New Hardware
The rumors have been swirling for a good few weeks now about the possibility of much more powerful versions of the PS4 and Xbox One. While Sony is looking at releasing a more powerful version of the PS4, codenamed Neo, Microsoft is rumored to be bringing a much smaller version of the Xbox One this year, and a version four times more powerful in 2017.
With both companies looking set to release a new iteration of their current systems, the rumors have a bit more weight to them. While this announcement may divide fans, E3 would certainly be the time to show off just how much more powerful these new systems could be. It’s not just Microsoft and Sony who could be revealing details on upcoming hardware. With Zelda as a key focus for Nintendo at this year’s E3, more details on the NX may be revealed with the title due to release on it next year.
Fallout 4 DLC
Back in February this year, Bethesda revealed the first three bits of downloadable content that players would get their hands on for Fallout 4. With this news also came word that the Season Pass would be getting a price hike to reflect the value of content coming as part of it.
In defense of the price hike, however, Bethesda did reveal that it had plans for more than $60 worth of new Fallout adventures and features throughout 2016. With the current three pieces of DLC totaling $40, it’s highly likely that we could see at least another large expansion coming to Fallout 4 during 2016. And after Bethesda’s excellent debut at E3 last year, we wouldn’t be surprised if it wanted to keep this going for its second attendance.
Nintendo to Go More Mobile
Early last year, Nintendo announced that it would be entering the mobile market, releasing titles that made use of their franchises and classic roster of characters. Since this release, only Miitomo has released, and despite not being a full-fledged smart device game, it has done incredibly well.
With the success of Miitomo, Pokémon GO in beta, and Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing confirmed to be next in line for some mobile treatment, it definitely seems like Nintendo have seen the potential of its franchises in the mobile market. Expect to see more details for the Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing mobile games, and perhaps one or two newly revealed titles, too.
End of Year Releases
There has been a pattern in recent years that has plagued E3. Many of the companies presenting during E3 week save a far-future project as its final trailer. This may be great to see what incredible new mechanics or features that the development team has been working on, but the huge wait between reveal and release tends to only leave fans disappointed or a little underwhelmed when they finally do get to play it.
Last year, Bethesda nailed it. Just prior to E3, Fallout 4 was officially announced and the gaming world went crazy. Then, at E3, the publisher revealed the game would be releasing just five months later. This significantly shorter wait for Fallout 4 led to hype levels remaining consistently high, and the game selling incredibly well. You can bet your bottom dollar that other publishers will have taken note. 2016’s holiday season could be a busy one.
A Big Rockstar Announcement
Three months ago, Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Take-Two announced that the company would be at E3 2016 in a ‘big way.’ While this by no means confirms that we could see Rockstar at E3, the developer famous for Grand Theft Auto, Bully, and Red Dead Redemption would certainly be ‘big’ for Take-Two.
In the past couple months, rumors with regards to one Rockstar franchise in particular, Red Dead, have been rife. However, with Grand Theft Auto V still selling well and the lengthy development cycles for those games, the potential for single-player DLC for GTA V or a new entry in the series are also possible. Take-Two could also potentially show off the all but confirmed Bioshock Collection, as well.
Resident Evil 7
Capcom has made it clear that 2016 is all about zombies and more specifically, the Resident Evil series. Earlier in the year, the publisher confirmed that Resident Evil 4, 5, and 6 would all be getting remastered for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. This was confirmed after the original Resident Evil was remastered, and Umbrella Corps was revealed to release sometime this year.
However, remasters and a spin-off are just the appetizers, with rumors currently speculating that we could see Resident Evil 7Â announced and that it would return to the series’ “horror roots.” After the poor reception to Resident Evil 6, a return to the series’ roots is exactly what fans are asking for. Only time will tell if the next numbered entry will be shown at E3.
Persona 5 Western Release Date
The wait for Persona 5 has been a long time coming for fans. And while the JRPG received a confirmed release date for Japan back in May, there has been no news about when it would be out in English-speaking territories.
With Atlus and Persona 5 being present at E3, it may well be that the publisher just announces the English release date during the week of E3. A PS4 and PlayStation Vita exclusive, Persona 5 may even make it into Sony’s press conference.
EA Will Bring Out Another Celebrity
EA seem to have a love for bringing out celebrities at E3 to endorse its games. 2014 saw Drake promoting FIFA and talking about his love for soccer, and last year saw soccer legend Pelé grace the stage and have a quick interview right in the middle of the conference. Not something that you usually see middle of the way through a publisher’s conference at E3.
With FIFA, Madden, and NBA all becoming staple parts of EA’s E3 conferences, we can only expect to see more famous sports stars and celebrities gracing the stage of its off-site presentation this year. We’re taking all bets!
Star Wars: 1313
Star Wars: 1313 may not be the official title of one of EA’s upcoming Star Wars games, but there’s certainly a game in the works that looks like it’s going to be in a similar vein. Back in June 2015, voice actor for Uncharted’s Nathan Drake, Nolan North, revealed that “If you’re a big fan of Amy Hennig and her styles of story: the big thing about her is that she’s gone to EA and is going to reboot a brand new Star Wars franchise in the style of Uncharted.”
Though the game was confirmed to be ‘a few years’ away according to EA CFO Blake Jorgensen back in January, a reveal trailer would be the kind of announcement EA could end its conference on. Here’s hoping.
Aisha Tyler Will Slay
Aisha Tyler has become a fundamental part of Ubisoft’s E3 conferences. Having presented them since 2012, in which she famously stated she had ‘girl-wood for games,’ Tyler has become a bit of an E3 personality. Rather than just doing the general PR talk for what’s on show, Tyler provides some humorous interludes between the trailers of Ubisoft’s upcoming games.
While we may not know everything that Ubisoft has in store to show us, one thing is for certain- Aisha Tyler will bring just as much pep and personality to the stage as she has done in previous years.
And that’s it for our 10 predictions for E3. What are your predictions? Let us know in the comments below.
Published: Jun 6, 2016 05:40 pm