E3 2016: Sony vs Microsoft

Focus

One of the most important aspects of a press conference is its focus. It’s the driving force of the presentation and controls the pulse of everything that follows. At E3 2015, it was all about the games. Microsoft showed off their best lineup ever for the Xbox One and Sony focused on the revival of long forgotten IP and nostalgia that tugged at the hearts of everyone.

This year at E3 2016, Microsoft’s focus was more on options. The games shown weren’t exactly new, with the vast majority being returns to the screen. Instead, two new versions of the Xbox One, a slim one and the more powerful Project Scorpion.

Sony, on the other hand, didn’t give tech much attention. Prior to E3 2016, the company revealed that the PS4K was really a thing, and that it wouldn’t be at the press conference. With that out of the way, Sony was able to focus on strictly the games, and that carried on throughout the entirety of their press conference. There wasn’t much speaking from executives as each experience spoke for itself.

While neither was necessarily a better focus, it did make for two very unique experiences. This is definitely notable considering that at E3 2015 both companies seemed to be on the same page. The different focuses will definitely be a deciding factor in deciding your winner of E3.

Tech

Tech played a major role in Microsoft’s conference. The show was opened by the reveal of the Xbox One S, a smaller version of the console that supports 4K and Ultra HD media playback. After that, it was all about providing options by allowing the ability to experience games across varied platforms including PC and mobile. The big tech element came at the very end of the show, though. That’s when the long rumored Project Scorpio was finally officially announced. A new Xbox that would bring along everything fans have acquired with their Xbox Ones up to this point. It aims to completely erase the concept of generations and leaving stuff behind.

Microsoft definitely carried the torch for this category, as Sony only touched on tech when speaking about the PlayStation VR (PSVR). Even then it was only to touch on the basics in order to reconfirm what fans could expect from the upcoming peripheral. For those who were hoping for new features for the PS4, or any other PlayStation platform for that matter, it may have been disappointing. Sony relied on a singular focus, and while it delivered quite well on that focus, those only interested in new machines and higher specs will have had nothing to keep them entertained.

New AAA IP

Microsoft’s conference was light on new AAA content. Instead, fans were treated to updates of all of the big games announced last year. New releases came in the form of Dead Rising 4 and its Christmas centered new story. There was also some brand new footage of Tekken 7 that showcased Heiachi taking on Street Fighter demon Akuma. While it was a good show, there wasn’t much in the way of things we haven’t seen as tech and the new ecosystem took center stage.

Sony clearly had AAA IP at the forefront of its assault plan. Resident Evil 7, Crash Bandicoot, Death Stranding, and an Insomniac-developed Spider-Man game helped carry a show that was a non-top parade of big games and stunning visuals. Horizon: Zero Dawn had some new gameplay shown off, and the long awaited The Last Guardian treated players to another Trico as well as a release date (something fans had long given up on). Like last year, Sony hit on all the right notes to deliver an unforgettable press conference.

Exclusives

When it comes to exclusives, it really isn’t easy to say who had the best showing. The diversity between both conferences offered enough variety to please just about anyone. In the Xbox camp you have things like Forza Horizon 3, Dead Rising 4, Recore, and Sea of Thieves. Sure, some can argue that they’re actually Windows 10 exclusives since they’re also available on Windows, but the push was for Xbox and it’s clear that Xbox is becoming more of a brand than just a specific piece of hardware. Microsoft also brought along some of its most impressive offerings from last year, such as Recore and Scalebound. Each trailer brought fresh new gameplay to ramp up the excitement once more.

Sony surprised many with its new IP. Kojima’s new project has been revealed much sooner than anyone was expecting. It was only a few months ago that the partnership with Kojima’s new studio and Sony was unveiled and we already have a glimpse into the new mind#&@! we are sure to receive from this oil covered game. God of War was confirmed and showed off a very new style than fans of the series are used to, and then there was the huge surprise of Spider-Man, exclusively for the PS4. It was a very interesting game to show at the end of the E3 2016 Sony presser after being rumored for so long.

So Who Won?

Thanks to the fact that Microsoft and Sony had decidedly different approaches to E3 2016, it’s not so easy as to choose a winner. If games were a big deal for you, it all comes down to preference. Do you like zombies? Then State of Decay 2 and Dead Rising 4 are right up your alley. Want something with weird man birth and mysteriously dark beaches? Then Kojima’s latest project is more for you. Both companies showed up with games worth getting hype about no matter how you look at it.

On the tech side, Microsoft has a lot to offer on the tech front with Project Scorpio, but Sony confirmed the PS4K as well, although there are no real details on what it will offer just yet. There is something that must be said about the Xbox team’s determination to build an ecosystem between Windows 10 PCs and consoles. Options are a consumer’s best friend, and it shows that Microsoft has learned a lot since the first reveal of the Xbox One.

Still, in the end, it really comes down to what you want. Sony and Microsoft have delivered back-to-back conferences that are definitely worth remembering over the past couple of years. It may seem a bit corny, but as long as both keep it up all those who love video games are winners here.