E3 2019 is right around the corner, and it's during the show that gamers can expect to see some of the year's biggest announcements and reveals. E3 is full of surprises every year, and even with Sony skipping E3 2019, this year's show has potential to make huge waves in the gaming industry.
With the E3 2019 festivities starting on June 8 with EA Play, we decided to put together our predictions for what we will see at the show. Some of these predictions seem to have a good chance of happening, while others are a bit more out there. Come E3, it will be interesting to see which predictions are proved true, and which ones didn't quite pan out.
Here are our predictions for E3 2019.
10 1. Next-Gen Xbox Specs and Console Name
Head of Xbox Phil Spencer first teased the next-gen Xbox at E3 2018, and so it stands to reason that a more substantial look at the console could come at Microsoft's E3 2019 press conference on June 9. If Microsoft does talk about the next-gen Xbox, it's a safe bet that we will learn about the new console's specs, and we may even get an official name for it as well. However, anyone hoping to see an actual physical console is probably a bit too optimistic, as something like that won't be finalized until closer to launch, which many analysts predict will be November 2020.
9 2. New Fable Finally Announced
Last year, it was leaked that a UK studio was working on a new Fable game, and then it leaked that Forza Horizon developer Playground Games was handling the project. Some expected to see the new Fable at E3 2018, and while we did get a brief hint at its existence, the game still has yet to be officially announced. If a leaked Microsoft E3 2019 press conference rundown is any indication, the new Fable will finally be announced at E3 2019 during Microsoft's press conference, where it will be revealed to be a reboot instead of Fable 4. Rumors also claim that the next Fable will be coming to the next-gen Xbox instead of Xbox One, so it could very well be one of the first next-gen games that we see.
8 3. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1 Gets Release Date
Square Enix finally broke the silence surrounding Final Fantasy 7 Remake when it showcased the game in a recent PlayStation State of Play presentation. Square Enix has promised that more Final Fantasy 7 Remake news would come in June, and it's likely that the game will be featured prominently at the company's E3 2019 press conference. Some recent leaks and rumors have suggested that the game is farther along in development than expected, and so maybe fans will even get a Final Fantasy 7 Remake release date announcement at the show.
7 4. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Next DLC Character Announced
Now that Piranha Plant and Joker from Persona 5 are out for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, fans of Nintendo's ambitious crossover fighting game are waiting to see the next character to join the DLC lineup. There have been various "leaks" about who that character might be, with the most popular theory being that Erdrick from Dragon Quest will be joining the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster next. Whoever the next Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC character is, it seems likely that Nintendo will reveal their identity at E3 2019, especially since the game is already confirmed for the show.
6 5. Kingdom Hearts 3 Gets Story DLC
We know that Square Enix is working on Kingdom Hearts 3 DLC, but beyond that, we have little details about it or what it may entail. Fans of the quirky action-RPG franchise may get some answers about Kingdom Hearts 3 DLC at Square Enix's E3 2019 press conference on June 10, as E3 seems like the perfect opportunity to reveal what's next for the game. Here's hoping the story DLC answers some lingering questions Kingdom Hearts fans may have after finishing the latest game in the series.
5 6. Resident Evil 3 Remake Revealed
Capcom has made a reputation for announcing big new games at E3, typically during Sony or Microsoft's press conferences. Since Sony is skipping E3 2019, it's likely that Capcom's next big game will be showcased at Microsoft's E3 2019 press conference, but the question remains what that game may be. Leaks from somewhat legitimate sources have claimed that Capcom is making a Resident Evil 3 remake, and if it's aiming for a January 2020 release as the rumors have suggested, then an E3 2019 debut for the game seems likely.
4 7. More Microsoft Studios Acquisitions
In an effort to create more Xbox console-exclusives, Microsoft has been on a spending spree of acquiring studios. Last year's E3 saw Microsoft announce the acquisition of a number of studios, and we expect that trend to continue at E3 2019, especially with the news that Sony is also buying studios to bolster the PS5 first-party lineup. As for which studios Microsoft may announce it's acquired at E3 2019, that's less clear. The leaker that leaked the Microsoft E3 2019 press conference suggested that IO Interactive, Asobo, and Relic Entertainment are all potentially going to join Xbox Game Studios, but we'll have to wait for E3 to be sure.
3 8. Pokemon Sword and Shield Starter Evolutions and Legendary Pokemon
Nintendo is hosting a Pokemon Sword and Shield Nintendo Direct on June 5, but the games will also be featured as part of the E3 2019 Nintendo Direct presentation. Whether it happens at the Pokemon Sword and Shield Nintendo Direct on June 5 or at E3 itself, we expect fans to get their first look at the starter evolutions as well as the games' legendary Pokemon.
2 9. Elder Scrolls Remaster
Bethesda will once again be at E3 2019, but it's hard to say exactly what it will present at the show. At the time of this writing, the only confirmed Bethesda game for E3 2019 is Doom: Eternal, but it also seems likely that Wolfenstein: Young Blood and Quake Champions will be featured as well. However, that lineup seems a little light to justify an entire E3 press conference, and so we expect Bethesda has some surprises up its sleeve. We know that The Elder Scrolls 6 won't be at E3, but maybe Bethesda's flagship franchise will be represented in another manner, like with the announcement of a Morrowind or Oblivion remaster.
1 10. Anthem Goes Free-to-Play
This prediction seems a little less likely now that we know Anthem won't be part of the EA Play 2019 lineup, but the game is still going to be at E3 2019 in some capacity. With Anthem's playerbase shrinking and the remaining community often upset with the game, it seems like making it free-to-play could give it a shot in the arm to keep it alive for at least a little while longer.
E3 2019 takes place from June 11 to June 13 in Los Angeles, California.