What We'd Like To See at E3 From Microsoft

Rumors have been circulating for a while around a Master Chief Halo collection at E3, but beyond that, Microsoft has guarded its secrets well. We know that Forza Horizon 2, a Gears of War game, Halo 5: Guardians, and Fable Legends are all in the works, but what else does the Xbox have in store? GameSpot's editors sound off on what they most want to see on Microsoft's system at E3 next week.

The Rare Return - Thomas McShea

“Everyone's left Rare!” It's a popular refrain, one even I've been guilty of repeating, yet that isn't quite as true as it initially appears. There's at least one holdover from Rare's glory days still at the developer, and that has left me with a sliver of hope that it can regain its relevance. Gregg Mayles is far from a household name, but as the mastermind behind Donkey Kong Country, Blast Corps, Viva Pinata, and Banjo-Kazooie, his talents cannot be disputed.

The last time we saw his efforts was way back in 2008. For those who wanted another platformer, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts may have gone in an unwelcome direction, but if you take the game on its own terms, it remains one of the most interesting and creative experiments in Rare's expansive catalog. Gregg Mayles never failed as a creative director; he just stopped making games.

So my dream for Microsoft's show would be a revitalized Rare, one that isn't weighed down by the Kinect. Microsoft can no longer afford to clip its wings. The Xbox One needs games--especially exclusives--and its middling gathering of first-party studios isn't getting the job done. So let's see what team Rare can do. There is still talent there, I know there is, and if Rare had a real, concrete presence, it would excite me like nothing else at Microsoft's conference ever could.

One more thing. Microsoft has a rumored third-party exclusive headed to the Xbox One. My guess? A rebirth of Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects. It should, no, will happen!

The Games - Kevin VanOrd

Microsoft needs third-party exclusives. With its most prominent first-party studios making the expected sequels, and with Sunset Overdrive and Quantum Break currently touted as the biggest upcoming third-party exclusives, Microsoft is in dire need of a system seller. Titanfall sold well, but not so well that I am convinced Electronic Arts will want to take a chance with another Microsoft exclusive. Nonetheless, EA might be currently developing the Xbox One's biggest chance of success. After all, Microsoft can develop its own shooters and driving games, but where RPGs are concerned, Lionhead isn't likely to cut it. What Microsoft needs is Mass Effect.

The next Mass Effect is already well under way, and it's hard to deny the series' potential to sell systems. I am into neither Halo nor Forza, but if I didn't already own an Xbox One, Mass Effect 4 (or whatever we'll call the upcoming BioWare game) would be enough to have me parting with my money. With Shepard's story concluded, BioWare can do almost anything. New stories, new mechanics, new races--it's all on the table. A glimpse at a new Mass Effect could send chills up my spine, and Microsoft would do well to leverage those kinds of chills if it wants to avoid leaving enthusiastic gamers cold.

Kinect Party Times - Justin Haywald

Like Tom and Kevin, I agree completely that the Xbox One needs more exclusives. But while I've got a lot of love for the Xbox mainstays of Halo, Gears, and Fable, I don't necessarily want another entry in some storied franchise. There's no better time than the launch of a new console to introduce some entirely new properties.

RPGs, shooters, and platformers that aren't beholden to previously established lore would give studios like 343, Rare, and Lionhead a chance to reinvent themselves rather than being stuck in the shadow of their previous successes (and missteps).

And I'm probably in the minority, but I want to see more for the Kinect as well. Microsoft may have removed the peripheral as a requirement, but it's a technology that has a lot of promise and I'd really like to see the imaginative creations that indie developers could come up with more incentive and support. Dance Central as a franchise is wonderful, but if Xbox can get its own J.S. Joust-like breakthrough, I would welcome keeping the camera plugged in all the time.

You've read our thoughts, but what games do you want to see from Microsoft? Let us know in the comments below?

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And for even more E3 discussion, check out our full pre-E3 series:

• What We'd Like To See at E3 From Sony
• What We'd Like to See at E3 from Nintendo
• What We'd Like to See at E3 on PC

And

• E3 Press Conferences, What Does Sony Need to Do?
• E3 Press Conferences, What Does Microsoft Need to Do?
• E3 Press Conferences, What Does Nintendo Need to Do?

See more coverage of E3 2014 →