Microsoft/Xbox One
The Road So Far:
The successor to the Xbox 360 was initially announced back in May, since then, however, Microsoft’s next-gen hardware has been subjected to a series of alterations. These alterations themselves were in direct response to the passionate backlash towards the system’s original architecture – which adopted a Steam-based approach to the ownership of games. Specifically, this proposed design would have marginalised video game piracy while also doing away with used game trading in general. This underlying caveat would have been monitored by Microsoft through a once-a-day internet check – itself a prerequisite of the Xbox One. Nonetheless, Microsoft failed to communicate their future-proof concept effectively which left the Xbox community confused and aggravated – particularly as the model was contrasted by Sony’s approach to the PlayStation 4.
Thereafter, the company reversed the DRM and the need for a persistent internet so as to appease the Xbox community and level the playing field with Sony’s next-gen hardware. Two steps forward, one step back, it seems. Other than Kinect 2.0 – which has also been tweaked ahead of launch – we have an upcoming system that mirrors the PlayStation 4 in more ways than one. Still, Microsoft have assembled a versatile line-up of games – one that is arguably better than Sony’s, at this time – and Gamescom will serve as the perfect platform to discuss those fifteen mysteriously exclusive year-one properties.
DRM, the constant internet connection and the necessity of Kinect 2.0 have all been revised in the last couple of months. Whether this is Microsoft presenting their fanbase with the choice they lobbied for or a sign of their fractured credibility, I’ll let you decide. For now, though, Gamescom is of paramount importance if they’re to position the Xbox One in a stable, consumer-friendly manner for the EU market.
What’s expected:
In a recent report, we understand that Phil Spencer; the vice president of the company’s Game Studios, will take to the stage in Cologne to deliver Microsoft’s keynote. The industry, he says, is at a turning point. One which will curate an evolution in game development, but Microsoft still have a way to go if they’re to make the Xbox One the most sought after next-gen hardware. Mind you, not all of the company’s focus will be locked on the next generation. In fact, in response to a fan’s question via Twitter, Spencer said that Microsoft have a new Xbox 360 game up their sleeve that nobody has guessed at yet. A Fable title, perhaps?
Having skipped the event entirely last year, Microsoft’s presence in Germany is a clear sign of the company’s desire to attain a better foothold in the European market. The fact that the industry giant has scheduled an Xbox One showcase event for August 20th signals their plans to present a clearer image of their upcoming hardware; with more information surrounding software line-up and an even a firm release date seeming rather inevitable, too.
According to Marc Whitten, we’ll also get more details surrounding self-publishing – another area that Microsoft have retooled recently – in order to claw back some of the indie deficit lost to Sony at E3. In doing so, the company will hope to boost the next-gen version of the Xbox Live arcade with a collection that could emulate the likes of Fez and Braid on Xbox 360.
The Wild Card:
Speculating ahead of time in regards to a gaming exhibition is always fun. It gives you the opportunity to toss your suggestion into the figurative hat, one which you often look back at in hindsight and wonder what the hell you were thinking. Nevertheless, let’s stipulate about Microsoft’s Gamescom, 2013 showing next week.
It surfaced recently that Microsoft are poised to reveal an unannounced Xbox One exclusive at the event, which will be debut to the audience in Cologne for the first time. For all we know it could a Kinect title. It may even be Fable 4. But what if it’s the game that Black Tusk are working on? If that studio sounds familiar to you, it should. After teasing the community at E3 with a futuristic, yet mysterious trailer, the team have remained mum on any information regarding the next-gen property. In saying that, it’s worth noting that Black Tusk is a first-party studio, thereby fitting the bill when Phil Spencer teased the ‘unique exclusive’ late last week.
Mind you, with Microsoft reported to dedicate a large portion of their stage time to the indie community, it could well be that most of the surprises come from the small-sized genre itself. Quite frankly, after all the DRM reversals and u-turns, it’s hard to imagine Microsoft doing something that will have our tails spinning. Then again, never say never.
Unlike Sony, Microsoft won’t live stream their press conference from Germany, opting to release snippets of their keynote at a later time. Nevertheless, we’ll keep you posted about all the news from the event as it happens, so keep it tuned to We Got This Covered.
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