With this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo fast approaching, the time has come for us to make a few predictions about what we expect to see and what we hope will be announced in Los Angeles during the most important time of the year for the video game industry.
Here are some of our predictions for what Bethesda will show during Bethesda’s E3 2015 Showcase.
Tony Polanco – Executive Editor
When Bethesda announced that they would be holding their very own conference during E3, many predicted that it was to announce the eagerly anticipated Fallout 4. The game was actually revealed last last week before the show. So what does the company plan to announce then if they already dropped their thermonuclear announcement on the world?
Since everyone knows about Fallout 4, the show will no doubt have extensive live footage from the game. We can expect to learn about all of the new features and upgrades awaiting fans. Since the game was announced before this event, the only thing they can do to really blow people away is to present a solid release date of 2015. From all available evidence, it appears that the game will drop this year. If that is the case, expect everyone to lose their minds.
Now the only thing we have to worry about is how buggy the game will be. Bethesda is called “Bugthesda” for a reason, so let’s hope that they also talk about what has been done to make the game run as smoothly as possible before modders come in and fix it for the developers.
It’s been a long time since that OTHER popular Bethesda franchise got a new entry as well. Seeing as how this is the first Bethesda conference and how Fallout 4 can’t be the only huge game of the show, I suspect that we’ll see something for The Elder Scrolls VI. I doubt we’ll see anything in the form of gameplay, but a reveal trailer similar to what shown for Skyrim during the VGAs is something I think we can look forward to.
David Jagneaux – Senior Editor
Expectations:
This is the first year Bethesda will have a conference at E3, so it’s only fitting that they make it a big show. We already know that we’re going to see a lot of details about Fallout 4, including a lengthy gameplay demonstration, so that should let fans salivate for a while. There should also be a good deal of gameplay from id’s new DOOM game, which I fully expect to be full of crazy and over-the-top action. That franchise is one of the few that can still make old-school shooters fun and that shouldn’t change any time soon.
Arkane will announce Dishonored 2 since it’s been a while since the first Dishonored, which was an absolutely fantastic game. Definitely one of my favorite new IPs from last year. They’ll show more details about Battlecry, and probably announce a release date, so that’s pretty exciting.
I’ll also say that I fully expect Bethesda and Zenimax to announce the first expansion for The Elder Scolls Online. Similar to the game’s lineage, it will launch on PC first, then eventually go to consoles later on. It will probably hit sometime around this time or early Fall next year. They will also debut a new IP, although I’m not sure which studio will work on it. Maybe MachineGames, Tango, or something else. I don’t think Bethesda Game Studios or Zenimax have the bandwidth for that.
Surprises:
However, the really great thing about Bethesda is all of the potential things that could happen. I’d be really surprised, in a good way, if they debuted multiplayer features for Fallout 4. It wouldn’t quite be the MMO that we’ve been waiting for, but it would still be a huge step for the franchise (and developer as a whole) so watch out for that. What about MachineGames and Wolfenstein? Or Tango and The Evil Within? Those are two huge games that could totally have more in store for us. Maybe in the way of new DLC or spinoffs, or even early sequel announcements.
Now, I’m going to really go out on a limb with some surprise predictions. They could show a logo and tease the next single player Elder Scrolls game. The MMO is developed by a different studio altogether and they’ve grown over the past few years – Fallout and TES could very well be developed alongside one another using the supposedly “new” engine. Furthermore, there are a lot of dormant franchises at play. What about Quake? IHRA Drag Racing? Arx Fatalis? Follow-up to Wet? Or Brink? Now here’s my last one: if they don’t tease a new TES main series game, I think they will announce a “Definitive Edition” port of Skyrim. Quote me.
Stephanie Burdo – Contributing Writer
Bethesda hosting their own conference is certainly exciting, and begs many questions. What do they have up their sleeves? Will we see a fresh, new title or a new sequel? It would certainly surprise me if Bethesda were to announce a new IP, especially after the failure of Evil Within. Some speculate that Dishonored 2 will be announced this year at E3, which would be a surprise for me as well.
Brian Munjoma – Content Writer
Expectations
It is safe to assume that Bethesda is going to show gameplay of Fallout 4, it would be a wasted opportunity not to. With the recently release of Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, I expect there to be an announcement of either another similar DLC or bundle with both. Finally we, the public, will see gameplay for DOOM 4.
Surprises
It is unlikely to happen but I do believe we may get an announcement for a sequel to RAGE.
Dana Abercrombie – Content Writer
Expect to See:
It was the leaked trailer that sparked Twitter, the image that was screen captured around the world. I’m talking about Fallout 4. The only Bethesda game I really care about seeing. I’m sure I’m not the only person who feels this way. I’m holding out hope this game will blow me away, I’m sure this will be the only game from them that does that.
The game no one asked for is the game we’re going to see at the conference. The return of DOOM is upon us. I’m expecting to be bored as they show a trailer of a lone gun. This game has been in limbo for so long, it’s probably better that it doesn’t return. However, we’re going to see some gameplay footage and possibly a release date that’ll hopefully be delayed. Either way, the company will be trying its best to get people talking about this game again.
Battlecry is making an appearance. I’m expecting some new content to be announced. Other than that, I’m not sure there’s more the company can say about this game aside from a friendly reminder the game is coming to consoles.
Dishonored 2 COULD be announced. It would be a nice mention since it’s been a good three years since the last game was released. I feel a new DLC coming this way.
Surprised to See:
DOOM being any good. Taking the cheap trailer way out does not count.
Jakejames Lugo – Associate Editor
Bethesda has a lot of momentum going into E3. Fallout 4 has a very positive response from its world premiere trailer, but that now raises everyone’s expectations for what more will be shown at Bethesda’s conference. It could be possible that actual gameplay from Fallout 4 will be demoed on stage for the first time, hopefully showcasing what new additions to combat or exploration are in the game. The most interesting news Bethesda can detail at their conference will be about the dog companion shown in the reveal trailer. The dog shown in the trailer appears to be an important part of the experience, but it isn’t clear if players will have the ability to customize their canine partner’s appearance or breed.
DOOM 4 will be another big title that Bethesda fans will be eager to learn more about. The small teaser that was released gave everyone a glimpse at what an enemy will look and feel like in the newest sequel. It would be fantastic to see a demo played on stage showing off the look, weapons, and level design of DOOM 4. More importantly though would be the clarification on story details, as well as any sort of hints to what the multiplayer of the game will be like. Those who purchased copies of Wolfenstien: The New Order got entrance into the DOOM 4 beta, so a date for when that begins would be a great piece of news.
Since both Fallout 4 and DOOM 4 will be the main focus of Bethesda’s conference, Elder Scrolls fans may feel a bit left out. Don’t expect to see an The Elder Scrolls VI announcement of any kind. The Elder Scrolls Online may get some stage time to show off some new expansions for the MMORPG, but nothing is certain for what Bethesda plan for the game. Another possible outcome would be to see the announcement of an HD remaster of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. This would seem ideal given all of the rumors about a Fallout HD collection alongside the release of Fallout 4. So why wouldn’t Bethesda consider remastering one of their biggest games in The Elder Scrolls series? It may be another HD release of an old game the industry doesn’t need, but there are plenty of people who would still buy a definitive version of Skyrim for next-gen consoles.
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These are some of our thoughts but what do you guys think Bethesda will show during their press event? Make sure to let us know in the comments below.
