Microsoft used E3 to make a number of big announcements, including detailing its next Xbox, called Project Scarlett, as well as providing release dates and trailers for much-anticipated games like Halo Infinite and Gears 5. We also got a new Elite controller, a surprise Blair Witch game, and a whole lot more.
If you weren’t able to catch the press conference live, here’s all the big stuff you missed.
The next Xbox is closer than you might think. Microsoft officially unveiled Project Scarlett, the long-rumored successor to the Xbox One. The device will support 8K gaming, framerates of 120fps in games, and ray-tracing, and it’s going to launch in the holiday 2020 period.
In addition to new hardware, Microsoft also finally announced a release date for its long-awaited cloud gaming service, xCloud. With the new streaming platform, you can “turn your Xbox One into your own personal and free xCloud server,” according to Xbox head Phil Spencer. It’ll be available in October.
Microsoft’s Elite controller for the Xbox is ready for an update. Microsoft announced the Elite series 2, which “features over 30 new ways to play like a pro, including adjustable-tension thumbsticks, new interchangeable components, up to 40 hours of rechargeable battery life, and limitless customization with the Xbox Accessories app on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC.”
Two of the Xbox’s biggest games finally have release dates. The brutal action of Gears 5 will be available to play on September 10th, while Halo Infinite won’t be out until late next year. The twist? It’s coming to Project Scarlett. Not a bad launch title.
The leaks were real: Elden Ring, a fantasy game collaboration between George R.R Martin and Dark Souls creator FromSoftware, is in the works. And based on the first trailer, it looks to be exactly the fantasy epic you’d expect.
One of the most iconic PC games is making a comeback. Today Microsoft revealed a gorgeous new take on the classic Microsoft Flight Simulator, which is launching on PC next year. As you’d expect, it sounds pretty realistic: “From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet. Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions.”
Last year Microsoft announced a surprise spinoff for Minecraft, with the dungeon crawling action RPG Minecraft Dungeons. Not only did we get a new trailer today, showing off the isometric gameplay, we also learned it’ll be launching in spring 2020.
