Summer Game Fest 2023 is just around the corner and like the studious little content creators we are, we’ve gathered up the WellPlayed crew and had everyone throw in on what they think will be shown off at Geoff Keighley’s E3 replacement event. Some of us went small, stuck with the known and tossed in some dream announcements for good measure. Others…well, you’ll see what Adam thinks is happening soon enough.
For us Aussies, this Winter Game Fest event kicks off in the YouTube Theatre this Friday, June 9th at 5:00 AM (christ) AEST, which is 4:30 AM for folks in Adelaide and Darwin, and 3:00 AM for the poor unfortunate souls in Perth. So rug up, make a cuppa, and strap in for the show before joining us on the WellPlayed DLC podcast for reactions and thoughts later that day.
In the mean time, check out our predictions, hopes, and dreams below!
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Zach
One game that is no stranger to Summer Games Fest is Witchfire, the upcoming first-person looter-shooter (but not) from The Astronauts. Originally set to launch in Early Access in 2023, there’s been no date to speak of as we roll into the halfway mark for the year. But given it’s been featured in the show before, it wouldn’t surprise me if we get a release date at the event.
When it comes to what I am hoping to see, I know it’s still early in the development process, but a teaser for the new TimeSplitters game, even just to get an idea of the direction the team is taking with the title, would be great. And I’d be stoked to get a look at the A Quiet Place video game, which we still haven’t seen anything from, even though it was supposed to release back in 2022.
My dream though? A black screen with the words, “An adventure 25 years in the making” appears. Then, a familiar voice plays across the darkness – “Paris in the fall, the last months of the year, at the end of the millennium.” We’re then treated to the iconic theme as the title Broken Sword 6 is displayed before one of the series’ creators Charles Cecil appears to officially announce the highly sought after next entry in the legendary point-and-click series.
Mark
When you think Summer Games Fest, inevitably Hideo Kojima comes to mind, which will likely be connected (get it?) to a Death Stranding 2 trailer. Whether that involves a release date for later this year remains up in the air, but that doesn’t answer the other question in the room. What else is Kojima working on? DS2 aside, rumours have swirled about future projects, his Xbox deal, his unlikely involvement in Metal Gear…but there’s every chance we will have somewhat of an answer when Geoff’s favourite human takes the stage once more. Or there’s just another confusing teaser to solve.
Sony’s underwhelming presentation earlier this year left a lot to be desired, but perhaps their biggest surprise could have been held over for SGF. We’ve seen it before last time around when The Last of Us Factions (or whatever they may call it) had its first reveal, so don’t be surprised if we get a look at something similar here. My bet? Wolverine, but only a brief glimpse, just to tide us over. Or better yet, PlayStation All-Stars 2. What? A man can dream.
Speaking of, as wild as this might sound, it’s Xbox that has everything to lose by not showing up big. Yes, they have their own showcase coming up soon too, but what better way to help get eyes on a Starfield guided tour across the future than jumping ahead of the competition to take all the headlines? With all that in mind, let’s get nuts and suggest the long hoped for Banjo-Kazooie reboot makes an appearance to steal the show.
Ash
Geoff Keighley breakdances onto the stage. The lights begin to strobe. After landing a sick backflip, he gestures to the wings and announces ED BOON EVERYBODY. Ed Boon will enter, riding atop a majestic elephant that is somehow dressed like Scorpion from Mortal Kombat XL – it holds aloft its mighty trunk and sounds an elephant trumpet that almost seems to say GET OVER HERE.
This is what lives in my mind. But in reality, I am expecting a hot little bit of banter about Mortal Kombat 1 – before Geoff throws to Ed Boon to introduce their gameplay demonstration. New gameplay features will be highlighted, such as ‘Kameo’ fighters as slot-in assist moves and a more dedicated ‘Breaker’ system to get out of long attack strings. The demonstration will end with a shocking reveal of a returning fighter that was not present in Mortal Kombat 11 – Ermac perhaps? Maybe Reptile? Either way, it will hype up one very specific faction of the MK Kommunity.
Beyond this blood-soaked fantasy – I am also dreaming of a strand-like experience to be had by all. I am expecting a Kojima-introduced look at some Death Stranding 2 gameplay, with the main hook of the clip to introduce some unique mechanic that was not present in the first game. Maybe we will see our mate Mr. Porter operating some kind of forklift-esque bipedal mech – or some kind of combat-oriented vehicle to make the world seem more dangerous. Perhaps a villain will be quickly shown at the end of the piece to get people further ruminating on what the fuck is going on.
Oh, and if this was bingo, the Elden Ring DLC being shown would be the free-est of free squares.
Nathan
I’m told I have a tendency to waffle so I’ll keep this hotness brief. There’s an obligatory Kojima reveal. Could it be…Bluepoint on a Metal Gear Solid remake? Two officially announced in so many months? Also, we get gameplay of a Star Wars game. Which one? Take your pick.
But they’re nothing compared to what I want but probably are not especially likely to be revealed. First, this Persona 3 remake rumour proves to be true. A full rebuild that brings the classic in line with Persona 5 would be rad. Also speaking of rumours I hope come true, the remainder of the Nvidia Geforce hack. Namely, a Final Fantasy Tactics remake. It’s a great year for remakes already, why not continue.
I have a dream reveal. It’s not particularly special. Winter has set in and my mood has already dropped, so I ask but one small mercy to teleport me through the next few months. Konami find the opportunity to flash an “available now” for some remakes they’ve had stewing. Yes, Summer Games Fest is all Konami remakes, baby. We get a Suikoden 1&2 HD live drop! And because ecstasy envelopes elation, they also drop a port collection of the Nintendo DS Castlevania games.
Good show, Geoff.
Adam
Usually, I like to add some theatrical qualities to my predictions, making it even less likely that they’ll be accurate. So, this time around, I’ve decided to pare it back a bit and attempt a subtler approach.
Partway through the presentation, directly following the announcement of Infamous VR, the sneakered sensation Geoff Keighley welcomes to the stage the President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, and my dad, Jim Ryan. Pops waves to the crowd and shakes gamer Geoff’s hand, all while holding a device that we currently know as Project Q.
Papa immediately launches into a stale sales pitch for the awkward handheld, filled with vapid phrases like “game on the go” and “empowering player choice.” Father drones on for a full three minutes about the overwhelming demand for the device and the cutting-edge technology that’s behind the PlayStation peripheral, before throwing to a generic trailer that depicts overly eager users utilising every feature the unit has to offer.
A mere ten seconds into the trailer, just as the live crowd whip out their phones and the home audience allow their eyes to glaze over, the feed cuts back to my disgruntled daddy, staring menacingly down at the device in his hands. In a fit of rage, Ryan senior snaps the screen over his knee, throwing the two pieces over his shoulders. The live crowd audibly gasp, Keighley desperately looks around in a daze and all of us sitting at our desks and watching on our phones sit up. My old man adjusts his tie and looks down the barrel of the nearest camera. “We know you don’t need Project Q, we know you don’t want Project Q. So, let’s give you something you do want.”
The entire studio is plunged into a tense darkness. A few confusing seconds later, a blue beacon is lit, emanating from the absolute centre of the stage as a disembodied voice suddenly bellows to the crowd. “Joy, beauty, excitement, progress, love, expression, creation…life.” A pedestal rises from the stage, bathed in the cobalt light shining from the rafters, its blinding radiance concealing what rests on the platform as it ascends. The blue ray cuts and the studio lights blaze back into action in perfect unison, revealing to all in the room and those around the world…
The PlayStation Vita II.
James
In terms of solid locks for Geoffy boy’s summer of loving, I think we’re all but guaranteed to see a trailer for FROMSOFTWARE’s Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erd Tree. Somewhat unceremoniously announced via a tweet at midnight Aussie time a couple of months back, the likely expansive content update has only been teased via stunning concept art and I can’t imagine a better place to drop official details than the showcase event. I could also easily see Sony showing up with a first-party PlayStation tease, especially after the way some folks reacted to that recent State of Play. A short, no-frills hint at the next Ghost of Tsushima seems like an easy win.
If I’m being hopeful, Capcom will continue to absolutely body the game and announce its next Resident Evil remake – only question is which one. Resident Evil 5 would be nothing short of a shitshow maelstrom and I can’t act as if I’m not morbidly curious to watch Capcom try to navigate it. But Code Veronica would be a slam dunk for both hardcore fans and newcomers looking for a genuinely fresh experience. On the topic of morbid curiosity though, I kinda really need to know how BioWare is doing over there with that new Mass Effect.
The dream reveal though? Carn mate, it’s Bluepoint’s Bloodborne remake.
Jordan
Summer Games Fest, also known as Keigh3, is here once again during our Aussie winter, reminding us of the season that has gone by (thank god, I hate summer). Oldmate Geoff Keighley brings us the goods with various game announcements, trailers, and memes (this one is usually unintentional, but who doesn’t love dunking on rich people?). Let’s see what stupid things I can come up with.
Xbox is going to come right out of the gates with an apology for Redfall and announce a reward program of sorts for people that actually bought the darn thing. What’s the reward, you say? Phil Spencer buys your house, charges you rent and call it “Xbox House Pass”. Then we will see some actual footage of Hellblade II and Avowed, with early 2024 release dates. Normally this would be left as a big announcement for the Xbox Games Showcase, but because Microsoft is banking on Starfield so much, most of that showcase will be Todd Howard telling us how “it just works.”
Sony will show up, but not in the way that you would think. For starters, they will use this show as a way to announce a PC port of The Last of Us Part II with the tagline “we won’t give it to Iron Galaxy this time.” Then they will bring Kojima on stage to talk about Death Stranding 2 but instead he will talk about the Polyphia album he just purchased. We will see some footage of the Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC port, and then they will dim the light and all you will hear are the rumblings of electronica, and a Pirahna racing ship will come onto the screen. WipEout is making its return, and the best part? It’s their way of announcing that Studio Liverpool is back!
We might see some cool indie titles within the Wholesome Games Direct. A personal hope is that Little Kitty, Big City will make an appearance but I think that is asking a lot at this given point in time. PC Game Show will obviously have Baldur’s Gate 3, and that is going to bloody rule. I’m sure my predictions will be incredibly wrong, and Sony’s showcase will have a focus on third-person, story driven action games but what’s life without a little fun hey? Except for my WipEout prediction. Please let WipEout come back.
