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E3 Predictions (updated times and stream links)
10 years ago
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Well kids, It's that time of the year.
E3, The Electronics Entertainment Expo, THE hype train of hype trains. I've enjoyed riffing on the individual pressers at the past two E3's and I'm looking forward to do more of said riffing this year. At the same time I figured I'd throw my opinions and thoughts out there about the pressers and what's on offer, hopefully in a manner that isn't as ranty as the previous drafts.
All conference streams can be found here: Twitch E3 Page
Bethesda
Jun 14 @ 7pm PDT
Well folks, You survived two hoaxes leading up to this. Through all the pain, anguish and self loathing for falling for those.... Third time's the charm. CONGRATULATIONS! Looks like you'll be getting your "next gen" Fallout game after all!
I was expecting disappointment when the teaser popped up on Bethesda's site, I was expecting Fallout 3 HD remaster.I'm glad I was wrong. But man... but if it Was some bullshit like an HD collection for FO3 and New Vegas, It would have been the 'NOOOOOOO' heard around the world!
We're gonna see The Elder Scrolls Online at the show without a doubt. From people I know who've played it during its first run, it left split opinions in its wake post-launch. A consequence impossible to avoid after what Bethesda did to get TES on consoles. Said transition, as I learned more and more about how the past games played, left me in two minds about the franchise going forward. I was among those who wanted to see TESO see a return to its roots. That didn't happen so I bailed on the MMO before launch.
What I'm looking out for is DOOM, id Software's genre setter, and we haven't seen or heard much about it since QuakeCon last year. There will be gameplay, as teased by a 10 second spot.
Best case scenario: Prey 2 gets a reboot.
Worst case scenario: Fallout 4 gets pre-order DLC exclusive at GameStop.
Microsoft
Jun 15 @ 10am PDT
In 2013 Microsoft revealed the Xbox One to the world in the worst possible way, all to Sony's benefit so much that I couldn't riff on Sony what-so-ever. Today, Halo: Master Chief Collection multiplayer is still wonky, Russia's Halo Online reveal was quite the oddball, and RARE is supposedly making it's first worthwhile game since Viva Piñata. Given how well the kickstarter for Yooka-Laylee is doing I have to wonder it will be a full, proper game for Conker or Banjo & Kazooie. Given how Microsoft treats RAREs IP's, I'm not holding my breath.
One title we haven't heard much of was Phantom Dust, previously a cult classic on the original Xbox, which has had developmental drama with the studio closing. presumably it is still in development, the last we heard of this title was a leak to Kotaku that featured prototype gameplay footage.
And first the first time in GOD KNOWS HOW LONG.... Windows. to what degree they will talk about it I have no Idea. They had talked about this in the past going as far back of February. The sudden upsurge of Linux support from the likes of Unreal Engine 4 and Cryengine, and SteamOS looking to compete as a gaming first OS looks to be the driving force behind this. But would they give us Halo 3 or 4 or a working Master Chief Collection games outside of XBox? Ever since the XBox first launched they've pretty much relegated their primary consumer OS to a landfill for 3rd party titles and half assed ports.
They have back pedaled before, and PC hasn't had a star first party AAA title since Halo 2, they'll need to change that this year if they wanna keep the PC gaming crowds attention.
Best case scenario: Halo: Master Chief Collection gets working port to PC, DirectX12 gives XBox One an edge over Playstation 4, Banjo-Kazooie and/or Conker return to form.
Worst case scenario: RARE closes it's doors the week after.
Electronic Arts
Jun 15 @ 1pm PDT
Of all the pressers this E3, this one is probably the most predictable:
Mass Effect '4'
Mirror's Edge 2
Star Wars Battlefront
MADDEN NFL 16
NBA Live 16
FIFA 16
NHL 16
EA Sports MMA
Always Online Need For Speed
...and a shit ton of DLC.
The Two-Time Worst Company In The World has been trying to un-fuck itself lately, and while it's nice that they are trying, they could be doing more.
I have a soft spot for Criterion Games. They caught me with Burnout Revenge on PS2, enough to get me onto Burnout Paradise when it first launched. but then the preactice started coming in hard (I'd wager at the behest of EA management) and suddenly I was gated from the content my PSN lackeys were doing. Criterion has a currently unnamed IP they teased last year that went "beyond cars" and it looks a bit crazy, the kind of crazy that I fancy.
And of course, what would an E3 EA presser be without their flagship developer, Bioware? If they didn't have EA as an owner they'd still be as good as they are today, if not better. I have more interest in Mass Effect than I do Dragon Age, if not because of what has been leaked lately!
The silver lining for EA is their habit of studio closures, after E3, which of EA's developers will be the next one to shut down? Waystone Games got shuttered when they realised Dawngate couldn't compete with League of Legends. On the other hand, Visceral, who jim Sterling felt would be next on the chopping block, survived this round with Battlefield Hardline.
Best case scenario: Star Wars X-Wing Alliance gets a True-To-Form sequel, Star Wars 1313 revived.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh820gAO7e8
Worst case scenario: Nothing but DLC.
Ubisoft
Jun 15 @ 3pm PDT
The only peep of The Division that we have heard is it's delay announcement. There's also that new entry in the far to long list of Assassin's Creed games, and a Watch_Dogs sequel.
I'm also one of those guys who is still waiting for any sort of word on Beyond Good and Evil 2 which has been in development on and off since early to mid '08. If this trend continues. I'm declaring it vaporware and not bothering with it further.
Best case scenario: Rayman gets another 3D platformer, Beyond Good and Evil 2 goes full speed ahead.
Worst case scenario: Rabids.
Sony
Jun 15 @ 6pm PDT
Credit to Sony where it's due, the past 2 years have been good for the Playstation 4, single handedly demonstrating the importance of consumer loyalty and reaping the benefits thereof at the same time! For there games library, Destiny is doing well on there platform, LBP3 makes me long for a PS4, Dead Island is gonna stop pretending to be serious, and Bloodborne looks AMAZING!
For all the ooh's and ahh's that No Mans Sky gets I'm not looking forward to it, The color pallet is void of complimentary colors that are pleasing to the eye, enough so that it's hard for me to just look at without feeling a slight burning in the retinas.
Without a doubt there will be some updates on Uncharted 4 and Street Fighter V, a new trailer for the Ratchet & Clank movie with it's already interesting supporting cast and maybe more of that Powers series.
I wonder if The Witness will get attention, the vibrant puzzle game is currently having money troubles. Safe bet is that there will be a showcase of Project Morpheus on stage, what those demonstrations will be is anyones guess, but I'd imagine that EVE Valkyrie will have something to do with it. And while i'm still on the mascot platformer wagon, Crash Bandicoot anyone?
Best case scenario: Crash Bandicoot, Vita gets the love it needs, The Last guardian shows up!
Worst case scenario: Project Morpheus gets 599USD pricetag
Nintendo
Jun 16 @ 9am PDT
Not a lot to say about this one.
I've often skipped out on Nintendo's livestreams in the past but this one has my attention for StarFox, which has been in the works and mostly under wraps. My hope is that it will remain a rail shooter, and IF it takes fox out of the cockpit, then it at least keeps those segments on rails as well, sorta in the vein of the Star Wars Rebel Assault games. the news that the currently untitled Legend of Zelda title won't make an appearance, was hoping to see if a plot has been thought up in time for reveal.
theres also that recently announced Nintendo World Championships revival that's gonna happen, I like my competitive gaming so I'll probably give it a look. Lastly there is DeNA, the mobile games developer that has shown some success with Final Fantasy Record Keeper.
Best case scenario: Starfox stays on rails, Cancellation of the yakuza-style YouTube racketeering operation.
Worst case scenario: Game cancellations. the yakuza-style YouTube racketeering operation extends to livestreams.
Square Enix
Jun 16 @ 10am PDT
I'm calling it. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided will be the opener for this presser. the trailer has given us a tiny ass preview of what is to come and I'd love to see more. I'm also hoping for more Just Cause 3 gameplay now that that has been confirmed as being a thing. Triad Wars, which is the sequel to Sleeping Dogs, which is the Sequel to the True Crime games, (inhales) should be getting a spotlight, as well as Rise of The Tomb Raider, which I'm looking forward to.
Unfortunately Final Fantasy 15 will be taking a rain check in favor of Gamescom, but there's still hope for more on Kingdom Hearts 3, last we heard about KH3 was a transition to the Unreal Engine due to issues with the Luminous Engine.
Final Fantasy 7 is arguably the most storied of the franchise, Ever since the PS3 tech demo in 2005, Fans have clamored for an HD remake. Instead it got ported to PS3 from PC, and more recently PS4, the latter's reception went about as well as you'd expect...
I completely understand that they lack the manpower to make it happen right away, they got KH3, FF14 online, and FF15 on their plate after all, but I have to imagine that 2 years from now when the game celebrates it's 20th anniversary that they will walk out on stage at E3 or Tokyo Game Show and loudly exclaim:
"ALRIGHT! FINE!! HERE'S YOUR FUCKING HD REMAKE!!!"
Best case scenario: Final Fantasy 7 HD remake.
Worst case scenario: Final Fantasy 13-4!
And Finally...
PC Gaming Show
Jun 16 @ 5pm PDT
On behalf of the much scorned PC gamers of the world... THANK YOU!
Theres a lot of PC heavy studios on this list, so I'm rather surprised that AMD, rather than NVIDIA, partnered with PC Gamer to make this event happen, especially given AMD's position in the console market. that said, this is the presser I'll be glued to. Blizzard Entertainment has Overwatch in the wings and the Heroes of The Storm go open beta just last month. Bohemia will likely have something for Arma 3 on display. Humble Bundle is slated to make an appearance as well as gaming icons Dean hall and Cliff Blezinski.
Epic Games who's crowd sourcing the development of the free to play Unreal Tournament, hasn't made any statement on whether or not they plan to make an appearance.
Microsoft is a surprise entry into this already loaded show. Supposedly Microsoft is trying to make Xbox a brand rather than just a console, I can only hope that microsoft's appearance here won't be just a PR move.
One thing you can count on to NOT show up is Half Life. Gabe Newell has already stated not once, but TWICE, that they just don't want to make HL3. they MOBA's now, m'kay?
Best case scenario: Valve highers more personnel onto the support staff.
Worst case scenario: Phil Spencer AND Sean Plott make fools of themselves.
Well kids, It's that time of the year.
E3, The Electronics Entertainment Expo, THE hype train of hype trains. I've enjoyed riffing on the individual pressers at the past two E3's and I'm looking forward to do more of said riffing this year. At the same time I figured I'd throw my opinions and thoughts out there about the pressers and what's on offer, hopefully in a manner that isn't as ranty as the previous drafts.
All conference streams can be found here: Twitch E3 Page
Bethesda
Jun 14 @ 7pm PDT
Well folks, You survived two hoaxes leading up to this. Through all the pain, anguish and self loathing for falling for those.... Third time's the charm. CONGRATULATIONS! Looks like you'll be getting your "next gen" Fallout game after all!
I was expecting disappointment when the teaser popped up on Bethesda's site, I was expecting Fallout 3 HD remaster.I'm glad I was wrong. But man... but if it Was some bullshit like an HD collection for FO3 and New Vegas, It would have been the 'NOOOOOOO' heard around the world!
We're gonna see The Elder Scrolls Online at the show without a doubt. From people I know who've played it during its first run, it left split opinions in its wake post-launch. A consequence impossible to avoid after what Bethesda did to get TES on consoles. Said transition, as I learned more and more about how the past games played, left me in two minds about the franchise going forward. I was among those who wanted to see TESO see a return to its roots. That didn't happen so I bailed on the MMO before launch.
What I'm looking out for is DOOM, id Software's genre setter, and we haven't seen or heard much about it since QuakeCon last year. There will be gameplay, as teased by a 10 second spot.
Best case scenario: Prey 2 gets a reboot.
Worst case scenario: Fallout 4 gets pre-order DLC exclusive at GameStop.
Microsoft
Jun 15 @ 10am PDT
In 2013 Microsoft revealed the Xbox One to the world in the worst possible way, all to Sony's benefit so much that I couldn't riff on Sony what-so-ever. Today, Halo: Master Chief Collection multiplayer is still wonky, Russia's Halo Online reveal was quite the oddball, and RARE is supposedly making it's first worthwhile game since Viva Piñata. Given how well the kickstarter for Yooka-Laylee is doing I have to wonder it will be a full, proper game for Conker or Banjo & Kazooie. Given how Microsoft treats RAREs IP's, I'm not holding my breath.
One title we haven't heard much of was Phantom Dust, previously a cult classic on the original Xbox, which has had developmental drama with the studio closing. presumably it is still in development, the last we heard of this title was a leak to Kotaku that featured prototype gameplay footage.
And first the first time in GOD KNOWS HOW LONG.... Windows. to what degree they will talk about it I have no Idea. They had talked about this in the past going as far back of February. The sudden upsurge of Linux support from the likes of Unreal Engine 4 and Cryengine, and SteamOS looking to compete as a gaming first OS looks to be the driving force behind this. But would they give us Halo 3 or 4 or a working Master Chief Collection games outside of XBox? Ever since the XBox first launched they've pretty much relegated their primary consumer OS to a landfill for 3rd party titles and half assed ports.
They have back pedaled before, and PC hasn't had a star first party AAA title since Halo 2, they'll need to change that this year if they wanna keep the PC gaming crowds attention.
Best case scenario: Halo: Master Chief Collection gets working port to PC, DirectX12 gives XBox One an edge over Playstation 4, Banjo-Kazooie and/or Conker return to form.
Worst case scenario: RARE closes it's doors the week after.
Electronic Arts
Jun 15 @ 1pm PDT
Of all the pressers this E3, this one is probably the most predictable:
Mass Effect '4'
Mirror's Edge 2
Star Wars Battlefront
MADDEN NFL 16
NBA Live 16
FIFA 16
NHL 16
EA Sports MMA
Always Online Need For Speed
...and a shit ton of DLC.
The Two-Time Worst Company In The World has been trying to un-fuck itself lately, and while it's nice that they are trying, they could be doing more.
I have a soft spot for Criterion Games. They caught me with Burnout Revenge on PS2, enough to get me onto Burnout Paradise when it first launched. but then the preactice started coming in hard (I'd wager at the behest of EA management) and suddenly I was gated from the content my PSN lackeys were doing. Criterion has a currently unnamed IP they teased last year that went "beyond cars" and it looks a bit crazy, the kind of crazy that I fancy.
And of course, what would an E3 EA presser be without their flagship developer, Bioware? If they didn't have EA as an owner they'd still be as good as they are today, if not better. I have more interest in Mass Effect than I do Dragon Age, if not because of what has been leaked lately!
The silver lining for EA is their habit of studio closures, after E3, which of EA's developers will be the next one to shut down? Waystone Games got shuttered when they realised Dawngate couldn't compete with League of Legends. On the other hand, Visceral, who jim Sterling felt would be next on the chopping block, survived this round with Battlefield Hardline.
Best case scenario: Star Wars X-Wing Alliance gets a True-To-Form sequel, Star Wars 1313 revived.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh820gAO7e8
Worst case scenario: Nothing but DLC.
Ubisoft
Jun 15 @ 3pm PDT
The only peep of The Division that we have heard is it's delay announcement. There's also that new entry in the far to long list of Assassin's Creed games, and a Watch_Dogs sequel.
I'm also one of those guys who is still waiting for any sort of word on Beyond Good and Evil 2 which has been in development on and off since early to mid '08. If this trend continues. I'm declaring it vaporware and not bothering with it further.
Best case scenario: Rayman gets another 3D platformer, Beyond Good and Evil 2 goes full speed ahead.
Worst case scenario: Rabids.
Sony
Jun 15 @ 6pm PDT
Credit to Sony where it's due, the past 2 years have been good for the Playstation 4, single handedly demonstrating the importance of consumer loyalty and reaping the benefits thereof at the same time! For there games library, Destiny is doing well on there platform, LBP3 makes me long for a PS4, Dead Island is gonna stop pretending to be serious, and Bloodborne looks AMAZING!
For all the ooh's and ahh's that No Mans Sky gets I'm not looking forward to it, The color pallet is void of complimentary colors that are pleasing to the eye, enough so that it's hard for me to just look at without feeling a slight burning in the retinas.
Without a doubt there will be some updates on Uncharted 4 and Street Fighter V, a new trailer for the Ratchet & Clank movie with it's already interesting supporting cast and maybe more of that Powers series.
I wonder if The Witness will get attention, the vibrant puzzle game is currently having money troubles. Safe bet is that there will be a showcase of Project Morpheus on stage, what those demonstrations will be is anyones guess, but I'd imagine that EVE Valkyrie will have something to do with it. And while i'm still on the mascot platformer wagon, Crash Bandicoot anyone?
Best case scenario: Crash Bandicoot, Vita gets the love it needs, The Last guardian shows up!
Worst case scenario: Project Morpheus gets 599USD pricetag
Nintendo
Jun 16 @ 9am PDT
Not a lot to say about this one.
I've often skipped out on Nintendo's livestreams in the past but this one has my attention for StarFox, which has been in the works and mostly under wraps. My hope is that it will remain a rail shooter, and IF it takes fox out of the cockpit, then it at least keeps those segments on rails as well, sorta in the vein of the Star Wars Rebel Assault games. the news that the currently untitled Legend of Zelda title won't make an appearance, was hoping to see if a plot has been thought up in time for reveal.
theres also that recently announced Nintendo World Championships revival that's gonna happen, I like my competitive gaming so I'll probably give it a look. Lastly there is DeNA, the mobile games developer that has shown some success with Final Fantasy Record Keeper.
Best case scenario: Starfox stays on rails, Cancellation of the yakuza-style YouTube racketeering operation.
Worst case scenario: Game cancellations. the yakuza-style YouTube racketeering operation extends to livestreams.
Square Enix
Jun 16 @ 10am PDT
I'm calling it. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided will be the opener for this presser. the trailer has given us a tiny ass preview of what is to come and I'd love to see more. I'm also hoping for more Just Cause 3 gameplay now that that has been confirmed as being a thing. Triad Wars, which is the sequel to Sleeping Dogs, which is the Sequel to the True Crime games, (inhales) should be getting a spotlight, as well as Rise of The Tomb Raider, which I'm looking forward to.
Unfortunately Final Fantasy 15 will be taking a rain check in favor of Gamescom, but there's still hope for more on Kingdom Hearts 3, last we heard about KH3 was a transition to the Unreal Engine due to issues with the Luminous Engine.
Final Fantasy 7 is arguably the most storied of the franchise, Ever since the PS3 tech demo in 2005, Fans have clamored for an HD remake. Instead it got ported to PS3 from PC, and more recently PS4, the latter's reception went about as well as you'd expect...
I completely understand that they lack the manpower to make it happen right away, they got KH3, FF14 online, and FF15 on their plate after all, but I have to imagine that 2 years from now when the game celebrates it's 20th anniversary that they will walk out on stage at E3 or Tokyo Game Show and loudly exclaim:
"ALRIGHT! FINE!! HERE'S YOUR FUCKING HD REMAKE!!!"
Best case scenario: Final Fantasy 7 HD remake.
Worst case scenario: Final Fantasy 13-4!
And Finally...
PC Gaming Show
Jun 16 @ 5pm PDT
On behalf of the much scorned PC gamers of the world... THANK YOU!
Theres a lot of PC heavy studios on this list, so I'm rather surprised that AMD, rather than NVIDIA, partnered with PC Gamer to make this event happen, especially given AMD's position in the console market. that said, this is the presser I'll be glued to. Blizzard Entertainment has Overwatch in the wings and the Heroes of The Storm go open beta just last month. Bohemia will likely have something for Arma 3 on display. Humble Bundle is slated to make an appearance as well as gaming icons Dean hall and Cliff Blezinski.
Epic Games who's crowd sourcing the development of the free to play Unreal Tournament, hasn't made any statement on whether or not they plan to make an appearance.
Microsoft is a surprise entry into this already loaded show. Supposedly Microsoft is trying to make Xbox a brand rather than just a console, I can only hope that microsoft's appearance here won't be just a PR move.
One thing you can count on to NOT show up is Half Life. Gabe Newell has already stated not once, but TWICE, that they just don't want to make HL3. they MOBA's now, m'kay?
Best case scenario: Valve highers more personnel onto the support staff.
Worst case scenario: Phil Spencer AND Sean Plott make fools of themselves.
