E3 has always been video games' biggest event, and despite the expo being an entirely digital showcase due to the pandemic, we're as excited for it as ever. Not only is the beloved trade show in the spotlight over the coming weeks, but so is the independent Summer Game Fest hosted by The Game Awards creator, Geoff Keighley. Because the pandemic has thrown the industry into an unprecedented year for game development, we don't know quite what to expect from the announcements.
Will there be more games than previous years? Has the pandemic caused even more delayed games than we already know? We're in for a couple of wild weeks of game announcements and news, starting on June 10th with Summer Game Fest.
Click here to watch embedded mediaWe gathered a handful of Game Informer editors to discuss some of the games and hardware announcements we could possibly see. Here's what the staff thinks will be unveiled:
Ken Levine And Ghost Story Games Reveal Their Game
Years have gone by since we’ve heard anything from legendary game developer Ken Levine and his team at Ghost Story Games. Back in 2017, they were looking to hire artists to work on an immersive sim that may or may not be a first-person experience in a sci-fi setting. There are a lot of questions surrounding the project and time has only left room for more. We haven't heard much from the 2K-owned studio composed of former Bioshock developers from Irrational Games. Will this be the year we finally find out what Ken’s idea of “narrative Legos” are, or do we have to wait in the dark a bit longer?
We'll Get A Better Look At Fable
No longer a fabled project, we’ve known for a while about the existence of Playground Games' take on the Fable franchise since the Xbox Games Showcase in July 2020. We’re hoping development has been good to Fable and it will be ready to be shown at the Xbox event on June 13 at 10 a.m. PT. We don’t know how much DNA is shared with the original trilogy, but given the one trailer we have seen so far, it looks to keep its tongue firmly in its cheek. We did get one tidbit recently regarding the use of the Forza engine to power this anticipated sequel. We can’t wait to have a good look at what we assume is Albion and the surrounding fantasy world brimming with enchantment.
The New Nintendo Switch Is Announced
This one is slotted firmly in the category of “worst kept secrets in games that we hope are true.” Reports have been running wild for a while now about a new Switch model releasing later this year. This new revision is rumored to replace the original docking Switch model and give the hybrid some sweet new specs. The device itself is supposed to have a new, larger 7” OLED display sporting 720p resolution, coupled with 4K output when docked to a television. Details have slipped over the course of months, but Nintendo has stayed quiet. We think E3's Nintendo Direct is the perfect time to unveil this console update. Switch Pro, Super Switch, whatever they want to call it is fine with us, especially if they pair the announcement with a proven console seller along the lines of...
The Sequel To Breath Of The Wild Sees The Light Of Day
What better game to usher in fresh, upgraded Switch hardware than the sequel to the game that launched with the Switch back in 2017? The unnamed sequel to Breath of the Wild was announced two long years ago at E3 2019, and since then we've waited for new information. Nintendo has been incredibly tight lipped outside of saying we would know more this year. What we do know about the sequel involves Link and Zelda exploring a crystal-lit cavern where a curse-riddled sage is sealed away. Do we get to explore more of Hyrule’s subterranean realm? Will Zelda finally be playable in a mainline game? Is this sequel a co-op experience? We are in the midst of celebrating The Legend of Zelda's 35th anniversary, and that would be one heck of a way to honor the princess we’ve known and loved for so long. We hope to see more on Tuesday, June 15 at 9 a.m. PT.