Did Microsoft squander its big chance?

Did Microsoft squander its big chance?

A reader gives his verdict on E3s winners and losers and explains why hes disappointed at how Microsoft handled Sonys absence.

My biggest regret about E3 is that I didnt write a Readers Feature before it happened, in an attempt to predict what would occur. Because what did happen is pretty much exactly what I expected. Microsoft was in a position to dominate the entire show, especially as Google werent really there with Stadia, and what did they do? Pretty much the minimum effort, with no major announcements of any note except what was already rumoured – and even then they left a ton out.

Thinking about it for this feature I dont even know what was meant to be the biggest annoucement. When the two main options are Lego-themed DLC for Forza Horizon 4 and Phantasy Star Online 2 you know something, somewhere has gone drastically wrong. The Halo Infinite trailer was weird and boring, and all the best stuff, like Cyberpunk 2077, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and The Outer Worlds were multiformat and nothing specifically to do with the Xbox.

Advertisement

Advertisement

In hindsight its now obvious that they didnt want to show off anything that was only going to be on Project Scarlett, like Fable IV and Forza Motorsport 8, but I really dont think they were sensible to be so coy. This was their moment to go all in and they bottled it. Ive seen quotes from a Microsoft exec saying they didnt want to empty the tank but thats exactly what they shouldve done. Now Sony has the chance to trump them at the next E3 and/or at their reveal event and any advantage Microsoft couldve gain from having this E3 to themselves has gone.

Sure, they announced Project Scarlett and showed a bit more of Project xCloud, but none of the information was particularly useful or interesting. Just some vague technobabble about their new console and confirmation that xCloud works in extremely controlled conditions – a revelation that is absolutely no good to anyone.

So who did win E3? Well, I thought Nintendo, Square Enix, and Bethesda all did pretty well. While Ubisoft did uncharacteristically poorly. Despite still managing to have a few surprises the sci-fi Rainbow Six looked horribly derivative just from the trailer and the Elite Squad mobile game I can still barely believe is true; it looked so bad and seemed to be purposefully trolling Splinter Cell fans.

Bethesda did much better and while some thought theyd fast track more info on The Elder Scrolls VI and Starfield I think they did the smarter thing of announcing new IP. They clearly werent very far along, and I suspect they wouldnt have been revealed this year if Bethesda didnt need to regain the trust of fans, but I certainly appreciated knowing they were on the way. And while Im not interested in it either way I also thought they made a solid effort in redeeming Fallout 76.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Square Enix also did well. I dont remember them having a show like that before at E3 but they totally justified it, with a whole bunch of games and major reveals but still the sense that theyve got a lot more they didnt mention. The Marvels Avengers reveal was slightly underwhelming, although GCs preview of the behind closed doors stuff was reassuring that they just pitched it slightly oddly.

I still dont like the look of the characters though, which is too close to the movies and yet not close enough. They shouldve either gone comic book style or create a unique look of their own, although I suppose that in itself is going to encourage buying outfits.

All of which leaves Nintendo, who… did great. They really are the masters of the livestream event, to the point that all others get compared Read More – Source