Well, that was alright wasn't it? We got a new Halo, a new Forza and a new Gears - because of course we did - plus there was plenty more. Hidetaka Miyazaki's new game, Sekiro, was announced, and is a partnership with Activision, plus Microsoft flexed its muscle and announced the acquisition of new studios. Relive it all as it happened.

Xbox E3 2018 Briefing Watch on YouTube

Our live coverage of this event has finished.

18:23 pm UTC Well hello hello hello. Just over 90 minutes to go 'til Microsoft's conference, we're just getting set up in the Brighton office. Martin Robinson 18:23 pm UTC And you know what? It's quite exciting. Martin Robinson 18:35 pm UTC

CptBritannica: My body is ready. I'm slathered head to toe in Lotus spread.

That's the spirit. Though I've also just bought some of my chilli ginger cookies into the office and am now vibing on them.

Martin Robinson 18:49 pm UTC

smemma: Best life tip you could ever receive - make a cheesecake using lotus spread. I can’t even begin to describe how life changing it is

This seems important.

Martin Robinson 18:49 pm UTC Hang on. Martin Robinson 18:49 pm UTC Can you also make the cheesecake crust with crushed up Lotus biscuits? Martin Robinson 18:51 pm UTC Smemma, I need to know more. Martin Robinson 18:55 pm UTC It's the big question of the night for me. Hit the beers for Microsoft, knowing full well I run the risk of crashing and burning before Bethesda? Martin Robinson 18:55 pm UTC

Innit: I wonder what shirt Phil will be wearing today? Maybe he'll tantalisingly flash some of his Xboxy chest hair by leaving his top two buttons undone. Wew, lad!

Hopefully he just comes out topless with engorged nipples.

Martin Robinson 18:56 pm UTC Which probably means some Xbox One exclusivity on Dead or Alive 6 or something. Martin Robinson 18:59 pm UTC

pelican_: Maybe some DMC 5 love?

I was going to say we'd see that at Sony's show tomorrow, but seeing as they're not really making any announcements there it may just as well show up here.

Martin Robinson 19:02 pm UTC An hour to go until this conference starts, but really I'm just waiting for smemma to come back and tell me that Lotus spread cheesecake recipe. Martin Robinson 19:06 pm UTC

WetCouchAt138bpm: What the hell is Lotus spread?

This, basically.

Martin Robinson 19:07 pm UTC It's a spreadable version of the Lotus biscuit, which itself is a popular take on speculaas, a spiced biscuit that's popular in the Netherlands. Martin Robinson 19:07 pm UTC And also what you get free with a coffee when you go on the Eurostar. Martin Robinson 19:08 pm UTC This is important chat, I think. You've got 52 minutes, go to your local supermarket and get some. You can thank me later. Martin Robinson 19:11 pm UTC Seriously smemma you can't leave us hanging like that. Martin Robinson 19:11 pm UTC

WetCouchAt138bpm: Ive put it on the shopping list which is pinned to the fridge. I expect a very confused girlfriend to return from Tesco tomorrow.

I feel like, no matter what happens tonight, I've done some good.

Martin Robinson 19:18 pm UTC Planning to power through - though the new office does have some nice sofas that might look pretty alluring come midnight. Martin Robinson 19:24 pm UTC

LordViru: Any recommendations on what to spend my four hours doing, besides researching Lotus cheesecake recipes?

Donlan's brought in his Virtual Boy and I'm going to play Teleroboxer - the proto-Arms! - plus I'm halfway through a World Cup campaign in FIFA 18 on Switch. Oh, I might do some work too.

Martin Robinson 19:27 pm UTC

LordViru: @Martin Robinson so are we to expect next weeks Sunday column to be a deep dive into how Teleroboxer informed Nintendos dev strategy for the last twenty years, I'd read it.

You know me too well.

Martin Robinson 19:45 pm UTC

Justsomedudeontheweb: Martin, have you tried googling for that Lotus spread cheesecake?

I could do that, but that'd be too easy.

Martin Robinson 19:46 pm UTC Apologies for the brief silence, there was a massive queue in Easy Hours innit. Martin Robinson 19:46 pm UTC Right, 15 minutes to go. Martin Robinson 19:46 pm UTC I really think this could be a special one from Microsoft tonight. Martin Robinson 19:46 pm UTC And not just because we should see a UK-set Forza Horizon 4. Martin Robinson 19:47 pm UTC

smemma: Base = 50% digestive, 50% lotus biscuits. Seriously, EVERYTHING else in life is a let down after you’ve experienced this

YOU'RE BACK!

Martin Robinson 19:47 pm UTC That makes sense for the base. Do you put and spread in for the filling? Martin Robinson 19:47 pm UTC Anyway, video games! Martin Robinson 19:48 pm UTC New Gears maybe, would love love love a look at the new Halo. How about some old IP coming back too? Martin Robinson 19:48 pm UTC And I think there's a third party announcement tonight that could be one of those big E3 moments. Martin Robinson 19:48 pm UTC But mostly FORZA HORIZON 4 YES PLEASE. Martin Robinson 19:49 pm UTC Also I think Microsoft knows how to put on a show, regardless. Martin Robinson 19:49 pm UTC Unlike *some*. Martin Robinson 19:49 pm UTC I made a pumpkin pie for the office this morning and it has a Lotus biscuit base. Christian Donlan 19:49 pm UTC *Glares at EA*. Martin Robinson 19:49 pm UTC *Wiggles bottom mockingly at EA*. Martin Robinson 19:50 pm UTC It's in the fridge as we speak. Christian Donlan 19:50 pm UTC Half of it, anyway. Christian Donlan 19:50 pm UTC *Notices that Andrew Wilson is looking this direction so sheepishly stops and pretends like nothing was happening* Martin Robinson 19:50 pm UTC Are we not allowed to say "arse"? Paul Watson 19:52 pm UTC

Kami: We're not allowed to say Arse? MY LIFE IS RUINED!

Say 'arse', 'fek', whatever you want.

Martin Robinson 19:53 pm UTC

Games_Should_Be_Fun: For anyone wondering Vettel won the Canadian GP followed by Bottas and Verstappen.

SPOILERS! Also I was watching it on the sly and it was so awful, so whatever you do don't watch it.

Martin Robinson 19:53 pm UTC LESS THAN TEN MINUTES TO GO. Martin Robinson 19:54 pm UTC Also who fancies a look at Cyberpunk? I don't think you'll have too long to wait. Martin Robinson 19:55 pm UTC

slowdog1976: wheres the obligatory pre show "woohoo im here" photo?

I'm in Brighton so it's not that exciting. The queues are pretty intense so I'm not sure Wes and Tom, who are over in LA for us, have made it in just yet.

Martin Robinson 19:56 pm UTC Will one of them be Adobe Premiere though? Martin Robinson 19:59 pm UTC Perfect Dark or we riot Paul Watson 19:59 pm UTC

Octoroc: I like the looping music. So that's a good start.

Office theory is that Phil Spencer composed this, probably on a Microsoft Surface.

Martin Robinson 20:00 pm UTC

Octoroc: I like the looping music. So that's a good start.

I like the creepy disembodied voice whispering "machine" over and over

Paul Watson 20:00 pm UTC LESS THAN ONE MINUTE TO GO. Er, I think we should have started? Martin Robinson 20:00 pm UTC And. Martin Robinson 20:00 pm UTC Here. Martin Robinson 20:00 pm UTC We. Martin Robinson 20:00 pm UTC Go. Martin Robinson 20:01 pm UTC Straight in with a game engine demonstration of... Martin Robinson 20:02 pm UTC I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS BUT I DO LOVE A RHINO. Martin Robinson 20:02 pm UTC And it's Halo. Martin Robinson 20:02 pm UTC And that's how you start a conference. Martin Robinson 20:03 pm UTC It looks very much like they're going back to original Combat Evolved. Martin Robinson 20:03 pm UTC Which I'm more than fine with. Martin Robinson 20:03 pm UTC Halo Infinite. It looks like it could possibly the switch in direction the series needs. Martin Robinson 20:04 pm UTC It's on the Slipspace engine, and it looks like it's going to be focussed on Master Chief. Martin Robinson 20:04 pm UTC This is all music to my ears. Martin Robinson 20:04 pm UTC Right, who can decode Phil's t-shirt? Martin Robinson 20:05 pm UTC Hello from the auditorium - WiFi here is awful but that Halo announcement went down phenomenally well. Both it and Phil Spencer gained a standing ovation. Tom Phillips 20:05 pm UTC "To everyone watching us on TV and Mixer" UH think you forgot somewhere, PHIL Paul Watson 20:06 pm UTC Phil makes a heartfelt speech. Is he running for president? Martin Robinson 20:06 pm UTC There's a lot going on with that jacket. Martin Robinson 20:06 pm UTC Or is it a shirt? Martin Robinson 20:06 pm UTC A 'jirt', if you will. Martin Robinson 20:06 pm UTC That's a man who's smashing boundaries even with his wardrobe there. Martin Robinson 20:07 pm UTC "Developers from Japan to Poland." HMMMM. Oli Welsh 20:07 pm UTC While PlayStation says it is shrinking its focus to four titles, it lets Microsoft boast about going big. 50 games today... this is going to go on a while. Tom Phillips 20:07 pm UTC 50 games being shown, 18 exclusives and 15 premieres. Martin Robinson 20:07 pm UTC Strap yourselves in. Martin Robinson 20:07 pm UTC Ori 2 to start off with. Martin Robinson 20:09 pm UTC Everything Xbox is PC too in this bold new world. Martin Robinson 20:10 pm UTC Ori 2: Willow the Wisp, complete with Kenneth Williams commentary please. Martin Robinson 20:10 pm UTC Right. Martin Robinson 20:10 pm UTC This is the biggie. This is From Software, Activision and it's what was known as Shadows Die Twice. Martin Robinson 20:10 pm UTC It's Tenchu again, basically. But Miyazaki does Tenchu. Martin Robinson 20:11 pm UTC So it's a faster paced combat than Bloodborne, a lot more focus on traversal. And holy shit it might just challenge Bloodborne for game of the generation if this studio keeps up its level of quality. Martin Robinson 20:12 pm UTC But hey what, Activision and From Software huh? That's an announcement from leftfield. Martin Robinson 20:12 pm UTC Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Martin Robinson 20:12 pm UTC 2019. It should be good. Martin Robinson 20:13 pm UTC And here's Todd Howard. Neckbreak rhythm to this one already. Martin Robinson 20:13 pm UTC Fallout 4 just hit Xbox Games Pass. Martin Robinson 20:14 pm UTC And here's our first look at Fallout 76. Martin Robinson 20:14 pm UTC It's set in Virginia, on a map four times bigger than Fallout 4's. Martin Robinson 20:15 pm UTC (But when are they going to announce it's a multiplayer-focussed game?) Martin Robinson 20:15 pm UTC It's got more graphics in it, it would seem. Martin Robinson 20:16 pm UTC Always happy to lend some expert analysis. Oh and the song's nice too. Martin Robinson 20:17 pm UTC That was Fallout 76, and this is Life is Strange 2, it looks like. Martin Robinson 20:17 pm UTC Whatever it is, it's out on June 26th. Martin Robinson 20:19 pm UTC We'll have a lot more on Dontnod's Captain Spirit on Eurogamer very shortly... Tom Phillips 20:19 pm UTC The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, what looks like a Life is Strange 2 prequel, and it's out later this month. Martin Robinson 20:19 pm UTC And bisch basch bosch here's Crackdown 3. Martin Robinson 20:19 pm UTC Which we know now is a 2019 game. Martin Robinson 20:20 pm UTC It certainly looks like Crackdown. With Terry Crews. Which is all a good thing. Martin Robinson 20:20 pm UTC Coming next February. Martin Robinson 20:21 pm UTC Nier Automata coming to Xbox One, which I think we knew already. Martin Robinson 20:21 pm UTC And here's Metro Exodus. Martin Robinson 20:21 pm UTC It's been nothing but games so far, which is amazing for all of us watching at home. Martin Robinson 20:22 pm UTC A bit more troublesome for someone like me who likes to analyse presenter's wardrobes, but I'll take the hit. Martin Robinson 20:23 pm UTC It, too, has graphics. Martin Robinson 20:23 pm UTC And Massive Attack, which makes the whole thing feel a bit 2004 which I'm also fine with. Martin Robinson 20:24 pm UTC February 22nd release date. Martin Robinson 20:24 pm UTC Sorry Days Gone and Anthem and oh god why don't these people talk to each other? Martin Robinson 20:25 pm UTC Kingdom Hearts on Xbox, if that's your thing. Martin Robinson 20:27 pm UTC

Shugyr: Isn't KH3 February 22 as well?

Everything is February 22nd! (It's actually January 29th).

Martin Robinson 20:28 pm UTC I don't really get Kingdom Hearts, but more power to you if it's your thing. It's been a long wait since the last one. Martin Robinson 20:29 pm UTC Here's Sea of Thieves - yes, we like it, sorry! - with an update. Martin Robinson 20:29 pm UTC The Forsaken Shores. Martin Robinson 20:30 pm UTC ALSO WAS THAT A ANTIQUES ROADSHOW REFERENCE RARE JUST SNEAKED INTO THE E3 CONFERENCE. Martin Robinson 20:30 pm UTC Anyway, The Forsaken Shores is out in September. Martin Robinson 20:30 pm UTC And *here's* our first look at Battlefield 5's story mode. Martin Robinson 20:31 pm UTC I CAN HEAR A CAR. Martin Robinson 20:31 pm UTC I CAN SEE A UK. Martin Robinson 20:32 pm UTC I've always wanted this to do the Sussex countryside. Martin Robinson 20:32 pm UTC I have no idea where exactly this is set though. Martin Robinson 20:32 pm UTC It looks like Scotland. Martin Robinson 20:33 pm UTC So that's a McLaren Senna. And a hover boat? Whatever, I'm buying it. Martin Robinson 20:34 pm UTC Which'll do. Edinburgh in there for some PGR2 vibes? Martin Robinson 20:34 pm UTC Dynamic seasons are new this time. Martin Robinson 20:34 pm UTC He says Britain, but come on Ralph you mean Scotland right? Martin Robinson 20:36 pm UTC Hang on - that was the chalk horse in Wiltshire? Martin Robinson 20:36 pm UTC So is this ALL of Britain? Martin Robinson 20:36 pm UTC There are autumnal leaves falling from the auditorium ceiling. One just landed on someone's head nearby. I may steal it. Tom Phillips 20:36 pm UTC There's a 60fps option too - which'll be a first for Forza on console. Martin Robinson 20:36 pm UTC I might play this video game. Martin Robinson 20:38 pm UTC And it's out on October 2nd. Martin Robinson 20:39 pm UTC And, of course, it's on Game Pass too. Martin Robinson 20:39 pm UTC Here comes 'ol jirty back on stage. Martin Robinson 20:40 pm UTC A brand-new Microsoft studio, The Initiative, led by Darrell Gallagher, and working out of Santa Monica. Martin Robinson 20:41 pm UTC Gallagher worked on Tomb Raider. Martin Robinson 20:41 pm UTC Oh and Undead Labs that did State of Decay 2. Martin Robinson 20:41 pm UTC Which Phil refers to as 'an infestation', which is quite lol given the bugs. Martin Robinson 20:41 pm UTC Oh wow. Playground and Ninja Theory snapped up. Tom Phillips 20:41 pm UTC And they've acquired Playground Games. Martin Robinson 20:42 pm UTC Plus they've just bought Ninja Theory. Martin Robinson 20:42 pm UTC This is all massive, and quite something to allow them to go toe-to-toe with Sony. This lot are serious. Martin Robinson 20:42 pm UTC Compulsion Games, who did We Happy Few, are another one who've been acquired. Martin Robinson 20:43 pm UTC This is all so good I've just thrown my PS4 out the window. Martin Robinson 20:45 pm UTC August 10th release date for We Happy Few. Martin Robinson 20:46 pm UTC PUBG now. Is that what PUBG looks like on Xbox One at the moment? 'Cos I've held off from it for a while. Martin Robinson 20:47 pm UTC Here's our first look at what I believe is a Tales of Vesperia remake, if that's your bag. Martin Robinson 20:49 pm UTC Division 2 reveal now, set in Washington. Martin Robinson 20:50 pm UTC Urban warfare? URBAN SNOREFARE MORE LIKE AMIRITE. Martin Robinson 20:50 pm UTC (I actually enjoyed my first 60 hours with The Division, although I might have overrated it at the time, and I look forward to this). Martin Robinson 20:51 pm UTC Hang on this doesn't look like Washington? Martin Robinson 20:51 pm UTC Oh you had me there! It's a museum. Martin Robinson 20:52 pm UTC I... I find this mock gamer chat quite funny. Martin Robinson 20:52 pm UTC "Meet me at the sinkhole" is the title of my upcoming album Paul Watson 20:55 pm UTC This does look super grand but I wish people could come up with some ideas for high level AIs in games like this beyond 'guy in lots of armour'. Martin Robinson 20:57 pm UTC The Division 2 is summer in Washington, which is a different vibe to winter in New York - and it's out on March 15th next year. Martin Robinson 20:58 pm UTC Fast Start is a new way to get you playing games quicker, which is good seeing how painfully slow download speeds can be on my Xbox One. Martin Robinson 20:59 pm UTC It's coming as part of the June update for Xbox One. Martin Robinson 21:00 pm UTC Hitting Xbox Games Pass today. Tom Clancy's The Division (a super muted response). The Elder Scrolls Online (a slight spattering of applause). And Fallout 4 (I think someone parps). Martin Robinson 21:01 pm UTC This is all good, but where's our Below release date? Martin Robinson 21:03 pm UTC Before all that, here's that grimdark Tomb Raider. Martin Robinson 21:06 pm UTC That was Tomb Raider, which is out on September 14th. Martin Robinson 21:06 pm UTC And... SKATE 4!!! Martin Robinson 21:06 pm UTC (It's not - it's Project Session). Martin Robinson 21:07 pm UTC Or Session, as it's now called. Martin Robinson 21:08 pm UTC I have no idea what this. Martin Robinson 21:08 pm UTC It's not Fable though, as it's a launch exclusive. Martin Robinson 21:08 pm UTC It's Black Desert, sorry. Martin Robinson 21:08 pm UTC The game with an amazing character creator. Martin Robinson 21:09 pm UTC Devil May Cry 5 now. Martin Robinson 21:09 pm UTC Because all the games are here tonight. Martin Robinson 21:09 pm UTC CALM DOWN MICROSOFT. Martin Robinson 21:10 pm UTC And in an incredible troll move, he looks like Ninja Theory Dante. Martin Robinson 21:10 pm UTC So into that. Martin Robinson 21:11 pm UTC DmC was great, okay? And this looks like it'll be pretty awesome too. Martin Robinson 21:11 pm UTC Itsuno is on this, as if you didn't know. Martin Robinson 21:13 pm UTC Itsuno does a great job with his English. His translator is super enthusiastic, but also looks like he might have one of those mousemats that looks like boobs. Martin Robinson 21:14 pm UTC Oh was that Nero, not Dante? Apologies, then. Martin Robinson 21:14 pm UTC Some more Cuphead coming too, because why not. Martin Robinson 21:17 pm UTC Because there hasn't been enough bangers already? Martin Robinson 21:17 pm UTC And now it's nothing but world premiere games. Martin Robinson 21:17 pm UTC Tunic, a delightful isometric action game that has cutesy Fez vibes, is next. Martin Robinson 21:18 pm UTC A new game from Bandai Namco now. Martin Robinson 21:18 pm UTC It's an all-new Naruto game. Martin Robinson 21:18 pm UTC Oh hang on. Martin Robinson 21:18 pm UTC It's a Shonen Jump game? Martin Robinson 21:19 pm UTC It's all the anime, all at once, in Jump Force. It's coming from Spike Chunsoft in 2019. Martin Robinson 21:20 pm UTC Here's a post-apocalyptic game that... God it's hard to tell these things apart. Martin Robinson 21:20 pm UTC Let's call it Dying Light 2. Martin Robinson 21:20 pm UTC Sequel to Fumito Ueda's favourite game of 2016, fact fans. Martin Robinson 21:21 pm UTC Chris Avellone, the loveliest of lovely men, comes on stage to rep Dying Light 2. Martin Robinson 21:22 pm UTC You get a Chris! You get a Chris! Everyone gets a Chris! Martin Robinson 21:22 pm UTC Looks like Dying Light, with added colours. Martin Robinson 21:24 pm UTC This seems quite po-faced after the slightly nuttier original. But it does have colours. Martin Robinson 21:25 pm UTC Onto... Battletoads? Martin Robinson 21:26 pm UTC Like, an all-new Battletoads? Martin Robinson 21:26 pm UTC What is even going on in this conference. I love it. Martin Robinson 21:26 pm UTC Just Cause 4. Martin Robinson 21:26 pm UTC There is so much video games. Martin Robinson 21:26 pm UTC It's Just Cause but with more weather. Martin Robinson 21:27 pm UTC Four games in and that still makes me chuckle. Martin Robinson 21:28 pm UTC By the way, it's just been confirmed that Sekiro is directed by Miyazaki. So it is worth getting excited about. Martin Robinson 21:29 pm UTC It's Gears of War meets Funko Pops. I think I just did a little sick in my mouth. Do I spit or swallow? Martin Robinson 21:30 pm UTC Gears Tactics also, which is an RTS spin on the series. Martin Robinson 21:31 pm UTC And Gears 5, of course. Which we're seeing now. Martin Robinson 21:31 pm UTC It'll have graphics too. Martin Robinson 21:31 pm UTC Graphics *and* emotions. Martin Robinson 21:33 pm UTC Who has the most emotions though? Tune into Sony's show tomorrow night to find out once and for all! Martin Robinson 21:34 pm UTC Emotions and wakeboarding, all in one trailer. I can't quite catch my breath. Martin Robinson 21:35 pm UTC Nah it's cool you still shoot things after all. Martin Robinson 21:35 pm UTC Gears 5, 2019. Martin Robinson 21:36 pm UTC We're coming close to a wrap. I think there might be one last thing, though... Martin Robinson 21:38 pm UTC Okay let's just announce a new Xbox while we're at it. Martin Robinson 21:38 pm UTC SERIOUSLY CALM DOWN. Martin Robinson 21:39 pm UTC OH NO OUR STREAM HAS GONE DOWN. Martin Robinson 21:39 pm UTC This is Cyberpunk. Settle in. Martin Robinson 21:40 pm UTC In-engine, I'm doubtful we'll see proper gameplay but this conference keeps on bringing surprises. Martin Robinson 21:41 pm UTC That played really well in the audience - Phil signing off being cut off was unexpected, despite whispers this might close it. Tom Phillips 21:41 pm UTC A very 80s sci-fi future, and a very pretty one too as you might expect from CD Projekt. Martin Robinson 21:41 pm UTC Also that car is so, so rad. Martin Robinson 21:42 pm UTC That was, I think, one of the best E3 conferences there's been in quite some time. Martin Robinson 21:43 pm UTC Possibly the best since that one where Sony announced all the made-up games (and where The Last Guardian sprung back to life). Martin Robinson 21:44 pm UTC That's a wrap, and there's plenty to digest there. Martin Robinson 21:45 pm UTC Microsoft going all in and acquiring new studios shows they're super serious about this, plus we saw new Halo, Gears, Forza and (brief) mention of a new Xbox. Or Xboxes, as it may have been. Martin Robinson 21:46 pm UTC See you later, if you're bold or stupid or both, for Bethesda at 2.30am. Martin Robinson Load more comments Loading