In what came as a surprise announcement leading up to D23 next month, it has been revealed that aDisney and Marvel Games Showcasewill be airing on September 9. D23 was already shaping up to have an exciting expo scheduled with all the content and media that has been announced for the future, but having a dedicated games showcase suggests that its gaming content is significant enough to require an exclusive presentation.
TheDisneyand Marvel Games Showcase is fantastic for gaming fans as it is dedicated solely to the interactive medium, instead of having fans comb through the wholesale D23 Expo for news specific to gaming. Only a handful of developers, publishers, collaborators, and their games have been confirmed for the showcase, and a lot is left to speculation when it comes to predicting who or what else may appear. That said, there are still several properties or titles fans can expect based on what has been previously announced.
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Everything Already Confirmed for the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase
Fans can expect guaranteed announcements from Disney and Pixar Games, Marvel Games, Lucasfilm Games, and 20th Century Games, as perthe Disney and Marvel Games Showcase’s original reveal. The showcase is set to include news of some sort for titles such asLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga,Marvel’s Midnight Suns,Disney Dreamlight Valley, and Skydance’s “ensemble” Marvel game.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagahas already been released, and will therefore probably have DLC revealed for it. Otherwise, there are several games that have been announced in a brief teaser or logo reveal that could potentially appear at the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase. Looking at the slate of developers, publishers, or collaborations that have already been mentioned, there are a few hints about what other IPs and titles to expect.20th Century Games’ umbrella oversees titles such asAliens: Fireteam Eliteand a previously announced but untitled game in theAliensIP, both of which could make an appearance.
Likewise, it would be unsurprising seeingDisney Dreamlight Valleyoccupy much of the showcase, though the showcase’s length is currently undisclosed. Either way, many surprises and announcements are sure to follow the games that have already been confirmed to appear, but the most highly anticipated titles are likely going to come fromStar Warsand Marvel.
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Star Wars’ IP Needs a Big Win at the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase
Star Wars’ IP has had a complicated place in gaming lately. Like any franchise with interconnected, branching media, there are some entries fans like and some they dislike. However, theStar WarsIP is unfortunately bogged down by two recent blunders in games:Star Wars Eclipseand theStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicremake.
Star Wars Eclipse’s predicted release window of 2027 or 2028is due to overwhelming internal challenges, all while developer Quantic Dream also receives backlash related to founder David Cage. In other unfortunate news, the remake ofKnights of the Old Republichas recently imploded with development directors having been fired and its expected release window being pushed back by a few years as well. The latter game is seemingly in more trouble than the former, with rumors that it may even be canceled. Therefore, there is little reason to expectStar Wars EclipseorKnights of the Old Republicat the showcase.
In the midst of terrible news forStar Warsfans, Respawn’s own efforts within the IP may be the success story that EA and Disney need. Respawn had massive success withStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which led to a sequel being greenlit thereafter. That sequel,Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, has now received a cinematic teaser and a release window of 2023, making it the no-brainer choice for Disney to feature at next month’s showcase.
WhetherStar Wars Jedi: Survivoris shown or not, Respawn could also offer some sort of reveal for itsStar WarsFPS or itsStar Warsstrategy game. Moreover,Ubisoft and Lucasfilm Games’ open-worldStar Warsgameis also on the table, making the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase particularly exciting forStar Warsfans.
Marvel Games Could End the Showcase with an Insomniac Announcement
Marvel’s Midnight Sunswill be making an appearance at the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase, which is surprising since it recently announced its latest delay without a determined release date. That said,Marvel’s Midnight Sunshas had no problem sharing gameplay lately. The odds ofMarvel’s Midnight Sunsrevealing its new release date next month seem low, since it perhaps would have been better to announce it along with the delay, but since it’s now expected to release sometime in early 2023, a release date may be shared at the showcase after all.
Instead, the biggest question mark lingering around the showcase is its tease ofSkydance’s Marvel game. Only a “sneak peek” will apparently be given, but it has also already been confirmed that it is an “ensemble” game, meaning that a team of superheroes may be playable.
This has led to plenty of speculation aboutwhat Marvel affiliation Skydance will tackle, whether it is the Fantastic Four, X-Men, or another beloved group. Still, Skydance’s sneak peek may only be a logo teaser and not include anything substantial, and fans should be prepared to temper their expectations. Marvel’s outing at the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase is already looking indomitable with Skydance’s appearance, but there are other incredibly exciting Marvel games that fans may also look forward to seeing at the showcase.
Insomniac Games has two foundational titles in the works at Marvel,withMarvel’s Spider-Man 2expected to release in 2023andMarvel’s Wolverineexpected later in the future. It is far more likely thatMarvel’s Spider-Man 2makes an appearance due to its 2023 window, even if only a character reveal or short cinematic is offered. BetweenStar Warsgems, broad Marvel media, and other Disney content, the showcase certainly seems worth watching.
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