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Microsoft E3 2018 conference live report

Gears, Halo and Forza (of course) - but also Miyazaki's latest and plenty more. All the news as it happened.

Well, that was alright wasn't it? We got a new Halo, a new Forza and a new Gears - because of course we did - plus there was plenty more. Hidetaka Miyazaki's new game, Sekiro, was announced, and is a partnership with Activision, plus Microsoft flexed its muscle and announced the acquisition of new studios. Relive it all as it happened.

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Our live coverage of this event has finished.

Well hello hello hello. Just over 90 minutes to go 'til Microsoft's conference, we're just getting set up in the Brighton office.

Martin Robinson

And you know what? It's quite exciting.

Martin Robinson

CptBritannica: My body is ready. I'm slathered head to toe in Lotus spread.

That's the spirit. Though I've also just bought some of my chilli ginger cookies into the office and am now vibing on them.

Martin Robinson

smemma: Best life tip you could ever receive - make a cheesecake using lotus spread. I can’t even begin to describe how life changing it is

This seems important.

Martin Robinson

Hang on.

Martin Robinson

Can you also make the cheesecake crust with crushed up Lotus biscuits?

Martin Robinson

Smemma, I need to know more.

Martin Robinson

It's the big question of the night for me. Hit the beers for Microsoft, knowing full well I run the risk of crashing and burning before Bethesda?

Martin Robinson

Innit: I wonder what shirt Phil will be wearing today? Maybe he'll tantalisingly flash some of his Xboxy chest hair by leaving his top two buttons undone. Wew, lad!

Hopefully he just comes out topless with engorged nipples.

Martin Robinson

Which probably means some Xbox One exclusivity on Dead or Alive 6 or something.

Martin Robinson

pelican_: Maybe some DMC 5 love?

I was going to say we'd see that at Sony's show tomorrow, but seeing as they're not really making any announcements there it may just as well show up here.

Martin Robinson

An hour to go until this conference starts, but really I'm just waiting for smemma to come back and tell me that Lotus spread cheesecake recipe.

Martin Robinson

WetCouchAt138bpm: What the hell is Lotus spread?

This, basically.

Martin Robinson

It's a spreadable version of the Lotus biscuit, which itself is a popular take on speculaas, a spiced biscuit that's popular in the Netherlands.

Martin Robinson

And also what you get free with a coffee when you go on the Eurostar.

Martin Robinson

This is important chat, I think. You've got 52 minutes, go to your local supermarket and get some. You can thank me later.

Martin Robinson

Seriously smemma you can't leave us hanging like that.

Martin Robinson

WetCouchAt138bpm: Ive put it on the shopping list which is pinned to the fridge. I expect a very confused girlfriend to return from Tesco tomorrow.

I feel like, no matter what happens tonight, I've done some good.

Martin Robinson

Planning to power through - though the new office does have some nice sofas that might look pretty alluring come midnight.

Martin Robinson

LordViru: Any recommendations on what to spend my four hours doing, besides researching Lotus cheesecake recipes?

Donlan's brought in his Virtual Boy and I'm going to play Teleroboxer - the proto-Arms! - plus I'm halfway through a World Cup campaign in FIFA 18 on Switch. Oh, I might do some work too.

Martin Robinson

LordViru: @Martin Robinson so are we to expect next weeks Sunday column to be a deep dive into how Teleroboxer informed Nintendos dev strategy for the last twenty years, I'd read it.

You know me too well.

Martin Robinson

Justsomedudeontheweb: Martin, have you tried googling for that Lotus spread cheesecake?

I could do that, but that'd be too easy.

Martin Robinson

Apologies for the brief silence, there was a massive queue in Easy Hours innit.

Martin Robinson

Right, 15 minutes to go.

Martin Robinson

I really think this could be a special one from Microsoft tonight.

Martin Robinson

And not just because we should see a UK-set Forza Horizon 4.

Martin Robinson

smemma: Base = 50% digestive, 50% lotus biscuits. Seriously, EVERYTHING else in life is a let down after you’ve experienced this

YOU'RE BACK!

Martin Robinson

That makes sense for the base. Do you put and spread in for the filling?

Martin Robinson

Anyway, video games!

Martin Robinson

New Gears maybe, would love love love a look at the new Halo. How about some old IP coming back too?

Martin Robinson

And I think there's a third party announcement tonight that could be one of those big E3 moments.

Martin Robinson

But mostly FORZA HORIZON 4 YES PLEASE.

Martin Robinson

Also I think Microsoft knows how to put on a show, regardless.

Martin Robinson

Unlike *some*.

Martin Robinson

I made a pumpkin pie for the office this morning and it has a Lotus biscuit base.

Christian Donlan

*Glares at EA*.

Martin Robinson

*Wiggles bottom mockingly at EA*.

Martin Robinson

It's in the fridge as we speak.

Christian Donlan

Half of it, anyway.

Christian Donlan

*Notices that Andrew Wilson is looking this direction so sheepishly stops and pretends like nothing was happening*

Martin Robinson

Are we not allowed to say "arse"?

Paul Watson

Kami: We're not allowed to say Arse? MY LIFE IS RUINED!

Say 'arse', 'fek', whatever you want.

Martin Robinson

Games_Should_Be_Fun: For anyone wondering Vettel won the Canadian GP followed by Bottas and Verstappen.

SPOILERS! Also I was watching it on the sly and it was so awful, so whatever you do don't watch it.

Martin Robinson

LESS THAN TEN MINUTES TO GO.

Martin Robinson

Also who fancies a look at Cyberpunk? I don't think you'll have too long to wait.

Martin Robinson

slowdog1976: wheres the obligatory pre show "woohoo im here" photo?

I'm in Brighton so it's not that exciting. The queues are pretty intense so I'm not sure Wes and Tom, who are over in LA for us, have made it in just yet.

Martin Robinson

Will one of them be Adobe Premiere though?

Martin Robinson

Perfect Dark or we riot

Paul Watson

Octoroc: I like the looping music. So that's a good start.

Office theory is that Phil Spencer composed this, probably on a Microsoft Surface.

Martin Robinson

Octoroc: I like the looping music. So that's a good start.

I like the creepy disembodied voice whispering "machine" over and over

Paul Watson

LESS THAN ONE MINUTE TO GO. Er, I think we should have started?

Martin Robinson

And.

Martin Robinson

Here.

Martin Robinson

We.

Martin Robinson

Go.

Martin Robinson

Straight in with a game engine demonstration of...

Martin Robinson

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS BUT I DO LOVE A RHINO.

Martin Robinson

And it's Halo.

Martin Robinson

And that's how you start a conference.

Martin Robinson

It looks very much like they're going back to original Combat Evolved.

Martin Robinson

Which I'm more than fine with.

Martin Robinson

Halo Infinite. It looks like it could possibly the switch in direction the series needs.

Martin Robinson

It's on the Slipspace engine, and it looks like it's going to be focussed on Master Chief.

Martin Robinson

This is all music to my ears.

Martin Robinson

Right, who can decode Phil's t-shirt?

Martin Robinson

Hello from the auditorium - WiFi here is awful but that Halo announcement went down phenomenally well. Both it and Phil Spencer gained a standing ovation.

Tom Phillips

"To everyone watching us on TV and Mixer" UH think you forgot somewhere, PHIL

Paul Watson

Phil makes a heartfelt speech. Is he running for president?

Martin Robinson

There's a lot going on with that jacket.

Martin Robinson

Or is it a shirt?

Martin Robinson

A 'jirt', if you will.

Martin Robinson

That's a man who's smashing boundaries even with his wardrobe there.

Martin Robinson

"Developers from Japan to Poland." HMMMM.

Oli Welsh

While PlayStation says it is shrinking its focus to four titles, it lets Microsoft boast about going big. 50 games today... this is going to go on a while.

Tom Phillips

50 games being shown, 18 exclusives and 15 premieres.

Martin Robinson

Strap yourselves in.

Martin Robinson

Ori 2 to start off with.

Martin Robinson

Everything Xbox is PC too in this bold new world.

Martin Robinson

Ori 2: Willow the Wisp, complete with Kenneth Williams commentary please.

Martin Robinson

Right.

Martin Robinson

This is the biggie. This is From Software, Activision and it's what was known as Shadows Die Twice.

Martin Robinson

It's Tenchu again, basically. But Miyazaki does Tenchu.

Martin Robinson

So it's a faster paced combat than Bloodborne, a lot more focus on traversal. And holy shit it might just challenge Bloodborne for game of the generation if this studio keeps up its level of quality.

Martin Robinson

But hey what, Activision and From Software huh? That's an announcement from leftfield.

Martin Robinson

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Martin Robinson

2019. It should be good.

Martin Robinson

And here's Todd Howard. Neckbreak rhythm to this one already.

Martin Robinson

Fallout 4 just hit Xbox Games Pass.

Martin Robinson

And here's our first look at Fallout 76.

Martin Robinson

It's set in Virginia, on a map four times bigger than Fallout 4's.

Martin Robinson

(But when are they going to announce it's a multiplayer-focussed game?)

Martin Robinson

It's got more graphics in it, it would seem.

Martin Robinson

Always happy to lend some expert analysis. Oh and the song's nice too.

Martin Robinson

That was Fallout 76, and this is Life is Strange 2, it looks like.

Martin Robinson

Whatever it is, it's out on June 26th.

Martin Robinson

We'll have a lot more on Dontnod's Captain Spirit on Eurogamer very shortly...

Tom Phillips

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, what looks like a Life is Strange 2 prequel, and it's out later this month.

Martin Robinson

And bisch basch bosch here's Crackdown 3.

Martin Robinson

Which we know now is a 2019 game.

Martin Robinson

It certainly looks like Crackdown. With Terry Crews. Which is all a good thing.

Martin Robinson

Coming next February.

Martin Robinson

Nier Automata coming to Xbox One, which I think we knew already.

Martin Robinson

And here's Metro Exodus.

Martin Robinson

It's been nothing but games so far, which is amazing for all of us watching at home.

Martin Robinson

A bit more troublesome for someone like me who likes to analyse presenter's wardrobes, but I'll take the hit.

Martin Robinson

It, too, has graphics.

Martin Robinson

And Massive Attack, which makes the whole thing feel a bit 2004 which I'm also fine with.

Martin Robinson

February 22nd release date.

Martin Robinson

Sorry Days Gone and Anthem and oh god why don't these people talk to each other?

Martin Robinson

Kingdom Hearts on Xbox, if that's your thing.

Martin Robinson

Shugyr: Isn't KH3 February 22 as well?

Everything is February 22nd! (It's actually January 29th).

Martin Robinson

I don't really get Kingdom Hearts, but more power to you if it's your thing. It's been a long wait since the last one.

Martin Robinson

Here's Sea of Thieves - yes, we like it, sorry! - with an update.

Martin Robinson

The Forsaken Shores.

Martin Robinson

ALSO WAS THAT A ANTIQUES ROADSHOW REFERENCE RARE JUST SNEAKED INTO THE E3 CONFERENCE.

Martin Robinson

Anyway, The Forsaken Shores is out in September.

Martin Robinson

And *here's* our first look at Battlefield 5's story mode.

Martin Robinson

I CAN HEAR A CAR.

Martin Robinson

I CAN SEE A UK.

Martin Robinson

I've always wanted this to do the Sussex countryside.

Martin Robinson

I have no idea where exactly this is set though.

Martin Robinson

It looks like Scotland.

Martin Robinson

So that's a McLaren Senna. And a hover boat? Whatever, I'm buying it.

Martin Robinson

Which'll do. Edinburgh in there for some PGR2 vibes?

Martin Robinson

Dynamic seasons are new this time.

Martin Robinson

He says Britain, but come on Ralph you mean Scotland right?

Martin Robinson

Hang on - that was the chalk horse in Wiltshire?

Martin Robinson

So is this ALL of Britain?

Martin Robinson

There are autumnal leaves falling from the auditorium ceiling. One just landed on someone's head nearby. I may steal it.

Tom Phillips

There's a 60fps option too - which'll be a first for Forza on console.

Martin Robinson

I might play this video game.

Martin Robinson

And it's out on October 2nd.

Martin Robinson

And, of course, it's on Game Pass too.

Martin Robinson

Here comes 'ol jirty back on stage.

Martin Robinson

A brand-new Microsoft studio, The Initiative, led by Darrell Gallagher, and working out of Santa Monica.

Martin Robinson

Gallagher worked on Tomb Raider.

Martin Robinson

Oh and Undead Labs that did State of Decay 2.

Martin Robinson

Which Phil refers to as 'an infestation', which is quite lol given the bugs.

Martin Robinson

Oh wow. Playground and Ninja Theory snapped up.

Tom Phillips

And they've acquired Playground Games.

Martin Robinson

Plus they've just bought Ninja Theory.

Martin Robinson

This is all massive, and quite something to allow them to go toe-to-toe with Sony. This lot are serious.

Martin Robinson

Compulsion Games, who did We Happy Few, are another one who've been acquired.

Martin Robinson

This is all so good I've just thrown my PS4 out the window.

Martin Robinson

August 10th release date for We Happy Few.

Martin Robinson

PUBG now. Is that what PUBG looks like on Xbox One at the moment? 'Cos I've held off from it for a while.

Martin Robinson

Here's our first look at what I believe is a Tales of Vesperia remake, if that's your bag.

Martin Robinson

Division 2 reveal now, set in Washington.

Martin Robinson

Urban warfare? URBAN SNOREFARE MORE LIKE AMIRITE.

Martin Robinson

(I actually enjoyed my first 60 hours with The Division, although I might have overrated it at the time, and I look forward to this).

Martin Robinson

Hang on this doesn't look like Washington?

Martin Robinson

Oh you had me there! It's a museum.

Martin Robinson

I... I find this mock gamer chat quite funny.

Martin Robinson

"Meet me at the sinkhole" is the title of my upcoming album

Paul Watson

This does look super grand but I wish people could come up with some ideas for high level AIs in games like this beyond 'guy in lots of armour'.

Martin Robinson

The Division 2 is summer in Washington, which is a different vibe to winter in New York - and it's out on March 15th next year.

Martin Robinson

Fast Start is a new way to get you playing games quicker, which is good seeing how painfully slow download speeds can be on my Xbox One.

Martin Robinson

It's coming as part of the June update for Xbox One.

Martin Robinson

Hitting Xbox Games Pass today. Tom Clancy's The Division (a super muted response). The Elder Scrolls Online (a slight spattering of applause). And Fallout 4 (I think someone parps).

Martin Robinson

This is all good, but where's our Below release date?

Martin Robinson

Before all that, here's that grimdark Tomb Raider.

Martin Robinson

That was Tomb Raider, which is out on September 14th.

Martin Robinson

And... SKATE 4!!!

Martin Robinson

(It's not - it's Project Session).

Martin Robinson

Or Session, as it's now called.

Martin Robinson

I have no idea what this.

Martin Robinson

It's not Fable though, as it's a launch exclusive.

Martin Robinson

It's Black Desert, sorry.

Martin Robinson

The game with an amazing character creator.

Martin Robinson

Devil May Cry 5 now.

Martin Robinson

Because all the games are here tonight.

Martin Robinson

CALM DOWN MICROSOFT.

Martin Robinson

And in an incredible troll move, he looks like Ninja Theory Dante.

Martin Robinson

So into that.

Martin Robinson

DmC was great, okay? And this looks like it'll be pretty awesome too.

Martin Robinson

Itsuno is on this, as if you didn't know.

Martin Robinson

Itsuno does a great job with his English. His translator is super enthusiastic, but also looks like he might have one of those mousemats that looks like boobs.

Martin Robinson

Oh was that Nero, not Dante? Apologies, then.

Martin Robinson

Some more Cuphead coming too, because why not.

Martin Robinson

Because there hasn't been enough bangers already?

Martin Robinson

And now it's nothing but world premiere games.

Martin Robinson

Tunic, a delightful isometric action game that has cutesy Fez vibes, is next.

Martin Robinson

A new game from Bandai Namco now.

Martin Robinson

It's an all-new Naruto game.

Martin Robinson

Oh hang on.

Martin Robinson

It's a Shonen Jump game?

Martin Robinson

It's all the anime, all at once, in Jump Force. It's coming from Spike Chunsoft in 2019.

Martin Robinson

Here's a post-apocalyptic game that... God it's hard to tell these things apart.

Martin Robinson

Let's call it Dying Light 2.

Martin Robinson

Sequel to Fumito Ueda's favourite game of 2016, fact fans.

Martin Robinson

Chris Avellone, the loveliest of lovely men, comes on stage to rep Dying Light 2.

Martin Robinson

You get a Chris! You get a Chris! Everyone gets a Chris!

Martin Robinson

Looks like Dying Light, with added colours.

Martin Robinson

This seems quite po-faced after the slightly nuttier original. But it does have colours.

Martin Robinson

Onto... Battletoads?

Martin Robinson

Like, an all-new Battletoads?

Martin Robinson

What is even going on in this conference. I love it.

Martin Robinson

Just Cause 4.

Martin Robinson

There is so much video games.

Martin Robinson

It's Just Cause but with more weather.

Martin Robinson

Four games in and that still makes me chuckle.

Martin Robinson

By the way, it's just been confirmed that Sekiro is directed by Miyazaki. So it is worth getting excited about.

Martin Robinson

It's Gears of War meets Funko Pops. I think I just did a little sick in my mouth. Do I spit or swallow?

Martin Robinson

Gears Tactics also, which is an RTS spin on the series.

Martin Robinson

And Gears 5, of course. Which we're seeing now.

Martin Robinson

It'll have graphics too.

Martin Robinson

Graphics *and* emotions.

Martin Robinson

Who has the most emotions though? Tune into Sony's show tomorrow night to find out once and for all!

Martin Robinson

Emotions and wakeboarding, all in one trailer. I can't quite catch my breath.

Martin Robinson

Nah it's cool you still shoot things after all.

Martin Robinson

Gears 5, 2019.

Martin Robinson

We're coming close to a wrap. I think there might be one last thing, though...

Martin Robinson

Okay let's just announce a new Xbox while we're at it.

Martin Robinson

SERIOUSLY CALM DOWN.

Martin Robinson

OH NO OUR STREAM HAS GONE DOWN.

Martin Robinson

This is Cyberpunk. Settle in.

Martin Robinson

In-engine, I'm doubtful we'll see proper gameplay but this conference keeps on bringing surprises.

Martin Robinson

That played really well in the audience - Phil signing off being cut off was unexpected, despite whispers this might close it.

Tom Phillips

A very 80s sci-fi future, and a very pretty one too as you might expect from CD Projekt.

Martin Robinson

Also that car is so, so rad.

Martin Robinson

That was, I think, one of the best E3 conferences there's been in quite some time.

Martin Robinson

Possibly the best since that one where Sony announced all the made-up games (and where The Last Guardian sprung back to life).

Martin Robinson

That's a wrap, and there's plenty to digest there.

Martin Robinson

Microsoft going all in and acquiring new studios shows they're super serious about this, plus we saw new Halo, Gears, Forza and (brief) mention of a new Xbox. Or Xboxes, as it may have been.

Martin Robinson

See you later, if you're bold or stupid or both, for Bethesda at 2.30am.

Martin Robinson

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