Bethesda have hosted their fourth annual E3 press conference. In front of a live audience, the studio showcased what fans can expect from some of their most anticipated titles and what the future will bring.
Rage 2
First up was Rage 2, which was confirmed in May following a leak at Walmart Canada. After an energetic live performance from Andrew WK, Tim Willits from ID Software and Magnus Nedfors from Avalanche Studios took to the stage to reveal the first look at the game’s story.
Taking place in the aftermath of an asteroid crash wiping out around 80% of the world’s population, players will take on the role of Walker, the last ranger of the Wasteland. Orphaned as a child after mutants murdered his family, Walker is now on a mission to take down the Authority that are controlling what’s left of the world and letting it fall into chaotic ruin.
As well as a gameplay demo of a mission based around a not so abandoned spaceport, the developers also revealed details of the game’s Collectors Edition. Along with extra items, exclusive content and missions and a steelbook case, the edition will also include an interactive mounted model of the head of Ruckus the Crusher, voiced by Andrew WK.
The Saga Continues
Next up was the first set of announcements regarding the Elder Scrolls franchise.
The Elder Scrolls: Legends card game will be being relaunched after an overhaul. Community Manager Christian van Hoose also announced that the game will soon be available on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch and confirming that players will be able to save and transfer their game progress across devices.
As for The Elder Scrolls Online, Director Matt Frior announced details of two new DLC packs – Wolfhunter and Murkmire. Wolfhunter will be a dungeon based pack with a strong emphasis on werewolves and the lore around them, while Murkmire takes players to the Blackmarsh region to learn more about the rich culture and lore of the Argonians.
Later in the conference, Todd Howard announced that Elder Scrolls would be launching a new mobile adventure later this year. Set to launch in the autumn, The Elder Scrolls: Blades was described by Howard as “a massive first-person RPG with console quality graphics, but with a uniquely mobile experience”. The game will launch first on iOS and Android but Howard confirmed the company do have plans to release the game on consoles, PC and in VR
The game will featured three primary modes at launch – Abyss, a endless battle mode where the aim is to survive as long as possible, Arena, where players will take each other on in single combat for supremacy, while Town will serve as the main mode and the hub area for the story and missions in the game.
First thought to be a comedy scene, Bethesda also confirmed that Skyrim: Very Special Edition is a real way to play the game. The promo trailer for the edition, which is playable through the Amazon Echo device, was initially thought to be in response to fan comments about the number of ports that the game has had. Starring Keegan-Michael Key, the trailer shows how the game can be played using voice command, with the voice of Amazon Alexa relaying details of the current location and scenario back to Key. The company would later confirm the authenticity of the title and announce that it is available to download now.
To end the conference, there was one last trailer for fans to enjoy – confirming that The Elder Scrolls VI is currently in development. No further details regarding content or a potential release date were contained in the short teaser trailer.
Hell on Earth and Quake for All
The sequel to the latest Doom has been announced. Revealed with a teaser trailer depicting Hell on Earth, with the world in ruin overrun by demons and beasts, Doom Eternal will feature an improved Doomslayer and twice as many demons as the previous Doom. More information and details about the game will be revealed at QuakeCon later in the summer.
As for Quake Champions, Community Manager Joshua Boyle took to the stage with a character showcase trailer and the announcement that a free trial of the game will be available until June 17, with players who download during this time being able to keep playing once the trial is over. Boyle also announced that the series would be expanding their eSports presence, with more information to come at QuakeCon
New Modes, New Blood, New IP
Players of Prey will be receiving a host of bonus content in the coming months. Available now, Story Mode will allow the players the chance to enjoy the game’s narrative in a more casual mode, Survival Mode offers a new level of challenge to the game while New Game+ will be focused on offering something new to those who’ve already completed the main story. Prey will also be receiving a new multiplayer Typhon Hunter update in the summer. This update, which will also be VR compatible, pits players against each other as one survivor goes against five Mimics.
The upcoming DLC for Prey has been revealed as Mooncrash. Set on a TranStar moon base, the pack will feature a replayable rouge-like mode, with new loot to collect and challenges to face, with the environment changing every time a player replays the content.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySVBHI2OeAg
Up next was the team from Machine Games with the latest on the Wolfenstein series. Along with the announcement of VR title Wolfenstein Cyberpilot, where players can hack into Nazi robots and turn them on their masters, the team also unveiled the next chapter of the Wolfenstein 2 story.
Set for release in 2019, Wolfenstein: Youngblood will be a new two-player co-op story, with players taking the fight against Nazi oppression to the streets of Paris in the 1980’s as the twin daughters of B.J. Blazkowicz continue their father’s work.
Towards the end of the conference, Todd Howard also announced that Bethesda will be launching their first new IP in over 20 years. Currently in development, Starfield was unveiled with a special teaser trailer.
The Fallout Begins
Rounding off the presentation was a more in-depth look at one of Bethesda’s biggest titles – Fallout 76. Previewed at the Xbox presentation, Director Todd Howard took fans on a full journey of what they can expect from the open world prequel.
Starting on Reclamation Day, players will be one of the occupants of Vault 76, the first Vault-Tec shelter to be completed. After 25 years underground, the world has been altered forever by nuclear disaster and it will be up to players how they choose to survive. In Fallout 76, all of the characters players encounter will be other players as the title will be an online survival adventure which will be shaped by the players themselves.
Everything, for scavenging to building and even just exploring the new landscape of West Virginia can be done either alone or with friends and the game will have totally dedicated servers to manage all of the gameplay. Howard also revealed that players will also be able to unleash further havoc on the world, as there will be several nuclear launch sites in the game for players to send missiles wherever they choose in order to either wipe out enemies or unlock and scavenge rare and unique items.
Howard also revealed some details about the release of Fallout 76. Scheduled to be released on November 14, Bethesda will be hosting the B.E.T.A (Break-it Early Test Application) during the summer, with those who pre-order the game getting priority access.
Howard also unveiled the game’s limited Power Armour Edition, which will not only include the game, figurines and a glow in the dark map of West Virginia, but also a fully functional Power Armour helmet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwOYEsnm1i4
To end the segment, Howard announced that the Fallout mobile game, Fallout Shelter, which boasts over 120 million players, is now available to play on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 following a successful launch on Xbox One in 2017.
Information on all the games featured can be found here
Watch the presentation in full below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPlpOIfFbWI
Words by Megan Roxburgh