by Since you might just want a quick recap of the games here's a list.
Assassin’s Creed
Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed: Unity” will be the first game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise that enables players to create their own “brotherhood” of up to four assassins, roaming and killing around 15th-century Italy. It’s not clear if this will apply only to the online multiplayer parts of Unity, or the campaign, too. It was clear that the publisher was showing off the Xbox One’s horsepower, too: The demo was crammed with more people and detail than ever before.
Call of Duty
Microsoft demoed ActivisionATVI +1.43% and Sledgehammer Games’ “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.” The biggest news with this game (so far) today: Xbox One owners will get first dibs on add-on content, while those who buy the new Call of Duty on the PlayStation 4 will have to wait. It isn’t clear how long the delay will be, but in the past such add-on content has included downloadable maps, levels or weapons that can be used in the game. The demo itself was impressive, with environments that looked larger and more detailed than ever before. The demo took place in a futuristic city with burning buildings, embers flying through the air alongside drones and other airships, with streets littered with fallen enemies. The new Call of Duty will go on sale Nov. 4, 2014.
Forza
Another game that is stepping up the in-game environments: “Forza Horizon 2.” This edition of the popular racing series will be the first to feature what Microsoft is calling dynamic weather. From the trailer we saw, that means you’ll get to race in the rain and under cloudy skies. Previously, Forza games only took place under the sun, with no real weather mechanics. “Forza Horizon 2” will also take drivers out to European roads and highways, with lush nature scenes. The game is the seventh in the Forza series, and a direct sequel to the original “Forza Horizon” for Xbox 360, in which players drover around the state of Colorado. Another new feature: “Forza Horizon 2” will allow gamers to create and join driving clubs with up to 1,000 other online players. “Forza Horizon 2” goes on sale Sept. 30, 2014.
There’s also an update for owners of “Forza 5,” which was an Xbox One launch title. Starting today, Germany’s Nürburgring track will be available for free download.
Halo
Halo, the series that’s arguably as important to Microsoft as Mario is to Nintendo7974.TO +1.78%, is getting a new coat of paint this year. Microsoft announced a long rumored high-definition remastering of the first four Halo installments, which it will ship this fall as “Halo: The Master Chief Collection.” The campaigns and online multiplayer levels are the same, but the game also lets gamers create custom, “cross-mission” playlists that let you jump between levels and games in the series.
The online multiplayer beta for “Halo 5: Guardians” will be available to those who buy “Halo: The Master Chief Collection.” Meanwhile, “Halo 5” is set to go on sale in 2015. Microsoft resold Halo remakes on the Xbox 360, and this latest re-release does beg the question: How many times can Microsoft sell the same game? The answer might be, as many times as it wants. Nintendo has been reselling old Mario titles for decades and other industries re-release beloved products often as well—just look at throwback sports jerseys and Air Jordan sneakers.
The one non-gaming mention in the whole Microsoft event was “Halo Nightfall,” a TV series from executive producer Ridley Scott. Microsoft said it will tie into the storyline of “Halo 5: Guardians.” The next Halo will still feature Master Chief, the star of the previous four main Halo games, as he questions authority and his place in the universe, while mourning the loss of Cortana—his AI and closest companion.
Fable Legends
The latest in the Fable series, “Fable Legends” keeps the open world RPG elements of previous titles intact. But this new game focuses more on playing online, cooperatively with friends. There’s also a new twist: You can play as the villain, setting up all the traps and challenges for the game’s heroes. Multiplayer beta begins this fall.
Project Spark
Microsoft also played a trailer for the Xbox One version of “Project Spark”—the company’s answer to Minecraft. Like Minecraft, “Project Spark” is all about letting gamers play in worlds that they themselves create. It’s already been released on Windows and the Xbox 360, and Microsoft says that more than 1 million gamers have created custom play using the title. The Xbox One version will add updated, improved graphics and the ability to create worlds in space, desert and forest themes. The Xbox One version of “Project Spark” will also add Conker, the hero of the Nintendo 64 game “Conker’s Bad Fur Day,” as a playable character.
Crackdown
A brief trailer of “Crackdown 3″ was shown off and, like other Crackdown games, this new title is an open world, third-person shooter. But explosions, destruction and collapsing buildings will be key gameplay element as players run through the futuristic fictional Pacific City.
Sunset Overdrive
Microsoft is placing a big bet on “Sunset Overdrive,” an entirely new property from Insomniac Games. If that developer sounds familiar, it’s because it previously built hit franchises for Sony over the years, including Ratchet and Clank, Spyro and Resistance. “Sunset Overdrive” is an open-world shooter, something that looks like a cross between Borderlands and Grand Theft Auto—it’s colorful and you shoot up mutants while running around a massive city. There’ll also be a feature called “Chaos Squad” that will offer 8-player co-op. “Sunset Overdrive,” one of the only new franchises shown off today, hits stores on Oct. 28, 2014.
Indie Games
Microsoft played sizzle reel of games from little known independent developers and startups, saying that hundreds of indie games for Xbox One are on the way. Two in particular caught our eye: “Inside,” the new title from Playdead, the studio behind “Limbo.” Like “Limbo,” “Inside’s” protagonist is a child, running through a dark, dreary world. “Limbo” was a game made in black and white, and while “Inside” is in color, the environments are still largely shades of gray and black. Another standout: “Ori and The Blind Forest,” an action platformer that features some hand-drawn art, set for a fall 2014 release.
Tomb Raider
A trailer for “Rise of the Tomb Raider,” the sequel to last year’s Tomb Raider reboot, was shown off. Like Call of Duty, Forza and Assassin’s Creed, it includes highly detailed environments featuring the power of the console, as Lara Croft runs through forests and caves chasing down bad guys with a bow and arrow.
Kinect
Only two Kinect games were discussed, and no gameplay was shown for either: DisneyDIS +1.06% “Fantasia Music Evolved” and “Dance Central Spotlight,” in which gamers can dance to current pop hits. These two games were elicited the most lukewarm crowd response.
Old Titles, New Life
In addition to Halo and the return of Conker, the remake of the fighting game Killer Instinct is getting an update soon called “Killer Instinct Season 2,” which will add new characters such as T.J. Combo—a boxer last seen on the Nintendo 64.
A New Message
The strict focus on games this year is a major shift from Microsoft’s previous messaging around the Xbox One. The Xbox One is loaded with apps and features focused on streaming movies, TV shows and music. And, up until this point, Microsoft has pitched the Xbox One as the ultimate living-room hub. But with that marketing in place—and a launch price tag $100 higher than the PlayStation 4—the company seems to have lost its hard-earned spot as the leading console seller, and is now trying to get it back.
Source
Having “Conker as a playable character makes is a smart move and I would play as him if I ever played Project Spark on an Xbox One.
Assassin’s Creed
Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed: Unity” will be the first game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise that enables players to create their own “brotherhood” of up to four assassins, roaming and killing around 15th-century Italy. It’s not clear if this will apply only to the online multiplayer parts of Unity, or the campaign, too. It was clear that the publisher was showing off the Xbox One’s horsepower, too: The demo was crammed with more people and detail than ever before.
Call of Duty
Microsoft demoed ActivisionATVI +1.43% and Sledgehammer Games’ “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.” The biggest news with this game (so far) today: Xbox One owners will get first dibs on add-on content, while those who buy the new Call of Duty on the PlayStation 4 will have to wait. It isn’t clear how long the delay will be, but in the past such add-on content has included downloadable maps, levels or weapons that can be used in the game. The demo itself was impressive, with environments that looked larger and more detailed than ever before. The demo took place in a futuristic city with burning buildings, embers flying through the air alongside drones and other airships, with streets littered with fallen enemies. The new Call of Duty will go on sale Nov. 4, 2014.
Forza
Another game that is stepping up the in-game environments: “Forza Horizon 2.” This edition of the popular racing series will be the first to feature what Microsoft is calling dynamic weather. From the trailer we saw, that means you’ll get to race in the rain and under cloudy skies. Previously, Forza games only took place under the sun, with no real weather mechanics. “Forza Horizon 2” will also take drivers out to European roads and highways, with lush nature scenes. The game is the seventh in the Forza series, and a direct sequel to the original “Forza Horizon” for Xbox 360, in which players drover around the state of Colorado. Another new feature: “Forza Horizon 2” will allow gamers to create and join driving clubs with up to 1,000 other online players. “Forza Horizon 2” goes on sale Sept. 30, 2014.
There’s also an update for owners of “Forza 5,” which was an Xbox One launch title. Starting today, Germany’s Nürburgring track will be available for free download.
Halo
Halo, the series that’s arguably as important to Microsoft as Mario is to Nintendo7974.TO +1.78%, is getting a new coat of paint this year. Microsoft announced a long rumored high-definition remastering of the first four Halo installments, which it will ship this fall as “Halo: The Master Chief Collection.” The campaigns and online multiplayer levels are the same, but the game also lets gamers create custom, “cross-mission” playlists that let you jump between levels and games in the series.
The online multiplayer beta for “Halo 5: Guardians” will be available to those who buy “Halo: The Master Chief Collection.” Meanwhile, “Halo 5” is set to go on sale in 2015. Microsoft resold Halo remakes on the Xbox 360, and this latest re-release does beg the question: How many times can Microsoft sell the same game? The answer might be, as many times as it wants. Nintendo has been reselling old Mario titles for decades and other industries re-release beloved products often as well—just look at throwback sports jerseys and Air Jordan sneakers.
The one non-gaming mention in the whole Microsoft event was “Halo Nightfall,” a TV series from executive producer Ridley Scott. Microsoft said it will tie into the storyline of “Halo 5: Guardians.” The next Halo will still feature Master Chief, the star of the previous four main Halo games, as he questions authority and his place in the universe, while mourning the loss of Cortana—his AI and closest companion.
Fable Legends
The latest in the Fable series, “Fable Legends” keeps the open world RPG elements of previous titles intact. But this new game focuses more on playing online, cooperatively with friends. There’s also a new twist: You can play as the villain, setting up all the traps and challenges for the game’s heroes. Multiplayer beta begins this fall.
Project Spark
Microsoft also played a trailer for the Xbox One version of “Project Spark”—the company’s answer to Minecraft. Like Minecraft, “Project Spark” is all about letting gamers play in worlds that they themselves create. It’s already been released on Windows and the Xbox 360, and Microsoft says that more than 1 million gamers have created custom play using the title. The Xbox One version will add updated, improved graphics and the ability to create worlds in space, desert and forest themes. The Xbox One version of “Project Spark” will also add Conker, the hero of the Nintendo 64 game “Conker’s Bad Fur Day,” as a playable character.
Crackdown
A brief trailer of “Crackdown 3″ was shown off and, like other Crackdown games, this new title is an open world, third-person shooter. But explosions, destruction and collapsing buildings will be key gameplay element as players run through the futuristic fictional Pacific City.
Sunset Overdrive
Microsoft is placing a big bet on “Sunset Overdrive,” an entirely new property from Insomniac Games. If that developer sounds familiar, it’s because it previously built hit franchises for Sony over the years, including Ratchet and Clank, Spyro and Resistance. “Sunset Overdrive” is an open-world shooter, something that looks like a cross between Borderlands and Grand Theft Auto—it’s colorful and you shoot up mutants while running around a massive city. There’ll also be a feature called “Chaos Squad” that will offer 8-player co-op. “Sunset Overdrive,” one of the only new franchises shown off today, hits stores on Oct. 28, 2014.
Indie Games
Microsoft played sizzle reel of games from little known independent developers and startups, saying that hundreds of indie games for Xbox One are on the way. Two in particular caught our eye: “Inside,” the new title from Playdead, the studio behind “Limbo.” Like “Limbo,” “Inside’s” protagonist is a child, running through a dark, dreary world. “Limbo” was a game made in black and white, and while “Inside” is in color, the environments are still largely shades of gray and black. Another standout: “Ori and The Blind Forest,” an action platformer that features some hand-drawn art, set for a fall 2014 release.
Tomb Raider
A trailer for “Rise of the Tomb Raider,” the sequel to last year’s Tomb Raider reboot, was shown off. Like Call of Duty, Forza and Assassin’s Creed, it includes highly detailed environments featuring the power of the console, as Lara Croft runs through forests and caves chasing down bad guys with a bow and arrow.
Kinect
Only two Kinect games were discussed, and no gameplay was shown for either: DisneyDIS +1.06% “Fantasia Music Evolved” and “Dance Central Spotlight,” in which gamers can dance to current pop hits. These two games were elicited the most lukewarm crowd response.
Old Titles, New Life
In addition to Halo and the return of Conker, the remake of the fighting game Killer Instinct is getting an update soon called “Killer Instinct Season 2,” which will add new characters such as T.J. Combo—a boxer last seen on the Nintendo 64.
A New Message
The strict focus on games this year is a major shift from Microsoft’s previous messaging around the Xbox One. The Xbox One is loaded with apps and features focused on streaming movies, TV shows and music. And, up until this point, Microsoft has pitched the Xbox One as the ultimate living-room hub. But with that marketing in place—and a launch price tag $100 higher than the PlayStation 4—the company seems to have lost its hard-earned spot as the leading console seller, and is now trying to get it back.
Source
Having “Conker as a playable character makes is a smart move and I would play as him if I ever played Project Spark on an Xbox One.
