Summer Game Fest Kick Off Live Event Recap 2021
As we head into the launch of E3 2021 and Summer Game Fest, the beginning of the approaching deluge of gaming news, updates, and releases, we got to enjoy Geoff's intro to all things gaming news with his Summer Game Fest kick off livestream, where we got an impressive amount of cross-platform, cross-industry gaming news from Indie to AAA news. There were even new studios and publishers, such as former Call of Duty developers announcing Deviation Games Studio or Koch Media announcing a new publishing label called Prime Matter. It revealed that Prime Matter would have 12 upcoming games published under it including Payday 3. This article will recap some of the biggest take aways from the livestream, and stay tuned for full coverage on E3 Weekend!
We got updates from popular live service games such as Among Us, Call of Duty Warzone, and Fall Guys. We got some interesting musical performances. And Geoff ended the event with the gameplay reveal we all have been waiting oh so eagerly for. If you wish to watch the entire event, I have it listed below.
Full Event
Elden Ring Release Date + Gameplay Trailer
Clearly the biggest piece of news for the event, was the immensely anticipated new From Software game, Elden Ring. Players have been begging to see gameplay since it's initial reveal, and this certainly didn't disappoint. In fact, It was so good it may have gotten other players like me who weren't interested in the game before. I have never gotten into the Dark Souls franchise, but this darker open world fantasy game looks incredible. Best part yet is the wait is not going to be nearly as long as I as I was expecting. The game has been shrouded in mystery for so long I expected a late 2022 or even 2023 release, so imagine my surprise when we learned it is releasing January 2021!
Borderland's Spinoff, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Releases Early 2022
As a newcomer to the Borderlands franchise, having only played 3, I really love the world and art style. That game was phenomenal and made it high on our top ten list that year. So when a fantasy spin-off Wonderlands with magic and dragons was announced, I have to say it looked phenomenal. I can't wait to try out this 2022 title.
Death Stranding Director's Cut Announced for PS5
Some of you may know by now my absolute distaste for Death Stranding. I reference it as one of my biggest disappointments in recent history. For years, the trailers were just so cool and weird and made you want to know what was going on. Turns out even the game didn't know, and it was just a nonsensical dream logic ridden weird sci-fi game that I don't think even Kojima understands. Weird story aside it is plagued with some of the most boring gameplay I have ever played in a AAA game with hours and hours and hours of boring walking from A to B just to turn around and walk from B to A again. It is "Slow Walking Section: the Game". The fact that an even longer version of this game is releasing angers my sense of justice. But if you are one of the few who enjoyed the mental torture that is this game than I am happy to tell you, you get to walk across the endless boring empty wasteland in higher resolution and PS5 performance. Don't shake the weird baby in a bubble!
Jeff Goldblum + Jurassic World Evolution 2
Gosh, Jeff Goldblum. He is such a weird legend. He is just hilarious. I don't know if his way of talking is just an act or if he actually communicates that way. Either way, having him go full Goldblum before introducing the sequel to Jurassic World Evolution was brilliant.
Lost Ark MMO Western Release Fall 2021
Among Us + Hide & Seek Mode and Roadmap
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt, A Vampire Battle Royale?
A Vampire Battle Royale? Um ok? With Masquerade Bloodlines 2 delayed indefinitely in what felt like moments before the thing was supposed to release, I guess this spin-off Battle Royale game will have to satisfy any Vampire needs for players. While the trailer looked cool, I just have this weird feeling that the game will be really bad. I don't know if it is because we are getting this instead of the main game that an entire team was fired over, or if because I don't thing it has the brand power to stand in the BR space? Either way, I am excited but have zero expectations.
New Tales of Arise Trailer
I will admit I had this on my list for upcoming games, but had no memory of why or this series. I have never played the tales series, and earlier it looked like a lot of other cartoonish anime inspired JRPG's that are out there. It was going to be a pass for me until I saw this gameplay trailer. This trailer looks great! I'm sold.
Overwatch 2's Game Director Shows Off Baptiste and Sombra's New Look
It feels like we have been waiting for Overwatch 2 for so long that what would have been my most anticipated sequels is slowly becoming something I don't really care any more about. It may have something to do with I don't believe that it will ever actually come out or that it will be worth it. After years we still don't know much about it. We don't know how it will work, what it will cost if anything. We still know so little, and the fact that Blizzard lost the Game Director makes me lose even more confident. Overwatch 2 is becoming the gaming industry's Avatar sequels. They are waiting so long that I question if anyone left will still care. Where I think Blizzard really failed to keep gamers longer term is in their absolute refusal to launch cross-progression. I have a gaming PC now, I have a Nintendo Switch. I don't even mind re-buying the game, but I absolutely refuse to lose my thousands of hours of progression and countless Legendary Skins that I have accumulated on Xbox. Trapping all my progression on my no-longer dominate platform is a antiquated and legacy choice that is costing them a once regular player. In 2022 or 2023 will I still want to dust off and boot up my Xbox One and play Overwatch 2 if and whenever it releases? Maybe, maybe not.
NieR: Automata's 2B Crossover Trailer - Fall Guys
So, I am a big Nier fan, and we are here at Gi, with our Nier Channel, and seeing 2B as a FallGuy has got to be one of the funniest and best crossovers to date!
