With E3 2019 just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to discuss some of our predictions for the upcoming press conferences. We haven’t gone as in depth as some of our colleagues, but we went with what we felt was possible. For the most part, we all have different predictions that don’t overlap and some of us have more predictions for certain press conferences than others. You may notice that we didn’t include some of the smaller presentations such as the Kinda Funny Games Showcase (June 10 4:30 PM PST) and the Limited Run Press Conference (June 10 12 PM PST), but this is only because these are much more unpredictable due to their respective focus.
- All conferences are in order of air time
Microsoft – June 9 1 PM PST
With no Sony to compete against this year, some big games to showcase more of, and a new partnership with Nintendo, Microsoft has the potential to once again have one of their biggest E3 press conferences with a mix of first-party and third-party announcements, continuing on from last year. Will it blow our minds or are we setting ourselves up to be disappointed? Only time will tell, but for now here are our predictions for Microsoft’s E3 2019 Press Conference
Erroll: New Halo Infinite footage, Ooblets’ new trailer which finally reveals a release date, Rare Replay for Nintendo Switch, Code Vein finally gets a release date, new trailer for Dragon Ball Project Z, CyberPunk 2077 new trailer and release date
Josh: Gameplay trailer for OuterWorlds with an official release date; Xbox Game Pass plans for the Switch officially revealed.
Efase: There will be two major players at Microsoft’s E3 conference: Gears of War 5 and Halo: Infinite. I wouldn’t be surprised if a significant portion of the show is dedicated to these two as they are major powerhouse franchises.
Jason: I think the new Splinter Cell will be announced during Microsoft’s presser. Also, be on the lookout for the new Fable game developed by Playground Games. FInally, Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey are likely due an Xbox One Backwards Compatibility update.
Bethesda – June 9 5:30 PST
With Bethesda seemingly not having as much to show this year, it will be interesting to see what they fill their press conference with. Doom: Eternal and Wolfenstein: Youngblood will likely be shown, but who knows what else? Rage 2 came out rather recently, so would we already be seeing an announcement for DLC? Starfield and Elder Scrolls VI are still some time away, but maybe we’ll see new trailers for them to keep us interested. Whatever the case, here are our predictions.
Erroll: Doom: Eternal new gameplay trailer and release date. Wolfenstein: Youngblood short trailer to remind us it’ll be out in July. Rage 2 DLC trailer Other than these I don’t know what else they could have planned.
Josh: Fallout 76 added content and an update/apology on what the team is doing to learn from this and they transition to another teaser trailer of Elder Scrolls VI
Efase: An apology from Todd Howard for Fallout: 76 followed by an announcement of either a patch or expansion to make up for it. Will we see much of Elder Scrolls VI? I’m personally not getting my hopes up but it would be a pleasant surprise.
Devolver Digital – June 9 7 PM PST
While not considered to be one of the “bigger” players of E3, in the past few years Devolver Digital has humored, confused, and has excited players with their press conferences. Known for primarily publishing indie titles, Devolver has a few highly anticipated titles to announce release dates for.
Erroll: Metal Wolf Chaos XD, a remaster of the over-the-top, formerly Japan exclusive mech action title, first announced at E3 2018, will be re-revealed with a new trailer and July 4 release date — because the character is a fictional president. The announcement of a Nintendo Switch version could also be a possibility due to the recent information in Famitsu that was later claimed to be a “mistake.”
Josh: The Messenger Picnic Panic DLC official date; My Friend Pedro announcement that the game is available the day of the E3 presentation.
PC Gaming Show – June 10 10:00 AM PST
The PC Gaming Show has never really stood out all that much compared to all the other presentations, and it doesn’t seem to be talked about as much either. As such it can be difficult to predict what to expect, particularly for those who don’t primarily play games on PC.
Erroll: Honestly, I have no idea what to expect for this one so I’ll let my colleagues take it away.
Josh: Cat Quest 2 Official Release Date and new gameplay trailer; Untitled Goose Game Release Date
Efase: Has there ever been one of these that’s good? PC Games are usually not announced following E3’s stratagem, but rather at the developer’s own convenience. I’m not really sure what to expect from this because, honestly, there’s not much to expect!
Ubisoft – June 10 1 PM PST
With Skull & Bones delayed indefinitely, Assassin’s Creed taking a break, rumors of a new Splinter Cell and a new Watch Dogs, and three unannounced titles, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of games Ubisoft packs its conference with.
Erroll: New Rayman game (please?), Watch Dogs: Legion, new Splinter Cell, another Nintendo and Ubisoft collaboration. Personally, I would love a Rayman x Mario RPG with the gameplay style similar to the Mario RPGs of the distant past.
Efase: Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey has been doing pretty well, so I’m not sure that Ubisoft is in a hurry to take it off the market — meaning that we probably won’t see an Assassin’s Creed announcement. We haven’t heard much from the Watch_Dogs franchise recently, so that’s definitely an option. That said, I think we are going to see yet another Nintendo + Ubisoft collaboration, as they are basically a tradition at this point.
Jason: Yes, Assassin’s Creed is not releasing a new entry this year. Instead, they are committed to supporting Assassin’s Creed Odyssey still. BUT. Why not tease the rumored Assassin’s Creed: Ragnarok?
Square Enix – June 10 6 PM PST
Square Enix has a lot to prove after last years underwhelming presentation, which was their first since 2015, but they may have plenty more to offer this year. With Sony not present this year, the Square Enix presentation is the most likely place where a new trailer for the Final Fantasy VII remake will be shown to the public, as it may be shown to concert-goers a little earlier. Square Enix also has some other big IPs they could show off such as Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts among others, and that’s just on the Japanese side. Square Enix is also set to finally reveal their co-op multiplayer Avengers game, which could be a pretty big deal hot off the heels of Endgame.
Erroll: Dragon Quest XI S new trailer and release date, first trailer for upcoming Dragon Quest Monsters title and platform reveal, Dragon Quest Walk localization, Final Fantasy VII Remake and Kingdom Hearts 3 DLC, possibly connected, concerts during E3, World of Final Fantasy 2 first reveal
Jason: It’s been suspiciously quiet around Babylon’s Fall, the SE-published and PlatinumGames developed RPG(?). With a slated release date of 2019, I think it’s high time we’ll be seeing an update on this mysterious title. With support for Final Fantasy XV having wound down considerably, be on the lookout for Luminous Productions unannounced AAA game. And hailing from the land of foolish predictions, I believe it’s time we see a tease of the next full-fledged Final Fantasy game.
Nintendo – June 11 9 AM PST
Last but certainly not least we have Nintendo to wrap things up in terms of E3 presentations, as in tradion. Nintendo has been doing well with their last few directs, so let’s hope their E3 direct this year continues that trend. After a great showing at 2017 and a more lackluster showing in 2018, will this be another year where Nintendo has the best presentation overall? Going last puts them in a weird spot, but if they can manage to end it with a bang, then Nintendo is sure to have a stellar rest of 2019.
Erroll: New brief Pokemon Sword and Shield trailer with a few new Pokemon. New trailer for Town. Animal Crossing Switch trailer with official name and gameplay footage, release date. Astral Chain new trailer. Daemon X Machina new trailer and release date. Yo-Kai Watch 4 Localization announcement and release window.
Josh: Luigi’s Mansion 3 release date announced for Halloween. Another Nintendo Online Exclusive title to promote the online system more.
Ross: All evolutions of the 3 starting Pokemon (can’t f****ing wait). At least one legendary reveal.
Zoe: All focus will be on the Switch (no new titles for 3DS) so: Super Mario Maker 2 footage and info on linking it with the online system **may touch on e-sport information concerning this title since Nintendo considers it e-sport material now. Possibly an updated trailer for Metroid Prime 4? Nintendo Direct 3rd party “sizzle reel” could include more titles within the Microsoft/Nintendo partnership going on. Could see some form of Xbox live or Game Pass introduced. Upcoming additions to Nintendo Labo.
Efase: Oh boy, here we go. The moment I was born for — to predict Nintendo’s E3 Direct announcements. First off, a release date for Animal Crossing on the Switch — barring the announcement that it has been delayed. There will be an update on Metroid Prime 4, and as a bonus, Metroid Prime Trilogy will be announced. Quick tease of a new fighter for Smash: either Rex from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 or a Dragon Quest representative. More news on Link’s Awakening is a given at this point. As for the unannounced stuff, I wouldn’t be surprised to see either a new Donkey Kong Country entry or even Pikmin 4. Nintendo has been suspiciously quiet about these two franchises, and I’m wondering if it’s because they have something up their sleeve. If they announce a new Star Fox my head might just implode.
Jason: Bandai Namco logo fades in and out. A beautiful water/pastel-colored world is shown. Could it be Ni no Kuni 3? A J-pop song starts playing, stirring emotions and youthful excitement you thought were long forgotten. Ridiculously cool real-time combat is shown. Proper Swords and Sorcery. Excitement abound! The Tales Studio proudly presents Tales of (insert whimsical name here). That’s it, that’s the tweet.