For me, the most exciting part about E3 is trying to figure out what completely new, surprising properties are going to make an appearance. We learn a lot about what companies are going to show in the weeks leading up to the show, but there are always a few things that catch everyone off guard. Here are few of my expectations:
Microsoft has been the most secretive of the "big three" this year, but going up against new hardware from both Sony and Nintendo, they likely want to keep their larger reveals close to their chest. I expect Kinect to be front and center for most of their show.
Projected Accuracy: 99%
Cliffy B's been hinting at this for a while, and with the inevitable push Microsoft is going to make with Kinect, you can bet this is one of the hardcore titles they'll put front and center.
Will it be an on-rails shooter? A dancing and bullet-dodging minigame collection? The only thing I'm fairly positive about is that it'll involve chainsaws. It wouldn't be a Gears game without chainsaws.
Projected Accuracy: 65%
There's going to be something big and Halo-related to reveal at E3. And while I think a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved is a good bet, I'm guessing there's something more in the works. Up until now, PS3 has pretty much had a monopoly on console MMOs (outside of FFXI). If there's going to be a 360 exclusive MMO, why not base it on their biggest franchise?
Projected Accuracy:
UPDATE: Well, it looks like I was right about the game, but wrong on the timing -- CD Project has released confirming development of the title!
The rumors are , but I think CD Projekt are going to hold off on an official announcement until the show. It could be a separate game entirely (Witcher 2 is a resource-intensive game), but with all the positive buzz around their biggest franchise, this should be the game they bring to console.
Projected Accuracy: 99%
Harmonix has been silent on their next big project for a while, and we know they're not going to bring out Rock Band 4. This year, there's a good chance they'll be talking about a follow-up to the only really popular Kinect game to come out so far: Dance Central.
Of course, I wouldn't mind something wholly original, but if we're taking bets, I'd call this one almost a sure thing.
Projected Accuracy: 95%
Ok, I'll admit saying "something" is a bit broad, but Molyneux is always full of surprises (and he's been known to make up features for a game on the spot in order to keep his audience engaged). It's been a long time since we've heard anything about Project Milo, and there hasn't been so much as a rumor of Fable 4. But Molyneux was a huge proponent of Kinect last year, so that could mean anything from Black & White Kinect to a new Fable.
Projected Accuracy: 50%
Rare has stated on the record they'd like to bring their old fighting franchise back. Whether that's through a downloadable remake or a new entry entirely, that remains to be seen. But there are a lot of other fighting franchise slated for the near future, so I can see someone bringing this one back.
Projected Accuracy: 50%
The Old Republic will be big news at the show, but when will I get to control a realistic lightsaber? The Wii disappoints Star Wars fans every year, but with so many cool homebrew Star Wars mods on Kinect, there's got to be an official one eventually.
Projected Accuracy: 99%
It's already announced, so this is more my guess that we'll see more about it at the show. How is the incredibly complex mech sim going to work with motion controls? Will you stomp around your living room like Godzilla, pointing at enemies to fire missiles and guns? I just want to see people playing this thing.
Things haven't been going well for Sony, and they have a lot to prove (and even more to overcome) at this year's E3. But everyone who's seen the NGP, even people who aren't traditionally portable games, have been surprisingly positive about the system.
Projected Accuracy: 99%
Sony's going to need to talk about something big at this year's E3, and that's going to be NGP. By all accounts, it's an attractive system and games (and movies) look amazing on it. Here are my other guesses:
Name: PS Vita
Price: $300
Release Date: Fall 2011
Projected Accuracy: 85%
We know that Guerrilla has been hard at work on something new since Killzone 3, the only question is what. The game won't be coming out this year, and I don't think there'll be too many details, but I have a feeling we'll hear what it is, or at least get a name, during the show.
Projected Accuracy: 50%
I keep getting told this won't be at the show, and we won't be able to play it until TGS. But if you want something hard enough, it has to happen, right? [Editor's Note: No.] While I think it's is unlikely the game will be playable, Sony should have some new footage of the game at their press conference.
Projected Accuracy: 65%
The NGP is going to be great, but with that piece of tech going front and center, something else has to suffer: Move. Oh, sure, there'll be some games there (isn't there supposed to be some potion-making game coming out soon?). But I think that, outside of a few interesting games, and maybe integration with your standard hardcore titles, Move is going to be pretty much left on the sidelines.
Projected Accuracy: 75%
It's been a tough month for Sony, but they're going to focus on positives for the show instead of dwelling on the past. Sure, they might mention how their security is stronger than ever, and maybe how Sony is now the safest console ever to go online. But I don't think you're going to see a humbled company; they're going to project confidence in the face of recent setbacks.
Then, at some point, every TV and light in the conference hall will go out. Someone on stage will weep quietly into the darkness.
Projected Accuracy: 99%
I'm not saying there won't be anything KH related, but it's not going to be KH3. Maybe there'll be a new chapter for 3DS or NGP, but Square Enix is going to let this franchise sit out this year's show.
Projected Accuracy: 50%
In a year of 3's, what better way to stand out than by being a "4"? If there's not even a brief hint or a trailer about the sequel on PS3, then I expect something for the inevitable NGP version.
Projected Accuracy: 90%
Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but with the increased power of Sony's next portable, PS3's incompatibility with PS2 games, and the success of PSOne Classics, I'd say that this has to happen eventually.
As long as they're moderately priced, I'll be happy; remember Sony, they're PS2 games, not blood diamonds.
We don't know a lot about it, but we do know Nintendo is revealing their next big console at E3. Whether its smart for the company to adopt such an aggressive strategy, only time will tell, but we're long overdue for an HD Nintendo. The bigger question is whether they'll be able to maintain their current lead going into next year.
Projected Accuracy: 100%
Sure, this is common knowledge by now. Nintendo's probably going to have the fewest big surprises at the show, but that's because they're in a strong enough place that they can show their hand early and be confident that they're going to still be the talk of the show.
They probably won't give the new system a name...yet. But the current rumors seem to suggest it'll be called Stream.
Projected Accuracy: 99%
Nintendo's going to be busy with real news. If this thing even still exists, they'll save the vitality sensor for TGS or sometime when it won't be completely overwhelmed by more exciting news. Or maybe it'll become an official 3DS peripheral?
Projected Accuracy: 75%
There's been some speculation that, much like Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword will be a crossover title between the new Wii and old. But I think we've seen too much of the game for that too be likely. From Project Cafe's projected specs it'll be capable of a lot more than upgrading the graphics on a game for Wii. Nintendo will want their new console to show off their new commitment to online connected gaming. HD Skyward Sword would be nice, but if it's not Project Cafe exclusive, I'd rather hold off.
There might be some Link news, but with Skyward Sword coming up, and plenty of other big, potential 3DS titles, I don't think we'll hear about another non-remake Zelda at the show.
Projected Accuracy: 100%
They've already teased this one, so it's barely even a rumor, but I'm guessing this will finally be playable at the show. The New Super Mario Bros. games have been fun, but I think most Nintendo fans are salivating at the chance to play a new, original 3D iteration.
Projected Accuracy: 90%
This is going to happen, it's just a matter of when. It's a great fit for 3DS, considering all the passive (and active) connectivity options, though Nintendo will probably include safeguards that keep me from invading a friend's town and cutting down all their trees.
Projected Accuracy: 90%
Like Animal Crossing, Mario Kart is perfect for taking advantage of using Nintendo's game line-up is pretty much just looking at what games they've released for every console they've ever made.
Here's everything else that doesn't fall under a console-specific category
Projected Accuracy: 100%
Isn't this kind of thing a rumor every year? It's like people calling for the Rapture. Is there a month that goes by when the world isn't supposed to end? There will be a new console from the big guys (and maybe something from Apple eventually), but not this year.
Projected Accuracy: 100%
GTA 5 is in the works, but you're not going to find it at E3. Rockstar can draw enough attention with their titles that they don't need to share the spotlight with everything else going on. And while Agent might still be a PS3-exclusive title (and it would be a great addition to Sony's press conference) Rockstar won't be available for comment at this show.
Projected Accuracy: 100%
Here's one I kept saying before they even . The team is working on something, and with a number of the original Infinity Ward team behind them, it's going to be awesome (and an FPS). But it's not going to be at E3.
Projected Accuracy: 100%
If you ask Valve for a quote on when to expect Half-Life 3, .
Projected Accuracy: 50%
A man can dream, can't he? The only thing we know for sure is that the game isn't definitely cancelled. I will hope this shows up at every E3 until it actually makes an appearance.
Projected Accuracy: 50%
Footage was leaked years ago, but we still haven't gotten official confirmation from Lucasarts. It's got to be at least close enough to completion (or cancellation) for someone to say that it's a real game by now.