Bethesda held their showcase for E3 2016 last night and it did not disappoint. I wanted to highlight my thoughts about the conference, reactions, and what I am looking forward to most. I won’t touch on everything shown last night in-depth, but instead focus more on I’m personally excited about.
Bethesda and id Software announced Quake Champions during last night’s conference with an action packed trailer that left you wanting more. Quake was originally developed in 1996 by id Software and published by GT Interactive, providing a pivotal online multiplayer experience for gamers everywhere. While Quake is built using the technology of it’s predecessor, id Software’s DOOM, it offered players a new 3D experience along with the ability to find online matches with ever-growing ease as finding players online became an increasingly smooth experience. Now, Quake Champions will be the first installment in the main Quake series since Quake 4, published in 2005. Along with the trailer than debuted last night at BE3, Quake Champions promises a variety of playable characters with their own unique sets of skills. More information regarding Quake Champions will be revealed at QuakeCon 2016.
The next announcement at last night’s BE3 that I am particularly excited about, more DLC for Fallout 4. We can look forward to three new pieces of downloadable content, one set for release this upcoming week. Contraptions adds to the crafting/creation element of the game and allows you to make…well, contraptions. The Vault-Tec Workshops DLC gives you the ability to build and manage your own underground fallout shelter, not unlike Bethesda’s mobile Fallout Shelter, while including a set of quests and objectives. Finally, Nuka World will be the final, large piece of DLC that us diehard Fallout fans can look forward to, taking place in a prewar, post-apocalyptic amusement park. Not to be forgotten, the mobile Fallout Shelter will no longer be just that. Along with some immersive new game play options, Fallout Shelter will soon be playable on PC, something I’ve been looking forward to. It was also announced that Fallout 4 will be made VR compatible in the not-so-far future which is something that I cannot wait for. Immersion is incredibly important to me when I play a game in a universe that I want to get completely lost in and exploring the ravaged wasteland of the Commonwealth in full VR glory is something that I am truly excited about.
My personal favourite for the evening, The Elder Scrolls: V remaster has been confirmed. I have literally HUNDREDS of hours invested in the Elder Scrolls series so this facelift is so very welcome. Skyrim Special Edition will be available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 28, 2016, and will offer mod support for consoles. As an extra bonus, those who own Skyrim and all of it’s respective DLC on Steam will receive a free upgrade to the special edition on October 28th. Count me in!!!
To diffuse any suspicions of Prey being a remake or a sequel, director Raphael Colantonio revealed that this will be a “re-imagining of the IP”. The new trailer debuted at last night’s conference and featured a protagonist named Morgan while being set in the year 2032. The trailer gives the distinct impression that Morgan is the subject of psychological experiments or testing, giving the audience much to speculate. The first Prey was released in 2006 by Human Head Studios for Xbox 360 and PC.
I only have unbridled excitement in regards to 2016’s DOOM. It’s everything I wanted and more from an extremely fun multi-player with insanely cool playable demons (here’s looking at you, Prowler), outrageous power ups, and a ridiculously awesome customization feature with badass Space Marine armor in a variety of different styles. The single player campaign is just as good, the fast paced arena-style action with well placed Easter eggs truly honors the original hellish, demon-slaying spirit of DOOM from 1993. Last night Bethesda announced the first piece of DLC for DOOM and I cannot wait. Unto the Evil is set for release next month with a set of new goodies that are to die for:
- New customization for your Space Marine including new sets of armor, colours, taunts, and more.
- The Kinetic Mine, new equipment.
- The UAC EMG Pistol, your new weapon.
- New hack modules.
- Cataclysm, Ritual, and Offering, three new multiplayer maps.
- And finally, a new playable demon called the Harvester.
Pretty rad, huh?
We’ve finally reached Bethesda’s big announcement for the evening, Dishonored 2. Having admittedly not played the first installment of the series, this unveiling has certainly inspired me to. While you can comfortably jump into Dishonored 2 without having played the first, I’m extremely interested in understanding the relationship between Emily Kaldwin and Corvo Attano. Currently in development by Arkane Studios, Dishonored 2 will run on Bethesda’s new internal “Void” engine that is based on id Tech 5. Sebastien Mitton, the art director for Dishonored 2, wanted to create an environment that looked like a painting in motion and with Arkane, thought “anthropologically and politically” when developing the game’s world of Karnaca. The developers took great care in taking architectural design into account and considered even how the wind would effect the development of the city while working to give Karnaca a “grounded feel”. Dishonored 2 is set to be released November 11, 2016.
Now, I know all of us Elder Scrolls fans were disappointed that TES: VI wasn’t announced or hinted at last night and I feel your pain, I truly do, but Bethesda is pumping out amazing games, keep that in mind! We were blessed with Fallout 4 only just last year so I *personally* don’t think we’ll be seeing another Elder Scrolls for a year or so, but I wait with bated breath for that godly announcement when it does happen.
What were your favourites from this years BE3 conference?
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