It’s time for Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) 2019 one of the largest video game trade shows in the world. E3 runs from 11 to 13 June in Los Angeles, and lots of video game announcements are on the agenda. Here’s what you can expect. Hundreds of electronics manufacturers, game developers, and game publishers will descend upon Los Angeles to show off what’s coming down the pipe in the coming year.
E3 2019 will bring many of the biggest companies in gaming under one roof for a week of exciting reveals and surprise announcements. Microsoft, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Bethesda, Square Enix, and many more will bring all of their upcoming titles, including some we haven’t even seen yet, to the public. Here are our few picks:
Halo Infinite Gameplay Reveal
Part of Microsoft’s plans at E3 this year will undoubtedly involve Halo Infinite, the next chapter in Xbox’s flagship series. While the game was announced in 2018 with a trailer showcasing the new Slipspace engine, the reveal didn’t feature any actual in-game footage. It’s likely that the Xbox conference will close with a lengthy look at the new Halo, even if the game isn’t set for a 2019 release.
Nintendo might reveal a new version of the Switch
Nintendo might tease its hinted-at slightly-more-portable or slightly-more-powerful Nintendo Switch versions, but neither will fully replace the current Switch with an entirely new generation. That’s a good thing since the wildly successful Switch is barely three years old. A Nintendo Switch Lite seems very likely considering the company’s history with slimmed-down handheld system revisions, but it’s doubtful Nintendo will reveal it at E3.
Nintendo Switch Lite might launch for summer
Nintendo has saved its big announcements for its streamed Nintendo Direct broadcasts, where it can keep a tighter grip on what information comes out and when. We’ll probably see a Nintenndo Switch Lite later this summer, and a slightly more powerful Nintendo Switch Plus (or possibly a New Nintendo Switch, because Nintendo likes even more confusing names than Microsoft) for this holiday season or next year.
Sony will not show up
This year the whole attraction of press conference on console gaming will be more focused on Microsoft Xbox as Sony pulled themselves from E3 2019 and Nintendo Directs are pre-recorded one. That means that Xbox will be one of only two major consoles at the show, and the only one giving a major press conference and surprises.
Microsoft might bring Xbox Game Pass to PC
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed in late 2018 that the company planned to bring Xbox Game Pass to PC at some point in the future. While we haven’t seen any actual movement on that front, there’s no reason to doubt that PC will get the excellent on-demand games service. It makes a lot of sense considering that Xbox’s Play Anywhere program already lets users play Xbox exclusives on both Xbox One and PC with the purchase of a single copy of the game.
Microsoft aims to expand PC portfolio
Then there’s the fact that Halo: The Master Chief Collection, a major release for Xbox One, is finally being ported to PC, further evidence of Microsoft’s commitment to expanding its PC portfolio. While Halo: MCC is coming to Steam at the moment, it is expected to be a major inclusion in Xbox Game Pass for PC.
Games on Marvel’s Avengers might turn into reality
Marvel’s Avengers is going to be a huge one from RPG stalwarts Square Enix. We’ve heard very little about the eagerly awaited title. A since-removed event synopsis described the Marvel game as, “an epic action-adventure that combines cinematic storytelling with continuous single-player and co-operative gameplay.” The game will be sharing a stage with the upcoming Final Fantasy VII remake.
Google might solve players’ queries on Stadia
Google’s Stadia gaming platform is still a bit of a puzzle. Google says it will let you play AAA games on different types of screens without a console, making it a streaming system like PlayStation Now, GeForce Now, or the ironically quite dead OnLive. So far we’ve seen demos of the concept, and Google’s Stadia controller, which looks painfully similar to the (also now-dead) Ouya controller. Hopefully Stadia’s presence at E3 will assuage our concerns if we can get more hands-on time with the platform.
As for Ubisoft, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Rainbow Six Siege and Tom Clancy’s The Division are all on tap. Doom Eternal was announced at last year’s E3 with a 2019 release window. This highly anticipated Doom sequel will likely fill the holiday spot for the publisher. Wolfenstein: Youngblood is the big title for Bethesda this year, plus Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76 updates. Since E3 begins tomorrow will keep you posted with all the happenings.