Microsoft’s E3 presser was a bit of a letdown, but we got one major reveal out of it nonetheless- that of Project Scarlett, which what they’re calling the next generation of Xbox for now (it’s what we’ve been calling it for a while anyway, thanks to numerous leaks).

That said, it wasn’t a full reveal. We didn’t see the box, we didn’t get the proper name (or names) of the console (or consoles), nor did we get information on what the pricing will be. And that’s because Project Scarlett, whatever it is, is more than a year away from launch. So why is it that Microsoft wound up talking about a console in June of 2019 that is not due out till Holiday 2020?

Well, as per head of Xbox Phil Spencer in an interview with The Verge, the company’s experience with the Xbox One X gave them the confidence to do so. Microsoft started speaking about Project Scorpio a long time before it was finally unveiled as Xbox One X, and even longer before it ended up releasing. Spencer says that gave Microsoft the confidence to talk about Scarlett at E3 2019.

“I definitely think doing the announcement of Project Scorpio 18 months-ish before we launched X was good learning and background for us this year,” said Spencer. “I think that’s definitely true. I think that gave us some confidence that we could keep buzz. We also know that we’re going to have dev kits out, developers building games, and I’d rather not have to pretend that something is not happening when everybody knows it is happening.”

“So it puts you in this position of people asking you, ‘What’s the name?’ and I say, ‘We don’t have the name yet,'” he continued. “They ask me about price points and everything else, so you’re in this position of talking about the things that you set. Most importantly, you’re going to talk about what your goals are for the platform. Give people something to look to, so when they hear there’s a game in development that’s launching at a certain date, is it going to support X? And I think our experience with Scorpio gave us the confidence to talk about Scarlett on Sunday.”

Project Scarlett is due out in Holiday 2020, which means we can expect to hear more about it at E3 next year. When it does launch, it will do so with Halo Infinite releasing alongside it as a launch title.

Okay guys, if you want the Xbox One X, go and get it- it’s available for pre-order right now. That’s pretty cool, but what’s even cooler is the Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition that was revealed at Gamescom earlier today.

Project Scorpio was the Xbox One X’s code name, the name we knew the console by for a year, and I think a lot of people got attached to that name- now, they can have a final console bearing that name, because the Project Scorpio edition has a Scorpio badge (in that lovely font), as well as a limited edition controller. The Project Scorpio edition will also be hugely limited- so once it is sold out, it is gone for good, meaning if you want it, get it now.

I have a lot of problems with the Xbox One, and Microsoft’s approach to exclusives and software- but the Xbox One X hardware is a thing of beauty, being that powerful and that small. The Scorpio Edition only further emphasizes that.

Project Scorpio has been the codename for Microsoft’s heavily upgraded Xbox One console for a good year now (longer if you followed the rumours leading up to its official announcement). While it’s expected that Microsoft will unveil the final name at its E3 2017 presser at 2 PM PDT today, it seems to have leaked already.

As per Wario64, the recent Best Buy Newsletter lists the console as simply being called the Xbox Scorpio. It’s not the strangest of all occurrences, especially with Geoff Keighley asking on a Twitter poll about the final name. One of the choices provided is – you guessed it – Xbox Scorpio.

Take this with a grain of salt for now. Anyway Microsoft’s conference is in a handful of hours so we’ll find out the truth eventually. What else do you hope to see from the E3 2017 press conference? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more information.

Microsoft’s Project Scorpio will be the center piece of the company’s E3 2017 press conference with a release date, price, design reveal and hopefully a final name. Though the price has yet to be confirmed, Geoff Keighley says it will be $499.

The noted host and man behind The Game Awards said on Twitter that, “I can now say with confidence Project Scorpio is $499. Unless something changes today, that is what will be announced.”

Analyst firm IHS further predicted that the system will retail for $499/€499/£429. “The expected price differential between Project Scorpio and Xbox One S is high enough to reduce the impact of the new platform on the broader console audience.

“Project Scorpio is not the device to re-ignite Xbox One sales in continental Europe and to gain market share from Sony in key sales territories outside of USA and UK.”

Again, this isn’t official confirmation from Microsoft so stay tuned for the company’s press conference at 2 PM PST to learn more.

Ghost Games’ Need for Speed Payback showcased its Burnout meets high-speed heist gameplay at the recent EA Play conference and looked reasonable enough. Along with Xbox One, PS4 and PC versions though, executive producer Marcus Nilsson confirmed that it would also support PS4 Pro and Project Scorpio.

Speaking to GameSpot about Scorpio and PS4 Pro being supported, Nilsson said, “Yes, we are. Both of those platforms will be supported.”

What about the Nintendo Switch? Sadly that doesn’t appear to be happening. Though Nilsson does enjoy playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild while traveling, there currently aren’t any plans for a Switch version.

“Would that be a platform that Need for Speed: Payback could run on? I don’t see why [not], but it’s not something we’re looking to at this very moment.” Nilsson said.

Need for Speed Payback is out on November 10th worldwide for current gen platforms.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer teased that Microsoft’s upcoming E3 2017 press conference would be longer than 90 minutes, defying the company’s past tradition. As it turns out, the actual runtime isn’t that much higher.

According to Microsoft Studios GM on Twitter, the presser will be 97 minutes long. She noted this while referencing how it would be broadcast through Mixer (Microsoft’s renamed Beam service) in 4K.

The Microsoft E3 press conference will not be taking place on Monday. In a first, it will actually take place on Sunday, June 11th at 2 PM PT/5 PM ET. The company will be showcasing Project Scorpio with pricing, the final name and overall look expected.

As for games, State of Decay 2, Sea of Thieves, Crackdown 3 (which hasn’t been outright confirmed as appearing) and a “little something” from 343 Industries are worth looking forward to.

What do you hope to see from Microsoft? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more information.

Bioware’s next big game, courtesy of the main Edmonton studio, will be a new IP called Project Dylan. Though we’ve heard rumours about it such its usage of elements inherent in The Division and Destiny, we won’t have to wait much longer to see it.

Images leaked from behind-the-scenes of the upcoming EA Play press conference indicate that Dylan will have a 45 second trailer. The original source is unknown but Wario64 has them on Twitter. You can check them out below. Along with Dylan, it seems that EA will be showcasing A Way Out (perhaps an EA Originals title) and Madden on Project Scorpio.

We already know that Star Wars: Battlefront 2 will be at EA Play with a multiplayer demonstration. Pre-alpha footage of a 20 vs. 20 match on Theed was leaked earlier today, though it’s since been pulled.

EA Play will start at 12 PM PDT and we couldn’t be more excited. What are your thoughts on the schedule? Let us know in the comments.

Slight peek at EA Conference schedule (A Way Out cinematic trailer, (?) and Scorpio (Madden), 45 second trailer worldwide reveal of a game pic.twitter.com/1qSi9ntUmN

— Wario64 (@Wario64) June 10, 2017

Original image

tfw it’s an EA conference when WIP audio, no gfx pic.twitter.com/2xlqk3N2HM

— Wario64 (@Wario64) June 10, 2017

Ubisoft revealed Far Cry 5’s gameplay this past Friday, showcasing Hope County, Montana and the cult of Eden Project that was aiming to take over the town. You play as a town deputy, fighting alongside other citizens to repel the cult.

Though it’s slated to release next year, Far Cry 5 can be pre-ordered right now. Interestingly enough, if you pre-order the digital version on the Xbox Store, the pre-load is already available. That’s quite a long ways off for pre-loading the game but hey, make use of whatever bandwidth you have,

Ubisoft also detailed the Deluxe and Gold Editions of the game. The former will have all kinds of packs to give access to weapons, vehicles, explosives and so on – it retails for $69.99. The Gold Edition, meanwhile, will have all of the Deluxe Edition content but with the Season Pass as well. It retails for $89.99.

Far Cry 5 is out on February 27th 2018 for Xbox One, Project Scorpio, PS4 Pro, PS4 and PC. Check out the pre-order bonus and full list of Deluxe and Gold Edition content below.

Pre-order Bonus: Doomsday Prepper Pack – includes the prepper outfit, gun and vehicle skins, plus additional consumables.

Far Cry 5: Deluxe Edition – $69.99: Includes immediate access to additional weapons, explosives, vehicles, and skins:

• The Big Game Hunter Pack
• The Ace Pilot Pack
• The Explosive Pack
• The Chaos Pack
• AR-C Assault Rifle & .44 Magnum Handgun with unique skins

Far Cry 5: Gold Edition – $89.99: Includes all Deluxe Edition add-on content, plus the Season Pass.

However, it’s fallen into a trap, one of its own making arguably – there just aren’t enough games. Think about the number of awesome PS4 titles (that also came to PC but still) that have released this year. Now compare that to the number of good/great Xbox One titles also available for Windows 10. Halo Wars 2 is the only title that really registers this year.

"Here’s the problem though – the Scorpio isn’t positioned as a console that’s going to offer brand new experiences."

It also doesn’t help that Platinum Games’ Scalebound was canceled, thus continuing Microsoft’s spree of abandoned/“on hold” games like Fable Legends and Phantom Dust. Don’t even get us started on games that have faded into the backdrop like Gigantic, Below and Cuphead despite large amounts of hype.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. E3 2017 is around the corner and Microsoft has the opportunity to establish itself in a number of ways. Project Scorpio could avoid the flak that initially befell the PlayStation 4 Pro and actually be a strong mid-generation refresh. It has the potential to bring true 4K gaming to the forefront, if nothing else.

Let’s talk about Project Scorpio first since that’s obviously the big thing. I expect the console’s actual look to be showcased (duh) since that’s always a big talking point. The price will probably be around $500 and get the right amount of people debating about whether it’s worth it. Which, by the way, still won’t stop a large number of people from buying it. Microsoft will dedicate a large amount of time to comparing games between Xbox One and Scorpio. There will be the usual VR gaming, native 4K and hyping up other features spiel.

Here’s the problem though – the Scorpio isn’t positioned as a console that’s going to offer brand new experiences. It’s not a console that’s going to have Halo 6 as an exclusive. As Microsoft has said time and again, this is a console for premium users. Right now, the problem with the Xbox platform is a distinct lack of games. First party, third party, 4K, non-4K, whatever.

"Perhaps the biggest game, that we know of at this point, for Microsoft’s presser is State of Decay 2."

So with games in mind, Forza Motorsport 7 is obviously an announcement. Microsoft has already established its bi-yearly cycle between the Forza Horizon and Forza Motorsport franchises. If anything, it would be a major surprise if Forza Motorsport 7 wasn’t announced. This especially when high-end device maker Fanatec confirmed it was meeting with Turn 10 Studios in November 2016 for the same. A release date announcement, specifically for September is all but confirmed at this point.

Sea of Thieves looks to be Microsoft’s big attempt at capturing the shared world multiplayer market. With an action adventure approach, it will be a very distinct experience from the likes of Destiny 2. Tom Clancy’s The Division is alive only thanks to its hardcore player base so it’s not like there isn’t a huge market that wants these kinds of games. Maybe the adventuring, socializing and hilarity of Sea of Thieves will be enough to appeal to these players? Look for a beta announcement at E3 with a possible release by 2017 end.

Perhaps the biggest game, that we know of at this point, for Microsoft’s presser is State of Decay 2. Here’s what looks to be a solid follow-up to a great game with three large maps instead of one, four player co-op, better visuals and some serious improvements. It’s everything that owners of the original, over 2 million of them, could want. If Microsoft is smart, it will tell us exactly how State of Decay 2 will be worth the wait. The sheer style of the game doesn’t make it very presentation-friendly but it’s probably the only game I can think to buy on the Xbox One when it finally arrives.

Apparently there’s an unannounced AAA title that Microsoft will have marketing on. This doesn’t indicate an exclusive of any kind but at very least we’ll have something that could headline the Xbox One’s releases in the coming year. Something tells me that if it’s Ubisoft Massive’s Avatar, then it won’t be out this year. Also given how the timed exclusive DLC deal didn’t quite pull a ton of consumers towards the Xbox One version of The Division, I’d say it’s unlikely that Ubisoft repeats the same. Maybe Microsoft will surprise us all and have the first look at Assassin’s Creed: Origins at its presser. Again, don’t look for it to be exclusive or even a timed exclusive.

"Don’t worry though – if you’re gaming on the Xbox One, Microsoft should have a few things to tide you over this Fall."

One potential wild card is Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Eidos Montreal is developing it instead of Crystal Dynamics. That’s pretty much all we know about it.  ID@Xbox could have some new, unique indie efforts (expect Cellar Door’s Full Metal Furies to be featured and hopefully have a release date) but we’ll probably be reminded of Cuphead and Below again. 343 Industries probably won’t be showcasing the next big Halo but hey, maybe it’ll release a single-player expansion for Halo 5 or something. Here’s hoping, even if we eventually just end up with more multiplayer DLC. The Coalition doesn’t seem to have anything in the offering. Lionhead’s dead. Mojang might have something Minecraft-related. Maybe Crackdown 3 will finally emerge from its coma and grace us with a release date. At this point, the company needs it. Xbox Game Pass and a possible new Dashboard UI could also be revealed.

Don’t worry though – if you’re gaming on the Xbox One, Microsoft should have a few things to tide you over this Fall. It may not beat whatever the PS4 has to offer but it doesn’t have to. All hands are on deck for Project Scorpio and where it could potentially go, no one knows. Stay tuned for Microsoft’s E3 presser on June 11^th, 2 PM PT to make up your own mind.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to GamingBolt as an organization.

Ubisoft’s Far Cry 5 has finally been revealed and much as the cover art earlier this week indicated, players will be dealing with a maniacal doomsday cult as the deputy of Hope County, Montana. Of course, you won’t be alone – there are several non-playable characters who will lend a hand, if you fulfill their requests.

The first is Mary May, a bartender for the Whistling Beaver Saloon who wants to wipe out the Eden’s Gate cult for destroying her family. Pastor Jerome Jeffries had his church destroyed and is now taking up arms to battle back against the villains. Finally there’s Nick Rye, a pilot with a plane packing a mini-gun who is more than happy to fight Eden’s Gate from the sky.

Far Cry 5 will be releasing on February 27th 2018 for Xbox One, Project Scorpio, PS4, PS4 Pro and PC. What are your thoughts on the game? Let us know in the comments below.