We aren’t at the half point of the year yet, and I think that every gamer agrees that the previous months were legendary times for the whole industry. Since this year started, a set number of high quality videogames get released every month leaving gamers pocket out of cash. The videogames industry really can’t get any hotter than this. But the important question is: Can the second half of the year get more interesting or can it top what we have already experienced so far? The answers to these questions will be answered in the upcoming E3. But in the meantime, Let me show you how Microsoft can blow us away and become the winner of the biggest videogame show on the planet.
 
 

 
 

I will be writing another article that will show you what Sony should do in the upcoming E3 in order to beat Microsoft. So, here we go:
 

1. Exclusives:
 

Microsoft has two big games that are coming after E3: Halo: Reach and Fable 3. After that Epic’s next epic Gears of War 3 will be released in April 2011. Then, what? Nothing has been announced. Here I’m not talking about the huge number of Natal based games that will be announced at E3, I’m talking about some Xbox360 exclusives that don’t need Natal to be great or innovative. Since Microsoft is targeting the casual gamers with project Natal, we hardcore gamers need our fix. E3 is the perfect time to do that and if Microsoft announced two or three hot exclusives games that will be released in 2011 and delivered on their promise with project Natal, then Microsoft will be closer to win the show.
 

2. Natal and Rare:
 

Microsoft wants project Natal to be big to help the Xbox360 in its fierce battle against Sony’s mammoth machine, the PS3. Project Natal destiny will be determined at this year’s E3. I’m pretty sure that we are going to see many Natal based games from third party studious, but I think that the spotlight will be focused on Rare and to a lesser degree on Lionhead studious to show us what really can Natal do. Rare has been silent for a long time, but don’t expect their silence to continue on and on the moment Microsoft E3 press conference begins. I know that Rare will show something like Wii sport or Wii play, but imagine that they show a sequel to Conker’s Bad Fur Day that can be played by both of Natal and the normal Xbox360 controller? A new Killer Instinct? Strong third party support for Natal? Peter Molyneux demonstrate Milo and everyone is happy with the results? Fucking awesome if all of that happens.
 

3. A new IP from Microsoft that can rival Halo:
 

Now, everyone knows that Halo: Reach will be the last Halo game from Bungie. The Halo franchise will stay exclusive to Microsoft no matter what, but I think that Microsoft really need to introduce a new big IP that has the potential to rival the Halo franchise in term of popularity. Gears of War and Mass Effect are big franchises, but Microsoft doesn’t own the IPs. I’m talking about a franchise that will never ever be available on the competing platforms. Sony has Uncharted and God of War, Nintendo has Mario and Zelda. Microsoft has Halo and Fable, but they have the money and resources to create the new Halo and prove to the world that they don’t need Bungie at all.
 

4. FF versus XIII goes multiplatform:
 

In 2008 E3 gaming expo, the gaming world went crazy when Yoichi Wada took the stage to announce that FFXIII will be no longer exclusive to the PS3. FFXIII has sold more than 1 million copies since it was released on the Xbox360 in March 2010 and helped the latest game in the series to become the fastest selling game in the series. So it sold well and it happened before, will it happen again? Highly likely.
 

5. An enhanced and cheaper Xbox live and a slimmer and cheaper Xbox360:
 

Xbox live is great, but truth to be told, Sony is doing a great job with the PSN. Yes, I know that there are some features that do give the XBL the edge over PSN. But I think that the PSN is getting closer and closer to match the XBL. The upcoming E3 is the right time for Microsoft to lower the XBL subscription fee or to introduce some new and strong features that justify the paid service. Also, a slicker and slimmer 250GB Xbox360 bundled with Project Natal with a $299 price taq will be a killer blow for Sony.
 

It isn’t necessary for Microsoft to do all of that to win the show (as they can shock us with some unexpected announcements), but I think that Xbox360 owners (including me) will be more than satisfied if they managed to do what I discussed in this article. What do you think? How can Microsoft win the upcoming E3?