E3 2020is four months away, and several publishers from around the world have already been confirmed to appear at the event in some capacity. Companies like Microsoft will be showcasing products already known to be in existence such as the Xbox Series X, while others alongside it will continue the annual tradition of new game reveals at E3 2020.
Sony has notably decided to skip E3 for the second year in a row which is especially surprising in the year that the PS5 is supposed to launch in. Although not a publisher, E3 Coliseum producer Geoff Keighley is also skipping the event, leaving the ESA-run event to do its own thing for now. With entities like these sequentially dropping out of the program, it’s clear thatE3 2020 has major differencesfrom events in the past.Regardless, there are still other companies that are holding live events throughout the show floor and there will still be traditional press conferences run by the usual list of companies that do it every year.
Two major companies that are holding events related toE3 2020but are not taking place directly at the LA Convention Center are EA and Nintendo. Nintendo will do its Direct presentation as always while EA is sticking to its EA Play event that the company hosts close by to E3. Here are the rest of the companies confirmed to be there.
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Bethesda
Bethesda is coming back to, presumably, host its fifth press conference at E3 2020. The company has been hit by a lot of criticism since the botched launch ofFallout 76,but it still has two highly anticipated projects that it could potentially show a bit of.Starfieldwas announcedby Bethesda during E3 2018 and the company hasn’t given any updates on the game since. Even though it’s likely that the newest IP from Bethesda is still a few years away, if it did decide to show off a new trailer for the game, it would go a long way in terms of re-establishing some goodwill with the fans.
The same is true forThe Elder Scrolls 6which was also announced at E3 2018. A fresh look at the next generation of the beloved RPG series would make a lot of people forget about Bethesda’s recent troubles. Otherwise, some other things the company could announce include Switch ports ofThe Elder Scrolls LegendsandThe Elder Scrolls Blades.It could even announce some update or expansion toDoom Eternalwhich releases in March.
Nintendo
As of now, Nintendo doesn’t have as many announced games as Sony or Microsoft. There are a few noteworthy titles that will draw in large crowds, but unless Nintendo goes all out during its E3 2020 direct, it is at serious risk of getting left behind in the wake of the PS5 and Xbox Series X (which will most likely have games waiting to be announced at E3 2020). However, the company has frequently stated that it doesn’t feel the need tocompete with Sony or Microsoftdirectly as the Switch is sort of on its own league but related to the consoles.
Some games that Nintendo could showcase during E3 includeNo More Heroes 3, Bravely Default 2,and ports of other recently launched games likeDoom Eternal(launching in March) andThe Outer Worldswhich was recently delayed by the newest outbreak of coronavirus.
Of course, Nintendo could also show off something new fromThe Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild 2.The original title remains as one of the most critically and commercially successful games of all time so an update on the sequel would give Nintendo a leg up on its rivals. Recentrumors ofBreath of the Wild 2have suggested that Zelda will finally be playable but alongside Link, and Dungeons were also rumored to return to the game in a significant way.
Another huge announcement that Nintendo could drop at E3 2020 would be anything related to theMetroid Primeseries (if it hasn’t already featured it in a Direct by then), as all fourMetroid Primegames are expected to come to the Switch at some point even though Nintendo only confirmedMetroid Prime 4.The credibly rumoredMetroid Prime Trilogyand the fourth entry are all titles that would blow fans away if Nintendo showcased them at E3 2020. ANintendo Direct withMetroid Primeas a focus would also have the same effect.
Square Enix
Another gaming company that typically hosts a press conference at E3, Square Enix is also confirmed to be at E3 2020. WithMarvel’s Avengersbeing delayedto September, it’s likely that Square Enix is going to show off one final trailer or gameplay demo to keep the hype rolling for months to come.
Additionally, if it wanted to entice players further, Square Enix could also potentially announce its plans for the future of the game, maybe in the form of a season pass. If not a pass, it could still announce some future paid expansion pack to come down the line which would be an attempt at retaining players, though its promise of free DLC characters is still enticing enough for many.
Final Fantasy 7 Remakeis another game that Square Enix could discuss at the show. The game comes out in April, before E3 2020, meaning it could even be possible that Square Enix drops a content update for the game during the show. If the company really wants to blow fans away, it could show off a trailer for thenext chapter in theFF7remake’s saga.
Otherwise, Square Enix is likely to showcaseBabylon’s Fall,the newest game from Platinum Games. A trailer that was released for the game in late 2019 indicated that more information on the game would be made available in the summer, meaning Square Enix’s E3 2020 press conference is likely going to feature this new hack-and-slash title. It will also more than likely showcaseOutriders,a newDestiny-like shooter that’s built to be a game-as-service with RPG elements, developed by People Can Fly ofBulletstormandGear of War Judgementfame.
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Ubisoft
For E3 2020, Ubisoft’s press conference is most likely going to focus on the next year’s worth of games from the company. Among some games that will probably appear at the show includeUbisoft’s five triple-A gamesthat it stated would be released between the last few months of 2020 all the way through March 2021. Three of the games are, more than likely,Rainbow Six Quarantine, Gods and Monsters,andWatch Dogs Legion.These games were delayed in the past but seem to be releasing at some point within the next year, especiallyWatch Dogs Legion.
E3 is the marquee event for Ubisoft to showcase the newestAssassin’s Creed,so fans can expectAssassin’s Creed Ragnarok(if that’s what it ends up being called) to be heavily featured in the show. Though its release date is a little unclear,Assassin’s Creed Ragnarokwill be releasedsometime this fall as Ubisoft stated that this is the year the franchise will see a new entry. This new title will also mark the start of a long series of downloadable expansions that will be released over the next year or so, ifAssassin’s Creed OdysseyorOriginsare anything to go by.
Otherwise, fans can expect the usual from Ubisoft.Just Dance 2021will probably be announced and extensively shown off like every year.Far Cry 6is also a possibility per the recent leak of its existence.
Xbox
Microsoft is in a special position for E3 2020. It once again doesn’t have to worry about Sony taking up its spotlight during one of the biggest events in the gaming year. However, what’s different from last year is the fact that thePS5 and Xbox Series X are launchingthis year meaning without Sony, E3 2020 will feature none of the back-and-forth that is typical among the start of a console generation. In any case, Microsoft is bound to have a big show this year.
The main focus of the show will undoubtedly be the Xbox Series X. Microsoft will in all likelihood be going more in-depth with details on the console during its press conference compared to, say, the announcement of the console at The Game Awards 2019. If it hasn’t already announced it by E3 2020, then Microsoft will probably reveal theprice of the Xbox Series X.
Something that remains unclear is how many SKUs will be available to purchase. There have been rumors of a much less powerful next generation Xbox that is meant for streaming but Microsoft has only showed off the higher end of the Series X so far. Microsoft will also probably show off this lower end console at E3 2020 as well. With two new consoles to showcase, it’s fair to say that a lot of time will be spent on Microsoft’s new gaming technology.
The second biggest topic at Xbox’s E3 2020 press conference is bound to beXbox exclusiveslikeHalo Infinite.If not for Microsoft’s new consoles,Halo Infinitewould probably take up the majority of time at the press conference. Fans can expect everything from a more in-depth look at the single-player campaign to how 343 Industries has evolved the multiplayer for the next generation of console gaming.
Speaking of 343 Industries, Microsoft is also likely to show off some new titles from its 15 first-party studios. Microsoft has been aggressively building up its first-party network for a few years now, all in an attempt to bolster the future of the Xbox Series X. With the new consoles now on their way, fans can finally start to see what some of these newly minted Xbox studios have been up to.
Fans can also look forward to a heavy stream of third-party games to be featured at Microsoft’s press conference because the lack of Sony means that third-party publishers without a press conference at E3 2020 should turn to Microsoft in order to get some on-stage time. Companies as big as Activision could potentially show off thenextCall of Dutyat Xbox’s press conference (even though it only hosted its own behind-closed-doors demo last year). Bandai Namco is likely to return to the Xbox stage to further showcaseElden Ringas is CD Projekt Red withCyberpunk 2077.
Activision
Activision potentially has a lot of projects in the works. Recently, executives at the company have emphasized the company’s interest in continuing to remake classic franchises such asCrash BandicootandSpyro the Dragon.There were rumors recently claiming thatremakes ofTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1and2were already in development by Activision. Although the licensing for the music in those games would cause a headache, it does make sense considering Activision’s stance on remakes nowadays.
It could be possible that Activision brings some of its Blizzard-developed games likeOverwatch 2to the show but the company typically uses E3 as a vehicle to showcase the nextCall of Dutygame so that’s what fans can expect to see at least.
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Bandai Namco
Two big games that Bandai Namco could bring to E3 2020 areTales of AriseandElden Ring.The newTalesgame is designed to be darker in theme than the rest of the series but otherwise retains the same action RPG elements from before.Elden Ringinitially gained some fame after it was revealed to be a collaboration between From Software director Hidetaka Miyazaki andA Song of Ice and Fireauthor George R. R. Martin. Miyazaki has describedElden Ringas the next evolution of theSoulsseriesand the game will feature new mechanics like horseback riding.
WB Games
WB Games Montreal has been teasing a newBatmangame for awhile now. Whether or not that new game is revealed at E3 2020 or before, the newBatmangame is likely to appear at E3 this year in some capacity. As stated before, third-party publishers might have to rely on Xbox’s conference to showcase new titles which means that fans can potentially see it running live on the Xbox Series X. ThenewBatmangame rumorsgoing around have suggested things like this game kicking off a new gaming DC Universe and that there will be a playable Bat family.
Not much is known about Rocksteady’s newest project. Many have wanted the studio to make anewSupermangamein the same style as theArkhamseries, but the studio seems to be aiming for something bigger. Whether or not it will be making aJustice Leaguegame or otherwise, fans would appreciate seeing something from Rocksteady at E3 2020 but only time will tell if the studio shows up.
Other Confirmed Publishers at E3 2020
The list will grow as time goes on, but as of now, here is every other publisher confirmed to be at E3 2020:
nDreams
XSEED Games
Xsolla
E3 2020will take place at the LA Convention Center from June 9 to June 11 with press conferences taking place in the days before.
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