With only a few days left until E3 2015, developers and publishers are putting the final touches on their big presentations and announcements. We already know some of what to expect from the event, but there are likely even more surprise reveals in the works, and those are what have gamers the most intrigued.
Surprise announcements and reveals are what make E3 such a special event, even if oftentimes the secrets get leaked ahead of time. Without fail, there’s always at least one reveal that comes completely out of nowhere, and that’s what we are counting on yet again.
As a result, Game Rant has put together a handful of E3 2015 predictions that range from “Safe Bets” to “Shots in the Dark,” and no we didn’t try to go for the easy guesses. Here are Game Rant’s E3 2015 Predictions:
Safe Bets
These are the announcements that have a ton of evidence supporting their legitimacy. If the publishers or developers did not make these reveals then we would be very surprised.
1. BioWare Reveals Mass Effect 4 Gameplay
Last year, BioWare took the stage at EA’s press conference to tease two games: the next Mass Effect and a new IP from Casey Hudson. Since that time, however, the BioWare focus has been on teasing Mass Effect, so it only makes sense that the highly anticipated follow-up makes an appearance at E3 2015. There’s no doubt that EA will focus on Star Wars – and probably reveal what Visceral Games and Amy Hennig are working on – but Mass Effect 4 could serve as an important showstopper.
So far, all gamers have seen are concept art images and rough pre-viz sequences; it’s time to finally show fans what the future of Mass Effect looks like. Commander Shepard is gone, so there are so many different ways a new game could go.
2. Nintendo Lets Attendees Play Star Fox Wii U
If Nintendo is sticking to their proposed timeline, then Star Fox Wii U should be on full display at E3 2015. Of course, Nintendo doesn’t always stick to their release dates (e.g. The Legend of Zelda Wii U), but they claim that Star Fox is set to release this year. As such, it seems like a safe bet that the game will not only be on display during Nintendo’s pre-E3 Direct presentation, but it should be playable on the show floor in some capacity.
It’s been a long time since Nintendo fans have seen a true Star Fox game, but that will hopefully change in a week. No more off-screen, over-the-shoulder shots of game footage; now is the time to do a barrel roll front and center.
3. Gears of War 4 is Officially Revealed
After announcing their name change from Black Tusk Studios to The Coalition, the new Gears of War developer confirmed their plans to announce…something. One doesn’t go through the rigmarole of announcing a name change unless there is an announcement in the future, and most figure that announcement will be our first look at Gears of War 4 at E3 2015. Of course, it’s entirely possible that The Coalition will only show the rumored Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, but there has to be at least a little Gears of War 4 tease thrown in there somewhere. Even just a lancer cutting through a logo would be enough to have fans roaring with excitement.
Next: When Will Fallout 4 Release?
Likely, But Not Guaranteed
These announcements have some basis in rumors or speculation, but could go either way. We might have some piece of the predication correct, but developers/publishers could have different plans.
1. Fallout 4 Release Date 2015
While the big reveal of Fallout 4 is already out of the way, there are some finer details still left for Bethesda. They have yet to show any actual gameplay, which we expect to see at their pre-E3 press conference, and the developer has not announced a Fallout 4 release date.
Some have speculated that rather than force players through a protracted marketing schedule, Bethesda is simply going to come out swinging. Show Fallout 4 gameplay and announce a 2015 release date. Insider sources even have word that Fallout 4 could release as early as October. Fans have been waiting long enough.
2. Microsoft Announces Battletoads with Rare
Ever since taking over as the head of Xbox, Phil Spencer has been an active member of social media. He loves teasing Microsoft fans with every franchise under the sun, and by and large he genuinely seems to want to bring those series back. One franchise that Spencer has mentioned more than a few times is Battletoads.
We know that first party Microsoft developer Rare is working on a new game, and fans are certainly hoping that something is Battletoads. Normally we would put an announcement like this in the “unlikely” category, but Spencer’s teasing has us feeling this could be the year. Someone is bound to bring back Battletoads, so why not have it be the guys who made the original game?
3. Sony Reveals God of War 4
Much like Microsoft is doing with Gears of War, we anticipate that Sony is re-releasing God of War 3 in preparation for the franchise’s future in God of War 4. We predict that God of War 3 on PS4 is the precursor to something bigger – the reminder of a franchise that is set to return in a big way. That, or Sony just wants to make a little extra money out of GoW fans.
Given how God of War 3 ended it’s hard to imagine where the series could go next, but there are some possibilities. Kratos doesn’t have to be the hero, although we’d be surprised if he wasn’t. Most importantly, there are plenty of other “gods of war” available for players to fight. Why not have Kratos take on Norse mythology next?
Next: Is Silent Hills Really Dead?
Shot in the Dark
These are the “please let this be the year” type of predictions that if they do happen we will be overjoyed just like the rest of gamers. However, it’s most likely these predictions will not come true this year.
1. Microsoft Did Buy Silent Hills
If our long history with the Metal Gear franchise has taught us anything, it’s that Hideo Kojima loves surprises. The fact that he went out of his way to create a fake studio and trot out a “fake game” just as a teaser for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain goes to show fans that they should never take the developer at face value.
With that said, it’s not completely far fetched to consider that this entire Silent Hills and Kojima thing was some elaborate E3 hoax. Well, it probably is real, but still we can hope.
Even so, there were rumors after the Silent Hills’ cancellation that suggested Microsoft is interested in buying the IP. Phil Spencer soon dismissed those, but that may have been a smokescreen. What if Microsoft’s showstopper is that they are now publishing Silent Hills and the game is still alive?
2. Capcom Finally Reveals Resident Evil 7
Since the poor reception to Resident Evil 6, the zombie-killing franchise has been in a weird place. There have been offshoots on 3DS and episodic titles on console, but Capcom seems disinterested in talking about a proper Resident Evil sequel. In fact, they claim to be most interested in re-releasing old Resident Evil games on current-gen platforms, like Resident Evil Zero.
Still, at some point most expect Capcom to announce Resident Evil 7 and we don’t see why E3 2015 isn’t a great place to do so. With some distance between RE6, Capcom doesn’t need to worry about negativity as much as they would have previously, and even so fans seem genuinely excited any time a new Resident Evil is announced.
3. Rockstar Confirms Red Dead Redemption 2
Just the fact that Rockstar Games rarely appears at E3 is enough to make this a long shot. The Grand Theft Auto developer is strong enough on its own that it does not need an E3 presence to announce a new game and have it build buzz. They could announce Red Dead Redemption 2 at any point and fans will be jumping for joy.
Still, with Grand Theft Auto 5 now almost two years behind us, it’s time to start thinking about what’s next for Rockstar Games. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has already teased that more Wild West adventures are on the way, but so far Rockstar has yet to give any indication as to whether Red Dead Redemption 2 is their next project. Next week seems as good a time as any for Rockstar to show up and say, yes, Red Dead Redemption 2 is real.
Obviously, very few of these predictions will come true, but that’s the beauty of predictions. They represent the hopes of fans based purely on a little rumor or some calculated speculation. That being said, if just one of the Shot in the Dark predictions come true, expect some heads will explode at E3 2015.
What are some of your E3 2015 predictions? What games do you hope to see announced?
