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Bethesda kicked off E3 with a sizzle reel introducing the audience to their various studios and creators. Global VP of Marketing for Bethesda, Pete Hines took the stage at a jammed packed Dolby Theatre. The Oscars stepped aside for the blood, guts, and explosions of all Bethesda’s offerings.

Kicking things off was id Software’s Doom.  Hines called  the original one of the most important titles in video games history. id’s Marty Statton took the stage and talked about Doom’s combat with the “demons, big F’n guns, and run fast”. Actual Doom gameplay was shown. The level in the Mars base started out regularly enough, with a gorgeous scene and some killer gun play. Then, holy fu***ing shit, you rip off a demon’s leg like it was part of a rotisserie chicken. Everything about the game screams true next level experience. Something as simple as picking up a new weapon has a unique feel that can only be compared to being put in the shoes of some movie action hero bad ass. The crowd would not stop going crazy for this, every 15 seconds a roar of oooooooo’s floods the theatre. At the end of the gameplay demo, the company did what none have ever done before; purposely show you what happens when you get killed. A rocket demon killed whoever was playing the game off screen and it didn’t just fade to black. The game’s hero gets his arms ripped off and beaten to death with them.

A slice of the game’s multiplayer was shown and it has freaking everything the single player does. How could they possibly provide more for fans? Open up creating new game modes to everyone in Doom Snapmap. Players will get to create new maps and game modes with a slew of easy to use tool sets, including the ability to alter the game’s logic. Everything created can be shared on the game’s social platforms. It equates to a robust replay value for the game.

This game is relentless and it will be available Spring 2016 on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.

Hines came back on stage to talk about Bethesda.net, a hub for all of its games and the online creation features they may have.

Battlecry The Warrior Republic was up next. The game is a third-person action multiplayer game. Sign up at Battlecrythegame.com to be part of the game’s upcoming beta.

When the lights came up Harvey Smith of Arkane Studios  was on staged to show Dishonored 2.

A trailer for the game showed off a steampunk influenced militant controlled world or Karnaka. Our female assassin, Emily Caldwin, will have time altering abilities and a few other tricks. No release window was given, but the game was confirmed for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. In the meantime, a definitive edition of the original Dishonored will be available this Fall with all DLC and upgraded visuals.

Zenmax studios wasn’t on hand at the show as they’re in their studio supporting the recent release of the console version of Elder Scrolls. Only a video with a peek at some upcoming content for the game was shown. Elder Scrolls Tamriell Unlimited content is coming sooner rather than later. A new mobile card based game set in the Elder Scrolls universe is also coming. Elder Scrolls  Legends will be free to play available on PC and iPad, no word on Android version or a release date.

Hines teased the crowd by ending early, the crowd quickly reminded him that Fallout still had to have its time. Only one demo of Fallout 4 will be shown at E3 and it’s only at the show. Game Director, Todd Howard came out to a thunderous ovation from the crowd. Howard talked about E3’s roots in CES, years ago gaming was but a small tent next to porn at the Vegas show. Apparently Fallout 4 had been in the works since 2009. The footage of the game started with a montage on minuscule panels and buttons the artist toil over, then moved into the lavish post apocalyptic world we’ll see in the game.

The game starts in the world before Fallout, a beautiful Saturday morning with the looming threat of nuclear war. They began at the very beginning with character creation, it helps the player feel like a digital artist. No sliders or panels it’s all shaping and warping features. You can choose to play as a male or female character and a baby will be generated based on the couple you create.

In order to not spoil the game’s story a fast forward to 200 years later when your character is the sole survivor of vault 111 and emerges into the world. This game gives players the most control over decisions and architecture than any before it. Nothing from dialogue to paths feel locked in. Now the game comes with bullet time to shoot mole rats, and I assume later bigger things. The playable part of the demo ended and a montage of downtown Boston was on screen. If you live in Boston, it’s extremely likely you’ll be able to spot places you know that aren’t touristy.

Even the Pit Boy future smart watch has been upgraded to be entertaining and enjoyable. A scale replica will be available in the game’s collectors edition. It isn’t just for looking at, an app will be loaded on the replica that works similar to the game for every platform the game is available on. The app will be available stand alone though Android and iOS.

Something else for phones, Fallout Shelter. Players create their own vault and act as overseer. It’s sort of like Sims and Xcom. You’ll have to build a society and keep its citizens functioning as you gather resources. You’ll have to keep the human race alive by what else… makin babies. The game will be free to play, no paywall timers, no internet connection required. Fallout Shelter might be the ultimate time waster (in the best way possible) and is available on the App store tonight for iOS.

Previously I said visuals weren’t how this game would separate itself. No, visually this game is superior to its predecessors, vastly. The level of animation in this game is insane, every little thing you do feels like it has purpose. Fallout 4 will be released on PS4, Xbox One, and PC when Vault 111 opens on November 10, 2015. Yes it’s this year!

Bethesda might have just won E3.

We’re just a little bit over a week from one of the biggest video game trade shows around, E3. Publishers and developers are readying snipitets of their upcoming games for a select few to go hands on with. Before the madness ensues, Bethesda Softworks (Elder Scrolls, Skyrim) took it upon themselves to make a major pre-show announcement earlier this week. Meanwhile, Telltale Games revealed they won’t have much to demo at E3, but teased something big for Walking Dead fans. Finally, Microsoft wants to bring the general public a slice of E3…Let’s Go!

The creative force behind popular games such as Skyrim and Elder Scrolls confirmed the long rumored next chapter of the Fallout game series. This past Wednesday Bethesda Softworks officially announced Fallout 4 and dropped the game’s first teaser.

The only things certain about Fallout 4 is that it won’t be coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360. This one will be a modern console and PC only game. But from the trailer we can deduce for certain a return to Vault 111 with some good ol Nuka Cola, oh and it’ll have a dog and well that’s about it. More details about the game will be revealed during Bethesda’s E3 showcase on June 14 at 7pm PST. Fans can watch it live on the developers YouTube channel here.

Our thought:

Since the trailers debut the Internet has given Fallout 4 the scrutinizing response many a film and celebrity have enjoyed. Some have said “it doesn’t look as good as it should”, while others have made fun of the Baahston setting with Fenway Park. Bethesda’s previous entry, Fallout 3, was a technical and visual achievement for previous gen consoles. In this current shiny 4K era, visual achievements are few and far between. The room left for evolutionary leaps rests in the gameplay mechanics. If you enjoyed Skyrim on a PS3 or Xbox 360, then it’s fun to imagine what Bethesda’s mind could do with the power of this new generation of consoles, maybe even giving the game an online capability it’s never seen before.

What’s most interesting about the rumors still swirling around Fallout 4 is its possible release date. The Bethesda online store suggest it could be this year. Its estimated ship date is listed as “TBA 2015,” both before and after Fallout 4 is added to your cart. This could certainly just be a placeholder date because “dates subject to change” is always a thing. If gamers do indeed see the next chapter of Fallout in 2015 then it means Bethesda have pulled off something rare in today’s spoiler filled world. They’d have to have been working on Fallout since 2012 and kept it a secret from the public and press, something I didn’t think possible this day in age. Which will also mean we’ll see a heavy PR campaign bombard mainstream media and your favorite convention this Summer.

How mind-blowing would it be if Bethesda went on stage and said “pick up Fallout 4 this August”? The only thing that could top this is if Gabe Newell from Valve came to an E3 press conference and said Half-Life 3 is on STEAM today, then he Gallagher mallets an old Atari and walks off. Man I could go for some watermelon right now.

Just when we think we’ve got all the answers; Telltale Games changes the questions. While the award winning developers of story driven game adaptations such as Fables, Borderlands, and Game of Thrones won’t have a large presence on the E3 show floor; it doesn’t mean they won’t make waves. This past Tuesday the company’s Director of PR, Job J Stauffer, tweeted the following.

While they’ve previously made it clear their Walking Dead series would not get a season 3 in 2015; they haven’t said what fans will get in its place this year. Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman will be on the official E3 YouTube live stream to help make whatever this announcement is. You can watch it go down here Monday morning.

Also, fans of Minecraft expecting details on Telltale’s Minecraft: Story Mode game will have to wait till Minecon in London, this July 4-5.

Our Thought:

Kirkman has always spoken highly of simply having Telltale come up to him with the story and letting the developer run with it. With Robert on hand for the official announcement it could mean the developer’s first move into synergy with other Walking Dead properties. With AMC well into production on the upcoming Fear The Walking Dead spin-off we could see a game prequel that leads into the show’s debut.

Also, some have criticized Telltale for not showing Minecraft: Story Mode at E3. It’s actually far from a mistake. Minecon is the perfect setting to build a media frenzy with fans who are all but guaranteed to go crazy for the game in a market that often needs more push than the US. Telltale have been more questions than answers as of late but when they do peel back the curtains they have a knack for picking the most opportune time.

While we all knew Sony is sure to show more Uncharted 4 at their upcoming press event. PlayStation let leak the expected news of an Uncharted PS3 collection port for the PlayStation 4. Bluepoint Games, a studio with a portfolio full of stellar ports is tasked with bringing Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection to the PS4 on October 9, 2015.

In addition to the full 1080p 60FPS and texture upgrades, the game not only brings the story modes but includes all the previously available multiplayer goodness.  Buying the Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection grants you exclusive access to Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End multiplayer Beta version.

Our Thought:

Sony has put too much of its resources on ports. The ratio of good new PS4 experiences to ports is dismally lopsided. I love my PS4, but when I go long periods of time without turning it on… I start to wonder why I even bought it in the first place. Admittedly, when you consider that the PS4 console sales lapped the PS3 within its first year; it translates to an audience of Xbox 360 converts who might not have previously played Uncharted. In a way it makes them a necessary evil towards the success of a triple-A title like Uncharted 4 by removing any kind of high wall putting a #4 on the end of a game might place in consumers minds.

On a side note, Sony would be wise to include the six issue mini-series published by DC Comics as part of the Uncharted collection. Either as a bonus or on disc digital. Cause you know… comics!

Electronic Entertainment Expo or as it’s commonly known, E3, is the biggest trade show in gaming. It takes up the entire Los Angeles Convention Center and overwhelms the senses more so than SDCC ever could. So many have growled about it not being open to the public, but most trade shows typically aren’t for fans. While that’s not likely to change anytime soon, many developers and publishers that contribute to the spectacle of the show throw orbiting events the public CAN attend. Microsoft is taking full advantage of this.

Xbox want to bring Los Angeles gamers as close to the action as possible. While their social media guru, Major Nelson and company, will be delivering content from the show floor all week on the Xbox YouTube channel, the company is also putting together Xbox FanFest: E3 2015.

Xbox will give 500 lucky fans a one-of-a-kind ticket for E3 week, the gaming industry’s biggest showcase.  The Xbox FanFest Ticket will include:

• Entry into the Xbox E3 2015 Briefing on Monday, June 15^th, 9:30 am PT, at the Galen Center in downtown Los Angeles.
• Invite to the exclusive Xbox FanFest Party, Monday afternoon, June 15^th, where fans will get to play the best exclusives and biggest blockbuster games this holiday and beyond.
• VIP access to the Xbox esports Celebrity Challenge & Twitch Party sponsored by Xbox.
• Meet-and-greet with some of the industry’s top developers, leaders and influencers.
• Even more surprise events during the week.

To be one of the lucky 500:

Fans can begin lining up at Microsoft at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles, starting at 10 p.m. PDT on Saturday, June 13. This Microsoft store is located at 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, though the line will start near the LensCrafters on Avenue of the Stars.

Tickets will be distributed on a first come first served basis beginning at 11am on June 14 at the Microsoft Store at Westfield Century City.

In order to be eligible, fans need to be at least 21 years of age with a valid Xbox Live gamertag (Gold Membership not required)

Our Thought:

Want to know a bit of insider info? Jeff Rubinstein of the Xbox team is a former part of Sony’s PlayStation Blog team. If you previously followed their E3 events, he was primarily responsible for all the run of the mill gamers getting into E3 every year they threw an event. Sony’s followers would line up like it was SDCC in front of the LA Sports Area to try and ensure their entrance into the press conference and be rewarded with a complimentary exhibits pass to E3. How the man did it, I have no clue.

So to anyone considering trying to be one of the 500, do it. Last year those at the Microsoft event had to go through a lottery to try and win their way in. From what I heard, 200 Xbox fans were granted entrance to the Xbox press event and access to the E3 show floor. Jeff’s highest number with Sony was 250, could he top that this year with Xbox? If you’re an LA area SDCC Hall H veteran, you’re no stranger to this and the loot is worth spending a summer night in an LA mall to find out.

With one week left till E3 don’t expect much in the way of major announcements in the next few days. If you’re one of those people that kills time on social media follow @Comicsbeatlive on twitter for some of the sights and free energy drinks of E3. Follow the Instagram account as well for blurry pics from the show as my finger partially covers cameras all week. How can I get fire on this iPhone again?

With Bethesda holding their first E3 press conference, it seems like a no brainer that an announcement for, the post-apocalyptic RPG Fallout 4 was obvious, but could we now know more about what we’ll see from it? Batman: Arkham Knight is only just starting to reveal its secrets, and Nintendo gets into the theme park rides business. Let’s Go!

The German site PC Games reported a rumor from a trusted source that Bethesda Softworks will not only announce Fallout 4 at E3, but will also show off a 20-30 minute behind closed doors gameplay demo of it. Back in February, the developer announced its plans for a press conference before E3 and told everyone that no official word about Fallout 4 was ready.

Our thought:

They’re ready now. E3 is one the biggest announcement shows for gaming and they wouldn’t hold an event to not announce the game, so it’s a sure bet we’ll see at least a trailer for Fallout 4. When it comes to a demo at the show; there’s an excellent chance not all attendees at E3 will go hands on with it. The odds of Fallout having been developed to near completion for 2015 under our collective noses is slim, a release date of Fall 2016/Spring 2017 would be the likely target. Thus, Fallout 4 wouldn’t be ready for anything other than a guided tour video.

Nintendo and Universal Parks & Resorts today announced plans to bring the world of Nintendo to life at Universal theme parks – creating spectacular, dedicated experiences based on Nintendo’s wildly popular games, characters and worlds. The agreement brings two icons of entertainment together and represents a significant partnership for Nintendo as it expands the reach and popularity of its characters and intellectual property.

More details will be announced in the future, as the Nintendo and Universal creative teams work to create specific concepts.

Our thought:

Mario Karts, Metroid 3d the Ride, Donkey Kong churro stands… yes! For years, movies such as Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, and most recently The Fast and The Furious have received the ride treatment. Even beloved comic book characters are the theme of attractions all over the country. It was only a matter of time before gaming made a big splash at tourist attractions. Though it seems odd to take a medium that’s meant to be enjoyed in-home and adapt it in such a way that will make gamers want to get outside and enjoy the big glowing thing in the sky. In the end, it’s a tremendous counter-programing start to Disney utilizing LucasFilm and Marvel properties in their parks.

Just when you think Rocksteady and WB couldn’t possibly tease gamers any more than they’ve already have for Batman: Arkham Knight… boom a new video drops.

As we already knew, the iconic voice of the caped crusader, Kevin Conroy would be in the game to finish Rocksteady’s epic trilogy. Now we get a look at the cast of talented actors brining their voices to a magnanimous group of characters in the game. Returning alongside Conroy are Tara Strong as Harley Quinn, Troy Baker as Two-Face and Nolan North as Penguin. If that weren’t enough, the newcomers of the group include Jonathan Banks (Better Call Saul) as James Gordon, Ashley Greene (Twilight) as Barbara Gordon, Scott Porter ( Hart of Dixie) as Nightwing, and John Noble (Fringe) as Scarecrow.

Rocksteady also cleared up one area of confusion over twitter. Last week, more details were given about the inclusions in the game’s season pass option. The image of Batgirl along with details of her getting story content for the game were met with questions of who was under the mask. As we’ve seen in the trailers, Oracle appears in her wheelchair and the Batgirl in the image looks like the Barbra version of the character. Game director, Sefton Hill confirmed that Barbra Gordon was indeed Batgirl. Now more rumors are flying about what content being based on an iconic DC Comics story

Our thought:

This is one of the best voice casts that’s been assembled for a game, period. Hearing Noble talk about the Scarecrow is simply chilling. With all the surprises and twists the game is sure to deliver, it’s building up to be a game of the year contender even before its release.

Though it was about 95% certain the Batgirl in the image was Barbra Gordon, now the confirmation opens up new possibilities about what her part of the story will be. Could we learn what events confined her to the wheelchair? Will there be some sort of recovery story in the main game that leads to her DLC? Most seem to believe we’ll see a prequel set around events of “the Killing Joke”, but that would mean Troy Baker would once again voice the Joker as Mark Hamill had officially retired from voicing the character. Baker a superbly talented actor would be great as the Joker again and would simply place the Batgirl DLC events between Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum.