Now that was a conference. Bethesda had some big shoes to fill after last year’s conference, but they were able to deliver.
Here’s a rundown of all of the games that were covered during the show.
- Quake Champions
- Elder Scrolls: Legends
- Fallout
- Skyrim remaster
- Prey
- Doom
- Elder Scrolls Online
- VR
- Dishonored 2
Quake Champions
Bethesda wanted to start off the conference with a bang, and succeeded by reviving another classic game series. All that was shown was a CGI trailer showing off some of the characters for the upcoming game.
According to Tim Willits, Studio Director of iD Software, each character will have different attributes and unique abilities.
Quake is known for its multiplayer, and was the clear focus for the introduction trailer. Quake Champions will be discussed more at QuakeCon, taking place August 4-7.
Elder Scrolls: Legends
The upcoming card game based on the popular Elder Scrolls series made an appearance, showing off the introduction cinematic. The game will feature a single-player campaign and will be available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, and of course, PC. The beta for Elder Scrolls: Legends is currently being expanded. Potential players can register at Bethesda.net.
Fallout
Three DLC’s are on the way for the post-apocalyptic RPG. The first two are workshop expansions, contraptions and Vault-Tec. Have fun building all kinds of things like conveyor belts, armor racks and elevators. There’s something else too. Oh yea. FREAKIN’ VAULTS! You want to make your own vault? You got it. You want to experiment on people and do some crazy messed up stuff? Go ahead sport! The contraptions DLC will be out next week, with the Vault-Tec DLC arriving in July.
The other DLC will take you to a delightful amusement park called Nuka World. What could possibly go wrong? Nuka World will be arriving in August.
Fallout 4 wasn’t the only Fallout presence at the conference. Fallout Shelter made an appearance, with the announcement that a major update would be coming in July. The update will add quests, characters, enemies, and locations (like the Red Rocket from Fallout 4). Fallout Shelter will also be coming to PC with the update.
Skyrim
A rumour had been circulating earlier this week about a remake of the most recent single player game in the Elder Scrolls series. I thought that it had to have been a mistake. There is no way that they would remake a game that came out that recently. Besides, the modders have made it look brand new anyways, so what’s the point?
Turns out, I was wrong. A remake of the beloved Skyrim is coming out and boy oh boy does it look good. There are even capabilities for mods on console now.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition will be released on October 28, 2016.
Prey
Another rumour that surfaced was that Prey 2 was going to be released. They were right again… Kind of.
Rather than making a direct sequel to the original Prey, which was released in 2006, Arkane Studios decided to do a reboot of the series. An announcement trailer was shown, showing off story elements and beautiful environments.
Doom
Free updates abound for Doom. A number of new multiplayer modes are on the way, including a capture the flag and hold the zone mode. Don’t play multiplayer? Don’t feel left out. SnapMap is also receiving a free update. This update will add more options when creating a map: including props, weapons, and themes.
The first paid DLC was also announced. The DLC, titled Doom: Unto the Evil, will offer three multiplayer maps, a player-controlled demon, as well as a weapon and equipment.
Elder Scrolls Online
Bethesda spent some time going over its accomplishment with the MMORPG that has 7 million players. The first segment focused on the release of the Dark Brotherhood DLC which has already released on PC.
The second segment focused on something that does not exist in any other MMO (that I am aware of). The feature being called One Tamriel will remove content barriers for new players, allowing them to go to all areas and join veteran players.
Theoretically, this will allow for more players to jump in at any moment in time and play with people that they know, regardless of level limitations.
VR
While Bethesda didn’t spend a significant amount of time at the conference speaking about VR, they did take a minute to say that they are still working on it and that Doom and Fallout 4 were available to test for those attending the conference.
Dishonored 2
The game that had took up the most time of the conference, and with good reason, was Dishonored 2. We now know that the sequel to the 2012 game will be set 15 years later. Players will be given the option to play as Emily Kaldwin, the dethroned Empress, or Corvo Attano, the Empress’ bodyguard and protagonist from the first game. Unlike its predecessor, Dishonored 2 will mostly take place in Karnaca, south of Dunwall.
At the conference, gameplay trailers were shown depicting some of the new skills that Kaldwin has, as well as the environment that players will be exploring this time around. The environment has a clear focus on vertical mobility.
According to a game informer interview with joint creative directors Harvey Smith and Raphaël Colantonio last year, both characters will have unique powers. The powers can be upgraded, but not in a linear sense like in the first game. Dishonored 2 will offer a skill tree system that will allow for more variety.
Dishonored 2 is set to release November 11, 2016.
Round-up
This. This is how you do a conference.
Yes, there were a number of leaks and rumours. There were also a number of surprises that a few people dreamed of, but never saw coming.
Most importantly, Bethesda showed gamers what they wanted to see. Games. Something that EA failed to do at their conference earlier the same day.
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