Microsoft's E3 Predictions

So it's pretty much accepted that the "Xbox One" (hate that name) reveal was one of the worst in console history. And while I'm sure there are at least a couple more days of gifs, blogs post, crying Microsoft fanboys, and proud Sony fanboys, let's bring it back to what matters the most. Games.

Microsoft showed some games at the conference in the form of EA Sports franchises, Quantum Break, Forza 5, and Call of Duty: Ghost. While not wowing like Sony's conference Microsoft did send home that message that E3 will be all about games with 15 exclusive IP's releasing within the first year of the Xbox One 8 of which are new IP's with the remaining being continued franchises. What they didn’t specific (which was purposefully to get gamers excited) was how many of these games would be full retail games vs. Kinect games vs. XBLA games. That ratio needs to be in favor of retail and XBLA games if Microsoft wants to be taken seriously at E3, or they really need to show Kinect 2.0 is something the core needs.

So what are those games going to be. Let's start with the old. Out of the 7 old franchises only 2 have been confirmed to be in the making, Halo 5 and Forza Motorsport 5. Of those 2 only Forza is a guaranteed title, with Halo 5 possibly slipping a bit out of year 1, but for now we’ll count it. So what does that leave? IMO we’ll have a Fable 4 / MMO year 1 (Fable 4 more likely with an MMO for the second game), there has to be a Kinect Adventures 3 or similar game to launch for Kinect, so that’s 4 down and 3 to go. There’s also a rumor of Rare making a return to a historic franchise, so what do you think the other 3 games will be?

Halo 5
Forza Motorsport 5
Fable 4 / Fable MMO
Kinect Adventures 3
?????
?????
?????

Of the empty spots what would you most like to see fill the void of the other 3 franchises, and what do you think would be the most likely?

Other Possible Exclusives:

Retail: Project Gotham, Perfect Dark, Lost Odyssey, Crackdown, Blue Dragon,
3rd Party: Gears of War, (no Alan Wake since Remedy is working on a new IP)
Kinect: Dance Central 4, Kinect Sports, Kinect Joy Ride,
XBLA: Splosion Man (Mrs.), Shadow Complex, Mark of the Ninja,
Rare: Killer Instinct, Banjo-Kazooie, Battletoads, Conker, Viva Pinata

Now moving on to the future of Xbox One and possibly more important the established IP’s are New IP’s for a new console generation. Microsoft will have 8 New IP’s launching on the Xbox One, Year 1, so let’s looking what we already know, and what to expect.

As of now we know once again two confirmed games Crytech’s Ryse and Rememdy’s Quantum Break (possibly Xbox TV + Xbox One game tie in), however, we know nothing about either game beyond simple concepts. But what secrets is Microsoft holding for the other 6 IP’s. Here’s a list of developers working for the Nextbox exclusively who have yet to show or say anything.

Ryse
Quantum Break

Next Generation Zombie Game
Microsoft Studios LA: Next Generation Core title
Platform Next Sutdios: Next Generation Core title
Black Tusk Studios: Next Generation Title
Kids and Lifestyle Entertainment: Next Generation Fitness Project (Kinect Fii)
Playful Learning: Next Generation Family Project (IMO Kinect)
Skybox Sports: Next Generation Sports Project (Possible Kinect Sports New?)

Microsoft has other developers working on projects as well, but many of them simply aid 1st party and 3rd party development teaMicrosoft. Are there any genres you’re looking for to fill a void in Microsoft’s 1st party catalog?

By the looks of it the breakdown of exclusive titles for the “Xbox One’s” first year are 8 retail exclusives, 4 Kinect exclusives, and 3 XBLA exclusives. Add to that a good amount of 3rd party support and it seeMicrosoft, gaming is still a focus for Microsoft........just secondary to owning the living room. Are you excited by this news, and do you hope Microsoft nails their E3, or are you ready to switch.