Microsoft E3 preview - The games we could see
Things didn't go too well for Microsoft and the Xbox One at E3 last year. After revealing the Xbox One as a multimedia device that focused on TV over games it was always going to be hard to get back on a level footing with Sony. Even long-time Xbox players were suddenly feeling betrayed and many eventually made the switch to the PS4.
Fast forward a year and Microsoft isn't actually doing too badly, probably because of the amount of U-turns and policy changes (anyone remember Kinect?). It looks to be in a much better position compared to last year, and big boss man Phil Spencer is promising games, games and more games for E3. Here's a look at some we can expect to see.
Halo 2 Anniversary
This rumour has been doing the rounds for a while now. While we're not going to be seeing a full Halo game in 2015, we just might be getting a HD remake of Halo 2. Various sources and leaks have confirmed as such, now it's just about hearing it from the mouth of Microsoft.
The remake would go some way to filling the Xbox One's Halo void, and in turn build some momentum for the release of Halo 5: Guardians and the launch of that Steven Spielberg-direction Halo TV show. You know it makes sense.
Halo 5: Guardians
It won't be released until 2015, but you can be sure we'll be seeing a hell of a lot of details for Halo 5: Guardians. Expect gameplay footage, plot details, information on the setting, characters and more next week.
343 Industries had a good go at things with Halo 4, but now that they get to make a game with the new hardware we can be sure to see what their vision for the Halo franchise really looks like.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Microsoft and Call of Duty have had a good relationship for years now, and COD DLC still hits Xbox platforms before anywhere else. Expect to see the new COD on Microsoft's stage as Sledgehammer Games tries to show us why this year, it really is a little bit different.
We're willing to give it a chance, the debut trailer was superb and having Kevin Spacey in it has us very excited. But can we all agree Advanced Warfare is a rubbish title?
Fable Legends
Many onlookers are sceptical about where developer Lionhead can take Fable now. It was once a cherished franshise and now it appears to have lost its way a little bit. It was first announced at Gamescom last August so that's more than enough time to get together a quality game demonstration.
We know it has multiple heroes for players to control, and we've been told it'll be updated with content for 5-10 years, but we're not exactly sure how all that will play like when it comes together. Hopefully this time next week we will do.
Quantum Break
Is this the future of video games? Live-action clips blended together with sections of gameplay? It could very well be, but until Quantum Break actually comes out we'll never know.
First announced at the Xbox One reveal event and recently delayed to 2015, not many people have seen much of Quantum Break. Which is a real shame, because it's certainly one of the most interesting titles in development anywhere right now. A look at how exactly everything fits together would prove very useful.
Sunset Overdrive
One of the games I'm personally looking forward to the most, Sunset Overdrive is something full of colour and life and character and charisma and everything a lot of modern games currently lack. I was hooked from seeing the debut trailer for the first time, and after watching preview videos I just can't wait to get my hands on it.
The fact it's coming from Ratchet & Clank studio Insomniac only makes me more excited, as the crazy weapons and technology the developer is known for will only be put to good use here.
Forza Horizon 2
After months of speculation, Forza Horizon 2 was finally announced earlier this week, and it looks gorgeous. Jaw-dropping screenshots have surfaced, showing off a weather system for the first time in a Forza game.
The younger, more eccentric brother of Forza Motorsport, Horizon 2 will again be based around a music festival which made the first game such good fun. You can be sure it'll play a big part in Microsoft's conference.
Gears of War 4
Now, this is a tricky one. Black Tusk Studios has been given control of the Gears of War IP, that much we know. But that was only a few months ago, and apparently that was the time when Black Tusk started work on the game, nothing had been done beforehand. That means at E3 it would have been four months since the start of the project... Too soon?
Possibly. While we certainly won't be getting any gameplay at this stage of development, we could very well be given a short teaser trailer showing us the world or the characters. Even a quick 30 seconds teasing some more details in the future would be nice.
Dance Central 4
The Kinect may not be a necessity anymore, but Dance Central will still prove to be as popular as ever. We're quite optimistic of a new Dance Central being shown off at E3 to appeal to the casual gamers. And we're okay with that, just as long as Usher doesn't show up.
More???
Microsoft is bound to have a few more surprises up its sleeve. The company was hit so hard by people saying the Xbox One wasn't a console for gamers that the only response is to show off a multitude of exclusive titles. Expect to be surprised by a game announcement or two coming out of nowhere.