Does your family game night involve Xbox Live or Nintendo Switch? Are you eagerly awaiting the latest additions to PlayStation Plus? Is your iPhone storage nearly full due to gaming apps?
If that sounds like you, it’s time to learn more about the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Put together by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), E3 showcases the year’s best computer and video games and related electronics.
Held June 11–13 in Los Angeles, it’s like CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) but with a super-tight focus on gaming. You won’t find the latest smart refrigerator here. But attendees did see soon-to-be-released tethered virtual reality headsets for their PCs; found out what’s next for “Fortnite,” the world’s most-downloaded video game; and got to witness tons of eSports action.
Let’s dig deep to see what’s coming up in the world of gaming.
New Games to Watch For
EA Play is releasing the next season of the Battle Royale game “Apex Legends.” Gamers expected “Apex Legends” to be the next “Fortnite,” but it hasn’t yet caught on in quite the same way. The ultimate Battle Royale, now in its ninth season, keeps going strong with toys, merch, and those dances kids love — and parents love to hate.
With the next season of “Fortnite” slated for August 1, Epic Games didn’t have a lot to announce. But it kept players entertained at E3 with snacks and games, plus its summer block party featuring the whole team.
VR Rules the Show
For the first time, E3 featured a VR keynote, titled VR Showcase. Presented by the website UploadVR, the event included looks at new VR games and devices. The showcase was actually a pre recorded presentation with game launches and trailers but served to put VR in the spotlight at this previously console-focused show.
Oculus showcased “Asgard’s Wrath,” as well as “Insomniac’s Stormland” and “Ready at Dawn’s Lone Echo II.” What’s more, the new Quest standalone headset, powered by a USB-C charger with adapter, lets you take VR worlds anywhere.
Streaming Gains Strength
The Oculus Quest isn’t the only way to access gaming adventures without a PC or game console. Streaming seems to be everywhere at this year’s E3, with Google taking center stage with its new Stadia game streaming service, due out November 2019. Microsoft, too, will reveal details about its xCloud game platform.
These 4K platforms could revolutionize the gaming experience, disrupt the console wars, and alter our access to high-quality video games, making top-sellers available on smartphones and smart TVs with no console required.
No New Consoles
What really stands out at this year’s E3 is what was missing: new gaming consoles.
While there are whispers of Nintendo launching new versions of the popular Switch game console and Microsoft eventually releasing Xbox Two, these aren’t slated to be announced at E3. That’s good news for video game enthusiasts because it means you can keep stocking your systems with awesome new releases without worrying your game system will become obsolete. Even if Nintendo does release a Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch Plus, or even a New Nintendo Switch, the games are likely to be backward compatible.
Sony isn’t attending E3, instead, it’s launching its news in State of Play streaming broadcasts. But the PlayStation 5 won’t be out until 2020, according to PC Magazine.
Celebrate Your Favorite Games
E3 is an exciting event for video game enthusiasts, and as gamers prepare for the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your wish list. In addition to games and gift cards, consider getting your favorite gamer shirts and swag to celebrate their favorite characters, from Mario Brothers to the Fortnite Loot Llama.
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