Recently, Microsoft held a fan-event and conference called X019. As part of this, there were new game announcements, service announcements, and a bunch of gameplay trailers that showed off what Microsoft has planned in the days leading up to the new console generation. There was so much information given out at this event that I want to call attention to the things that piqued my interest the most.
While new game announcements are always great and there were a ton of new announcements, seeing a new IP from storied developers can instantly generate hype. Two of Microsoft’s studios announced a new game albeit probably not what was expected of them. Rare announced a game called Everwild, but unfortunately, not too much is known about it. The game looked beautiful with an art style that gave me Breath of the Wild vibes. I’m really interested to see more from this game in terms of gameplay and style and hopefully story as well. In addition, Obsidian, fresh on the heels of The Outer Worlds successful launch, announced a survival game where you have been shrunk down to insect (or smaller) size. Grounded will be a typical survival game where you have to search for and find things to keep you alive and safe from much larger inhabitants. While we know the type of style and gameplay from this game, I’ll be interested to see more from this title. I don’t normally enjoy survival games, but this is a new twist on that and I’m a little curious. So why are these announcements important? Neither of these games is what was expected from each of these developers and not what was likely expected when Microsoft acquired them. Since they are moving forward, I believe this, along with the Bleeding Edge game show that Microsoft is dedicated to allowing each Game Studio the freedom to explore projects that they are passionate about instead of dictating the type of game that must be developed and released by each studio. I truly see that as a positive.
The next announcement that I was really interested in was in relation to Project xCloud, Microsoft’s Game Streaming service. Expanding the preview to over 50 games was the first announcement alongside the news that additional invitations would be extended. Full disclosure: I received my invitation and have played some xCloud games. I’ll be giving my opinions of the service soon if I can – I’m still trying to find out details in my NDA of how much and what I can share. In addition, bringing xCloud to Windows 10 PC and other devices, expanding controller support, new markets, the ability to stream games you already own or will purchase, and Game Pass streaming were all announced. With the false start of a launch from Google Stadia, MS has set themselves up as the best potential for a streaming leader. And yes, I understand that PlayStation Now is already out with a large catalog of titles, but they haven’t solidified themselves as the streaming leader as of yet, despite little to no competition.
Speaking of Game Pass, over 50 games that will be joining the service were announced including some incredible games that I never would have expected to come to Xbox, much less included in Game Pass which had become a virtual requirement for Xbox owners at this point. A ton of Final Fantasy games will be coming to Game Pass, as will three Yakusa games. While not coming to Game Pass, the entire Kingdom Hearts series will be coming to Xbox in 2020 and that is just flat out amazing.
There were so many other things such as additional information about Flight Simulator, more Bleeding Edge info, Age of Empires IV info, Minecraft Earth and Dungeons info, the launch of Halo Reach into the MCC for Xbox and PC (December 3rd) and numerous other game announcements that I just felt like it was a great showing for Microsoft who has seemed poised to take over the Fan friendly platform that had been represented in Sony in years past.