18 votes

E3 2019: Microsoft Conference

E3 is upon us & Microsoft starts in about 10 minutes.

Let's discuss!

16 comments

  1. [3]
    nothis
    (edited )
    Link
    Microsoft Flight Simulator! Somehow seeing that again makes me feel warm and fuzzy (and old). Also maybe a great time to use new technology (Satellite data/streaming). Wow they bought Double Fine!...
    • Microsoft Flight Simulator! Somehow seeing that again makes me feel warm and fuzzy (and old). Also maybe a great time to use new technology (Satellite data/streaming).

    • Wow they bought Double Fine! Sucks to see them exclusive, now, but I feel like they're not quite the force they used to be, anyway.

    • That stage design is actually really impressive.

    • Missed the part where they introduced Project Scarlett. Is it a proper new console? More like Xbox 4? Or Xbox One Y?

    6 votes
    1. moocow1452
      Link Parent
      Yeah, Microsoft buying up DF is a surprise. I guess that means we're definitely getting a Psychonauts 2 for sure.

      Yeah, Microsoft buying up DF is a surprise. I guess that means we're definitely getting a Psychonauts 2 for sure.

      3 votes
    2. Whom
      Link Parent
      They're definitely presenting Project Scarlett as a proper new console and their focus on load times / the SSD seems to mirror what Sony has said about the PS5. Seems like both of them have wanted...

      They're definitely presenting Project Scarlett as a proper new console and their focus on load times / the SSD seems to mirror what Sony has said about the PS5. Seems like both of them have wanted to weirdly tiptoe into talking about the new consoles on a technical level rather than a sudden big announcement.

      2 votes
  2. [3]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. tiz
      Link Parent
      That was just incredible. You're breathtaking!!

      That was just incredible. You're breathtaking!!

      3 votes
    2. kfwyre
      Link Parent
      The first Ori was an absolute joy. It felt like a playable children's book, but with robust design and challenge aimed at adults. I found myself continually impressed by it, and thought it was...

      The first Ori was an absolute joy. It felt like a playable children's book, but with robust design and challenge aimed at adults. I found myself continually impressed by it, and thought it was brilliant the whole way through. I'm really hoping the new Ori can recapture the magic of the first, and, based on the trailer, I'm optimistic!

      2 votes
  3. Deimos
    Link
    It wasn't too bad overall, but honestly not much that I was very interested in that I didn't already know about. Felt like a lot of cross-overs and "name recognition" more than things that were...

    It wasn't too bad overall, but honestly not much that I was very interested in that I didn't already know about. Felt like a lot of cross-overs and "name recognition" more than things that were exciting on their own.

    Microsoft acquiring Double Fine was definitely unexpected, but I think they've been doing pretty poorly for a while, so it wasn't shocking. It's weird for them to go back under a publisher after a lot of their image was "we can do better without the pressure from a publisher!", but oh well, hopefully it'll end up being a good thing for their games' quality in the end.

    The selection of games on Xbox Game Pass for PC actually looks quite good, that might be worth picking up to try some of them out. I'm not sure how long the $1 deal they announced applies for, just the first month?

    3 votes
  4. [2]
    Whom
    Link
    What this mostly has me reflecting on is how I can't use E3 to judge how I feel about the AAA industry at a given time anymore. With Sony backing out and Nintendo just playing their direct, it's...

    What this mostly has me reflecting on is how I can't use E3 to judge how I feel about the AAA industry at a given time anymore. With Sony backing out and Nintendo just playing their direct, it's hard to tell.

    It seems slow. Not much original stuff, the conferences left are mostly from companies that have already announced a lot of things that seem like they're going to be focused on. Is this just E3 not being what it used to be or are we in a little bit of a slump after a good few years of gaming? Are we just seeing a slow trickle in at the end of a generation? I don't know.

    It's hard to build a narrative.

    3 votes
    1. hamstergeddon
      Link Parent
      I think it's just that it's super easy for companies to announce stuff throughout the year. Between social media and live-streaming, what's the incentive to announce something while everyone else...

      I think it's just that it's super easy for companies to announce stuff throughout the year. Between social media and live-streaming, what's the incentive to announce something while everyone else is doing the same thing? Nintendo released a bunch of info over the last few weeks that 10-15 years ago would've been a big deal for E3.

      4 votes
  5. [2]
    rmgr
    Link
    I got unreasonably hyped for Halo: Infinite.. Maybe I should just bite the damn bullet and buy an xbone...

    I got unreasonably hyped for Halo: Infinite.. Maybe I should just bite the damn bullet and buy an xbone...

    2 votes
    1. Abrown
      Link Parent
      Halo is coming to the PC, no need for an Xbone!

      Halo is coming to the PC, no need for an Xbone!

      3 votes
  6. Death
    Link
    The Forza/Lego crossover actually had me hopeful for a moment they were making or remaking Lego Racers, I would have gone for that. The car being made of Lego was definitely a nice little gag and...

    The Forza/Lego crossover actually had me hopeful for a moment they were making or remaking Lego Racers, I would have gone for that. The car being made of Lego was definitely a nice little gag and kinda confirms to me that even the big guys like Microsoft are now kind of in on E3 being almost like a joke these days.

    1 vote
  7. [2]
    mrbig
    (edited )
    Link
    Since I don’t have a humongous screen with the latest technology, 4K and 8K are irrelevant to me. Reduced loading time is nice, but not a deal breaker. I understand that Sony and Microsoft must...

    Since I don’t have a humongous screen with the latest technology, 4K and 8K are irrelevant to me. Reduced loading time is nice, but not a deal breaker.

    I understand that Sony and Microsoft must release new hardware on a certain schedule because of the competition, but, from a technological standpoint, the sensible approach would be to wait a little longer before releasing 8K capable consoles (or maybe forget about this resolution wars at all...).

    Besides, the size of most televisions and the distance most people sit from them makes 4K indistinguishable from 1080p - and yes, I tried (here's a technical article on the subject). That’s not just an issue of price and availability, but also living room arrangement. Console gamers play on the couch, not on a gamer chair with their eyes glued to the monitor. There are also plenty of other features that are more impactful than pixel count to focus on.

    But I do think that making an 8K capable console makes sense from a marketing standpoint. It will help to sell more boxes.

    1 vote
    1. NecrophiliaChocolate
      Link Parent
      Right, so I was looking at the link you said and it makes complete sense. But here are some of my counter arguments: More and more people are living in urban places, which is naturally going to be...

      Right, so I was looking at the link you said and it makes complete sense. But here are some of my counter arguments:

      1. More and more people are living in urban places, which is naturally going to be more cramped than a house in the country side. So you are going to be closer to your screen. Source: https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news/population/world-urbanization-prospects-2014.html
      2. People are buying bigger TVs, so like the chart shown in your link, you need higher resolution. Source: https://www.statista.com/chart/3780/tv-screen-size/
      1 vote
  8. moocow1452
    Link
    Half considering picking up an old Xbox One just for game pass ultimate. Granted, I have a significant backlog between Humble and Steam, but a lot of good stuff there.

    Half considering picking up an old Xbox One just for game pass ultimate. Granted, I have a significant backlog between Humble and Steam, but a lot of good stuff there.