It is easy to sum up Microsoft's 2012 Press Conference in two words, inconsistent and disappointing. In the last few years, Microsoft has fallen into a formula of sorts. They would cram all the hardcore games in the first 30 minutes of the show then the rest of the show would be dedicated to either Kinect or other boring topics. This year, Microsoft tried to mix things up interspersing hardcore games with casual Kinect games and new entertainment iniatives. Instead of keeping things focused, it made the show feel all over the place and confusing. Microsoft focused too much on the entertainment side of things rather than highlighting the reasons to own a Xbox over a PS3 or Wii U. It came off extremely boring, uninteresting and completely unnecessary. Microsoft could have easily did a video much like Nintendo's Pre E3 video last night and highlighted all this stuff. Honestly I do not need or want to know that I can now search movies on my Xbox by genres. Really?! The SmartGlass presentation was interesting, but too long drawn out. One of the main selling points for Internet Explorer working on Xbox when browsers have failed on other consoles is that you use your tablet and/or smartphone to control it, but that leaves one big question. Why would I use Xbox's browser with my tablet and/or smartphone rather than just use the browser on my tablet and/or smartphone? Answer that one, Microsoft. The best part of Microsoft's conference were the game demos. Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Tomb Raider stole the show while Halo 4 and Resident Evil 6 both had good showings. I also enjoyed the little interlude for downloadable games. While it was only a two to three minute montage of trailers, it was far more enjoyable than most of the conference. To hit home how low this conference got was the final two acts. To reveal Dance Central 3, Microsoft had Usher perform his new single, Scream live yet forgot to show off any real gameplay. The final act at Microsoft's press conference went to Call of Duty: Black Ops II. Not the reveal of the new Xbox, not a new Microsoft game, no Black Ops II. It was disappointing and also showed how weak Microsoft's first-party development studios have become as they have to rely on a third-party developer to finish off their show.
Overall, Microsoft's E3 2012 Press Conference was a inconsistent mess that came off more of a disappointing whimper than a triumphant victory over the competition. There are a couple of moments that were truly great, but they were crushed by all the crap that permeated this conference. Microsoft has made it very easy for Nintendo and Sony to one up them this year.
Grade: D+
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