Here we go:
Bethesda kicked off E3 with a sizzle reel introducing the audience to their various studios and creators. Global VP of Marketing for Bethesda, Pete Hines took the stage at a jammed packed Dolby Theatre. The Oscars stepped aside for the blood, guts, and explosions of all Bethesda’s offerings.
Kicking things off was id Software’s Doom. Hines called the original one of the most important titles in video games history. id’s Marty Statton took the stage and talked about Doom’s combat with the “demons, big F’n guns, and run fast”. Actual Doom gameplay was shown. The level in the Mars base started out regularly enough, with a gorgeous scene and some killer gun play. Then, holy fu***ing shit, you rip off a demon’s leg like it was part of a rotisserie chicken. Everything about the game screams true next level experience. Something as simple as picking up a new weapon has a unique feel that can only be compared to being put in the shoes of some movie action hero bad ass. The crowd would not stop going crazy for this, every 15 seconds a roar of oooooooo’s floods the theatre. At the end of the gameplay demo, the company did what none have ever done before; purposely show you what happens when you get killed. A rocket demon killed whoever was playing the game off screen and it didn’t just fade to black. The game’s hero gets his arms ripped off and beaten to death with them.
A slice of the game’s multiplayer was shown and it has freaking everything the single player does. How could they possibly provide more for fans? Open up creating new game modes to everyone in Doom Snapmap. Players will get to create new maps and game modes with a slew of easy to use tool sets, including the ability to alter the game’s logic. Everything created can be shared on the game’s social platforms. It equates to a robust replay value for the game.
This game is relentless and it will be available Spring 2016 on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Hines came back on stage to talk about Bethesda.net, a hub for all of its games and the online creation features they may have.
Battlecry The Warrior Republic was up next. The game is a third-person action multiplayer game. Sign up at Battlecrythegame.com to be part of the game’s upcoming beta.
When the lights came up Harvey Smith of Arkane Studios was on staged to show Dishonored 2.
A trailer for the game showed off a steampunk influenced militant controlled world or Karnaka. Our female assassin, Emily Caldwin, will have time altering abilities and a few other tricks. No release window was given, but the game was confirmed for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. In the meantime, a definitive edition of the original Dishonored will be available this Fall with all DLC and upgraded visuals.
Zenmax studios wasn’t on hand at the show as they’re in their studio supporting the recent release of the console version of Elder Scrolls. Only a video with a peek at some upcoming content for the game was shown. Elder Scrolls Tamriell Unlimited content is coming sooner rather than later. A new mobile card based game set in the Elder Scrolls universe is also coming. Elder Scrolls Legends will be free to play available on PC and iPad, no word on Android version or a release date.
Hines teased the crowd by ending early, the crowd quickly reminded him that Fallout still had to have its time. Only one demo of Fallout 4 will be shown at E3 and it’s only at the show. Game Director, Todd Howard came out to a thunderous ovation from the crowd. Howard talked about E3’s roots in CES, years ago gaming was but a small tent next to porn at the Vegas show. Apparently Fallout 4 had been in the works since 2009. The footage of the game started with a montage on minuscule panels and buttons the artist toil over, then moved into the lavish post apocalyptic world we’ll see in the game.
The game starts in the world before Fallout, a beautiful Saturday morning with the looming threat of nuclear war. They began at the very beginning with character creation, it helps the player feel like a digital artist. No sliders or panels it’s all shaping and warping features. You can choose to play as a male or female character and a baby will be generated based on the couple you create.
In order to not spoil the game’s story a fast forward to 200 years later when your character is the sole survivor of vault 111 and emerges into the world. This game gives players the most control over decisions and architecture than any before it. Nothing from dialogue to paths feel locked in. Now the game comes with bullet time to shoot mole rats, and I assume later bigger things. The playable part of the demo ended and a montage of downtown Boston was on screen. If you live in Boston, it’s extremely likely you’ll be able to spot places you know that aren’t touristy.
Even the Pit Boy future smart watch has been upgraded to be entertaining and enjoyable. A scale replica will be available in the game’s collectors edition. It isn’t just for looking at, an app will be loaded on the replica that works similar to the game for every platform the game is available on. The app will be available stand alone though Android and iOS.
Something else for phones, Fallout Shelter. Players create their own vault and act as overseer. It’s sort of like Sims and Xcom. You’ll have to build a society and keep its citizens functioning as you gather resources. You’ll have to keep the human race alive by what else… makin babies. The game will be free to play, no paywall timers, no internet connection required. Fallout Shelter might be the ultimate time waster (in the best way possible) and is available on the App store tonight for iOS.
Previously I said visuals weren’t how this game would separate itself. No, visually this game is superior to its predecessors, vastly. The level of animation in this game is insane, every little thing you do feels like it has purpose. Fallout 4 will be released on PS4, Xbox One, and PC when Vault 111 opens on November 10, 2015. Yes it’s this year!
Bethesda might have just won E3.
