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Microsoft has a lot to talk about (Photo: Microsoft)
This year’s E3 2021 may be one of the biggest ever for Microsoft, but will there be games from big names like Fable and Elder Scrolls 6?
Microsoft isn’t very good at E3. You would think that being in the house, when the commercial event is held in Los Angeles, would help them, but even if they have never completely embarrassed themselves, they have never been able to leverage their ads as effectively as Sony or Nintendo. This year, however, should be different.
For most of the Xbox One era they simply didn’t have much to show, but with the Xbox Series X / S already proving much more successful this year, the line-up is full of potential. More importantly, Microsoft’s stable of proprietary developers has grown significantly over the past couple of years, especially after buying Bethesda, and so even if they don’t have that many games nearing completion, they should have a lot to tease for the future.
Traditionally, Microsoft tends to be easier to read than Nintendo, but recently it has gotten better at keeping secrets and the status of major titles like Fable and Forza Motorsport largely remains a mystery. That doesn’t mean they won’t be at E3, but perhaps in a more limited way than fans are hoping for. In fact, that’s really the main question for Microsoft’s E3: not what will they show, but how much of it.
When is the Xbox and Bethesda E3 2021 showcase?
Microsoft was one of the first to announce their timing for E3 and, along with Nintendo, even released a statement about how much they were looking forward to seeing the show, even though it has to be online only this year. They also confirmed that since they acquired Bethesda last year, the two publishers would be holding a combined conference rather than the separate ones they once did.
The Xbox and Bethesda showcase will take part on Sunday June 13th at 6pm BST. That’s Microsoft’s usual place, and they’ve confirmed that the showcase will last about an hour and a half. This is obviously quite lengthy and while Microsoft has a tendency to waffle, it implies not only a lot of games but perhaps some major service or hardware announcements (there’s still that unproven rumor of a third Xbox Series console).
Halo is the only thing you can guarantee to be at E3 because, as far as is known, it is still slated to be released this year. After the disastrous first unveiling, which led to the Criag the Brute meme and game delayed until this year, Microsoft will know it doesn’t have a second chance when it comes to its most iconic franchise. Microsoft previously warned that only the story campaign will launch this year, but recent hints suggest multiplayer may be ready too, meaning there may also be a beta to be announced by the end of the year.
Forza Motorsport or Forza Horizon 5
The most consistently praised Xbox exclusive franchise is not Halo or Gears Of War, but Forza, with a game called Forza Motorsport being one of the first titles to be announced for Xbox Series X, along with a very brief snippet of gameplay. However, the game has barely been heard again, with hints that it may have undergone a rethink after being originally intended as a free-to-play title. What has been rumored much more heavily in recent months is Forza Horizon 5, which Microsoft has never officially announced but could end up coming out first, with a new game possibly set in Mexico.
Another game due out this year (although, as with any title at the moment, it is subject to change), so that means its presence at E3 is almost guaranteed. The original was one of the best 3D platformers of the Xbox 360 generation, and while it wasn’t a huge success, it became such a cult following the fact that not only was a sequel funded 16 years later, but Microsoft ended up buying. Double Fine Productions developer.
One of the most anticipated games of E3 yet no one knows what it is or when it will come out. It’s also unclear whether it will be shown in detail, but while a 2021 release date is a long-term prospect, it looks pretty likely the gameplay will be revealed. The assumption is that the game is some sort of space exploration or space trading, perhaps something along the lines of a more action-oriented No Mans Sky, but no one but Microsoft and Bethesda know for sure.
From here we start getting into a pile of games that Microsoft has announced but only via short pre-rendered trailers, which give no indication of when they might be released. The implication is that most of these are somehow distant, and it may not even be 2022, but that doesn’t rule out seeing more at E3, including a reboot of First Person Shooter Perfect Dark if it’s still a shooter. in first person.
One of the most anticipated new games for Xbox Series X, even if, once again, we know practically nothing about it. The Forza Horizon Playground Games developer is working on it (so who exactly is doing Forza Horizon 5 is unclear), but beyond that the only assumption that can be made is that it’s still somewhat similar to the RPG. original third-person action even though a rumor suggests it’s an MMO. Though perhaps the most important thing to judge from the teaser trailer is that it retains its distinctive British sense of humor.
There are many unknowns in Microsoft’s title list, but Rare’s new game is perhaps the most mysterious, especially since the developers themselves admitted that they were initially unsure of what kind of game it was going to be. That said, the teaser trailer should really be taken more as an atmosphere piece, with the only other explanation for what the game is that it is an action adventure.
Technically this was the first Xbox Series X game ever to be shown in public, but while at the time that seemed to imply it would be released sooner rather than later, the opposite now appears to be true. This is largely due to the game’s transition to the new Unreal Engine 5 technology, but it also implies a significantly more expensive sequel than the low-budget and rather short, original.
State of decay 3
Despite consistently mixed reviews, the State Of Decay franchise has been an Xbox mainstay for years now, with fans enjoying sandbox zombie hijackings despite the distinct lack of refinement. Whether the third game will be any better remains to be seen, but the only thing that has been shown so far is a very vague pre-rendered trailer, which suggests it’s still a long way off.
The new game from Obsidian Entertainment, the creators of Fallout: New Vegas, also has just a short teaser trailer to its name. However, it at least suggests what the gameplay is like, since it feels like a very first-person action RPG in the mold of Skyrim. Although Avowed was announced before Microsoft bought Bethesda, so whether there has been a redesign following this can only be revealed at E3.
While there’s a reasonable chance that Starfield will be shown at E3 you’ll be in luck if there’s something on the Skyrim sequel. Bethesda has repeatedly stated that there are several years to go, although that doesn’t stop them from offering a short teaser that perhaps announces the name and location of the game. Even if we wouldn’t bet on it.
Microsoft Xbox E3 2021 Secrets
There are plenty of other Microsoft first party titles that could be featured at E3, such as new, unknown games from developer Wasteland 3 inXile and We Happy Few creator Compulsion Games. Doom producer id Software hasn’t currently announced anything and while you may see something of MachineGames’ new secret Indiana Jones game, there have also been rumors that they are working on a third Wolfenstein game as well.
The console version of Microsoft Flight Simulator is sure to be featured in some way too, though it’s unclear whether Bethesda will mention Deathloop or Ghostwire: Tokyo, which, rather embarrassingly, were registered as exclusive to PlayStation 5 just before Microsoft bought Bethesda. .
Rumors suggest that Gears Of War 6 won’t be shown at E3, but it wouldn’t be surprising if there was some sort of minor spin-off instead, to keep things boiling.
More: Game news
Of course, there could be many more surprises, which are impossible to guess at the moment, including not just new games but new acquisitions or partnerships with other companies (there was that leak on Microsoft and Nintendo in talks for something).
It’s also more than possible that third-party publishers who don’t have conferences of their own, like Capcom or Take-Two, could use the Xbox conference to reveal new games, even if they’re not exclusive, which has often happened in the past.
If only half of the things fans are hoping will come true, this should still be an epic show from Microsoft and more than enough to prove to Sony that they still have some serious competition.
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