In-Depth E3 Predictions

E3 is just a few days away and so I will now make my predictions for the Big 3.

(bear in mind that, while this is well-researched, it still includes my opinion which, like yours and mine and everyone else’s, doesn’t really matter)

Nintendo:
I thought Nintendo actually had the best conference last year and that's ironic considering they didn't even make an actual, physical appearance at the show. They opted instead to do an online broadcast showcasing all of their upcoming content and it was short, sweet, and to the point. In less than an hour, they showed a new Zelda, new Kirby and Yoshi games, teased a new Star Fox, and even announced a new IP in Splatoon. I'm expecting pretty much the same approach this year, only obviously with different games (we can only hope their supposed focus on mobile platforms is all a big, cruel joke). There was no new Mario game last year, so it's safe to say there will be this time around. I'm hoping for Super Mario Galaxy 3 or the less-likely Super Mario Sunshine 2, but it's tough to predict where they'll take the face of their brand next. We're also due for a new Metroid and I imagine we'll see a new chapter in Samus' story. Star Fox gameplay and a release date for Yoshi's Wooly World are both likely. I was surprised to recently learn that Nintendo has confirmed Zelda will not be shown; major bummer there. Back on the positive side of things, though: I have a feeling a new Animal Crossing for Wii U is in the works considering there hasn't been a non-handheld installment since 2008. If we're really lucky, they'll have another new IP to show. While Nintendo's beloved cast of characters are their bread and butter, they are more than capable of creating new experiences and perhaps, if they don't already have something brewing, the recent success of Splatoon will increase the number of new IPs they make.

Recap:
New Mario
New Metroid
Star Fox gameplay
Yoshi's Wooly World release date
New Animal Crossing
A new IP

Microsoft:
Phil Spencer and company are the wild card of this year if you ask me. They're promising the "best games lineup in Xbox history", but I have to wonder how much of that claim hinges on their usual installments of Halo, Gears, and Forza. After researching the first-party studios they own, I found that many of them are already tied up making the aforementioned games and/or Fable. The others have a history of making smaller titles or are reported to be working on HoloLens games. Microsoft do own Mojang now, so maybe they have something brewing. Through this, however, I can only conclude they're going to come out throwing money at every third-party developer that will give them the time of day, and I have a funny feeling one of these deals is going to include Mass Effect 4. Should that happen and depending on the length of its exclusivity, I may not be a happy camper. Should they combine landing such a deal with new IPs, however; they will have my interest if nothing else. Speaking of third-party deals, it's a given that we'll see extensive Rise of the Tomb Raider gameplay. An ID@Xbox spotlight is inevitable. Phantom Dust will likely be absent considering the studio developing it was recently shut down. Microsoft has confirmed that Quantum Break, Scalebound, and Crackdown will all be making appearances at Gamescom rather than E3. Lastly, Rare is working on something and I imagine we'll get to see it. I'm hoping for a new IP rather than another Banjo Kazooie or reboot of a different old franchise. If Microsoft comes out and does what I think they're going to do, the Xbox brand will likely remain one of the only family of consoles not in my collection. If they've finally learned their lesson and have invested in new studios that will serve them as long-term generators of new content rather than playing in the short-term and paying for deals like Tomb Raider, I will likely end up buying an Xbox One at some point.

Recap:
Halo 5 gameplay
Forza and Fable release dates
Gears 4 teaser/Gears collection reveal
Third-party game deals
Rise of the Tomb Raider gameplay
ID@Xbox showcase
Rare's new game

Sony:
Aside from the obvious heavy-hitters like Uncharted 4, Ratchet & Clank, No Man's Sky, and a new God of War (it's all but confirmed at this point), I have no idea what Sony plans to show and that's why I'm most excited for their conference. Most of their biggest first-party studios are making new games that we know little to nothing about. Guerilla, Sucker Punch, Quantic Dream, Media Molecule, Sony Bend, Studio Japan; all of them have something up their sleeve. We won't see them all at the same show, but I'm expecting at least half of them to be there. Guerilla will likely be at the forefront considering they are finally shying away from Killzone to make a new IP rumored to be entitled "Horizon". All we know is that it's an RPG involving robotic dinosaurs; sign me up. Sucker Punch is based on the West Coast so it only makes sense for them to show up, too; likely with another Infamous, but hopefully with a new IP altogether. Media Molecule will also probably be there with not only the PS4-version of Tearaway, but with their new game as well. Sony is opting to skip Gamescom in favor of the Paris Games Show this year, so, considering that's where Quantic Dream is based, I doubt they'll fly here to the States for E3. Sony Bend is located not far from Sucker Punch in Oregon, so expect them to be there with their alleged open-world survival-horror game. Studio Japan may or may not make an appearance with Gravity Rush 2 in hand, but all eyes are on their Team Ico branch rather than the core studio itself. I'm not holding my breath for The Last Guardian to be re-announced just yet, but that would surely bring the house down if it does finally emerge. Plenty of other games could potentially show up such as MLB: The Show, Drawn to Death, Rime, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, Alienation, The Tomorrow Children, Hellblade, Let It Die, Deep Down, Until Dawn, Wild, Gran Turismo 7, Abzu, Street Fighter V, etc. I'd also expect to see a few big third-party games on Sony's stage such as Metal Gear Solid V and Star Wars: Battlefront, for which they've likely secured exclusive content. One would also expect a lot of love for indies on Sony's stage, as that is usually the case every year. Lastly, all signs are pointing to Sony putting their full backing behind Project Morpheus. I'm expecting a launch date and price for their VR.

Recap:
Uncharted 4, No Man's Sky, Ratchet & Clank release dates
New God of War
Guerilla's new IP "Horizon"
Sucker Punch's new IP/new Infamous
Tearaway: Unfolded release date
Media Molecule's new IP
Sony Bend's new survival-horror IP
Third-party content deals
Indie showcase
Project Morpheus launch date/price
No appearance for The Last Guardian just yet (sorry...all in due time)