In light of E3’s cancellation this year due to the ongoing pandemic and the concurrent success of events like The Game Awards, all eyes are now on the Summer Game Fest (SGF). As the leading mid-year event, developers are eager to unveil new games and promote upcoming releases. Keep in mind that not all developers will participate, but rest assured, we’ve got you covered with tips on how to tune in and a glimpse of what’s in store when Geoff Keighley and collaborating studios grace the stage.
Attendees at Summer Game Fest
A number of major game developers, including Activision, EA, Microsoft, Sony, and Ubisoft, all former E3 regulars, will be in attendance. Expect other industry-leading studios and tech companies like Amazon Games, Bandai Namco, CD Projekt Red, Capcom, Epic Games, Gearbox, Netflix, Razer, Samsung, and Valve to also join the event.
Details from Keighley’s team about what to anticipate remain sparse, but a few hints have been dropped. For instance, we should get a peek at the first gameplay footage from the rebooted fighting series Mortal Kombat 1, while Remedy is expected to reveal more of the action horror sequel Alan Wake II. It wouldn’t be surprising either if CD Projekt Red discloses more about its Cyberpunk 2077 add-on Phantom Liberty, given their pledge for updates this month.
However, don’t count on a dedicated PlayStation event at SGF. Sony’s May 24th Showcase Livestream already displayed much of what they and their partners are working on, such as the Project Q handheld streaming device and Konami’s Metal Gear Solid 3 remake. With Nintendo’s notable absence, it is likely they will conduct a Direct presentation instead, especially considering The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is already released and the much-anticipated first-party game Pikmin 4 is set to launch in July.
The Summer Game Fest Timetable and Viewing Tips
Bethesda
The main attraction, Summer Game Fest Live, will occur on June 8th at 3PM Eastern and can be streamed through various social platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and TikTok. This event, considered a “cross-industry showcase,” will most likely feature announcements from numerous publishers, including those with individual events slated for later, such as Microsoft.
Company-specific showcases will commence almost immediately after, with Double Fine and iam8bit hosting their customary “Day of the Devs” indie game presentation at 5PM Eastern on the 8th. Meanwhile, Devolver will stream its announcements at 6PM, always promising an entertaining narrative alongside their revelations.
Every following day will showcase at least one event. On June 9th, the Tribeca Festival will present exclusive gameplay clips and interviews at 3PM Eastern. June 10th is Wholesome Direct’s time to shine, highlighting indie games at 12PM.
For many, the pinnacle will be June 11th. Microsoft will conduct an Xbox Games Showcase at 1PM Eastern to talk about titles from its in-house studios. Following this, a Starfield Direct will delve into more of Bethesda’s sci-fi masterpiece. Then, PC Gamer’s The PC Gaming Show at 4PM will introduce over 15 new games during its two-hour slot.
On June 12th, though not an official part of Summer Game Fest, Ubisoft Forward will commence at 1PM Eastern. To catch this event, viewers will need to tune in to Ubisoft’s YouTube and Twitch channels, where they’ll share updates on Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, The Crew Motorfest, and other upcoming releases.
The final Summer Game Fest announcement was