Fresh off the Microsoft press conference of this year’s E3, Xbox One is looking strong. Damn strong.
And with no help from the Kinect.
The cornerstone Xbox peripheral device has had a healthy degree of controversy ever since last year’s E3 including alarmist NSA concerns and price criticism. While the device was a large focus last year, Kinect had zero mention this year.
Even when a new Dance Central game was announced, the presenters glazed over the fact that the game requires a Kinect. This was possibly the strongest move Microsoft could have made to save face after last year.
Microsoft Brought Their A-Game
With lots of fan favorite franchises, plenty attention-grabbing new games, a healthy ‘holla’ to the indie scene, a large focus on online co-op & multiplayer, and absolutely zero mention of the Kinect – Microsoft really stepped up this year.
Since last year’s Microsoft conference was such a dud, this year’s fans were pleasantly surprised to find themselves ooh-ing and ahh-ing quite a bit. Sunset Overdrive took the piss out of modern military shooters with humor and style, the collection of indie games was impressive, the Halo franchise updates have fans foaming at the mouth, and Project Spark‘s Conker cameo stole the show.
Well done, Microsoft. You had our curiosity for 2014, but now you have our attention.
