The world’s biggest gaming show is right around the corner.
Here we’ve pulled together everything you need to know – from timings and releases to big announcements and more.
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Of course, we’ll be keeping this page updated every day, so be sure to bookmark and check in to stay on top of the news.
Let’s kick off, shall we.
So, what is E3?
E3 is short for the Electronic Entertainment Expo, a massive gaming event that has been going on for more than 20 years.
Video game fans from all over the world flock to the Los Angeles Convention Center to check out new, unreleased games.
There’s a mixture of announcements, hands off demos and plenty of playable code – which then gets tweaked and shown again at Gamescom in August.
When’s it happening?
E3 takes place between June 9-June 14 – with the public allowed to entry on June 12.
Wait, so it’s open to the public?
Yes. This is the second year E3 will officially be open to the public.
What’s the schedule so far?
Nintendo
Nintendo’s briefing will take the form of a pre-recorded video instead of a live broadcast and will air at 9 AM PT on June 12.
That’s 12 PM in New York, 5 PM in London, and 2 AM the following morning in Sydney.
According to Polygon, it’ll focus on Super Smash Brothers.
The Japanese company could unleash a few bombshells including a potential Switch-based Pokemon, rumoured to be called Pokemon Stars.
Sony
Sony will hold their press conference on the 11th June 6PM PT on the Monday night. Therefore being shown at 9PM in New York and 2AM in London (June 12th).
The company has a number of things pencilled in, including titanic announcements regarding third-party plans for their PS4, PS4 Pro and their VR platforms.
Expect Spider-Man to get a lot of attention, too, in advance of its release later this year.
We’re also expected to see more of Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, which is already making headlines.
Sadly, Sony CEO Shawn Layden confirmed the PS5 will not be making an appearance next year.
Microsoft – Sunday, June 10, 1pm Pacific Time
Keep an eye out for a new Halo and Gears of War – plus a number of indie games.
Rumours are circling that Fable may receive a reboot after Fable Legends was cancelled a few year ago, although this seems unlikely.
Microsoft may also showcase HoloLens’ gaming capabilities – a platform they could develop into a serious alternative to PSVR.
The publishers
EA – Saturday, June 9, 11am Pacific Time
EA kicks off proceedings with an opening presentation from EA Play, the publisher’s event in Los Angeles.
We can expect to see a new Battlefield, Bioware’s Anthem, and of course, FIFA 19.
Don’t expect hands on with the latter, though – that’ll be saved for Gamescom in August.
Bethesda – Sunday, June 10, 6:30pm Pacific Time
Another expansion for the Elder Scrolls Online and some new additions to Quake Champions are surely on the cards this year.
Given the recent RAGE 2 announcement, expect to see hands-on playable code at their booth.
Ubisoft – Monday, June 11, 1pm Pacific Time
We’ll likely see The Division 2 and Skull and Bones, as well as a new Splinter Cell and Assassin’s Creed.
A new Rainbow 6: Siege could also be on the cards – after the latest game surpassed expectations to become one of the most popular online shooters of recent times.
We’ve got high hopes for this one.
Square Enix – Monday, June 11 10am Pacific Time
Fans should finally get another glimpse of The Final Fantasy 7 Remake (or at least the first episode) – nearly three years after it was announced.
Elsewhere, Kingdom Hearts 3 and Shadow Of The Tomb Raider will also make an appearance – both with playable code.
What are the biggest games that’ll be on show this year?
The Crew 2
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: June 29
Ubisoft has certainly been busy – adding this follow-up to the 2014 racer to its ranks.
Little is known about the Crew 2 – apart from just how good it looks.
The biggest change is that you’re able to now race in the air or on the water – in cars that transform into planes and boats.
What’s not to like? It’ll kick off the summer in style when it arrives in on June 29.
PES 2019
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: August 29 2018
Konami’s football game will arrive a couple of months before FIFA 19 – which may help it bag a few early sales.
This year’s game takes player individuality to the next level by introducing a variety of new skill traits.
These include cross over turn, no-look pass, controlled chip, dipping shot and rising shot.
Thanks to ‘Enlighten’ software, true-to-life visual effects and 4K HDR is supported across all platforms.
Real time ‘Global Illumination’ lighting and shadows results in better crowd detail, real grass textures and the return of the popular snow weather effect.
You can read more about PES 2019 here.
Spider-Man
Platform: PS4
Release date: September 7
Marvel and Insomniac Games have teamed up to create a brand-new and authentic Spider-Man story.
This isn’t the Spider-Man you’ve met before, or seen in a movie.
This is an experienced Peter Parker who’s more masterful at fighting crime in New York City.
At the same time he’s struggling to balance his chaotic personal life and career while the fate of nine million New Yorkers rests upon his shoulders.
Just another amazing exclusive for the PlayStation.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 12
COD: Black Ops 4 will be making an appearance next year. It’ll be developed by Treyarch, the team behind the last BLOPS games.
After COD WWII heralded a return to form, Activision will be looking to keep up the momentum.
Amazingly, there are rumours the game won’t have a single-player campaign. Let’s hope they’re not true.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 26
Red Dead will no doubt be one of the biggest games of the year – and introduces loads of new characters
RDR2 is a prequel to 2010’s incredible Red Dead Redemption and follows the story of outlaw Arthur Morgan, a member of the Dutch van der Linde gang.
That’s all we know for now – other than, like GTA V, we’d expect to control multiple characters.
Oh, and it looks as though it’s running on a modified version of the GTA V engine – so it’ll look pretty sweet.
FIFA 19
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: October 2018
Need we say more?
We’re going out a limb here saying that dynamic weather will be a big feature in next year’s game.
That and the Champions League.
The Frostbite engine will once again return, so don’t expect any huge visual overhauls.
Check out everything you need to know about FIFA 19 here.
Vampyr
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
This Victorian vampire thriller from the Life is Strange team, Dontnod, is shaping up very nicely indeed.
You play a doctor who turns into a vampire at night.
All of your actions will have consequences with multiple fates available for characters you interact with.
It’s pretty harrowing stuff as you battle to control the primal urge for blood with humanity.
There’s plenty of combat – and a detailed skill tree where you can hone your vampire abilities.
Dual wielding melee attacks are also supported – so you can combine shotguns with stakes and machetes. It looks the part, too, as it’s powered by Unreal 4.
Biomutant
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
With colourful graphics, a vast open world and a seriously cute lead character, THQ Nordic’s latest adventure could be very special.
The world has been struck by a natural disaster, and the Tree of Life has been polluted. Your job is to save it.
Borrowing from hardcore RPGs, you’ll need to learn complex melee and ranged attacks to defeat an array of large and small foes.
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Thankfully, there’s a weapon crafting system, where ability points can be spent on upgrading gear.
To reach specific areas, you’ll need to equip items suitable to the area or borrow vehicles, such as jet skis and air balloons.
There’s also a dynamic weather system that affects enemy behaviour.
Strange Brigade
Platform(s): Xbox, PC, PS4
Release date: TBC 2018
This 1930s co-operative survival horror game is shaping up to be one of the year’s more intriguing prospects.
Here, you and three others team up to take on a bunch of ‘strange’ supernatural forces – lurking in treacherous tombs and forgotten civilizations.
Gameplay is fast and frantic as you battle against hordes of nasties – harking back to zombie shooter, Left for Dead.
Thankfully, you’ll have plenty of weapons at your disposal – from 12 gauge ‘Krakatoa’ shotguns to sticks of dynamite and scoped ‘Westminster 1895’ scoped rifles.
There’s not much to go on right now, but Rebellion – the team behind the brilliant Sniper Elite 4 – certainly know what they’re doing. Bring it on.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
If you hate rats then you may want to skip this part.
You play as Amicia and her little brother Hugo, both orphans and on the run from the terrifying Inquisition.
Along the way you need to survive supernatural swarms of rats that appeared with the great plague infecting across cities and countryside.
The technology is incredible – with thousands of the creatures appearing the screen at once.
Battlefield 5
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
As Star Wars: Battlefront II was last year’s shooter from DICE Battlefield 5 will be coming this year.
As COD moves away from WWII and into the future, BF will likely be set in WWII – given the last game took place in WWI.
There’s no concrete details apart from we know it’ll be huge.
Insurgency: Sandstorm
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
What started life as a Half Life mod has gone on to amass millions of fans worldwide.
Now, developers New World Interactive has revamped and rejigged everything about the game in an attempt to garner more widespread appeal.
The most noticeable change is the visual presentation – with the game moving away from Source Engine and on to Unreal 4.
This allows for much greater detailed worlds and level design. There are now vehicles – including attack helicopters and cars.
There are no health bars or ammo counters – one shot and you’ll be mortally wounded. Add to the mix friendly fire, realistic ballistics and incredibly sharp enemy AI, and it’s a very exciting prospect.
Gameplay is fast and measured – with one mode seeing you work as a team to secure objectives.
Counter attacks happen randomly, meaning you’ll always need to stay on your guard and work as a team.
Insurgency somehow manages to find the perfect middle ground between the all-out simulation of Arma and the casual, arcade thrills of Call of Duty and CSGO.
Crackdown 3
Platform(s): Xbox, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
The third instalment of the popular Crackdown series was meant to be an Xbox One X launch title – but has been delayed yet again.
Gameplay sees you play as a cop tasked with ‘cracking down’ on the city’s growing crime problem.
Microsoft has promised the environments will be fully destructible, thanks to cloud computing technology. Don’t get too excited, though.
The game relies on Microsoft Azure for all the mayhem – so mass destruction will only be available in multiplayer – not in the single-player campaign.
Metro Exodus
Platform(s): Xbox, PS4, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
Metro Exodus is the third instalment in the popular first-person shooter series.
Set in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of the former Russian Federation, you must battle to survive mutated creatures and psychopathic humans.
While the last games were quite linear, Exodus promises to be a lot more open world.
Plus, there’s a dynamic weather system and a day / night cycle to help add a new challenge to the combat.
Perhaps our favourite feature is that the environments change depending on what season it is. Superb.
Death Stranding
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox, PC
Release date: TBC 2018
Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima is keeping his cards very close to his chest with regard to Death Stranding.
All we know right now is that is stars the Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Hannibal’s Mads Mikkelsen.
Oh, and that it’s completely nuts.
The Last of Us: Part 2
Platform: PS4
Release date: TBC 2018
Yet another massive PS4 exclusive – and one that seems to have taken an age to materialise.
Thankfully Naughty Dog – the team behind the brilliant Uncharted games – have a reputation for making games that are well worth the wait.
Little is known about Joel and Ellie’s latest adventure but if the latest trailer is anything to go by, expect brutal violence and a hard-hitting emotional storyline.
Bayonetta 3
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release date: TBC 2018
The witch is back, in the latest action shooter from PlatinumGames.
Weird, sexy and with hyper-stylised gameplay, Bayonetta will build on what made the last two games hits.
Be sure to check out the original and brilliant sequel, which both arrived on Switch earlier this year.
Yoshi
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release date: TBC 2018
Another big release from Nintendo will see the return of egg-gobbling dino, Yoshi.
Here, you’ll guide Mario’s trusty sidekick through a load of different worlds – all brought to life via a papercraft style.
Don’t let its childish looks fool you – this will be far tougher than it looks.
Due out 2018, for Nintendo Switch.
Days Gone
Platform: PS4
Release date: TBC 2019
There may be a host of zombie games around right now, but this PS4 exclusive should be a dead cert for your collection.
You play Deacon who has the unenviable task of trying to survive in a world overrun by ‘Freakers’ – infected humans who have gone feral.
The incredible thing about this gem is just how many zombies appear on the screen at once.
It’s developed by the team behind the brilliant Syphon Filter games – so expect plenty of action and a well-paced narrative.
Sadly it’s been pushed back to 2019… hopefully it’s worth the wait.
Anthem
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release date: TBC 2019
Another game to be pushed back to next year.
This stunning sci-fi open-world RPG sees you and three friends work as ‘Freelancers’ – warriors tasked with exploring dangerous new worlds.
Graphically, it’s one of the most impressive games we’ve ever seen.
To make things more interesting, developers Bioware have added massive world-altering occurrences – including ferocious storms.
We can’t wait to learn more. Oh, and check out the rumoured games of this year’s E3 here.
What unannounced games could we see this year?
Well, we’ve already pulled out 28 incredible titles confirmed to be on the way in the coming months, but what about those that haven’t been announced yet?
Naturally, E3 – the biggest gaming expo in the world – is the place to make such announcements.
So, ahead of the show in June, click here to read about six incredible games we’re almost certain to see unveiled.
The most wanted game is arguably Bioshock.
The last game was the brilliant 2013 hit, Bioshock Infinite, so it’s time for another outing.
Very little has been revealed about the new game – probably because rumours suggest 2K are currently developing the game in secret.
It’s unlikely we’ll see any more than a teaser at E3, but just confirmation at this point would be incredible.
Would you kindly release this game asap, 2K?
What is the best game out at the moment?
Without doubt the best game out right now is God of War for PS4.
You can check out our full God of War review here.
If you’ve got an Xbox, why not check out the brilliant Far Cry 5. Stunning visuals and it’s very, very long – so will keep you amused until June.
You can read our full Far Cry 5 review here.
Anything else?
Nope, you’re all set.
We’ll update this as and when the news drops.