Microsoft is no stranger to E3. The company lives and dies by the video game extravaganza that takes place every June in Los Angeles.
2012 looks to be no different, with Halo 4, a possible GTA V trailer reveal, surely some next-Xbox tidbits and (hopefully) new first-party titles.
There have been plenty of memorable E3 moments for Microsoft over the years, so let’s take a look back at the most exciting.
Liberty City Comes To Xbox Gamers
E3 2006
Right around the time Nintendo was wowing audiences with Wii, and Sony was looking set to dominate with its ultra-powerful PlayStation, Microsoft’s Peter Moore took the stage at E3 and shocked everyone.
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In the same way he revealed Halo 2, Moore revealed the logo for “Grand Theft Auto IV” on his left bicep, debunking strong rumours that Rockstar’s next entry in the insanely popular series would be a PlayStation 3 exclusive.
Final Fantasy XIII Coming To Xbox 360
E3 2008
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Microsoft took all of the attention away from Sony again at E3 2008, stepping all over Sony’s apparent exclusivity of the epic Final Fantasy XIII. After being confirmed as a PS3 exclusive in 2006, Square's CEO Yoichi Wada revealed that the game was coming to Microsoft’s console, reigniting the console wars and sending fanboys everywhere wild.
The final outcome? Everyone won: more people got to play it. Yay!
Halo 2 Multiplayer In Action
E3 2004
It was a big announcement in 2003, but the excitement really came with the multiplayer demo in 2004. The thought of “dual-wielding” had gamers talking a year earlier, but seeing it in action at E3 2004 sent the crowd in attendance... mildly wild.
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In what was the first true online multiplayer game, bringing Xbox Live to gamers with what would be the Xbox’s claim to fame leading into the 2005 reveal of Xbox 360.
Halo 3 Brings The Chills
E3 2006
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While a new Halo game for Xbox 360 was inevitable, having it actually confirmed at E3 2006 made the console’s existence that little bit more of a reality, and considerably more exciting. The console had just been released, and gamers were playing Perfect Dark Zero while they waited for the REAL Xbox Live multiplayer game to come to the console. E3 2006 didn’t disappoint, introducing the third game in Bungie’s series to wild applause.
Project Natal Gets You Moving
E3 2009
While Kinect’s actual worth to gamers is still the subject of much conjecture and debate, it was a little hard to not at the very least being even remotely intrigued by the controller-free motion sensing device. Such a radical shift in gaming came in the form of Project Natal, and while some of the demos were, well, a little weird (Milo, inappropriately young little girl), it was certainly a fascinating time for gamers.
By Gaetano Prestia - Bio
What are some of your favourite Xbox/Microsoft moments from throughout the years?