It’s that time again. The time gamers refer to as gaming Christmas. I think of it more like when you first got your hands on the Argos winter catalogue (UK readers of a certain age will know what I mean). As a kid, Christmas is when you actually get all the stuff you’ve been waiting so long for. E3 is more the discovery of what you want. The long, slow journey of waiting for it to release is what’s ahead.
If you are unsure of the E3 conference times, here is a list below.
EA – Saturday June 9th, 7pm UK time (11am PT)
Microsoft – Sunday June 10th, 9pm UK time (1pm PT)
Bethesda – Monday June 11th, 2:30am UK time (June 10th, 6:30pm PT)
Square Enix – Monday June 11th, 6pm UK time (10am PT)
Ubisoft – Monday June 11th, 9pm UK time (1pm PT)
Sony – Tuesday June 12th, 2am UK time (June 11th, 6pm PT)
Nintendo – Tuesday June 12th, 5pm UK time (9am PT)
This year it feels like there’s not much left that the likes of Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Bethesda and EA can announce that hasn’t been leaked already. That’s why I waited until now before laying out what I think we will see at this years shows. While we may not get the blowaway surprises of previous years, there is an insane amount of stuff on the table already and if we start getting a roadmap of when some of these experiences are coming out I’ll be more than happy. Now, on to the predictions.
- Reisdent Evil 2 remake will get a trailer and a date.
- Bluepoint Games will announce what they have been working on. It will be another remake/remaster.
- Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay shown for the first time. 2019 window given. (That release window will be pushed back at a later date)
- Remedy will debut a trailer for their new game on Sony’s stage, no release window will be given.
- PUBG will be announced for PS4 releasing in November.
- Borderlands 3 will be announced. It will be multiplatform.
- The next Halo game is teased. It will not release in 2018.
- A Gears of War battle royale game is announced. It won’t be a traditional Gears game with a full campagin.
- Developer Playdead announce and show off their new game for the first time.
- Microsoft will announce a new game from a third party studio that will be console exclusive on Xbox One.
- Rocksteady will anounce a new Superman game. It will be multiplatform but be promoted by Microsoft.
- Assassins Creed Odyssey will get a trailer and will release in October this year.
- Splinter Cell will be announced and relase in Q1 2019.
- The Division 2 will get a trailer and short gameplay showing. It will be given a 2019 release window.
- Smash Bros will get a release date, it will not however be ready for day one of Nintendo’s online service.
- A new 2D Mario game will be announced.
- Fortnite will be announced, coming day and date with Nintendo’s online service.
- Fallout 76 will get a gameplay trailer. The changes will outrage ardent fans. It will launch this November as a free to play game.
- Prey will not get any significant DLC.
- Fallout 4 VR will be announced for PSVR.
- FIFA and Madden will continue their Journey modes, but it still won’t be introduced to the NHL series.
- The Champions League rights with be announced for FIFA 19.
- They will announce at least three new indie sized games like Unravel.
- Sims 5 will be formally announced.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider will have some kind of timed exclusive content on Xbox.
- Final Fantasy VII remake gameplay will be shown and given a 2019 release window.
- Lara’s mansion will be a nostalgic addition to Shadow of the Tomb Raider and will feature an assault course.
- Just Cause 4 will be announced with a 2019 release window.
- Crystal Dynamics will show off their Avengers game. It will be a timed exclusive on Xbox.
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Rumours I don’t believe
Perfect Dark 2 announced, developed by Rare. Rare’s next game could very well be Perfect Dark 2, but it’s far too early for Rare to be announcing something else, especially given the perceived lack of content in Sea of Thieves. Showing their hand on a new game at this point would be bad PR that both Rare and Microsoft could do without.
Microsoft & Nintendo team up. It’s a solid idea in principle. Sony are killing it just now with the PS4 so the other big two could formulate a plan to get the rub off each other. While I imagine Microsoft would be delighted to do business, I just don’t feel it makes sense for Nintendo who have done a lot to distance themselves from the console wars.
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The Top 3 Things I Wish Would Happen
EA resurrects their EA BIG studio and begins work on a new SSX game along with NFL, NHL, NBA and FIFA Street games.
A Grim Fandango sequel is announced. It is an episodic adventure with Manny as the lead character.
Syphon Filter gets a remake. It now has more of an emphasis on stealth.
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Well that’s my predictions for this year’s E3. What do you think is going to be announced? Let me know in the comments or hit me up on Twitter @VizualDze. Enjoy the festivities over the next few days!
VdZe.
