “Halo,” “Halo 2,” “Halo 3,” and “Halo 4” all on one disc. There will also be a collection of more than 100 multiplayer maps from Halo 2, 3, and 4. The collection will also include the live action show about Master Chief, “Halo Knightfall.” This is a nice piece of nostalgia before the release of “Halo 5: Guardians.”

Playdead, the developer behind “Limbo,” comes the new game “Inside.” The game has the same gritty feel as Limbo with just a few more added colors. This game looks to be just as creepy as its predecessor.

The next part showed a series of ID@Xbox games with claims up to 100 different games currently in development.  Check out the short list of some these titles. “Plague Evolved,” “Earthlock,” “Cuphead,” “Drifter,” “Lifeless PLANET,” “Slash and Dash,” “FRU,” “Grave,” “Threes,” “Fenix Rage,” “Woolfe Grin,” “Hellraid,” “Below.”

Laura Croft is set to return in 2015 with “Rise of the Tomb Raider.” No actual gameplay but an action-filled teaser trailer with lots of Laura falling down things.

New gameplay showcased “The Witcher 3.” The objective of this demo was to hunt down a griffin. During this demo Geralt chases down this giant beast and also saves a woman.

Microsoft ended the show with a quick look at “Phantom Dust,” “The Division,” a new IP with “Scalebound” and lastly “Crackdown.” Microsoft heard the public’s complaints about not having enough games and answered with this strong lineup of games.