Microsoft's E3 press conference last year was overshadowed by Sony's direct response to the Xbox One's online requirements and used game restrictions. But Microsoft has had a strong year, and the company is making every effort to ensure it isn't an easy target for attack at next week's E3. The PlayStation 4 may be ahead in raw numbers, but after reversing the system's most unpopular policies, charting sales that outpace the Xbox 360 during its launch, and even announcing the release a $100 cheaper Kinect-free version, the Xbox One is well on its way to success.
And the things that wouldn't play well at E3, like Microsoft's television programming plan, are already out in the open, leaving the company free to focus on what the fans demand: games. But will that be enough? In this editorial, GameSpot's editors discuss what Microsoft needs to address at their press conference to ensure that they're on track to pull ahead of the competition in the coming year.
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Now Playing: What will Microsoft reveal at E3?
Of course, Microsoft's primary tactic should be to focus on the games and leave the all-in-one-entertainment-product-for-bros-and-families strategy behind. Show us games, and make them good ones. Halo and Forza are fine and all, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a Lionhead game, a new Project Spark presentation, and a taste of Sunset Overdrive. But to get us talking, we need surprises, exclusives or not. Get Square Enix up there to show off Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III. Get some unannounced big-budget games up there, and show us a commitment to supporting brand-new properties. And, importantly, show us that Xbox is still a brand associated with major indies. Sony's commitment to known independent studios like Supergiant Games has paid off. Microsoft needs to bridge the indie gap, and E3 2014 is the time to do it.
And that's what Microsoft has to earn. Show just how sorry you are for burning the bridges that were previously built to make the Xbox 360 so incredible. Overwhelm us with exciting games and fascinating partnerships. Maybe foot the bill for a seemingly dead franchise, even though it's not a big seller, just like Nintendo did with Bayonetta 2. Lower the price of Xbox Live Gold so it's at least comparable with PlayStation Plus. Remove the indie policy that demands them to be released at the same time as the PS4 version, or not at all. Though all of those steps are necessary, they aren't enough. Drawing even with Sony doesn't matter at this point. If the Xbox One is going to bring in new customers, it has to go even further. I'm anxious to see how Microsoft will try to do that.
It's time to show us how the thing which makes the Xbox One unique can power a truly next-gen gaming experience. It needs to show us why we need the Kinect in the first place. Whether that reason comes from a first-party studio or is the result of a third-party locking themselves in a room with the tech for a year doesn't matter. And if I hear them talking about TV one more time, I'm switching off.
Microsoft needs to deliver on its promise that its 90-minute presentation will be all about the games. Though entertainment usage may actually end up being the most popular form of interaction with the Xbox One like it is on Xbox 360, Microsoft needs to "wow" us with games. We already know Halo will be there in some way or another, but that's not enough. Microsoft needs to show us what a truly next-gen experience is; something that's not possible on the 80 million+ Xbox 360s sitting in homes today. That's how you drive mass adoption of a new platform, and what we've seen so far just doesn't cut it.
You've read our thoughts, but what do you think Microsoft needs to talk about at their press conference this year? Let us know in the comments below.
And For even more E3 discussion, check out our full pre-E3 series:
And for even more E3 discussion, check out our full pre-E3 series:
What We'd Like To See at E3 From SonyWhat We'd Like to See at E3 From MicrosoftWhat We'd Like to See at E3 from NintendoWhat We'd Like to See at E3 on PCAnd
E3 Press Conferences, What Does Sony Need to Do?E3 Press Conferences, What Does Nintendo Need to Do?See more coverage of E3 2014 →