In case you missed the annual Electronics Entertainment Expo, we have an “E3 2014 in review” series for you! First up, we take a look at what Microsoft had to offer for the Xbox One and 360 going forward.
Microsoft led the E3 press conferences on Monday morning with a few expected announcements, a couple of surprise announcements, and a focus on games. Microsoft’s strategy was completely different from E3 2013 which focused more on the entertainment side of Xbox Live and the (then) upcoming Xbox One.
“We are committed to delivering amazing experiences that will help define this generation of games and delight the millions of passionate Xbox fans around the world,” said Phil Spencer, head of Xbox. “Xbox will be the only place you can enjoy the most-anticipated blockbusters and new franchises, including exclusives like ‘Sunset Overdrive,’ ‘Halo: The Master Chief Collection,’ ‘Forza Horizon 2,’ and ‘Dance Central Spotlight.’ In addition, on Xbox One gamers will be able to play upcoming hits like ‘Destiny,’ ‘Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare,’ ‘Assassin’s Creed Unity’ and a vibrant catalog of games from independent developers.”
Microsoft also announced the launch of the Kinect-less Xbox One for $399USD available immediately.
Call of Duty: Advance Warfare
Microsoft kicked off their press conference with Call of Duty: Advance Warfare from Sledgehammer Games and Activision.
With the latest installment in the Call of Duty franchise, gamers can expect to see a bevy of new gadgets and toys to wreak havoc with from the exoskeleton suit to “selector” grenades, remote-control drones, hover tanks and more.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare releases November 4, 2014 for Xbox One and Xbox 360 with all add-on content being released for the Xbox platforms first.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
This one caught more than a few gamers by surprise. Many were expecting a Halo 2 Anniversary edition but instead 343 Industries gave Halo fans the package of a lifetime with Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
This collection brings Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2 Anniversary, Halo 3, and Halo 4 together for the first time on one console. All games will play at 1080p/60fps and feature 45 campaign missions and more than 100 multiplayer and Spartan Ops maps. Gamers who pick this up will also be given access to Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta and Halo: Nightfall – an original Halo live action digital series.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection releases exclusively for the Xbox One on November 11, 2014.
Forza Motorsport 5: Nürburgring
The wait is over for Forza Motorsport 5 owners – the Nürburgring finally comes to the game for Xbox One.
Turn 10 took 30 artists and spent over 13,000 man hours to recreate the Nürburgring from the ground up to within millimeter precision.
This free track DLC is available now for Forza Motorsport 5 exclusively on the Xbox One.
Forza Horizon 2
Forza fans were teased before E3 with a teaser trailer of Forza Horizons 2. Microsoft officially announced the second iteration of the open world Forza racing game by Playground Games.
Forza Horizon 2 features the video game premiere of the Lamborghini Huracán, introduces weather effects, and brings over the Drivatar system from Forza Motorsport 5.
Forza Horizon 2 comes exclusively on Xbox September 30, 2014.
Fable Legends
Set hundreds of years before the original Fable, the next iteration in the Fable franchise is Fable Legends which features four player co-op with a twist – a fifth person can take on the role of the villain, working against the group of four.
If you’re interested in the Fable Legends multiplayer beta which beings this fall, head on over to FableLegends.com.
Crackdown
An old favorite returns to the Xbox One as Dave Jones, creator of the original Crackdown, returns to deliver an all-new Crackdown experience for Xbox One.
No word yet on when Crackdown will be out.
Sunset Overdrive
Get ready to get crazy with the Xbox One exclusive Sunset Overdrive. A stylized open-world shooter, go solo in the action packed campaign or join online with their eight-player multiplayer mode called Chaos Squad.
Sunset Overdrive launches globally starting in the US on October 28, 2014 only on Xbox One.
Super Ultra Dead Rising 3 Arcade Remix Hyper Edition EX Plus Alpha
This one was a fun surprise from the Dead Rising 3 team. Capcom announced new DLC for Dead Rising 3 – with perhaps one of the longest DLC names in recent history – Super Ultra Dead Rising 3 Arcade Remix Hyper Edition EX Plus Alpha.
The DLC is out now for Dead Rising 3 on Xbox One. If you previously purchased the season’s pass, you’ll still have to pony up for this DLC installment.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Shortly after the launch of the Xbox One, Tomb Raider was re-released for the next generation with remastered graphics. Crystal Dynamics is back with Rise of the Tomb Raider, the next installment in the rebooted Tomb Raider series.
Unfortunately, Crystal Dynamics hasn’t indicated a release date for Rise of the Tomb Raider at this time.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Bioware introduced Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third installment in the series. One of the welcomed re-additions is the return of the tactical view which was removed from Dragon Age II.
Gamers will take on the role of an Inquisitor and their choices will influence which areas of the games will be accessible. Dragon Age: Inquisition will be available for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One on October 7, 2014.
Evolve
We’ve seen Evolve before and Turtle Rock Studios showed us more of what to expect from this 4 vs 1 multiplayer shooter. Choose your role as one of four Hunters and work as a team, or choose to play as the Monster and try to avoid being destroyed.
Evolve arrives on October 21, 2014 for the Xbox One.
Assassin’s Creed Unity
Just when you thought Assassin’s Creed had run it’s course, Ubisoft introduces us to Assassin’s Creed: Unity which is set in the French Revolution. In Unity, you can play alone or team up for four-player co-op.
Between the setting and the four-player co-op mode, Ubisoft might just have another bestseller with Assassin’s Creed: Unity, due out October 28, 2014 on the Xbox One.
Tom Clancy’s The Division
Ubisoft Massive showcased some game play from Tom Clancy’s The Division running on a completely new engine, built from scratch. Gamers will play as a Division agent after a pandemic devastates New York City and threatens to bring society collapsing down.
Tom Clancy’s The Division has been delayed until 2015.
Grand Theft Auto V
While not announced during the Microsoft Xbox press conference, it was only a matter of time before the popular Grand Theft Auto V made its way to the next-generation systems.
GTA V is expected this fall for the Xbox One.
The Rest…
Other titles announced by Microsoft included one of Xbox’s original fan-favorites Phantom Dust, Xbox One exclusive noir adventure D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die, the newest addition to Harmonix Dance Central series Xbox One Exclusive Dance Central Spotlight, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt from CD Projeckt RED, the popular free-to-play online multiplayer action game Happy Wars, Season 2 of Killer Instinct, the full release of Project Spark, Ori and the Blind Forest from Moin Studios, and various titles from the ID@Xbox self-publishing program for independent developers including Inside, Cuphead, Plague Inc: Evolved, Threes!, and more.
Microsoft continues to support the Xbox 360 including titles as Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, and bringing other Xbox One titles such as Forza Horizon 2, Project Spark, and Magic 2015 – Duels of the Planeswalkers to the Xbox 360 console.
For Xbox gamers, there is definitely a wide variety of games coming this holiday season for every play style and gamer taste.
Check back for our review of what Sony and Nintendo had to offer as we bring you part two and part three of our E3 2014 in Review, or see what the Techaeris staff thought of this year’s spectacular E3 event!
Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
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