Microsoft E3 2015 Preview

Microsoft had a sharp and focused press conference last year and it would be great to see a similar one in 2015.

 Of course, Halo 5 will play a big role, as Microsoft will be pushing the hype train forward to the Halo 5’s release. Probably single-player details will drop as well as a release date seems like safe bets. On the other hand, 343 Industries may just focus on their esports angle for Halo 5.

 There may be a large focus on rallying the esports crowd. New titles with a spectator focus and heavy competition element may be the focus for many new and returning franchises.

 Rare fans may catch a glimpse of their new franchise. It would be great to see Microsoft remind their fans that stellar first party exclusives are coming to their platform after Sony has dropped a few bombshells on them; e.g. Street Fighter 5 exclusivity to PS4 and PC.

 Third party locks, given Xbox’s pedigree with shooters, teases for Star Wars: Battlefront and Mass Effect 4 will be somewhere in the show. Rumor has it that Fallout 4 will be at the show. It’s bound to be at Bethesda’s press conference, but the possibility exists that it may be teased at Microsoft and Sony’s conference. A title this big is destined to show up at Microsoft or Sony’s show.

 If Microsoft can pack as much content in one hour as they did last year it will be hard to complain about their showing. There is speculation that HoloLens integration with the Xbox One experience is a possibility. However, maybe that’s a 2016 innovation, if the augmented reality glasses take off that is.