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Microsoft E3 2016 conference live report

Pirates! Cars! Phil Spencer! Live from 5.30pm BST.

The first big platform holder show of E3 2016 promises to be a good one, with Microsoft sure to come out swinging with a handful of big announcements. Oh, and probably some less exciting stuff about Windows 10. Catch it here from 5.30pm BST.

Our live coverage of this event has finished.

Hi everyone! Much of Microsoft's news has leaked already - and you can now add to that considerable list the existence of Forza Horizon 3. The headlines: September, Xbox One and Windows 10, Australian setting.

Oli Welsh

Mr_Writer85: Surely MS are not daft enough to release a slim model then a more powerful model... If they don't bring out a more powerful model then how do the answer the Neo? Unless their plan is to release a slim version, then a year later a more powerful version?

According to Kotaku's credible report from a few weeks back, that is exactly the plan, yep.

Oli Welsh

Other notable leaks: new Xbox One S console with 2TB drive and 4K video support; Dead Rising 4 and State of Decay 2; ReCore out in September.

Oli Welsh

Is there anything left for Microsoft to reveal? Lots, actually. Personally I'm hoping for Sea of Thieves gameplay.

Oli Welsh

Robert Purchese

Did you know it's completely acceptable to buy doughnuts for breakfast over here? I shan't be coming back.

Chris Bratt

Chris Bratt

Sorry, I was feeling left out.

Chris Bratt

I'll raise you your doughnuts with my cup of tea and an almond and apricot cereal bar, Chris.

Martin Robinson

23 minutes to go. 23 MINUTES TO GO!

Martin Robinson

It looks like the script has mostly leaked, but there's still room for surprise.

Martin Robinson

Mainly, what t-shirt will Phil be wearing?

Martin Robinson

Or will he go topless and air those nipples?

Martin Robinson

Martin Robinson

Martin Robinson

Martin Robinson

Martin Robinson

Right, I think I'm done.

Martin Robinson

Done? Or spent?

Oli Welsh

MARTIN WHAT ARE YOU DOING

Chris Bratt

Donlan: "If Phil Spencer comes out wearing a LinkedIn T-shirt I will be team Xbox for life."

Oli Welsh

The leaks suggest that on top of the official announcement of the slim Xbox One S we may also get news on Microsoft's new, all-powerful Xbox One upgrade the Scorpio.

Martin Robinson

Just sat down, catching up, seeing the late nights have finally got to Martin.

Tom Phillips

Martin Robinson

Can't wait. Though, seriously, it'd be a weird time for them to do it if they've another flavour of Xbox One to sell.

Martin Robinson

Tom Phillips

Hello from Wes and myself at the Galen Centre in downtown LA. As last year, media are sat upstairs and a specially invited hype-crowd is in the stalls. They are whooping at Major Nelson right now.

Tom Phillips

Also like last year, we have a great view of the autocue, so we can leak what has already been leaked mere seconds before Phil actually says it.

Tom Phillips

cen4pgb: Wait why are we being told a GMT time is anyone on GMT atm?

Just people in Greenwich. We're on BST here in England.

Martin Robinson

There's a camera going up and down the lines of whoopers. Can only imagine the close-ups you're seeing at home right now.

Tom Phillips

cen4pgb: Now have an image of having to change my watch every time I go to the cinema (take the cable car across to Greenwich as that's my closes cinema) thanks Martin...

You're one of the 50 people who use that cable car! I'm genuinely fascinated by it.

Martin Robinson

MrTomFTW: Which exec's pokey nipples will we see this evening I wonder?

It's an arms race as far as nipples go right now. Phil Spencer will reveal he's got three, like Scaramanga.

Martin Robinson

Bertie: Can't wait to see Project Natal!

This just in: it's Natal it's cracked up to be.

Tom Phillips

If you put this music through a spectral analyser, something interesting happens.

Martin Robinson

You see this image.

Martin Robinson

Martin Robinson

No idea what it means.

Martin Robinson

"This programme includes titles rated M for Mature," we are told. Cue largest whoops of the morning so far.

Tom Phillips

Wes tells us that people are clapping to the music.

Martin Robinson

ONE MINUTE TO GO.

Martin Robinson

Spotlight on Phil Spencer in the crowd as the auditorium goes silent. We're taking a moment to remember the victims of Orlando.

Tom Phillips

G-Lord: Is Tom old enough?

He is, not sure about young Bratt though. We'll give him some toys and send him to the garden for a bit.

Martin Robinson

You could hear a pin drop here in the auditorium. Classy move.

Tom Phillips

A very tasteful opening from Phil Spencer addressing the recent tragedy in Orlando.

Martin Robinson

Boom. Xbox One S.

Tom Phillips

We're opening with the Xbox One S.

Martin Robinson

It's an Xbox One. It's slim. It's actually quite a good looking bit of kit, which is a refreshing change - this has been an ugly generation in terms of hardware design.

Martin Robinson

4K Blu-ray support, textured grip on the controller, HDR gaming.

Martin Robinson

$299. August.

Tom Phillips

And it's out in August.

Martin Robinson

Integrated power brick drew huge applause here.

Tom Phillips

The t-shirt - which is what we all really care about - is an OG Xbox one.

Martin Robinson

Gears of War 4 opens the show. And it's part of Xbox Play Anywhere.

Martin Robinson

A cross-buy initiative for PC and Xbox One - cross-saves, achievements, all at one price.

Martin Robinson

And crossplay is supported.

Martin Robinson

This is all good, good stuff.

Martin Robinson

Xbox One and Windows 10 will be the mantra for this show, I think.

Martin Robinson

It's lovely to see a proper gameplay demo after the two conferences yesterday that were quite light on this kind of stuff.

Martin Robinson

Gears of War 4 looks like a Gears game - it's all guns and graphics and that's all perfectly fine by me.

Martin Robinson

And we've got a new disc-spewing gun that can be used to rebound projectiles across the map. Lovely.

Martin Robinson

Someone's just raised the very interesting point whether this is running on PC or Xbox One.

Martin Robinson

Or on the Xbox One Granada or whatever it's called.

Martin Robinson

Finally, there's a branded Xbox One Elite controller.

Martin Robinson

Next up is Killer Instinct.

Martin Robinson

Killer Instinct is the most played fighting game on Xbox One but I can't think of many other fighting games on Xbox One.

Tom Phillips

And now onto Forza Horizon 3, which is set in Australia.

Martin Robinson

As was leaked earlier. It features the new Lambo as the cover star. And a mournful cover version on the soundtrack.

Martin Robinson

And the trend of slowed down music covers in trailers continues.

Tom Phillips

On the plus side! There are buggies and a lot of off-roading - I'm almost getting Motorstorm vibes from it.

Martin Robinson

And a bit of Baja-esque off-road too. Remember that a lot of the Forza Horizon team worked on Dirt and Dirt 2 - they've got considerable pedigree in this department.

Martin Robinson

Ralph Fulton's nipples are covered by a quite stylish jumper.

Martin Robinson

We're getting a look at cross-platform, cross-terrain play.

Martin Robinson

This all looks so much like Dirt. Again, I think that's a good thing.

Martin Robinson

New to the series is four player campaign co-op.

Martin Robinson

September 27th.

Tom Phillips

I would not take that Lamborghini off-road.

Martin Robinson

Well, actually I would. I'd love to wreck a Lambo. But not if I'd paid for it.

Martin Robinson

Mazzle: Fort-Za but you are right

Ferrr-tzoooo. I think.

Martin Robinson

That was Forza Horizon 3. And this is Recore.

Martin Robinson

Kejii Inafune's track record has been might spotty recently, so I'm not sold on this just yet.

Martin Robinson

Recore is, once again, Play Anywhere. I think pretty much every exclusive we're seeing here today is.

Martin Robinson

Cor, do you remember the fuss that was made when Final Fantasy 13 was announced for Xbox 360?

Martin Robinson

I'm sure most people kind of wish it wasn't.

Martin Robinson

(I didn't mind Final Fantasy 13, but then I do have awful taste in most things).

Martin Robinson

It's nice to hear you say it, Martin.

Tom Phillips

Hajime Tabata, whose name I can't help but sing along to the tune of hakuna matata, is now on-stage to show us Final Fantasy 15 running on Xbox One for the first time.

Martin Robinson

The rule of Final Fantasy, in my head, suggests that 15 should be amazing.

Martin Robinson

So simple maths point to 15 being ace.

Martin Robinson

I'm going to be grateful for a Japanese voice track in Final Fantasy 15, mind.

Martin Robinson

rudderless: And 6, Martin.

Er, yes, I meant to say 6 too!

Martin Robinson

Because 3, 6, 9 and 12 were the best ones so far.

Martin Robinson

And now The Division's Underground expansion.

Martin Robinson

The running order so far suggests the leak earlier was spot-on.

Martin Robinson

EA Access players will, once again, get to play the game well ahead of others - October 13th for this one.

Martin Robinson

This is the same Battlefield 1 trailer from yesterday's EA press conference. I'm getting flashbacks.

Tom Phillips

Yup, that was the same old trailer.

Martin Robinson

Here's Mike Ybarra with hopefully something a bit fresher to share.

Martin Robinson

Coming to Xbox One this summer - background music.

Martin Robinson

Language region independence.....? And Cortana.

Martin Robinson

Plus!

Martin Robinson

Clubs on Xbox Live, and Looking for Group that allows you to find other players.

Martin Robinson

That's actually quite a sweet deal.

Martin Robinson

Finally, Arena on Xbox Live is a new tournament platform.

Martin Robinson

Korpers: Did they say if BF1 would be cross play?

They didn't, but I really doubt that it would be.

Martin Robinson

Looking for group really is an awesome feature, especially for games like The Division and Destiny.

Martin Robinson

Microsoft Surface mention klaxon!

Tom Phillips

Does that Surface mention mean we have to neck a drink?

Martin Robinson

This Minecraft news has led to a great Carmack cameo - he's playing Minecraft via Gear VR.

Martin Robinson

John Carmack, sadly, has returned to his mad scientist lair.

Martin Robinson

I'm way too old to know what's going on right now.

Martin Robinson

That, many of you will be pleased to know, is the end of the Minecraft segment. It's the most popular game in the world, but those that do really care probably aren't watching this right now.

Martin Robinson

Now it's the new customisable Xbox One controller, that's giving me serious Swatch vibes.

Martin Robinson

Now, it's Inside - the new game from Playdead.

Martin Robinson

I say new. I've forgotten how long ago this was actually announced.

Martin Robinson

Release date for that is June 29th. So very soon.

Martin Robinson

Limbo is free on Xbox One today.

Martin Robinson

Well, *starting* today.

Martin Robinson

jiveguy: Tobias Funke

Can't unsee that now. Ever. Thanks, I guess.

Martin Robinson

Do we drink for indie montages too?

Tom Phillips

Indie showreel ime - Outlast's sequel, Cuphead, Flinthook, Far, Slime Rancher, For teh King, Beacon, Stardew Valley, Below. And, you know, plenty more.

Martin Robinson

Largest cheers here for Stardew Valley, Yooka-Laylee and, of course, Cuphead.

Tom Phillips

In amidst that was Raiders, Mercury Steam's new game (them wot did Castlevania).

Martin Robinson

Ark is going to be a Xbox Play Anywhere game too.

Martin Robinson

Now a look at We Happy Few, which is coming to Xbox One preview next month.

Martin Robinson

I've spent a few hours playing this on PC and wasn't entirely convinced - this is from the team that did the also not 100 per cent convincing but very stylish Contrast.

Martin Robinson

As you've probably noticed, it's got a strong The Prisoner vibe.

Martin Robinson

This is coming to Xbox One on July 26th.

Martin Robinson

And now, Gwent - another game that leaked already.

Martin Robinson

Gwent will be a full multiplayer game, and cross-platform (on PC and XO, at least).

Martin Robinson

vert1go: This is really happening, isn't it? There really is a card game being demo'd on stage at an E3 press conference.

It's the second time in three conferences, too. Last time out, we just saw the opening cinematic for one.

Martin Robinson

Finally! Tekken 7!

Martin Robinson

Oh, excuse me.

Martin Robinson

This maybe isn't Tekken 7.

Martin Robinson

It definitely isn't a new Virtua Fighter, so it's already dead to me.

Martin Robinson

They're, *ahem* Tekken their time over this one.

Martin Robinson

Ah, so it is Tekken 7, and not Tekken vs Street Fighter.

Martin Robinson

I was going to say - I thought Tekken x Street Fighter would have died a death a long time ago.

Martin Robinson

Harada, however, is still cool as heck.

Martin Robinson

Tekken 7 will be early 2017. And now it's Dead Rising's turn to not quite surprise us.

Martin Robinson

Dead Rising 4 is set at Christmas, and it is now snowing in the auditorium.

Tom Phillips

It's a 2016 release. I think we saw more of it in the leaks beforehand than we did in that short segment.

Martin Robinson

Please, please, please let us see Sea of Thieves next.

Martin Robinson

All of the games we're about to see will be Windows 10 too.

Martin Robinson

KAMIYA HOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOY.

Martin Robinson

I think Scalebound looks ace, but I'm a hopeless Platinum fanboy so don't listen to me.

Martin Robinson

I think I upset Kamiya last year when I said the protagonist looked kind of annoying in this.

Martin Robinson

I still think he is kind of annoying. But he has a dragon for a friend so we're all good.

Martin Robinson

Scalebound is basically Kamiya nerding out and doing a Super Hydlide. I'm okay with that.

Martin Robinson

It's much more of an RPG than anything we've seen before from Platinum.

Martin Robinson

Giant enemy crabs with weak spots. Oooh, I'm getting all nostalgic.

Martin Robinson

The big news from this - not that it's too much of a surprise - is that Scalebound is now coming to PC.

Martin Robinson

SEA OF GODDAMN THIEVES.

Martin Robinson

Not exactly an in-depth look just yet, though Rare's Craig Duncan is taking to the stage to hopefully show us more.

Martin Robinson

That teaser went down very well here. Now lets see some gameplay.

Tom Phillips

And this is it in action. Microsoft has done a great job of delivering the goods today.

Martin Robinson

Basically, you and a team sail a ship. You can stop right there, I'm sold.

Martin Robinson

I think I want this more than anything right now.

Martin Robinson

Well, I quite want to take another slash, but that can wait for another 15 minutes or so.

Martin Robinson

This. Looks. Brilliant. Teams co-operating, bringing down masts and sailing the ship, nailing up holes in the hull to prevent the ship from going down.

Martin Robinson

State of Decay 2 is up next. It's got a tough act to follow.

Martin Robinson

The whole cover thing really has to go away now please. That Gears of War trailer was a decade ago. Just let it go.

Martin Robinson

Slowed down trailer covers. Please stop.

Tom Phillips

Anyway, here's a CG trailer for Halo Wars 2.

Martin Robinson

It reminds me of that brilliant diorama advert for Halo 3 years ago. We are, at least, going to see some gameplay too it seems.

Martin Robinson

I realise my nipple watch hasn't been on point so far during this, and for that I apologise.

Martin Robinson

February 21st launch date on both Xbox One and Windows 10.

Martin Robinson

I'm staring long and hard at Ayoub and I'm just not seeing anything. Maybe he's smooth like an action man underneath that neatly pressed shirt.

Martin Robinson

win543: Whats Nipple Watch?

E3 is nipple watch.

Martin Robinson

Is this the Xbox Sierra Cosworth announcement?

Martin Robinson

'A world beyond generations', says Spencer.

Martin Robinson

Here comes the bomb.

Martin Robinson

4K and VR support. And....

Martin Robinson

This is the console the Xbox One should have been. I think that's what they're saying?

Martin Robinson

I don't think it's the greatest message, to be honest.

Martin Robinson

The whoopers are struggling to hold it in...

Tom Phillips

Oh wow. 'These are the highest quality pixels anyone has ever seen'.

Martin Robinson

I think we've reached a new high watermark when it comes to bullshit.

Martin Robinson

Kudos to Microsoft, though, for getting out there and owning the message on this.

Martin Robinson

Project Capri.

Martin Robinson

Holiday 2017 - the most powerful console ever.

Martin Robinson

I wonder if Sony's rewriting its own script right now?

Martin Robinson

Tonight just got really interesting.

Martin Robinson

And that's it! Your move Sony.

Tom Phillips

funkstar: i just saw nipple through the jacket

His nipples are definitely standing to attention right now.

Martin Robinson

I think everyone's nipples are alert in that auditorium right now.

Martin Robinson

So, who wants to buy an Xbox One S now then?

Martin Robinson

That, I think, was a cracking show. Megatons, hardware announcements.

Martin Robinson

And Sea of Thieves is looking just outstanding.

Martin Robinson

In summary.

Martin Robinson

Martin Robinson

We have the PC gaming show coming up in a mere 30 minutes. Hopefully see you there!

Martin Robinson

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