The Entertainment Software Association has announced its plans for this year's E3 event, revealing that several major publishers are already on board – including Nintendo.
A "reimagined, all-virtual" version of E3 will take place from Saturday 12th to Tuesday 15th June. The ESA says that "developers will be showcasing their latest news and games directly to fans around the world," and that this "content," presumably meaning livestreams and the like, will be available to everyone for free.
As for the publishers that have already signed up? Here's the full list so far:
Game Publishers Attending E3 2021
- Nintendo
- Xbox
- Capcom
- Konami
- Ubisoft
- Take-Two Interactive
- Warner Bros. Games
- Koch Media
- ...And more to come!
Stanley Pierre-Louis, President & CEO of the ESA, has shared the following in a press release:
"For more than two decades, E3 has been the premier venue to showcase the best that the video game industry has to offer, while uniting the world through games. We are evolving this year’s E3 into a more inclusive event, but will still look to excite the fans with major reveals and insider opportunities that make this event the indispensable center stage for video games."
While E3 2021 will be an online-only event, the ESA hopes to return to a physical setting for 2022.
Are you excited for the return of E3? Did you miss it last year? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 106
Wooooo I'm finally going to E3!
Is it just me that finds the fact Konami are on that list hilarious?
It's been dated for a while now. Hey-oh!
Cool! Nintendo Direct confirmed for June, then
Nice, confirmation that there will be a Nintendo event in June
That's all I care about
My first E3. Never thought this would happen since i'm not an industry insider
I'm ready for smash content baby lets gooo. And maybe some metroid prime 4?
@TheJGG since it is digital this will be my first E3 to LOL.
Switch pro finaly announced on june , if not why would Nintendo be present at E3!
New Switch or we riot?
Everbody, put your energy into a good smash reveal!
Regardless of what's announced, this summer will be better than last for Nintendo news!
We’re having 2 Directs this year!
Well I appreciate at least having a date for when we can expect major things (Botw2 and Halo Infinite mostly)
@munstahunta To announce new games for the existing Switch perhaps?
I'm surprised that this many publishers signed up when all of them could have hosted their own presentations.
Konami will be at E3? Hopefully they share something other than Pachinko!
NINJA APPROVED
OHMYGODMETROIDPRIME4CONFIRMED!
Imagine if all game demoed at the event could be downloaded and played at home?
@Krull
I'd say that's a saf bet indeed. Unless Nintendo does Nintendo and decides to do something completely different this year, but I don't think that's very likely.
I hope that's when we get news on the Zelda anniversary, but more than that BOTW 2. Not getting my hopes up though, just having a heart attack.
Konami on E3 2021 ?
Maybe Dance Dance Revolution on Nintendo Switch ??
My body is SO ready.
@Low_ink Hoping for a good Zelda 35th announcement too. A collection, news on BOTW2, remasters... someting other than the upcoming full-priced port of the worst (least good) 3d game of the franchise.
@Matthew010 you really think they’d go to E3 to announce 2 games??? I’m sorry but that doesn’t add up.
@Low_ink
I'm 50/50 on that one.
On the one hand this would make sense as this is a time during which lots of people, not even those who are very into Nintendo, will be watching what they have to say. It's a good moment to announce it, publicity wise.
On the other, I can see Nintendo announce Zelda 35 Anniversary related (like BOTW2) after Skyward Sword HD comes out. Any big reveals could undercut that game and I don't see Nintendo taking that risk.
@Magician it’s E3 though. What exactly did you expect??
Hopefully we’ll just get non-stop footage of games instead of top level management talking about games they know nothing about
@MarcusIsCool In 2016 Nintendo showed nothing but BOTW for the whole thing and in 2018 the only new game they announced were Super Mario Party.
@Kanbolara that was then and this is now. There was no Nintendo Switch back then.
Things I want announced:
-BotW 2
-Shy guy in smash
-SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE switch release date
-Metroid Prime 4
-More Mariokart 8 deluxe dlc
But let’s face it it’s probably just going to be about splatoon 3
Konami have announcements? Surely they need to make a video game that isn't Pro Evo first.
@MarcusIsCool What makes you think they will only announce two games?
@MarcusIsCool There were a Switch in 2018 and the only new game they showed at that E3 was Super Mario Party.
@Matthew010 but I never said that?? I think they’ll announce like at least 5-6 games.
@Kanbolara that’s irrelevant. 2018 is the exception, not the rule.
Konami......Metal Gear Anthology confirmed for Switch
I can easily see Zelda making a big appearance this year. Maybe even more than E3 2019, and that one was three games.
Fingers crossed we get that Metal Gear Solid or Silent Hill remake from Bluepoint games at Sony.
@russell-marlow that would be pretty cool.
@tanaka2687 Could be a Metal Gear Solid announcement if we are lucky. It is quite literally the only thing they have going for them anymore is the prospects of a quality made outsourced remake.
I'm just glad this confirms a June Direct.
@MarcusIsCool There is no rule. They might show 6 games or they might only show 2. There is no way of knowing.
@Kanbolara
Technically that was the year that smash was fully revealed. The whole, everyone is here! Was a huge thing.
No Sony? Seems Nintendo and Sony flipped their digital E3 attendances between last year and this year. I'm sure they'll still do their own state of play around that time regardless though.
My body is not ready. Isobod
@ModdedInkling I believe you mean 2 years ago
Edit: My mistake. I thought I read 3 years when it was 3 games your typing.
The absence of Sony is interesting.
Well, as long as the others (aside from Konami, who I have no good expectations of) bring the goods, it'll still be a fun time.
This is extremely wishful thinking here... but if they pulled a Mario35-style limited release for an E3 app that would only be playable the week of E3, I'd pay money for it. It could include various demos available to play, and timed releases for video presentations. Each system could have their own price to download, or you could just buy a pass directly from E3 for access to all of them. Sadly I'm not optimistic enough that they could put something that elaborate together without it being a technical nightmare. But I still think that would be a great way to approach a virtual presentation. ARE YOU LISTENING REGGIE!?!?
Even though this year have two big anniversaries, I hope Nintendo also reveals a 2D Metroid since the franchise's 35th anniversary is in half of 2021.
E3 went the way video games are trying to go: all digital, streaming, free to play... But that last one will probably turn against all of us by next year. I can already see the "early access"-, "behind the scenes"-, "VIP"-, "day one" passes. I can already hear the echo of future "ka-tching".
@MarcusIsCool
Events like E3 are an antiquated concept. I figured most of the above listed publishers would've preferred more control over the announcements of their upcoming games. Seeing so many publishers continue to support the ESA surprised me.
@MarcusIsCool You said, and I quote: "you really think they’d go to E3 to announce 2 games???"
I'm not saying the Switch Pro won't get announced, assuming it exists. I'm just bored of the comments after every announcement for a Nintendo event stating that this means the Switch Pro is definitely coming. I'm going into this event expecting new game reveals and if a new Switch is there as well, great! If it isn't, then I won't be disappointed because there has been nothing concrete to suggest a Switch Pro even exists
It took 25 years, but I'm finally going to E3, and I don't even have to go anywhere! Also Nintendo Direct confirmed lol
@ThomasBW84 They're going to announce more pachinko gambling machines!
@munstahunta uh. More Nintendo first party games.
BOTW 2 release date, Bayonetta 3, MP 4
@Ralizah hmm, interesting Sony didn’t show up but Nintendo and Xbox do.
I am interested to known what Capcom and Konami have in store
Hmm Konami is on the list.
More pachinko or a return of a long lost game series that died in 2015
My birthday’s on June 14th. If we got BOTW 2 news it would be the best birthday present ever lol
From Konami, I think we will most likely see the brand new PES 2022 and footage of it.
Maybe a Silent Hill could happen, I hope it is multi platform so more people can enjoy it
Treehouse is my favourite E3 event. Having folk sit down and appreciate playing small sections of a game and discussing it with the developers is much better than a guy in a suit gush at how gameplay experiences brings us together, glosses over how unproductive playing games is and shows us a well directed CGI trailer with an epic voiceover telling us all how monumental it is.
It would be great if Capcom release Megaman Battle Network collection and use the (unexpectedly) decent RPG resurgence to reveal Megaman X Command Mission Remake/Remaster. Perhaps with new things like powerful forms for the characters that have just one.
I'm still sad it didn't happen at all last year. I tuned in for Nintendo's E3 event live every year since I was a wee lad in 2008 (a rough one to start with but hey)
Super excited for it this year. I genuinely missed it last year.
@anoyonmus Maybe we’re both wrong and they will just announce a new fighter for smash!
@munstahunta perhaps.
Good to see that Nintendo skipping an E3-like event last year was just a COVID-related anomaly.
Ah, Nintendo is on board! I didn't expect that.
Here are the three things I am hoping to see (and frankly long overdue):
-BotW2 screens, footage, extra info (story, gameplay, etc)
-Metroid Prime 4 screens, footage, extra info (story, gameplay, etc)
-New Castlevania announcement
Fingers crossed!!!
Come on Bayonetta 3, Metroid Prime, Breath of the Wild 2, and Wind Waker and Twilight Princess HD collection.
i expect Nintendo E3 Direct Presentation to be heavely focused in the Legend of Zelda 35th anniversary and Pokémon 25th anniversary and maybe Metroid 35th anniversary.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeesss I've actually never gone to an E3, and you're saying that this year's FREE and ONLINE??? That's everything I could ever imagine! Let's see what Nintendo's been up to in these months...
E3 is back! Hell yes, looking forward to it!
Wishlist (not expecting all but I think two or three will happen):
*Metroid Prime 4
*BOTW 2
*Odyssey Sequel
*Splatoon 3
*Legends Arceus small update, info or small trailer
*New IP introduced or neglected IP revived
is too soon to reveal something about Metroid Prime 4, Retro Studios still have a lot of major jobs listings that need to fill up like, boss/enemies designer, level programer and many more, Metroid Prime 4 only in 2023/2024 or in Switch sucessor, Retro Studios just hired a writer for Metroid Prime 4
https://shinesparkers.net/megan-fausti-star-wars-jedi-fallen-order-is-writing-metroid-prime-4/
@Snatcher Same here, hope there's ways to try out games!
@Thumbsofsteel Retro Studios just hired a writer for Metroid Prime 4, is too soon to show something about the game.
https://shinesparkers.net/megan-fausti-star-wars-jedi-fallen-order-is-writing-metroid-prime-4/
@Christofu Out of that list, BOTW 2 and Splatoon 3 are the more likely. BOTW 2, mainly because we were promised official news this year.
i expect for the Nintendo Direct Presentation E3 2021:
Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild 2 reveal title or release date
Bayonetta 3 release date or gameplay trailer
gameplay trailer for Skyward Sword HD
reveal of the final 2 Super Smash Bros Ultimate characters and a release window for them
the reveal of the rumored and higly antecipated 2D Metroid game that continues the Metroid Fusion history
the reveal trailer of temporary exclusive Resident Evil for Switch
the third update for Monster Hunter Rise that conclude it history
the trailer that show the 2.0 update of Animal Crossing New Horizons that show the third and final expansion to Museum/Nook Cranny
some gameplay of Splatoon 3
Keeping expectations in check.
Most likely a BOTW2 trailer, teasers for Prime 4 and Bayo 3, another trailer for Mario Golf and Splatoon 3, a wild card surprise announcement, and a smash DLC reveal(not too hyped personally since fighters pass 2 has been pretty meh for me).
The best announcement Nintendo could have at E3 is the return of Reggie!
Ok so my hopes and dreams for the direct:
This isn't that big of a change, E3 was already well on its way to becoming completely digital long before the pandemic (Don't even try to argue with me on this, the evidence is all over the internet if you wanna look).
@Zeldinion I would be all in on a Professor Layton Collection!!
@Magician You do know the ESA is run by the games publishers? They’re a trade body, operated and funded by EA, Xbox, PlayStation, Take-Two, Nintendo etc...
The way it should always be.
Predictions
1 BOTW 2 trailer
2 Splatoon 3 update
3 possible updated switch to release in 2022 March.
4 A old IP to get a new game eg F-Zero, Punch out, Wave race, Star Fox.
5 More new IP's ofc,,oh and 3rd party games
@Splatoon_Guy He didn’t promise anything, he said that they would have news later this year, not they will have news later this year I promise
It sucks to nit be able to actually attend e3. For years that’s where I get all my cool video game company items.
@Dr_Corndog its digital this year you cant visit it this year
@ImDecea5ed
My birthday is on June 11th. Also will be the best birthday present for me.
@talllennart I am most certain he was joking based on the fact that E3 will all digital.
I am going to E3 too
I want links awakening switch style versions of
Ages and oracles and minish cap. Like eshop exclusive or all three on one.
Warner Bros is presenting
LEGO Dimensions 2...? Lol
Koch Media, anyone know if it’s owned by Koch brothers?
@AugustusOxy I mean right there in the article itself it's stated they want to return to a physical setting for 2022
Not gonna argue about it but if that's the official word (I'm not gonna look into whether it is because I don't care enough to do so, I'll just trust NL on this one) it's pretty safe to expect that that's their goal.
Can’t take PTO for E3 any more but it will be playing in the background while I work.
Looking forward to all the ways my budget will be destroyed.
Summer is saved!! E3 has returned!
@Ralizah Why is Sony's absence interesting? Tweedle Ryan and Tweedle Kodera abandoned E3 (and all of the other conferences including their own) when they took over. Their last act was that embarrassing badly mic'ed Santaolalla performance in that cheap church set where they awkwardly shepherded press through the split booth with no explanation.
I'm still of the opinion that the only reason the show even went that far was that Layden insisted they do it, so they stuck him with a low budget embarrassment. When he and Hirai ran the show they rented stadiums. That was right after they conspicuously demoted him to "Chairman SIE World Wide Studios" - a clown title in a sideline job made just for him to keep him out of the way.
I'm not a total fan of all he did. He was instrumental in the pivot to the 3rd person action adventure cinematic genre. But he was also a champion of the smaller titles as well. And the obvious, and public demotions of him, Yoshida et al was a very awkward sight along with that awkward E3. And then they pulled the plug and stopped doing any conferences.
They'll do Days of Play PSN sale, they'll throw a cheap and confusing State of Play out there. They'll pretend they're not holding a bloody axe over the head of Vita. Then they'll flip customers off and ask for $70 for Concrete Genie 2 and flog their amazing record breaking numbers of PS5's sold to eBay flippers.
@NEStalgia Nintendo diminished their E3 presence years before Sony, and even they're here. It's a bad look, although I guess you could explain it away as them having nothing to show.
And they've not exactly been subtle about their desire to eradicate the Vita and its legacy from existence. What planet are you on?
@Ralizah Nintendo still had a humongous floor space though, so their public facing portion went from a conference to a direct and 3 days of treehouse that went from dozens of games to showing smash on the twos, but they had a big investment in floor space and media engagement. Microsoft's conference technically wasn't part of E3, and wasn't even in the building, it was across the street in the Microsoft Theater, but they had huge floor space and media engagement in the show.
Sony OTOH just took their ball and went home. No conference, no floor, no acknowledgement any event was going on at all other than a PSN sale. And cancelled their own conferences. Closed their twitter and opened a myspace. Started the PlayStation official AOL Chatroom, and offered free trailers of their games on Betamax to select fans, who were then never notified.
Yeah the Vita was handled worse than WiiU. It's closer to Virtual Boy. But PSP and for that matter PS3 seem to share the chopping block. Heck even PS2. Between that and MLB, I'm starting to think the new management is just a bunch of Xbox fanboys or PC Master Racers that just hate PlayStation, weebs, and just want to troll the fans.
@munstahunta botw 2 ,zelda anniversary and new games for this year i hope
@NEStalgia It has been amusing watching the most brainwashed ponies shrug literally everything off. Reminds me of religion. Or, lately, politics. My 'side' is always right, and my values and behavior will shift in accordance with the way it changes, even if those changes are antithetical to the way it used to be.
I really don't get these companies. Like Xbox under Mattrick, or Sony currently. Like, if you're riding high because of the way you were doing things... keep doing things that way.
This might be the first generation where I go exclusively with Nintendo for my console needs since the NES.
@Ralizah Lol, yeah, there is some surreal logic going on in that realm.
And that's a perfect summary of the mindset. I think I said to someone here back in November that it was interesting watching two consoles launch at the same time as a US election. You could watch the EXACT same mentality on both fronts with the same fervor and same zealousness of mental twister on both sides of both issues. It was apparently never about religion or politics through all history... Humans will find/create the same position and mindset over literally anything. Even boxes that go beep and boop and blink. It's both amusing and profoundly depressing at the same time.
My take on these companies is a mix of new management and investors. Once they're riding that high, they attract more activist investors that start running the company for them. Every route to doubling or tripling those returns in the short term is demanded. That leads to management changes the investors demand. And the management selected for them are pure numbers guys. Guys for which it doesn't matter if it's video games, oil futures, pharma, toothpaste, or vacuum cleaners... They don't know and they don't care, they just know how to line up numbers for maximum immediate yield based on trend data. The investors are pleased.
Long term their idiocy is contrary to market demand and not adaptive to market disruption. The long term goes down in flames but the numbers guys get their 100m bonus and leave to torment a meat packing company or something.
Except Kutaragi. He was just a loose cannon with a massive ego. The Kojima of hardware. But similarly a visionary to a degree who knew games even if he mucked it up.
IDK, nintendo seems to be on the same path as Sony in terms of management. Worse in some ways, but their well is harder to poison only because it was as already filled with poison since 1985.
Seriously, though, my ps5 is basically an SSD loaded PS4 Pro that also plays ratchet and a few exclusive indies. I see nothing on the roadmap otherwise that really excites me, FF multiplat status being maybe an exception. Anything multiplat they'd have to PAY me to get it on PS instead of XB... I'm not spending money into their giant white jail box of there's an alternative.
I do think you need Switch and EITHER XB or PC. So basically Microsoft & Nintendo gives you everything... Except a handful of Sony games. Though now even that isn't a true statement.
@NEStalgia Tribalism can creep its way into any aspect of human life, unfortunately, but its prominence lately has been rather depressing, yes. The prevalence of social media is only exacerbating the issue.
You get a LOT more with just PC than you do with just Xbox. Especially now that PC has access to its own version of GamePass, which was the Xbox console's killer app. With PC, you get pretty much everything but Nintendo first party, the newer Sony first party stuff (although that might be changing at some point), and some Japanese games with stubborn developers (although now that Atlus is seemingly fully on-board with PC, even that's barely true).
Granted, if GPU prices don't come down eventually, that won't mean much, unfortunately.
I could probably even live without a new GPU, though. There's very little AAA stuff I feel the need to buy.
I really miss E3 so all I ever wanted was to get Crash Bandicoot to Smash Bros.
And this is for him. ✉
@MortalKombat2007 Lol
@Ralizah Late reply is late. Thought I replied and saw this sitting on the browser tab from days ago lol.
Yeah, pc you get more. And also spend more, curse more, generally be more miserable. . I just don't have time and patience for it these days. Or the wallet.
That's the whole reason I like current xb. It's everything Steam Box wanted to be, almost. It's literally a custom gaming microATX with a generally windows backdrop. There's pros and cons of course, but generally, for less money than the PCi get all 3 consoles, more games than I can shake a stick at and lower blood pressure.... Win win!
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