WWE 2K18Â ANDÂ NBA 2K18
TAKE-TWO AT E3 2017
If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that Take-Two Interactive will be showing off WWE 2K18 and NBA 2K18 this year at E3. This news came way back during an interview with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick and MCV UK, discussing the company’s financial success in 2017 largely due to the still continually record-hitting sales of GTA V that has sold over 80 million units since 2013.
Regarding E3 2017, Zelnick stated, “We’re not really showing products. We have a corporate presence at E3, and we’re excited to be there. We’ll be meeting with investors and meeting with the press naturally, and meeting with retail partners. I think it’s an important show and it’s important for the industry, and it’s very important for us as the number three company in the space to be there.”
NBA 2K18 will release for Early Access on Sept. 15 with a full launch a few days later on Sept. 19 in North America. WWE2K18 was recently confirmed a couple weeks ago when EA revealed their release schedule for the next 12 months, with a set release date not yet decided.
Despite Take-Two’s light scheduling for late 2017/early 2018 so far, E3 always has room for some surprises, and we can take a guess at what some of those surprises might be.
BORDERLANDS 3
TAKE-TWO AT E3 2017
A third Borderlands game was revealed by Gearbox Software back in 2015 when company CEO Randy Pitchford recruited new employees or a project they dubbed “the big one.” Since then, Take-Two presented a tech demo back in March at the 2017 Game Developer Conference, with speculation that all the assets and environments shown were related to the development of Borderlands 3; you can check out at demo on Twitch here (starts at the 1:04:00 mark).
 MAFIA III DLC: SIGN OF THE TIMES
TAKE-TWO AT E3 2017
Mafia III was shown off extensively at E3 2016, and released a few months later on Oct. 7. Since then, two DLC story packs have been released: Faster, Baby! on March 28 and Stones Unturned just recently on May 30. The third and final piece of story DLC is titled Sign of the Times, and is expected to release sometime in July 2017.
It’s likely Take-Two will show off a new trailer, images, or at the very least an official release date for Mafia III’s final portion of story at E3 2017. Sign of the Times has protagonist Lincoln follow a cult who are leaving behind a string of ritualistic killings in New Bordeaux. Even if it’s just minor, expect a little news regarding the last Mafia III DLC.
NINTENDO SWITCH SUPPORT
TAKE-TWO AT E3 2017
It’s already been confirmed that NBA 2K18 will be releasing on the Nintendo Switch alongside PC and consoles in September 2017. It’s therefore likely that Take-Two could announce several other future or past titles receiving Switch support during E3.
It’s probable WWE 2K18 will also release on the Switch alongside other platforms, but announcing that other heavy hitter series from Take-Two like BioShock, XCOM, or even Sid Meier’s Civilization would be released on the Switch as well would be huge and might convince a more people to finally pick up a Switch.
BioShock seems more plausible to come to the Switch than XCOM or Civilization, but the fact that the Nintendo Switch has touch screen functionality in portable mode means there’s a sliver of possibility for those more complicated 4X strategy and turn-based tactical games, since the big issue with their release on console is how button functionality would work without a mouse.
RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2
TAKE-TWO AT E3 2017
In the past Rockstar usually skips out on E3 to make announcements at its own time during its own press conferences. However if there was one way for Rockstar to make an appearance at E3 with any news of Red Dead Redemption 2, it would be through its publisher distributor Take-Two.
After its announcement in October, Red Dead Redemption 2 was delayed six months from Fall 2o17 to Spring 2018. Some new screenshots were revealed, showing off some gorgeous landscapes, cowboys, and of course, horses.
Take-Two has already stated that fans shouldn’t prepare for any news on Red Dead 2 at E3, but that doesn’t mean we should totally rule it out as Red Dead 2 is likely to be Take-Two’s next huge financial success story after riding the wave with GTA V since 2013. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a demo, trailer, or gameplay footage, as even a couple new screens, story info, or offical release date would probably satisfy fans until Rockstar decides to release more info at its own pace.
All we’re saying is, don’t entirely rule out Red Dead 2 at E3 just yet.
Published: Jun 5, 2017 09:30 am