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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Halo Infinite Xbox Series X trailer divides fans | Halo Infinite Xbox Series X trailer divides fans |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Microsoft has given gamers a first look at Halo Infinite's gameplay. | Microsoft has given gamers a first look at Halo Infinite's gameplay. |
| The firm said that the game's map was more than twice the size of that in the sci-fi franchise's last two entries combined. | The firm said that the game's map was more than twice the size of that in the sci-fi franchise's last two entries combined. |
| It also promised "more complex visual effects" than before on its forthcoming Xbox Series X console. | It also promised "more complex visual effects" than before on its forthcoming Xbox Series X console. |
| However, some gamers voiced disappointment on social media at the quality of the graphics shown within the demo. | However, some gamers voiced disappointment on social media at the quality of the graphics shown within the demo. |
| This may in part be down to the art style of Halo Infinite, and the live stream being broadcast in high definition at 1080p. | This may in part be down to the art style of Halo Infinite, and the live stream being broadcast in high definition at 1080p. |
| A trailer uploaded soon afterwards in 4K showed the detail and lighting to much better effect. | A trailer uploaded soon afterwards in 4K showed the detail and lighting to much better effect. |
| There was a more positive response to the addition of new weapons, which included a grappling hook as well as a futuristic automatic pistol. | There was a more positive response to the addition of new weapons, which included a grappling hook as well as a futuristic automatic pistol. |
| Microsoft is also promoting the game's fast-loading times on the new console - a feature Sony also made much of at its recent PlayStation 5 event. | |
| "There's a huge community around Halo, people really love Master Chief, but it also reaches a wider audience with people who may not finish the story, but spend hours in multiplayer," commented Ellen Rose, presenter of the Outside Xtra gaming show. | "There's a huge community around Halo, people really love Master Chief, but it also reaches a wider audience with people who may not finish the story, but spend hours in multiplayer," commented Ellen Rose, presenter of the Outside Xtra gaming show. |
| "If Xbox nails it, it could really help shift sales of the new Xbox Series X." | "If Xbox nails it, it could really help shift sales of the new Xbox Series X." |
| Microsoft also confirmed another of its big name franchises would come to the new console in the form of Forza Motorsport 8. | Microsoft also confirmed another of its big name franchises would come to the new console in the form of Forza Motorsport 8. |
| It was described as being in the early stages of its development, so is unlikely to be released alongside the device. | It was described as being in the early stages of its development, so is unlikely to be released alongside the device. |
| Other games unveiled included: | Other games unveiled included: |
| Microsoft also showcased Tell Me Why from France's Dontnod Entertainment studio, which previously released Life Is Strange. | Microsoft also showcased Tell Me Why from France's Dontnod Entertainment studio, which previously released Life Is Strange. |
| It is notable for featuring what the developers have said is the first playable transgender lead in a major release. | It is notable for featuring what the developers have said is the first playable transgender lead in a major release. |
| The trailer showed Tyler and his twin sister Alyson seeing ghosts of their past selves in a story that centres on exploring mysteries about their mother and childhood. | The trailer showed Tyler and his twin sister Alyson seeing ghosts of their past selves in a story that centres on exploring mysteries about their mother and childhood. |
| Despite the decision to break new ground, the footage shown did not make specific mention of Tyler's gender identity. | Despite the decision to break new ground, the footage shown did not make specific mention of Tyler's gender identity. |
| Over the current generation of games machines, the Xbox One comes third in terms of global sales, behind Sony's PlayStation 4 and Nintendo's Switch. | Over the current generation of games machines, the Xbox One comes third in terms of global sales, behind Sony's PlayStation 4 and Nintendo's Switch. |
| But one expert said it had fared much better in terms of market share in the UK. | But one expert said it had fared much better in terms of market share in the UK. |
| "There's a love for the Halo brand among UK consumers, and their tastes are generally more aligned with the US [where the gap is also closer]," commented Piers Harding-Rolls from Ampere Analysis. | "There's a love for the Halo brand among UK consumers, and their tastes are generally more aligned with the US [where the gap is also closer]," commented Piers Harding-Rolls from Ampere Analysis. |
| "So, I expect it to be pretty close between the two next-generation platforms here. But when you look at continental Europe and other global markets, the disparity is likely to be significantly in the PlayStation 5's favour." | "So, I expect it to be pretty close between the two next-generation platforms here. But when you look at continental Europe and other global markets, the disparity is likely to be significantly in the PlayStation 5's favour." |
| Both Sony and Microsoft have invested in exclusive content by acquiring third-party games studios in recent years. | Both Sony and Microsoft have invested in exclusive content by acquiring third-party games studios in recent years. |
| However, they are now pursuing different strategies. | However, they are now pursuing different strategies. |
| Sony plans to release several of its new games only on the PlayStation 5. By contrast, Microsoft generally intends to launch its forthcoming first-party titles on both PCs and the new Xbox Series X, and often the existing Xbox One as well. | Sony plans to release several of its new games only on the PlayStation 5. By contrast, Microsoft generally intends to launch its forthcoming first-party titles on both PCs and the new Xbox Series X, and often the existing Xbox One as well. |
| As yet, neither company has revealed how much their new consoles will cost, despite both being set to go on sale before the end of 2020. | As yet, neither company has revealed how much their new consoles will cost, despite both being set to go on sale before the end of 2020. |
| They may both be holding off in the hope the other will go first, allowing the second party to tweak their strategy accordingly. | They may both be holding off in the hope the other will go first, allowing the second party to tweak their strategy accordingly. |
| However, Mr Harding-Rolls suggested the companies would be wise not to wait for too long, | However, Mr Harding-Rolls suggested the companies would be wise not to wait for too long, |
| "The coronavirus has created pressure on spending, so I think there would be an advantage to giving people the ability to pre-order," he said. | "The coronavirus has created pressure on spending, so I think there would be an advantage to giving people the ability to pre-order," he said. |
| 'A firmer footing' | 'A firmer footing' |
| Analysis by Marc Cieslak, BBC Click | Analysis by Marc Cieslak, BBC Click |
| What is the next generation all about, beyond better graphics and speedy loading times? | What is the next generation all about, beyond better graphics and speedy loading times? |
| It's a question I've been asking to every developer and games industry executive I've spoken to for the last year. | It's a question I've been asking to every developer and games industry executive I've spoken to for the last year. |
| So far, I'm yet to receive a response that fully answers the question. | So far, I'm yet to receive a response that fully answers the question. |
| After a shaky first showcase from Xbox back in May, calling in back-up from Halo's Master Chief at this latest event put the Series X console on a firmer footing. | After a shaky first showcase from Xbox back in May, calling in back-up from Halo's Master Chief at this latest event put the Series X console on a firmer footing. |
| In comparison to Sony's online shock-and-awe showing last month, Xbox opted for a slick and classy event. Halo Infinite and Forza Motorsport used tried and tested Xbox franchises to demonstrate the new machine will be a force to be reckoned with. | In comparison to Sony's online shock-and-awe showing last month, Xbox opted for a slick and classy event. Halo Infinite and Forza Motorsport used tried and tested Xbox franchises to demonstrate the new machine will be a force to be reckoned with. |
| To me, this event was far more reminiscent of the atmosphere and feel of Xbox's recent E3 showcases. | To me, this event was far more reminiscent of the atmosphere and feel of Xbox's recent E3 showcases. |
| A grown-up affair, which highlighted a wide diversity of games from crowd-pleasing first-person shooters and racing titles to more thoughtful fare like Tell Me Why, a platform-exclusive game with a trans lead character. They even found time to tease a new Fable too. | A grown-up affair, which highlighted a wide diversity of games from crowd-pleasing first-person shooters and racing titles to more thoughtful fare like Tell Me Why, a platform-exclusive game with a trans lead character. They even found time to tease a new Fable too. |
| It looks like Xbox is more than ready for the challenge of yet another scrap with PlayStation. | It looks like Xbox is more than ready for the challenge of yet another scrap with PlayStation. |
| But consumer expectation for the next-generation's capabilities should probably be tempered, until we get a first hand look at games playing on next-gen machines, rather than making a judgement based on an online promo stream. | But consumer expectation for the next-generation's capabilities should probably be tempered, until we get a first hand look at games playing on next-gen machines, rather than making a judgement based on an online promo stream. |