Like every other year, there was plenty of hype surrounding the 2014 edition of Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), and it definitely did not leave too many people disappointed on day one. The day turned out to be media-and-info-heavy, with Microsoft, Sony, EA and Ubisoft, all making some pretty big announcements during their press conferences, leaving the attendees drooling excitement and overwhelmed with enthusiasm. Let’s take a quick look at some of the biggest news and happenings on the opening day of E3 2014.
Microsoft
The year may not have started off too well for Microsoft, but the company did not let any of that stand in its way to get off with a bang at this year’s E3. As expected, the company remained focused on Xbox One and the many titles that are in the pipeline, due to release over the course of next 12 months. The biggest announcement during the press conference was that of The Master Chief Collection, a package of Halo 1-4, along with an access to Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta and Halo: Nightfall, the originals series from Ridley Scott. The collection is due for release for a full blockbuster-title price on November 11, while the Halo 5 beta will follow in December. Microsoft further went on to unveil a new Tomb Raider game titled Rise of the Tomb Raider, which will continue the story of Lara Croft’s journey from a timid girl to the badass that we are all too familiar with. Call of Duty: Advance Warfare, For a Horizon 2, and Sunset Overdrive have gotten a release date. The company devoted most of its time to Xbox One titles in the pipeline, including a long list of indie titles as well.
Sony
Sony had been quite confident in the weeks leading up to this year’s E3, and it continued to ooze that confidence during its press conference on day one. As expected, it had a handful of new titles to announce, but what wasn’t expected was the announcement of a new hardware, a white PS4. Sony also confirmed that Vita TV, which has been rebranded to PlayStation TV, is arriving in North America and Europe this fall. Among the many games announced, LittleBigPlanet 3 and the highly-anticipated Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End remained the most notable. Sony also revealed the re-master and re-release of classic game Grim Fandango. The company also confirmed the PS4 of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) V, which will also be getting ported to Xbox One and PC. A Ratchet and Clank remake and movie were also announced. Sony also went to on show the first gameplay footage of Mortal Kombat X, showcasing new characters, moves, combos, x-rays and fatalities. The game is due for release in 2015.
EA
EA kept its focus on all major platforms, namely PS4, Xbox One and PC, during its press conference. It revealed a number of titles for these platforms, while also confirming that a new Mass Effect game is in the making. The publisher showed a gameplay trailer of Battlefield: Hardline and Star Wars: Battlefront, lifting the hype surrounding the two highly-anticipated games.
Ubisoft
Ubisoft seemed to be fully aware of the high expectations of them, and boy, did they meet them or what! Kicking off their press conference with the much-awaited Far Cry 4, they did not keep the fans waiting at all. Furthermore, they announced the release date for Assassin’s Creed Unity on PS4 and Xbox One, which is October 18, and confirmed Rainbow Six Siege, citing a release date of sometime in 2015. The publisher also took the credits for the day’s only only-stage dance-off for its new mobile Just Dance Now game.
Alienware
Steam Machine would have missed out on spotlight on day one of E3, was it not for Alienware, which chose to reveal the name of its Steam Box to be Alpha. The firm also confirmed that it will be release by the holiday season.
As always, E3 got off with a bang, giving the fans plenty to chew on. Hopefully, everything presented and revealed on day one would be digested before day two, because something tells us that the icing and cherry is yet to come.
