So you’ve read about the new Xbox One, you know what Kinect 2.0 and the brand new controller, but what about the games? Well, Microsoft revealed quite a few new titles at its launch event today, but there are more. Microsoft Studios alone will be bringing 15 new games to the console in its first year, 8 of which will be brand new franchises.
Forza Motorsport 5
Just as it did with the 360, Microsoft is making Forza a launch title. Now in its fifth iteration, Forza Motorsport will be the first racer on the new console. We got a glimpse of it in action and boy, does it look good. Tonnes of detail allows you to see the finest things like bits of rubber coming off your tyres as you ping your Mclaren MP4-12C round a bend.
Watch Dogs
Ubisoft’s futuristic Grand Theft Auto is probably the next generation game we know most about at the moment. Taking place in a not-too-distant future Chicago, you play a man who can control the city using various methods – telecommunications, insiders and seemingly mind control. You’ll be able to shut down entire grids, switch traffic lights to red at the perfect moment to cause a crash behind you as you speed away and much more.
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Activision’s next Call of Duty title will be hitting the Xbox One, just as it will on the PS4 later this year. The new title includes lots of graphical improvements that lead to character faces looking so real it’s quite scary. The world reveal took place at the Xbox One launch today, where we learned about dog companions, the enemy and exactly what ‘Ghosts’ are.
FIFA 14
EA’s new partnership with Microsoft will bring a host of its latest sports titles to the new console. FIFA 14 is the first of those, with the latest footy title hitting the console later this year. For the lowdown on what’s new in FIFA 14, check out our post on the launch.
NBA Live 14
As part of EA’s big push with new sporting titles for Xbox One, NBA Live 14 will hit the console for those who love to play ‘ball. Microsoft also showed off some pretty cool features that bring up your fantasy NBA team in the game through SmartGlass on a smartphone or tablet.
EA Madden 25
Microsoft was keen to boast a huge new partnership with the NFL, and EA Madden 25 is a big part of that. Like FIFA 14 and NBA Live 14, Madden 25 will use EA’s new Ignite games engine which promises more detailed, impressive graphics.
EA Sports UFC
The final title in EA’s quartet of sports titles for the Xbox One is EA Sports UFC, a brand new Ultimate Fighting Championship title for Microsoft’s new console. Unfortunately little was said about this at the event as the focus was on Madden, but we should find out more in 3 weeks time at E3.
Battlefield 4
Already announced and confirmed for the PS4, we now know that Battlefield 4 will be landing on the Xbox One as a main rival to Call of Duty: Ghosts. Impressive detail and improved gameplay are easily noticeable in DICE’s first trailer above.
Destiny
Unlike the last two Xbox launches, a new Halo title wasn’t the key focus when it came to games. Its creator Bungie is however launching a different title, Destiny. This is a first person shooter that takes place in a huge world with dynamic events taking place based on what you do in game.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Ubisoft’s next title in the Assassin’s Creed series is already something we know a little about. Pirates, swashbuckling and the Caribbean will all play major roles in this new title, which is confirmed to be coming to both PS4 and Xbox One.
Quantum Break
From the developers of Alan Wake comes Quantum Break. The initial trailer is intriguing – we see a girl who claims she is ‘different’ because of a Vulcan mind-meld. There’s plenty of destruction including a tanker tearing through a bridge, and the game’s tagline is “Time is the fire in which we burn.” Intriguing…
Thief
Eidos Montreal confirmed late yesterday via its official Tumblr that Thief will be coming to the Xbox One. Precious few details are available yet, except the above screenshot which involves fire. Lots of fire.
Ryse
Xbox 360 games?
Unfortunately you won’t be taking that beloved copy of Halo 3 and slipping into the Xbox One’s disc drive for a good old reminisce. The Xbox One is not backwards compatible with Xbox or Xbox 360 games, and Microsoft hasn’t yet made it clear if older games will be available to download as digital content, as Sony is doing with the PS4.
Previously owned games
In contrast to the quite frankly terrifying rumours of late, the Xbox One will play previously owned games. Microsoft won’t be linking games to the first console they’re played on, so thankfully the pre-owned industry will continue on as normal!
Others
With E3 just a few weeks around the corner we’re going to find out much more about these games as well as many new titles. Microsoft Studios has 15 titles planned for the first year of Xbox One, including 8 brand new ones. If we were to hazard a guess at the other 7, we’d go with Halo, Gears of War and Fable, just to start off with.