Skip to main content

Here are our predictions for Microsoft’s 14 exclusive Xbox games at E3 2019

E3 2019 Xbox exclusives 14 phil spencer game studios Halo
Image used with permission by copyright holder

E3 2019 is nearly upon us, and all the hype trains have left their preshow stations. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer shoveled a pile of fuel into Xbox’s marketing vehicle by sharing on Twitter that 14 Xbox Game Studios games are going to be shown at E3 this year — that’s the most the team has ever brought to one show. We decided to dig through the rumors and old reports that gamers may have forgotten about to give you a look at a few titles that should make an appearance during Microsoft’s Xbox briefing at E3 2019.

Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite was revealed at E3 2018 with a very brief cinematic trailer featuring Master Chief, but official details on this game are scarce. It’s a new Halo from 343 Industries, it’s built on a new engine, it’s reportedly the most expensive video game project ever, and the original trailer’s description says the franchise is headed into “new and unexpected directions.” If it turns out to be a connected shooter or loot shooter, we’re not sure that’s as unexpected as the development team may think.

Recommended Videos

Gears of War 5

E3 2018 was home to a cinematic trailer showing us the next chapter in the Gears of War series, and it ended with some quick looks at gameplay. Microsoft showing off a more in-depth look at Gears of War 5 gameplay is one of the few sure bets at E3 2019.

Fable 4

Lionhead Studios, the team behind the Fable series, was shut down alongside the co-op action game Fable Legends back in 2016. However, rumors started circulating that a new Fable is in the works from game studio Playground, and it’s allegedly a story and character-focused open-world RPG like the previous titles in the series. Eurogamer’s sources confirmed Fable 4‘s existence in early 2018 and it is very possible E3 2019 will be our first look at what the Forza Horizon development team can do within the RPG genre.

Wasteland 3 or a different RPG from InXile

E3 2019 Xbox exclusives 14 phil spencer game studios Wasteland 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Inxile Entertainment crowdfunded Wasteland 3 in November 2016 and Microsoft acquired the studio in 2018. When the acquisition happened, it was said that Wasteland 3 development wouldn’t be hindered by the move. The studio could make the move to elevate Wasteland 3 via the deal, especially since Microsoft’s recent attempts to court PC gamers won’t compromise the game’s release on Steam. There’s also a chance the team may be working on something else. This particular prediction is a roll of the dice but could definitely make the cut.

Ninja Theory’s follow up to Hellblade

After knocking it out of the park with Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, studio Ninja Theory was scooped up by Microsoft, and E3 2019 could be our first look at whatever the team is working on next. Ninja Theory has a history of original IPs like PlayStation exclusive Heavenly Sword, but the team has also delivered a fresh take on Capcom’s legendary hack-and-slash series Devil May Cry. Will Ninja Theory be cutting the ribbon on something new or bringing its pedigree to a dormant Xbox Game Studios title? We’ll have to wait and see.

Charles Singletary Jr.
I'm a Birmingham, AL raised author, journalist, and gaming enthusiast currently residing in San Antonio, TX. My work has…
E3 2023 has officially been canceled by the ESA and ReedPop
E3 logo

The Entertainment Software Association and ReedPop confirmed that E3 2023 has been canceled following a report that broke the news. E3 2023 was supposed to take place between June 13 and June 16.
Earlier today, IGN reported that two of its sources received an email from the Entertainment Software Association saying that this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo has been canceled because it "simply did not garner the sustained interest necessary to execute it in a way that would showcase the size, strength, and impact of our industry." Soon after, a tweet from the official E3 account confirmed that "both the digital and physical events for E3 2023 are canceled."
https://twitter.com/E3/status/1641546610218811393
E3 was once a prominent annual video game industry trade show but has struggled to re-emerge since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. E3 did not take place in 2020 or 2022, and a digital-only attempt at the show in 2021 did not live up to expectations. The ESA was attempting to bring the show back this year with the help of PAX organizer ReedPop, and even approved press passes for the event already, but it appears the developers and publishers have lost faith in E3. Ubisoft pulled out of the show earlier this week after initially committing to be there, while Sega, Bandai Namco Entertainment, and Level Infinite confirmed they wouldn't be there in the following days.
While E3 2023 is not happening, there are going to be many other things for people to look forward to. Geoff Keighley will host a Summer Game Fest show on June 8, Microsoft is holding a Starfield direct and larger showcase on June 11, while Ubisoft will have a Ubisoft Forward Live event in Los Angeles on June 12.

Read more
Ubisoft will not attend E3 2023, but it will still host a summer live stream
Basim showing off his hidden blade in front of the Bagdad cityscape.

Ubisoft will no longer be attending E3 2023, even though it said it would participate in February. Instead, the game publisher behind Assassin's Creed and Far Cry plans to hold its own Ubisoft Forward Live event in Los Angeles this June.
Ubisoft confirmed its change in plans to Video Games Chronicle today, with a spokesperson saying that while Ubisoft "initially intended to have an official E3 presence, we've made the subsequent decision to move in a different direction." This is a change in messaging from just over a month ago when Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said, "If E3 happens, we will be there, and we will have a lot of things to show."
What caused this change of heart in Ubisoft is unclear. However, it seems like the company found that it could still successfully promote its game lineup without being attached to the Entertainment Software Association's event. We don't know much about the Ubisoft Forward Live event other than it'll take place on June 12 in Los Angeles, but Ubisoft tells VGC that "we look forward to sharing more details with our players very soon."
This puts E3 2023 in a weird overall spot, as we currently know more about the companies that won't be at the event -- like Microsoft, Ubisoft, and Nintendo -- than we do about the publishers that will actually be there. After being canceled in 2020 and 2022 and being digital-only in 2021, E3 2023 was supposed to be the annual gaming trade show's grand return. Right now, though, the relevance and viability of E3 2023 are questionable.
ReedPop has not yet commented on the fact that Ubisoft is no longer attending E3 2023. 

Read more
Nintendo confirms that it won’t be part of E3 2023
Pikmin and Bulborb in Pikmin 4.

Nintendo has confirmed reports that it won't be participating in E3 2023, meaning the gaming trade show will be missing one of its key vendors when it returns in-person this June.
"We approach our involvement in any event on a case-by-case basis and are always considering various ways to engage with our fans," a Nintendo spokesperson said in a statement to The Verge. "Since this year’s E3 show didn’t fit into our plans, we have made the decision to not participate. However, we have been and continue to be a strong supporter of the ESA [Entertainment Software Association] and E3."
After taking 2020 and 2022 off and being digital-only in 2021, this year was supposed to mark the grand return of E3, which was once a dominant game industry trade show that attracted every big video game company. Although Sony hasn't participated since 2019, it still came as a shock in January when IGN reported that both Nintendo and Microsoft would not be attending E3 this year as well. It appears that the report is true, as Microsoft has not confirmed any E3-related events outside of its independently run Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase.
Nintendo skipping E3 2023 not only takes away a vendor that dominated the show floor in previous years, but also raises questions about whether or not the company will hold an exciting Nintendo Direct around then. While Nintendo typically holds a big showcase with lots of first-party game announcements around June every year, in 2022 it only held a third-party driven Partner Showcase in June. Now that we know it won't be at E3 2023, we're left to wonder when exactly then next big Nintendo Direct will be. 
E3 2023 will take place between June 13 and June 16, but don't expect Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft to have a big presence there.

Read more