In our Roundtable series of features, the writers of 4P get together to discuss a topic in gaming and the industry. Roundtables are conducted informally and allow the writing staff on 4P a chance to express some opinions and views, while debating each other on the finer details. In this inaugural entry, the guys will be discussing their predictions and most anticipated announcements for E3 2014.
First up, let’s discuss what we think Microsoft will be bringing to E3 with the Xbox One and our predictions on their conference.
Rhys: I think it’s pretty safe to say we’ll be seeing at least one Halo port/remake and probably a little bit of Halo 5, though probably not a whole lot if how they handled Halo 4 was any indication. Before 2012, they only showed a short trailer that basically just said “Hey, this is a thing.” Granted, they announced Halo 5 much earlier than they did 4.
Geoff: Halo 4 got a really good demo, but then again, it was releasing that year. We still have another year before 5.
Klippy: I don’t really feel like Halo is the hit it once was. Halo 4 was lackluster compared to the original trilogy. Microsoft really needs a big splash to remain close to the gains Sony got from last year’s E3. Unfortunately Microsoft shot themselves in the foot last year and it’s gonna take some big ticket items to get them back on track. I’m thinking they need a really big new IP to get the people talking.
R: I don’t think Halo 4 was bad, it just didn’t get great post-launch support. They made bad decisions with “improving” the multiplayer. The campaign was still really good.
G: I think they might be able to pull it off with their new leadership and direction though. Phil Spencer is a lot more in tune to what gamers want than Mattrick was. Sunset Overdrive definitely looks promising. And what does Sony have this fall to go against it? Their most promising new IP got delayed to 2015.
K: Is it big enough to make consumers WANT to buy the system? It’s gonna have to make a huge splash to get any good screen time. It doesn’t look big enough to really make an impact. Though I will agree with you in that Sony has very little to show that we know of.
R: Sunset Overdrive, I’m not entirely sure they’ll have it at E3 in a big way. They might have a short trailer, but they already had a huge blowout a few weeks ago. And that blowout was precisely because Microsoft apparently has too much to show at their presser. Plus, I’m pretty sure that Kojima’s big Metal Gear Solid 5 trailer will be during Microsoft’s presentation again. I’m holding out hope for a short Gears of War trailer, but I don’t think they’ve had long enough to even decide where they’re gonna go with the next game. A proper Gears 4 would probably gain a lot more excitement from the more mainstream crowd. Also, Forza.
G: Is Gears even that big of a deal anymore though? Judgment bombed pretty hard. Call of Duty will be a big part, like always – I’m sure we’ll get some Titanfall DLC too. I’m also expecting Mass Effect 4 at either Microsoft or EA’s conference. It’s all but been confirmed since the director said he was going to E3 for the first time in years.
K: EA will probably get Mass Effect 4. Unless Microsoft really does some wheelin’ and dealin’ to get it.
R: Mass Effect has almost always been promoted more with Microsoft. Probably because that’s where the series started. I remember Mass Effect 3 had a bit of 360 (and PC)-exclusive DLC.
K: I just don’t think Microsoft will be making an impact this year. Unless we get some of these reveals or shock us all with something big, I think they end E3 this year in second place. Not the winner or the loser. They’ve yet to recover fully from last year’s fumble and they’re still playing catchup with the Playstation 4.
R: I think they’ll show some great games, just nothing that’ll be shocking to see. They’re doing a good job so far of getting back a good reputation, though.
G: The progress they’ve made in just a year really is commendable.
K: Unfortunately it comes on the heels of a price drop/”discKinect”ing of their console, a weak launch lineup, and very little to show in the foreseeable future – unless we get some big name showings on Monday.
G: The Xbox One arguably had a better launch lineup than the PS4 though. And it has more on the horizon than PS4.
Any crazy or hopeful reveals you’d like to see?
R: I’d be pretty happy if they announced a Rare-developed Banjo-Threeie…with no cars.
G: Yeah… not happening!
R: #believe
[laughter]
K: All aboard the hype train!
E3 2014 Retrospective
