E3

E3 2019 Predictions

This week in video games

E3 2019 is just around the corner which means a whole host of new games and maybe even consoles will be announced. I thought it’d be fun to make a few E3 2019 predictions before the event. E3 is like Christmas for gamers where we get glimpses of new games, hardware as well as weird and wonderful press conferences.

E3 2019 is a little different from other years. Sony has pulled out of their main press conference this year leaving a big gap in the schedule. It’s not clear at this time who (if anyone) is going to fill that slot. That leaves Microsoft as the only one from the so-called ‘big 3’ to put on a good show.

Press Conference Schedule

  • Microsoft 9 pm Sunday 9th June
  • Bethesda 1.30 am Monday 10th June
  • Devolver Digital 3 am Monday 10th June
  • PC Gamer Show 6 pm Monday 10th June
  • Limited Run Games 8 pm Monday 10th June
  • Ubisoft 9 pm Monday 10th June
  • Square Enix 2 am Tuesday 11th June

*All times BST

Video announcements

  • EA Play 7 pm Saturday 8th June
  • Nintendo Direct 5 pm Tuesday 11th June
  • Sony State Of Play TBD

Lets get into some E3 2019 predictions.

Microsoft unveil Project XCloud

Microsoft has been discussing their Project Xcloud for some time but E3 2019 may be the time they set the date for rollout and pricing details. It’s likely we’ll see demos on devices and more details about the Azure Infrastructure. With the release of their disc-less Xbox recently Microsoft will be wanting to promote the download/streaming future and this E3 could be the perfect time with Sony not being there.

Prediction: Release date, pricing

Microsoft unveils Xbox Project Scarlett

With Sony not being at the show, it’s likely Microsoft will want to take full advantage of the space they have and announce their next-generation consoles. Rumours have been out there on the internet of Project Scarlett for some time with 2 consoles set for release. Xbox will likely show off tech specs, pricing and release windows. If 2020 dates are to be believed then E3 2019 is the year to seriously start talking about it. Sony spoke to WIRED recently and went into depth about their new console, so Microsoft will want to demonstrate they have the technical prowess to go up against them in the next phase of the console wars. They will want to have learned some serious lessons from the launch of Xbox One and not start off on the back foot. This led to always being behind in the current generation.

Predicition: 2 consoles, tech specs, release window and pricing

Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft have been focusing on Xbox Game Pass recently by announcing new Xbox Live and Game pass bundles. With their focus on software as a service it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Xbox Game Pass come to PC. We have had rumours for sometime that Xbox Live is coming to Nintendo Switch, but maybe the rumours have been wrong and Xbox Game Pass is coming to Nintendo Switch. It’s a long shot, but a tantilising one.

Predicition: Xbox Game Pass coming to PC, but not Nintendo Switch (yet).

Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite was announced last year with a short trailer but we haven’t heard anything since then. I would imagine 343 will be back with more details about their Halo project complete with release date – this is likely to be a launch title for the new Xbox, mirroring the original Xbox release.

Predicition: Release date, gameplay, launch title for new Xbox

Ninja Theory

Microsoft purchased Ninja Theory as part of their studio acquisition plans to develop more first-party titles for Xbox. We haven’t heard anything from Ninja Theory yet on what exactly they’ll be making for Microsoft, however, E3 2019 is a good opportunity to show off whatever has been in the works for some time.

Prediction: New IP reveal

Final Fantasy VII Remake

We recently got a trailer in State Of Play from Sony and we’ve been promised more details in June. This E3 could be the year when we FINALLY get a release date for this long awaited project. We also don’t know many details about the episodic nature of the games release.

Predicition: Release date, gameplay, details of epiosdes

Cyberpunk 2077

Last year we got a behind-closed-doors look at the game which later was released on YouTube. This year I would say we’re going to get something playable and a release date. I don’t think this is going to be released in 2019, it’s more likely a 2020 release date with next generation consoles likely.

Predicition: Release date, gameplay, playable demo, launch title for new xbox/playstation

Doom Eternal

Last year we got the announcement for Doom Eternal, but nothing more since then. It’s likely Doom Eternal will release later in 2019, so gameplay, release date and content plan is a likely topic for discussion at Bethesda’s press conference.

Predicition: Release date, gameplay, playable demo

The Avengers Game

Square Enix announced the Avengers game back in 2017 and we haven’t heard many details since then. The game is being developed by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider) and Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex). Former Naughty Dog and Visceral Games execs have joined the leadership team too. So we have a host of talent in the project. We don’t know much about the game but hopefully this will be the year where Square go in-depth.

Predicition: Gameplay reveal

Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime 4 was pushed back earlier this year when we had an announcement from Nintendo saying it wasn’t going to plan and that development had been handed over to Retro Studios. Therefore it’s going to be some time and we’re going to have to be a little patient. However, I believe that Metroid Prime 1, 2, 3 will be ported to the Nintendo Switch and released in 2020 to tide us all over.

Predicition: Metroid Prime Trilogy on Nintendo Switch 2020

Assassins Creed Ragnarok

Assassins Creed is taking a break in 2019 but will be back in 2020. We underdtand that the next game will feature Vikings – perhaps more sailing the seven seas like Black Flag.

Predicition: Trailer, Gameplay, release date

New Splinter Cell

Ubisoft are working on a few AAA titles at the moment and one of them could be a new Splinter Cell game. We haven’t seen anything from Splinter Cell since 2013 except a few teasers in other Ubisoft games. 2019 is about right for the development cycle of a new title and we could see a trailer.

Predicition: Trailer

Animal Crossing

Fans have been calling for a new Animal Crossing game for some time. With Pokmeon likely to be the main event for Nintendo this year, maybe we’ll get a trailer for the new Animal Crossing game. This was a wildly successful game on other Nintendo platforms and will be a huge crowd pleaser.

Predicition: Trailer

Legend of Zelda

We know that Link’s Awakening Remaster is coming to the Nintendo Switch, but we don’t know when. It’s likely we’ll get more gameplay and a firm release date. More of a long shot would be a new Legend Of Zelda title in the Breath of the Wild engine. It’s been 2 years since the release of the previous game, and using the BOTW engine fans have been hoping they could release a direct sequel fairly quickly. We haven’t heard anything yet, but this would likely be the headline act of any Nintendo Direct. A full trailer of any new Zelda game is unlikely, but perhaps a teaser to let fans know something is in development.

Predicition: Links Awakening release date, new Zelda teaser trailer

Donkey Kong

We haven’t had a mainline Donkey Kong game for some time. The last we heard from the Donkey Kong Universe was Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on Nintendo Switch released in 2018, however, this was a port of a Wii U game. Donkey Kong Country Returns was released on Wii in 2010 and Retro Studios (who worked on the game) has been brought in to fix the Metroid Prime 4 development.

Predicition: Trailer

Dragon Age 4

BioWare hasn’t had a very good time recently. Anthem Flopped, Mass Effect Andromeda flopped and we’ve heard rumours of bad working practices at the studios to get the games out. If the rumours are to be believed then the team working on Anthem have now been switched to Dragon Age 4, so it’s likely we’ll see something new from the team – but only a trailer.

Predicition: Trailer

Bethesda

Bethesda haven’t had a great 12 months with Fallout 76 coming out and flopping pretty hard. Hopefully we’ll see some plans to overhaul the game as well as quality of life fixes. It’s too early for Starfield and Elder Scrolls VI gameplay, however we may get a trailer for Starfield.

Predicition: Fallout 76 overhaul, Starfield trailer but no gameplay

Last Of Us Part 2

This was was a huge part of Sony’s presentation last year at E3 2018 and I think we’ll get more gameplay and a release date at this year’s event. Rather than hold off for another year I think this game will be coming in 2019 and will release in current gen consoles (e.g. PS4 and Xbox One). Now Sony has released Days Gone they’ll want to start promoting their next first party title and the my money is on Last Of Us Part 2 coming later this year.

Predicition: Playable demo, gameplay, release date

That’s it for E3 2019 predictions. E3 starts on Tuesday, June 11th 2019 in LA. Check out more info about E3 on their website including tickets, schedule and how to watch if you’re not able to go.