E3 2019 is less than a month away! With one of the biggest events in the video game industry being so close, let’s attempt to predict what could occur at the grand showcase and see how our predictions hold up. At E3 2018, Microsoft had to show that they were going to turn things around. Since the release of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, Sony has dominated the industry by releasing more exclusives and more successful AAA titles than Microsoft. Sony’s lineup of Detroit Become Human, Days Gone, The Last Guardian, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and God of War have overshadowed Microsoft’s Gears of War 4, Crackdown 3, Sea of Thieves, and the Forza franchise. Although Microsoft has been catering to the multiplayer experience, Sony stood strong with single-player narratives. Can Microsoft combat Sony with a strong Xbox E3 2019 briefing after falling this far behind?
Despite losing the exclusive games war, Microsoft seems to have set out on a different mission; a mission to unify gamers across multiple platforms, a mission that would ultimately gain a lot of traction in the gaming community. This goal would lead to games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Minecraf becoming cross-platform compatible. Although cross-platform multiplayer was a strong selling point for Microsoft during their 2018 press conference, it was just one topic covered. During their E3 2018 press conference, Microsoft unveiled a multitude of titles also coming to the Xbox One such as Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Cyber Punk 2077, Devil May Cry V, Dying Light 2, and Kingdom Hearts 3 that would lend Microsoft a hand to create a memorable experience.
As previously stated, this article will be an attempt to predict some of the more notable things that could be announced during the Xbox E3 2019 briefing.
The Gears of War story will continue in Gears 5 with many details likely showing up at E3.
Microsoft Discusses Previously Announced Titles
At E3 2018, Microsoft unveiled Halo Infinite, Gears of War V, Forza Horizon 4, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. We expect that Microsoft will further extrapolate these titles throughout the show to keep fans attentive. The start of the show will most likely feature Ori and the Will of the Wisps as the starting title followed by a release date for the highly anticipated sequel.
Recently the supposed cover art for Gears of War V (Gears 5) was leaked due to another country’s rating system. The new information will more than likely fall during the middle of the show or at the very end depending on how much information they want to unveil. Hopefully, Xbox will show a bit of the multiplayer so players can see any new changes potentially coming to the series. Finally, Halo Infinite will likely drop at the ending portion of the show. Since Halo 5, Halo fans have craved a proper Halo title featuring Master Chief as its primary and sole protagonist.
While it’s become a bit of a joke, Microsoft could continue their trend of bringing a car on stage.
Xbox Unveils Forza Motorsports 8
Last year, Microsoft announced the acquisition of Playground Games, the creators of the Forza Horizon series. For the last six years, Microsoft has rotated between the Forza Motorsports series and the Forza Horizon series. Last year, Microsoft released Forza Horizon 4 for PC and Xbox One. With that in mind, Microsoft could reveal Forza Motorsports 8 with an exotic car on stage as they have done in the past despite fairly vocal criticism. Will it be a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Tesla, or another Porsche?
Either way, Xbox bringing a car on stage seems to be a common practice that will likely continue.
Fable Legends character art courtesy of Microsoft and Wired.
Xbox Announces Fable 4
In 2016 Microsoft revealed Fable Legends, a multiplayer battle arena similar to Dead by Daylight. This arena game type would put four players against one in a tactical MMO battle arena. After a slow Alpha and beta, Microsoft announced that they were canceling the project. However, last year a rumor emerged that Playground Games was currently working on the next installment to the beloved Fable franchise. Other than a brief alpha for Legends, fans have not seen the Fable franchise since the release of Fable 3 in 2010.
Could we see elements of Fable Legends show up in Fable 4?
Crackdown 3 didn’t live up to the hype, so what could be shown to recover that effort?
Crackdown 3 & Sea of Thieves DLC announced
At E3 2018, Xbox unveiled that Crackdown 3 was still coming out. Despite its mediocre reviews, Crackdown 3 has seen some success due to its availability through the Xbox Game Pass. With the release of the next generation of consoles upcoming, we might not see new titles being announced but we could see expansions coming to popular Xbox One titles. Crackdown 3 seems like a likely fit. Hopefully, whatever DLC comes to Crackdown 3 revitalizes its short-lived community.
With the toads appearing in Killer Instinct, the new character designs could carry over into the Battletoads game.
Sea of Thieves has also seen success due to cross-platform compatibility. At E3 2018, Rare announced two expansions coming to Sea of Thieves. With the upward success of the popular pirate game, an expansion trailer is definitely probable.
Battletoads & Rare Titles Revealed
At E3 2018, Microsoft revealed that they were working on a sequel to a beloved franchise, Battletoads. The franchise has not seen a new installment since the release of Super Battletoads in 1994 with various games made available on the Xbox One through the Rare Replay Collection. Could a side-scrolling platformer similar to Cuphead be as a successful as its predecessors or will it fall down into the sewers to keep the Ninja Turtles company?
With the purchase of Rare, Microsoft has a tremendous opportunity to release a bunch of sequels to popular Rare titles such as Perfect Dark, Banjo-Kazooie, Conkers Bad Fur Day, or even Jet Force Gemini.
Many have touted Cyberpunk 2077 as one of the most anticipated games.
Multiple AAA titles
With Sony being absent from E3 2019, the top developers of the video game industry have limited options to show off their next big titles. We can easily expect reveals for Call of Duty, Destiny, Cyber Punk 2077, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, a secret Deep Silver title, Borderlands 3, Madden 20, Jedi: Fallen Order, Doom Eternal, and Code Vein to be shown at the Xbox E3 2019 briefing. Based on some choice tweets, we could also see the return of Sam Fisher in a new Splinter Cell.
Sony’s absence could be Microsoft’s gain by showcasing these titles and let’s them persuade players to play on the Xbox One.
What sort of console will succeed the Xbox One X?
Next Gen Console
The Xbox One originally released in November of 2013. Since the official release, the device has seen a variety of changes and adaptations. Players have had the option to buy a slim version, a more powerful version, one with Kinect, or one without, not to mention the various themed consoles. Recently, Xbox One users have even had the opportunity to go with a disc-less version. With the Xbox One coming close to the end of its life cycle, Microsoft could unveil their next-generation consoles as a final surprise during the press conference.
With Sony being absent from the event, Microsoft could obtain a lot of buzz with a teaser. Now, don’t expect them to announce all the fancy bells and whistles of the next Xbox, but it is probable that a reveal is inevitable, especially after the announcement of Google’s Stadia.
2019 might be Microsoft’s chance to create a new relationship with the gaming community at large.
Do you think Microsoft will unveil new exclusives? What other franchises would you like to see on the Xbox One? Let us know in the comment section down below or on social media.
Microsoft’s Xbox briefing takes place on Sunday, on June 9th 4 PM E.S.T/ 1 PM PST. The briefing can be watched on Twitch, Youtube, Facebook, Mixer (which typically has some free digital content and contests for those watching), and Twitter.
