E3 2019: On The Bleeding Edge of Xbox's Presser, Keanu Reeves Is Double Fine

Microsoft’s E3 2019 presentation just wrapped up this morning (or this evening depending on which side of the date line you’re on) and they delivered big news. As always, the focus wasn’t just on Xbox One games – let alone exclusives – but the future of their efforts to deliver games across every device, platform and screen they can possibly get into. Here’re the highlights:

Bleeding Edge Is Ninja Theory’s First Multiplayer Title

The celebrated developer behind Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West takes its first step into multiplayer with Bleeding Edge. It’s a 4v4 action game that features a big focus on melee combat and crazy style, tapping into the same weird multicolored punky vibe that Rage 2, Sunset Overdrive, Far Cry New Dawn and Borderlands 3 have been drinking from. A technical alpha starts June 27.

Cyberpunk 2077 Features Keanu Reeves

The highly anticipated futuristic RPG from the developers of The Witcher made another appearance on the Xbox presser. And while Cyberpunk 2077 is a multiplatform title, it was at the Microsoft Theater that Keanu Reeves stepped on stage to hype up the game, announcing his excitement to appear in the game while leaning into his bashful but enthusiastic persona. Reeves also dropped a release date: April 16, 2020.

Xbox Game Pass Gets Even Bigger

This service has been giving Xbox users access to more than 100 games – including some of the latest titles on launch. And now Microsoft has expanded it in two ways. First the Game Pass comes to PC and feature a similar selection of titles. Second, a premium Game Pass Ultimate combines both PC and Xbox passes with Xbox Live Gold for just $15. Witness the most powerful games subscription in the world.

Double Fine and Psychonauts 2 Joins Xbox Game Studios

One of the most iconic indies is no longer indie. Double Fine Productions, the studio behind Brutal Legend and Broken Age joins the family of Xbox Game Studios. “I’m here to personally assure you that I’m a team player. Whatever you need Double Fine to make for you – Halo stuff, Forza stuff, Excel stuff – whatever you want, we’re there,” studio founder Tim Schafer joked. He also presented a new trailer for Psychonauts 2.

Gears 5 Gets A Release In September

The fifth installment of the famously brutal cover-based shooter series finally drops on September 10. Rod Fergusson, head of Gears studio The Coalition, was there to promote the game’s new Escape mode for multiplayer and the pre-order bonus: Terminator-themed skins to coincide with the upcoming release of the movie Terminator: Dark Fate. In addition to being on Xbox and Windows, Gears 5 also comes to Steam.

The Xbox Elite Controller Gets A Redesign

The Elite controller has been one of Microsoft’s biggest surprise hits. Today the company announced the Elite series 2, which “features over 30 new ways to play like a pro, including adjustable-tension thumbsticks, new interchangeable components, up to 40 hours of rechargeable battery life, and limitless customization.” I know I’m all in for continuously trying to build a better controller.

Streaming Comes To Xbox With xCloud This October

For months, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has openly mentioned his use of the in-development Project xCloud to stream games like Destiny 2 and Crackdown 3 on the go. And Xbox users will be getting their hands on it this October. According to Spencer it’ll let you “turn your Xbox One into your own personal and free xCloud server.” Google Stadia could have a challenger in this one.

Project Scarlett Is Real And It’s Coming 2020

Considering the excitement that’s been brewing over what the next generation of hardware will be, it’s a little surprising that the next Xbox is coming out later than sooner. Microsoft says the console will be four times more powerful than the Xbox One X. Not taking into account whatever the next PlayStation will be, the Xbox One will then become “the next most powerful console in the world.”

Halo Infinite Will Be A Launch Title For Project Scarlett

Finally, the show closed out with an extensive story trailer for Halo: Infinite. No gameplay details were offered but it was promised that the game would launch alongside Microsoft’s next console. The announcement is definitely symbolic given that the Halo franchise is the Xbox’s first killer app, but without many gameplay details its difficult to ascertain what special meaning it could have for Project Scarlett.

For more information, news and reports on E3, stick with Too Much Gaming where we’ll continue to follow the conference and other exciting new developments for the rest of the week.

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