Resident Evil, Game of Thrones, and the Wu-Tang Clan: Five Highlights from Summer Game Fest
In the realm of gaming, one of the biggest weekends for new announcements has just unfolded, marking the beginning of Summer Game Fest. This annual preview marathon kicked off in the US last night, showcasing dozens of titles for the first time. Major studios in the industry took center stage, eager to capture the attention of gamers with exciting reveals and visually stunning trailers. As in previous years, notable stars from the film and music industries added a touch of glamour to the event.
However, this year comes with a backdrop of significant challenges, as many gaming companies are facing layoffs and a shift in consumer spending habits. More players are gravitating towards enduring titles such as Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto, and Minecraft, which creates a pressing need for new games to prove their worth and entice gamers to invest their money. In light of this, BBC Newsbeat has sifted through the announcements from Summer Game Fest, highlighting the most exciting upcoming titles. Here are the top five highlights:
For years, Game of Thrones held the title of the most talked-about TV show. Now, the Australian developer PlaySide is aiming to reignite that passion with its new game, War for Westeros. Set to release next year, this real-time strategy game (RTS) allows players to command the armies of the Great Houses across familiar locations from the beloved series. Players can choose to conquer Westeros solo or challenge their friends in online multiplayer battles when it launches on PC next year.
If you're a fan of the iconic James Bond franchise, particularly Casino Royale, you’ll be excited to know that Mads Mikkelsen is reprising his role as the villain Le Chiffre. However, there's a twist: he will appear as a digital character in an update for the popular Hitman series. This intriguing crossover makes more sense now that we know IO Interactive, the studio behind Hitman, is also developing a new Bond game titled 007: First Light. Players who complete challenges in Hitman will unlock rewards for the upcoming Bond title, hinting at Le Chiffre's significant role in the game.
The legendary Resident Evil series by Capcom is celebrating nearly 30 years of thrilling gameplay with its latest installment, titled Resident Evil 9: Requiem. An action-packed trailer provided a glimpse of a devastated version of the iconic Raccoon City, generating excitement among fans. Scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC next year, details on a potential launch for Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 remain unconfirmed.
Yes, you read that correctly! Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver promises an immersive experience where players can join forces with the legendary '90s hip-hop group, the Wu-Tang Clan. This game blends combat and music, showcasing an Afro-surrealistic style infused with anime elements in its first trailer. Fans will also enjoy tracks from the band itself. Interestingly, this isn't the group's first foray into gaming; they previously released a fighting game titled Wu-Tang Shaolin Style back in 1999, which received mixed reviews.
In an exciting reveal, the first full trailer for Jurassic World Evolution 3 showcased an abundance of dinosaurs. This game allows players to build and manage their very own version of the amusement park inspired by the blockbuster movies. The studio behind this ambitious project, Frontier Developments, located in Cambridge, also announced a launch date in October for consoles and PC.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, these announcements from Summer Game Fest highlight the industry's efforts to captivate an audience that is increasingly selective about where they spend their gaming dollars. With exciting new titles on the horizon, fans have much to look forward to in the coming months.
