E3 2019: Project Scarlett Releasing Holiday 2020
During today’s Microsoft E3 Presser, Project Scarlett had it’s first details formally announced. Following the mentality of having the most powerful console on the market, they are doubling down on the specs for this next gen console. The new console will use an AMD Zen 2 CPU, allowing for up to 4x the performance of an Xbox One X. It will also use GDDR6 RAM, which should surely help with intensive games. The console will also use a Solid State Drive for 40x the speed over current consoles. Other features that are set to be supported include 8k resolution, 120 frames per second, and ray-tracing. Halo Infinite is currently the only known launch title for the console, but we will surely hear much more on the lineup, price, and features at E3 2020.
E3 2019: Phantasy Star Online 2 Announced For Next Spring
Microsoft with yet another surprise announcement at this year’s press conference at the Microsoft Theatre revealed that the long-awaited sequel to Sega’s Phantasy Star Online will be coming as soon as next year. Revealing the debut for Phantasy Star Online 2 in the West will happen first on Xbox One: the trailer also details “online action combat with cross-play”, leading to the implication that the title will be announced for PC at a later date. As for more detail, Sega reassured fans that more will be unveiled in the coming months due to the EMEA release for the title. We'd like to thank all #PSO2 fans for your ongoing support and patience. This is a big step for a much loved franchise and we promise to keep you up to date with any developments and progress in making the game accessible to as many players as possible. — SEGA (@SEGA) June 9, 2019 Are you excited to finally return to the Team Sonic’s anticipated sequel? Let us know in the comments below. Phantasy Star Online 2 will be out on Xbox One in Spring 2020.
E3 2019: Dying Light 2 Coming Out Spring 2020
Atop of Dying Light 2 announced to be present at Square Enix’s press conference later tomorrow, developer Techland did also make an appearance revealing that the parkour, zombie killing title will be releasing this coming Spring. In the new trailer that was shown at the event gives a more in-depth look at the story’s protagonist, Aiden and the world that leads after the initial 2015 title. At the end of the video revealing that the new main character is in fact infected with some sort of timer on his wrist. Potentially leaving more context to how immersive the game will be by managing both your decisions and infection. Surprising that the release window for the title was shown at the Microsoft’s event rather than Square Enix who will be publishing the title, more details on the title is expected to be revealed at the coming press conference tomorrow night. In other Dying Light-related news, Techland CFO denounced that the upcoming sequel will be coming to Nintendo’s witch platform, but something else is planned to be coming in the near future. Dying Light 2 will be available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC in Spring 2020.
Forza Horizon 4 LEGO Speed Champions Launching June 13
During the Xbox E3 2019 Briefing we expected Playground Games to be present with something as they usually are. This time they were on stage for the upcoming LEGO Speed Champions expansion. This expansion is an entire LEGO themed world with full seasonal changes where you’ll discover LEGO Brick Challenges, collect and race brand new cars. These new LEGO Speed Champions cards include the McLaren Senna, the Ferrari F40 Competizione, and the 1967 Mini Cooper S Rally. The expansion will launch worldwide on June 13 for Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. Forza Horizon 4 LEGO Speed Champions will only cost $19.99 and is included at no extra cost for owners of the Ultimate Edition. Source: Xbox Wire
E3 2019: Halo Infinite Launches Holiday 2020
343 Industries has finally released a new trailer for Halo Infinite. This trailer showcases a new character who is a Pilot stranded in space who seems to be struggling to survive until he discovers Master Chief floating in space. After rescuing him and powering him back up, the Pilot shows Chief a ravaged Halo ring, and tells him that they have lost. These are some heavy implications for the story but we will have to wait to see more. Halo Infinite marks a new era for 343, and they internally refer to it as a spiritual reboot. While the story will still continue on from Halo 5: Guardians, they want it to be good entry point for new players. It marks a new chapter for Master Chief, but they assure veteran fans that they will feel right at home with the game. Halo Infinite will launch on the Xbox One family of consoles, Windows 10, and will also be a launch title for the next generation Project Scarlett in Holiday 2020. It is confirmed that we will see much more at E3 2020, while 343 still plans to hold beta tests sometime before launch.
E3 2019: Annapurna Interactive’s 12 Minutes Announced
Annapurna Interactive made an appearance with a new title at Microsoft’s press conference with the announcement for 12 Minutes. Pitted in the shoes of an average man, you live through his life as the title states and experience different outcomes based on your decisions. Based on what was shown in the trailer, you can live just a normal life and end the sessions with the cops at your door, or vice versa. Ultimately living in an never ending loop, how your outcome becomes reality is based solely on your decisions. Previously this year, I got to try out Annapurna Interactive’s Switch exclusive title Sayonara Wild Hearts. You can read my full impression of the title here. 12 Minutes will be available for Xbox One and PC. No set release date has been confirmed as of yet.
E3 2019: Gears 5 Releasing September 10th, 2019
Gears 5 was one of the headlined games for Xbox heading into their E3 2019 Briefing. Today we learned that Gears of War 5 will be launching September 10th, 2019. The game will be receiving its popular mode Horde mode which you’ll see more of in August at Gamescom. The introduction of a new 3 player co-op experience, Escape was shown for the first time as well. The other surprising news was that Terminator will be coming into Gears for the first time in a character pack and will come as a pre-order bonus. There was not much gameplay shown of Gears 5, but we’d expect to see more in the coming weeks and months closer to release. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErqsgG0HRR8
E3 2019: Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Announced
During the Microsoft Presser, it was confirmed that we will finally be getting a new Xbox Elite controller with 30 new adjustments. Some of these include a rechargeable battery, 40 hours of battery life, adjustable-tension thumbsticks, and new interchangeable components. The controller will be compatible with all Xbox One consoles as well as Windows 10 PC’s. It will also feature customization via the Xbox Accessories App. Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 will be available on November 4th, 2019 for $179.99.
E3 2019: Microsoft Flight Simulator Announced
Yet another surprise announcement from this year’s Microsoft press conference reveals Microsoft Flight Simulator. With the use of the Satellite Data and Microsoft’s Azure AI to bring the real-life world to a fully simulated, plane-controlled title. Rather than a new installment for the fan-favorite series, Microsoft Flight Simulator will be a complete reboot with 4K visuals and realistic-looking. Players will be able to simulate life-like flights by creating their own paths in during either the day or night. As well as exploring every inch of the world in either snow, sun, or rain. Paired with the game’s announcement revealed that the game will be launching on Xbox Game Pass simultaneously. Microsoft Flight Simulator will be available for Xbox One and PC. No set release date for the title has been revealed as of yet.
E3 2019: Blair Witch Announced For This August
Announced at this year’s Microsoft press conference, the first debuting title that will be dropping from LionsGate Games is Blair Witch. In the reveal trailer it shows some similarities to how Red Barrel’s Outlast series is as the protagonist is equipped with a handheld camera. For the main basis, it’s expected that the title will follow the same basis as the titular 1999 film. The game seems to be a reimagined version separate to the initial title compared to the original game that followed the films box office debut in 2000. As part of the announcement, Microsoft also detailed that Blair Witch will also be debuting on Xbox Game Pass aligned with the game’s release later this Summer. Blair Witch will be coming out on August 30, 2019 for Xbox One and PC.
