Who Has the Most to Prove at E3 2016?

E3 is one of the biggest events in the gaming industry. All of the largest companies use the week to show off their newest and best projects that fans can look forward to. The event is so big in fact, that many of the publishers/developers don’t even have to actually go to E3. Announcements during that week of festivities can help to steal the spotlight and generate hype.

E3 has proved to be more than just an opportunity to build excitement though. In recent years it has become turning point for some companies that needed to dig themselves out of a bad situation or play catchup to their rivals. It’s an event where they can prove themselves to the masses.

E3 2016 will be a big moment for the “Big Three” (Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo). With new technology on the horizon and a fast approaching holiday season, all three are going to try to make waves in the coming week. But who has the most to prove? Let’s find out.

Sony

Sony has been cruising ever since the launch of the PlayStation 4. That success was partially due to being a solid piece of hardware, but the PS4 also got some help from Microsoft botching their initial Xbox One reveal. This put the PS4 and Sony as a whole in the driver’s seat allowing the company to rack up a large amount of sales and clinch some solid third-party deals. That helped to create an excellent 2014.

2015 was a little more lax, but E3 2015 put Sony back on top for a lot of fans as nostalgia became the apparent theme of the conference. Revealing the return of popular franchises such as Final Fantasy VII and Shenmue. Going into E3 2016, Sony is leading up to the launch of its PSVR headset, as well as some big third-party titles later this year. The company does have its work cut out for it if it hopes to top last year’s showing but, to be completely honest, it doesn’t necessarily have to.

The PlayStation 4 is in a good position right now, a great one really. The PS Vita might not be, but Sony doesn’t seem too worried about that. Maybe some redemption in the eyes of handheld enthusiasts is in order, but as a whole, Sony is in a good place. 

Microsoft

Microsoft has made effective use of E3 in recent years. Using the stage to redeem themselves in the eyes of their fans.

The reveal of the Xbox One didn’t go over all that well for many to say the least. Unclear communication regarding its capabilities and ability to share games was a major concern. Sony saw blood in the water and used Microsoft’s missteps in the reveal as an opportunity to spike the football. All of this was a major factor in Sony’s early success.

Fast forward and you have two stunning E3 press conferences headed by Phil Spencer. In particular, E3 2015 introduced a plethora of new features to the console while also setting up a very impressive lineup for the future. Deals with Capcom, EA, and Platinum Games, as well as backwards compatibility and a new Preview Program helped to push the Xbox One into the spotlight after a long stretch of existing in Sony’s shadow.

While the console still hasn’t exactly caught up to the PS4, it has been steadily gathering favor and steam. The pressure is still on the Xbox One though as the industry inches closer and closer to this year’s ever important holiday season. With many of the games shown last year having been delayed, and the still fresh PC initiative underway, fans are curious to see what they’ll show next. Can Microsoft use E3 2016 to keep up the momentum? That’s the only thing they’ll have to prove going into this year’s conference. 

Nintendo

Nintendo has not had the easiest time in the console space over the past couple of years, and that’s putting it lightly. The launch of the Wii U was met with confusion, and although the console started with strong support, that major third-party presence dissipated shortly after. The launch of the PS4 and Xbox One helped to push Nintendo’s latest home console further into the shadows thanks to more power and “bigger” games. Thanks to these factors, Nintendo is already setting up to launch the next generation of its home consoles, the NX.

So far, there haven’t been many details released regarding what the NX actually is. We know it plays games, and that, according to Nintendo at least, it will be something brand new. Yet the most important pieces of information are still anyone’s guess. Will it be powerful? Will it have what it needs to generate strong third-party support? Trophies? A brand new online network? Nintendo has a lot of questions to answer, and they’ll hopefully be doing so during the week-long Treehouse event that the company has every year.

Skipping a traditional stage show at E3 has become the norm for the gaming giant, opting instead for a more intimate showcase streamed directly to fans. It has helped Nintendo get its products in front of its fan base, but it hasn’t been the best method of bringing in new customers.

Who Has the Most to Prove at E3 2016?

Sony and Microsoft are in a very good place right now. While they still have room for improvement, each company has been executing on their respective plans, providing exciting new reasons to check them out. The Xbox One and its growing relationship with Windows PCs is changing the Microsoft gaming ecosystem. Sony meanwhile will be releasing its very own VR headset later this year alongside its anticipated lineup of games.

Yes Sony has to prove VR is something worthwhile and show that they can support PlayStation VR better than they did the PS Vita, and Microsoft will need some time to fully realize the Windows 10 platform, but both have proven to be capable before. With successful traditional consoles pushing them along, many are looking to E3 just to see some cool new games.

Nintendo, on the other hand, is at a turning point, at least when it comes to their influence in the home console market. While the Wii U is a great console in its own right, it just hasn’t been able to stand against the competition, forcing Nintendo into developing a successor earlier than they probably would have liked to.

A lot is riding on the NX, and with Wii U exclusives releasing at a very slow drip, the company will need to pull some serious aces from under its sleeves. Nintendo has always been an innovator in the video game industry, so they have earned a lot of good faith. But, if their next outing proves to be another idea that is just a bit too “out there,” and major publishers choose not to support it, then things will not go well.

At E3 2016, Nintendo is going to be under heavy scrutiny. A booth dedicated to The Legend of Zelda as well as Pokemon Sun and Moon is only a fraction of what Nintendo needs to shine. A show that proves they have been listening to fans and the community at large, one that shows they are finally wiling to battle directly with the other members of the “Big Three” will turn the tables for the future. Whether we’ll see this become a reality, though, remains to be seen.