I have to admit, the E3 hype wind has been taken out of my hype sailboat. Ironically, E3 is to blame for that. It began when Nintendo left. Then Sony exited PlayStation. Now Microsoft bought out Bethesda, which means a joint press conference, which means half the time to cover double the material. When they cancelled E3 in 2020, I was kind of a little bit glad. It had gotten worse over the years (at least not as good prior to 2010), and the rise of the internet to provide instant announcements made E3 less worthwhile. The cancellation of 2020 due to the coronavirus sounded like the perfect excuse to cancel it forever. Then, like the phoenix rising out of the ashes, E3 rose from the dead, albeit in another form. The 3rd E in E3 now stands for Experience instead of Exposition, as this E3 consists fully of online digital events. Without that live aspects these press conferences, it just won't have the same flare and flavor. Still, I guess this better than no E3. Therefore, I will continue my predictions as normal, but they won't go as in-depth as previous years. A watered-down preview and predictions for a water-down E3.
Ubisoft: The main focus will be on Far Cry 6, but expect it to include Riders Republic, their BMX games and their take on the Star Wars franchise. Hopefully they can prove Disney made the right choice by taking away EA's exclusivity. And of course, it would not be a Ubisoft E3 without a musical number announcing the new setlist of the next Just Dance game.
Devolver Digital: Since battle royales and party games became the most popular over a year of quarantines and lockdowns, I suspect Fall Guys to become the main focus on the Devolver Digital press conference. Secondarily, I expect to hear about Phantom Abyss, an asychronous multiplayer take on the action/adventure archaeologist, like Uncharted, Tomb Raider or Indiana Jones. And maybe, just maybe, it will include Hotline Miami game, whether an upgraded port or an improved sequel.
Gearbox Software: The primary feature of the Gearbox Software press conference will be Tribes of Midgard, since it will come out roughly a month after their presentation. It will be their last appeal before release, so expect the full treatment, from a cinematic trailer to a preview of actual gameplay. The secondary features of the Gearbox Software showcase will be Homeworld 3. Since it does not come out until late 2022, we may only hear a premise, perhaps with a cinematic trailer. Nevertheless, it will raise excitement for the fans of the franchise.
Microsoft/Bethesda: It is hard to predict a joint press conference, considering no such thing has happened in the past (at least to my knowledge). Nevertheless, I will try to piece it together. Obviously, the biggest one has to be Halo: Infinite. The last time Microsoft displayed Halo: Infinite, it left Xbox fanboys disappointed. The fans felt like Halo: Infinite was so low quality that the game might as well been on the Xbox 360. Microsoft purposely delayed Halo: Infinite to fix this, and now Xbox needs to prove it was worth the wait. Of course, as always, Microsoft will brag about all the studios it bought, so it will give each studio a brief time spot to let the gamer world know their latest game in development. Also as expected, Microsoft will want to brag about how it works with indie developers, so expect to see yet another sizzle reel of indie games coming to Xbox. As for Bethesda, they will give more information on Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo. If we're lucky, we will learn at least a bit more on the next Elder Scrolls game.
Square Enix: Square Enix's press conference will focus mostly on updates, DLC and expansion packs for already existing games. This would most definitely include Marvel's Avengers Black Panther expansion, but it would surprise me if they announce another DLC/expansion for Final Fantasy VII. Square Enix's showcase will also focus on Life is Strange, both the updated port and the improved sequel. Don't forget more development near from Platinum's Babylon's Fall. Finally, we will hear about a new game from Square Enix's Montreal studio. I hope it's a new IP with new gameplay mechanics.
Capcom: Right now, Capcom has two dominant franchises in the gaming world: Resident Evil and Monster Hunter. Since Resident Evil VIII: Village is already out, and we knew about the 2 Monster Hunters soon to come out, the majority of the press conference will be news about updates for each of them. If any new, surprising news comes out of the Capcom showcase, one of the old Resident Evil games will have a remaster (although a remaster of an old Monster Hunter game would be a pleasant surprise). If any new news comes out of the Capcom press conference, it will be on Great Ace Attorney Chronicles.
Take Two Interactive: The E3 schedule on the E3 website says that Take Two will host a panel about diversity and equality in gaming, and that's exactly what I expect. While a conversion definitely needed in the gaming world, don't expect a discussion on new or upcoming games.
Nintendo: I still can't believe this is happening. Actually, I don't believe this is happening. Either E3 had to beg Nintendo to align their annual June Digital Event with E3 or E3 had to beg Nintendo to reveal the date for the June Digital Event, so they could plan E3 around it. Either way, Nintendo will make major announcements, and I am pumped. The way I see it, Nintendo's Digital Event/E3 is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4.: 1 Super Smash Bros. DLC, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, Bayonetta 3, and Metroid Prime 4. First, 1 Super Smash Bros. DLC. I could see either Impa in honor of Legend of Zelda's 35th birthday (based off her moveset from the Hyrule Warriors games) or Tails in honor of Sonic's 30th birthday. Second, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. As Scott the Woz said, I could see the subtitle having either "Breath" or "Wild" in the name. It will keep the open world nature, but it will have new secrets. Weapons won't break as easily, and the Master Sword will not break at all. Most importantly, it will have 8 legit dungeons. Nintendo will announce it will come out between November 2020 and March 2021. Third, Bayonetta 3. Yes, I know No More Heroes 3 could be the 3, but we learned so much about No More Heroes 3 over the years. Pretty much, Bayonetta 3 has gone silent since its original announcement. Even just a cinematic trailer with rough estimate of a date would make a big commotion. Fourth, Metroid Prime 4. Yes, I know Pikmin 4 could be the 4, but with Nintendo bringing over an enhanced port of Pikmin 3 to the Switch demonstrates the Nintendo feels comfortable with the Pikmin franchise where it is now (as seen with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe). Just like with Bayonetta 3, the only news about Metroid Prime 4 was that it had to be started all over again, and that news is a few years old. We need at least at least a cinematic trailer to see Samus in 1080p, and preferably also see some gameplay in 1080p. As for the rumored Switch Pro, while I believe it's inevitable, it will be delayed, seeing PlayStation 5's chip shortage. If it does get announced, it will have 1080p on the portable screen and output on of 4K screens.
Time to hop on board the E3 hype sailboat! I sure hope the hype winds are blowing!
