Microsoft is making sweeping changes to how it organizes events for the foreseeable future in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of its conferences and gatherings are going digital until July 2021, and that means significant changes for the Xbox-maker’s calendar. According to an email regarding Microsoft’s MVP Summit event, Microsoft’s change include canceling that event, which was to take place in late March of next year, according to an email sent to Microsoft MVP and Carolina Software Inc. President Ginny Caughey. The company says that it will “continue to evaluate the situation and looks forward to connecting in person when the situation allows.” It's official: All Microsoft conferences will be digital-only through July 2021.
With E3 2021 set to take place from June 15 to 17, the company’s participation is in doubt. It’s not ruled out yet, Microsoft clarified to Eurogamer that this ruling only applies to events it is organizing itself and that appearances at trade shows could still happen. This would include not only E3 2021 but also Gamescom 2020 in August if the company deems it safe. “In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19 (commnly known as coronavirus), we are adjusting our event calendar and strategy,” an unnamed Microsoft spokesperson told Eurogamer. “For the remainder of 2020, we are embracing the opportunity to experiment with new platforms to provide our partners, customers, and developers the highest-quality digital-first experiences.” While a potential E3 2021 appearance is possible for Microsoft, there won’t be any in-person conferences to show off the upcoming Xbox Series X console, which will release this holiday season. Microsoft’s yearly XO fan event, an annual affair since 2018, is also off. Instead, fans can expect more online streams from the company, such as Inside Xbox. Last month, the Entertainment Software Association canceled E3 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. This shook up Microsoft’s plans for its annual press conference and demos for its upcoming games. After teasing a substantial E3 presentation for months, Xbox Head Phil Spencer announced the company would hold a digital Xbox event instead. Microsoft has yet to announce a date for the showcase. “The health and safety of employees, fans, and our partners around the world is a top priority,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Digital Trends upon the E3 cancellation. “We support the ESA in its decision to cancel E3 following increased public concerns with the COVID-19 virus. E3 has always been an important moment for us to show what’s ahead from Team Xbox. This year, we’ll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the Xbox community and all who love to play around the world via a digital event. We will share details on timing and more in the coming weeks.” After years in early access only on PC, Baldur’s Gate 3 is finally here in its final state. This CRPG has the internet buzzing about just how long and varied the experience can be. What’s even better is that it can be played in co-op, though with limited cross-platform features. Those looking at the game may notice that there is only ever mention of a PC and PlayStation 5 version, which obviously raises the question about Xbox consoles. Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t have any exclusivity deal with PlayStation, so why isn’t it on Xbox, and will it ever be?
Will Baldur’s Gate 3 come to Xbox?
The latest update from Larian states that it will be able to release Baldur’s Gate 3 on Series X and S sometime before the end of 2023, but with the S version not having split-screen coop. Following a multi-week court case, Microsoft has won its battle with the Federal Trade Commission regarding its proposed Activision Blizzard acquisition. The ruling is a major win for Microsoft’s troubled deal, clearing the biggest hurdle it faced. Last January, Microsoft announced its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. The blockbuster announcement immediately raised antitrust concerns, which resulted in the FTC filing a legal challenge in December 2022. Microsoft has not been able to proceed with the acquisition since then, as its faced similar scrutiny in the U.K. Let’s start with the good news: E3 2023 will be held in its in-person format once again after three long years of digital events necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, this time with ReedPop at the helm. The bad news is that Sony, Xbox, and Nintendo — gaming’s “Big 3” — may not show up at the industry’s biggest convention this summer. This is according to a report from IGN citing multiple sources, who claimed the companies won’t be a part of the show or make appearances on the floor at the Los Angeles Convention Center in any way. Their absence from this year’s E3, especially Nintendo’s, may come as a shock to the gaming community, but it’s not such a surprise when looking at the past few iterations of E3. Even before the pandemic locked everyone down in 2020, Sony and Xbox had been hosting their own E3-style livestreams, so it was more likely they would do it again this year anyway. Nintendo, on the other hand, managed to show off its upcoming games via Nintendo Direct streams and at its booth, console kiosks and all.
