Bethesda Does E3 Again, Here Are its 10 Most Exciting Reveals
Bethesda took the gaming world by surprise last year when it announced that it would hold its first-ever live press conference at E3. Packed to the brim with exciting announcements, Bethesda’s inaugural E3 2015 conference did not disappoint.
Bethesda did E3 this year as well. It held a BE3 Showcase that, once again, did not disappoint. It was packed with exciting reveals, such as…
1. 'The Elder Scrolls: Legends' has a deep story-driven campaign
The Elder Scrolls: Legends is the competitive strategy card game that Bethesda first unveiled at E3 2015. Set in the Elder Scrolls universe, it’s all about building your deck and using it to defeat your foes. Developed by Dire Wolf Digital and published by Bethesda Softworks, it’s an interesting card game about strategy and careful planning. And according to its developer, it should appeal to everyone.
"The Elder Scrolls Legends is for people who enjoy playing a fast-paced card game that has depth to it, but can also be enjoyed on a surface level by casual players who don’t feel like exploring that depth," said Luis Scott-Vargas, Senior Game Designer at Dire Wolf Digital. “You’ll discover the depth if you keep playing, but you can play the game without having any experience. We want to make a game that’s easy to learn and fun to play for any level of experience, but also has something that will keep you playing for a hundred even a thousand hours.”
At E3 2016, Bethesda revealed that The Elder Scrolls: Legends has more to offer than just strategic card-based gameplay. It also features a deep story-driven campaign that will allow you to change the course of the Elder Scrolls history.
Bethesda also revealed that The Elder Scrolls: Legends will be made available for additional platforms: PC and iPad, as initially announced, as well as Mac, iPhone, and Android (phones and tablets).
2. Experience Fallout 4 in virtual reality
Long story short, Fallout 4 is coming to virtual devices in the next 12 months.
"We think that VR is the perfect fit for truly immersive games like our massive open-world RPGs,” Hines said. At BE3 Plus, attendees were given a taste of what’s to come, exploring the world of Fallout 4, using the game’s Pip-Boy and interacting with Dogmeat – all in full virtual reality. “If you thought Survival Mode was an intense Fallout experience… you ain’t seen nothing yet," said Bethesda VP of Marketing & PR Pete Hines.
3. Three more add-ons for Fallout 4 are on their way
So far, 3 game add-ons have been released for Fallout 4: Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, and Far Harbor.
Bethesda revealed at its E3 showcase that three more add-ons are on their way: Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World (which will be the final add-on for Fallout 4).
Contraptions Workshop, which is priced at $4.99 and scheduled to be released on June 21st, lets you construct crazy and complex gadgets to improve your Wasteland settlements. It includes armor racks, elevators, fireworks and more.
Vault-Tec Workshop, which is also priced at $4.99 but it’s scheduled to be released in July, lets you create a massive Vault and attract new Dwellers using pre-war industrial kits complete with retro-nostalgic furniture, lighting, and art.
Nuka-World, which is priced at $19.99 and scheduled for an August release, lets you explore an all-new region, take on new quests, and uncover new weapons and creatures. Nuka-World will be the final add-on for Fallout 4.
4. Fallout Shelter, which has been downloaded 50 million times, is coming to PC
Fallout Shelter, the mobile version of Fallout, has been downloaded more than 50 million times since launch (June 2105 for iOS, August 2015 for Android). Soon, the number of downloads will increase even more. Why? Two reasons? One, the game will game its biggest update yet, Update 1.6. And two, the game will be available on PC.
Update 1.6, which will be available for download next month, has quite a lot to offer: all-new combat system, send vault dwellers on quests, explore new locations, battle new enemies, meet new characters.
Fallout Shelter for PC will be offered as a free download on Bethesda.net. It will feature everything the mobile version has to offer, including Update 1.6.
5. Skyrim Special Edition for PC, PS4 and Xbox One
There have been tons of rumors going around, saying that Skyrim will get remastered. Bethesda confirmed these rumors by introducing Skyrim Special Edition. It includes the game, all the add-ons, as well as support for mods (full PC mods for consoles). Furthermore, it features remastered art and effects, volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field, screen-space reflections and more.
Skyrim Special Edition is going to be released on October 28, 2016 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
If you own Skyrim for PC with all its add-ons on Steam, or if you own the Legendary Edition on Steam, you’ll get a free upgrade to Skyrim Special Edition when it releases.
6. Unto the Evil, the first premium DLC for Doom
Next month, the first premium DLC for Doom will be released. It comes with 3 new multiplayer maps, a new demon called Harvester, a new UAC EMG pistol, a new kinetic mine, new hack modules, and new customization options.
That’s not all. Doom’s SnapMap creation tool will get some free updates in the coming months. And two new multiplayer modes will be released later this summer.
7. Elder Scrolls Online drops all content barriers
So your friends convinced you to get The Elder Scrolls Online and now you want to join them on their quests. The downer is that you have a low level character while your friends have high level characters. They can go anywhere and do anything, but you can't. Bummer!
To address this situation, Bethesda came up with One Tamriel, which makes the game much more grouping and social-friendly. It does this by dropping all content barriers and allowing you to experience everything Tamriel has to offer, no matter what level you are.
"The reasons we are doing this are simple: we want to make it easier for ESO players to group together, and to promote the sense of freedom to explore that Elder Scrolls games are known for. In other words, we're bringing the same auto-leveling system (called “battle leveling") that has been so successful in our DLCs to the entire game," explained Matt Firor.
The Elder Scrolls Online Tamriel Unlimited, which launched two years ago, has managed to attract more than 7 million players so far.
8. Prey is getting a reboot
Remember Prey, the first-person sci-fi shooter from 2006? Bethesda announced that Arkane Studios is working on a reboot and that the new game, which is also titled Prey, "reimagines the franchise from the ground up… with an added psychological twist."
Here’s a quick synopsis of the game: you are Morgan Yu, the subject of morally dubious experiments designed to improve the human race. It’s 2032 and you’re aboard the Talos space station, which has been taken over by a mysterious alien force. You’ll have to use your wits, weapons and mind-bending abilities to combat the alien force and uncover the secrets hiding in the depths of the space station.
Prey is going to be released in 2017 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
9. The first gameplay video for Dishonored 2
The aforementioned Arkane Studios is also working on Dishonored 2, the sequel to 2012’s stealth action-adventure video game. At Bethesda’s BE3 Showcase, Arkane Co-Creative Director Harvey Smith revealed the first gameplay footage from the upcoming Dishonored 2 game.
The action takes place 15 years after the first Dishonored game. Emily Kaldwin, Corvo Attano’s daughter, is now 25 and the ruler of the empire. But she is dethroned and the Empire plunges into chaos. Play as Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano, use their unique supernatural powers, and save the Empire.
Dishonored 2 is going to be released on November 11 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
10. Quake is back!
Having already brought back Doom, Bethesda and id Software are currently working on bringing back another iconic shooter: Quake. Say hello to the new Quake Champions and its roster of unique characters, each with their own distinctive abilities, giving every player a chance to play to their strengths.
"20 years ago, Quake set new standards for multiplayer competition and pushed the boundaries for graphics and gameplay," said Tim Willits, Studio Director, id Software. "It’s important to all of us at id Software that Quake Champions remains true to the Quake legacy, and delivers the speed and gameplay our longtime fans expect, while also pressing forward by introducing new gameplay opportunities with new Champions and abilities."
Bethesda did E3 this year as well. It held a BE3 Showcase that, once again, did not disappoint. It was packed with exciting reveals, such as…
1. 'The Elder Scrolls: Legends' has a deep story-driven campaign
The Elder Scrolls: Legends is the competitive strategy card game that Bethesda first unveiled at E3 2015. Set in the Elder Scrolls universe, it’s all about building your deck and using it to defeat your foes. Developed by Dire Wolf Digital and published by Bethesda Softworks, it’s an interesting card game about strategy and careful planning. And according to its developer, it should appeal to everyone.
"The Elder Scrolls Legends is for people who enjoy playing a fast-paced card game that has depth to it, but can also be enjoyed on a surface level by casual players who don’t feel like exploring that depth," said Luis Scott-Vargas, Senior Game Designer at Dire Wolf Digital. “You’ll discover the depth if you keep playing, but you can play the game without having any experience. We want to make a game that’s easy to learn and fun to play for any level of experience, but also has something that will keep you playing for a hundred even a thousand hours.”
At E3 2016, Bethesda revealed that The Elder Scrolls: Legends has more to offer than just strategic card-based gameplay. It also features a deep story-driven campaign that will allow you to change the course of the Elder Scrolls history.
Bethesda also revealed that The Elder Scrolls: Legends will be made available for additional platforms: PC and iPad, as initially announced, as well as Mac, iPhone, and Android (phones and tablets).
2. Experience Fallout 4 in virtual reality
Long story short, Fallout 4 is coming to virtual devices in the next 12 months.
"We think that VR is the perfect fit for truly immersive games like our massive open-world RPGs,” Hines said. At BE3 Plus, attendees were given a taste of what’s to come, exploring the world of Fallout 4, using the game’s Pip-Boy and interacting with Dogmeat – all in full virtual reality. “If you thought Survival Mode was an intense Fallout experience… you ain’t seen nothing yet," said Bethesda VP of Marketing & PR Pete Hines.
3. Three more add-ons for Fallout 4 are on their way
So far, 3 game add-ons have been released for Fallout 4: Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, and Far Harbor.
Bethesda revealed at its E3 showcase that three more add-ons are on their way: Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World (which will be the final add-on for Fallout 4).
Contraptions Workshop, which is priced at $4.99 and scheduled to be released on June 21st, lets you construct crazy and complex gadgets to improve your Wasteland settlements. It includes armor racks, elevators, fireworks and more.
Vault-Tec Workshop, which is also priced at $4.99 but it’s scheduled to be released in July, lets you create a massive Vault and attract new Dwellers using pre-war industrial kits complete with retro-nostalgic furniture, lighting, and art.
Nuka-World, which is priced at $19.99 and scheduled for an August release, lets you explore an all-new region, take on new quests, and uncover new weapons and creatures. Nuka-World will be the final add-on for Fallout 4.
4. Fallout Shelter, which has been downloaded 50 million times, is coming to PC
Fallout Shelter, the mobile version of Fallout, has been downloaded more than 50 million times since launch (June 2105 for iOS, August 2015 for Android). Soon, the number of downloads will increase even more. Why? Two reasons? One, the game will game its biggest update yet, Update 1.6. And two, the game will be available on PC.
Update 1.6, which will be available for download next month, has quite a lot to offer: all-new combat system, send vault dwellers on quests, explore new locations, battle new enemies, meet new characters.
Fallout Shelter for PC will be offered as a free download on Bethesda.net. It will feature everything the mobile version has to offer, including Update 1.6.
5. Skyrim Special Edition for PC, PS4 and Xbox One
There have been tons of rumors going around, saying that Skyrim will get remastered. Bethesda confirmed these rumors by introducing Skyrim Special Edition. It includes the game, all the add-ons, as well as support for mods (full PC mods for consoles). Furthermore, it features remastered art and effects, volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field, screen-space reflections and more.
Skyrim Special Edition is going to be released on October 28, 2016 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
If you own Skyrim for PC with all its add-ons on Steam, or if you own the Legendary Edition on Steam, you’ll get a free upgrade to Skyrim Special Edition when it releases.
6. Unto the Evil, the first premium DLC for Doom
Next month, the first premium DLC for Doom will be released. It comes with 3 new multiplayer maps, a new demon called Harvester, a new UAC EMG pistol, a new kinetic mine, new hack modules, and new customization options.
That’s not all. Doom’s SnapMap creation tool will get some free updates in the coming months. And two new multiplayer modes will be released later this summer.
7. Elder Scrolls Online drops all content barriers
So your friends convinced you to get The Elder Scrolls Online and now you want to join them on their quests. The downer is that you have a low level character while your friends have high level characters. They can go anywhere and do anything, but you can't. Bummer!
To address this situation, Bethesda came up with One Tamriel, which makes the game much more grouping and social-friendly. It does this by dropping all content barriers and allowing you to experience everything Tamriel has to offer, no matter what level you are.
"The reasons we are doing this are simple: we want to make it easier for ESO players to group together, and to promote the sense of freedom to explore that Elder Scrolls games are known for. In other words, we're bringing the same auto-leveling system (called “battle leveling") that has been so successful in our DLCs to the entire game," explained Matt Firor.
The Elder Scrolls Online Tamriel Unlimited, which launched two years ago, has managed to attract more than 7 million players so far.
8. Prey is getting a reboot
Remember Prey, the first-person sci-fi shooter from 2006? Bethesda announced that Arkane Studios is working on a reboot and that the new game, which is also titled Prey, "reimagines the franchise from the ground up… with an added psychological twist."
Here’s a quick synopsis of the game: you are Morgan Yu, the subject of morally dubious experiments designed to improve the human race. It’s 2032 and you’re aboard the Talos space station, which has been taken over by a mysterious alien force. You’ll have to use your wits, weapons and mind-bending abilities to combat the alien force and uncover the secrets hiding in the depths of the space station.
Prey is going to be released in 2017 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
9. The first gameplay video for Dishonored 2
The aforementioned Arkane Studios is also working on Dishonored 2, the sequel to 2012’s stealth action-adventure video game. At Bethesda’s BE3 Showcase, Arkane Co-Creative Director Harvey Smith revealed the first gameplay footage from the upcoming Dishonored 2 game.
The action takes place 15 years after the first Dishonored game. Emily Kaldwin, Corvo Attano’s daughter, is now 25 and the ruler of the empire. But she is dethroned and the Empire plunges into chaos. Play as Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano, use their unique supernatural powers, and save the Empire.
Dishonored 2 is going to be released on November 11 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
10. Quake is back!
Having already brought back Doom, Bethesda and id Software are currently working on bringing back another iconic shooter: Quake. Say hello to the new Quake Champions and its roster of unique characters, each with their own distinctive abilities, giving every player a chance to play to their strengths.
"20 years ago, Quake set new standards for multiplayer competition and pushed the boundaries for graphics and gameplay," said Tim Willits, Studio Director, id Software. "It’s important to all of us at id Software that Quake Champions remains true to the Quake legacy, and delivers the speed and gameplay our longtime fans expect, while also pressing forward by introducing new gameplay opportunities with new Champions and abilities."
