author: luckie
E3 2017 Essentials #1 (June 11) – Xbox One X, Anthem, Wolfenstein: The New Colossus
E3 2017 is live. Here's a summary of some of the most important announcements made during the media briefings of Microsoft, Bethesda Softworks, and Electronic Arts.
The most important video games industry event is here. This year’s E3 officially kicked off with Microsoft’s media briefing followed by Bethesda Softwork a couple of hours later. Below you will find the summary of the most important announcements.
Microsoft
Xbox One X a.k.a. Project Scorpio
Micosoft’s much-rumored-about next version of Xbox One, also dubbed Project Scorpio, has been officially revealed as Xbox One X, world’s most powerful console to date. The device is going to offer 6 teraflops of processing power and 12 GB GDDR5 graphic memory – find out more on the official website. Xbox One X is going to launch on November 7, 2017 at the price of $499.
Forza Motorsport 7
The first game showed off for Xbox One X was Forza Motorsport 7, running in native 4K and 60 FPS. The next installment in Microsoft’s landmark racing game series is going to arrive on October 3, 2017 for XONE and Windows 10 PC. Here’ the reveal trailer:
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus is the name of the third installment in the popular post-apocalyptic FPS series inspired by the novels by Dmitry Glukhovski. The game is coiming out next year. Along with the announcement came an impressive gameplay trailer:
Assassin’s Creed: Origins
Assassin’s Creed: Origins has officially been announced, surprisingly, at Microsoft’s conference. The game is not only set in Egypt, featuring a new protagonist Ba Yek, but also presents the very origins of the Assassins Brotherhood. The first gameplay showcased at E3 gives a glimpse of some of the new and tweaked mechanics, including the eagle used to scout the area as well Witcher 3-like combat. Assassin’s Creed: Origins is slated for release on October 27, 2017.
Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds
Brendan Green, a.k.a. PlayerUnknown has appeared on stage during Microsoft’s media briefieng and announced the upcoming Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds to be timed exclusive on Xbox One when it comes out in late 2017.
Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic, co-op shooter featuring astronaut dwarves, is coming to Xbox One as well. The game will debut in 2018 in Steam Early Access and Game Preview.
State of Decay 2
A sequel to a well-received sandbox zombie game State of Decay 2 has got a new trailer. The game is promised to come out in spring 2018.
The Darwin Project
Another new IP showcased by Microsoft was The Darwin Project, a Battle Royale type of game enriched by survival elements.
Minecraft goes 4K
This fall Minecraft is getting a big update, dubbed Super Duper Graphics Pack, introducing 4K resolution and HDR. The game will also feature cross-play for PC, console and mobile players this summer.
Dragon Ball Fighter Z
Code Vein
Sea of Thieves
A lengthy gameplay footage from Sea of Thieves, an open world multiplayer pirate game, was presented at Microsoft’s briefing. And yes, it’s in 4K if you should ask.
Cuphead
Cuphead has got an exact release date along with a new trailer. The date is September 29, 2017, and the trailer right below:
Crackdown 3
We are going to play Crackdown 3 on November 7, 2017. Here’s a new trailer with Terry Crews yelling at you:
Life is Strange: Before the Storm
That’s the first time we’ve heard of Life is Strange: Before the Storm, a three-episode story of Chloe, apparently set before the events in the first Life is Strange. Interestingly, this one is in development by Deck Nine and not the creators of the original game Dontnod Entertainment, which may suggest the latter are working on a full-fledged sequel. The fist episode is launching on August 31, 2017 on PC and XONE.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Xbox backward compatibility
Towards the end of the conference, Microsoft shared some great news for Xbox fans. Xbox One backward compatibility will soon be extended to include the first Xbox games, such as Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge.
Anthem
Finally, Microsoft gave the stage to BioWare, who presented the first gameplay from their new IP, Anthem, announced a day earlier at EA Play. The game will feature co-op gameplay set in a huge open world overtaken by vegetation and monsters whom players will fight using multifunctional Javelin suits.
Bethesda Softworks
Doom VFR
The first surprise Bethesda had for its fans was Doom VFR, designed with the view of virtual reality. The game should be out near the end of this year for PlayStation VR and HTC Vive.
Fallout 4 VR
We’ve known for some time that Fallout 4 VR is in works, and now Bethesda has revealed what it looks like. The game is coming out in October.
The Elder Scrolls Online
Bethesda has shared its plans for the nearest future of The Elder Scrolls Online. The MMORPG has just got the Morrowind add-on, but more DLC is inbound. In August Horns of the Reach will arrive, giving players access to two dungeons located in Skyrim. Later this year a bit bigger expansion will come out: Clockwork City, offering a 10-hours long adventure in the eponymous city – find out more on the official website.
Creation Club
Creation Club is going to be a hub for Fallout 4 and Skyrim modders. This is where PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players will be able to download fan-made modifications for these games. The mods will be handpicked by Bethesda only from the best ones, and, interestingly, the publisher intends to pay the modders, whose works are selected for Creation Club. Coming up this summer – here’s more info.
The Elder Scrolls: Legends - Heroes of Skyrim
Skyrim on Switch
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider
We expected to see a piece of DLC for Dishonored II, but we’ve got even more than that. Dishonored: Death of the Outsider is a standalone game featuring a new protagonist: Billie Lurk, the right hand of Daud, who is one of the series key antagonists. The two will try to pull off the boldest assassination ever – to hunt down and kill the Outsider. The game is slated for release on September 15, 2017.
Quake Champions
B.J. Blazkowicz has been added as another playable character to Quake Champions Closed Beta. The famous commando came along with 3 new maps, the new Tribolt weapon and more. It was also announced that Quake World Championship is happening at this year’s QuakeCon with a $1 million prize pool.
The Evil Within 2
The successful survival horror The Evil Within is getting a sequel. The Evil Within 2 will again put as in the shoes of Sebastian Castellos, this time trying to save his daughter. The game is due out on October 13, 2017 (yup, that’s Friday).
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Finally, the next Wolfenstein has been confirmed. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will be a direct follow-up of The New Order. B.J. Blazkowicz will travel to the USA and join the resistance to free the country from Nazi occupation. PC, XONE, and PS4 players can be gearing up for October 27, 2017.
EA Play
Technically, EA Play on Saturday was not part of E3, but we feel obliged to mention at least some of the biggest announcemend from Electronic Arts.
Madden NFL 18
This year’s installment of the popular sports games series is going to feature a story-driven career like FIFA 17 did. Madden NFL 18 will be out on August 25, 2017 for XONE and PS4.
Battlefront 1: In the Name of Tsar
FIFA 18
Need for Speed: Payback
A Way Out
Apart from showing off trailers of games we already know, EA announced a brand new IP to the public. A Way Out is a co-op only game about two men trying to escape from prison. They are coming out in early 2018.