Julius

From the Nintendo at E3 thread (thanks @Hero\-of\-Time for putting it up there ) Awesome that my prediction for ARMS and Splatoon 2 having tournaments at the event is confirmed, I'm looking forward to learning plenty more about these games! For anyone wondering, that means that the Nintendo Spotlight: E3 2017 will be taking place at 17:00 BST on Tuesday 13th and 08:00 PDT (local time), which definitely hints that Ubisoft's presentation will likely be in the afternoon on Monday, starting somewhere between 13:00 - 16:00 PDT once again (20:00 - 23:00 BST). EDIT: Nintendo's E3 website design is definitely worth checking out too (just because of how smooth it all is)

Which comics are you referring to, might I ask? Though, of course, I'm sure they'll be taking many a creative liberty, as they have done with most of the MCU entries to date.

From just under two weeks ago: [TWEET]857582795748757504[/TWEET] Burton has previously voiced Cloud in projects such as Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, World of Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts, and I think it goes without saying that his tweet is more than likely in reference to Remake. I know Nomura is known for delaying games, but I really do feel that this year's E3 will reveal the release date for Part/Episode I to be November/December of this year (I mean, it's the 30th Anniversary of the franchise and the 20th Anniversary of VII!). They've been quiet since PSX 2015, which featured a localised trailer, so I'd imagine this game is much further along than we think at this point. Whether or not that says much about how far along following Parts/Episodes are, I'm not too sure. As someone who's yet to play a Final Fantasy game, I'm looking forward to more information on this game with great intrigue, and plan on rectifying the aforementioned fact by playing through a few on PS3 (I know it's on PS4, but alas: circumstance makes one console more accessible than the other for myself) - hopefully, at the very least, VI and VII - before the release of this game (if it is indeed to release this year).

My E3 2017 predictions Electronic Arts Saturday 10th June, 12PM PDT; 8PM BST - FIFA 18, Madden 18, and NBA Live 2017 gameplay and trailers to be shown (emphasis on graphics, etc., as always); I personally don't foresee EA being present in-person during the Nintendo livestream for FIFA Switch, but can't see them presenting the game during EA Play either: my best guess would be a gameplay/CG trailer to be shown during the Nintendo livestream. - Need for Speed 2017 gameplay and trailer to be shown. - Star Wars Battlefront II gameplay and trailer to be shown; like Battlefield 1 last year, I think we will see a few matches demoed, with a heavy emphasis on 40-player matches set in the prequel trilogy. We will more than likely see a first tease for Visceral's Star Wars game (if I remember correctly, this is scheduled for next year), and possibly have other updates on EA's Star Wars licensed games. - Bioware is reportedly working on an 'MMO-lite' sci-fi game to rival Destiny and The Division. Though this will more than likely be a new IP (Bioware is still supporting The Old Republic last I checked), I think it's worth suggesting that this could be a new Star Wars MMO to replace The Old Republic (why start a new IP when you have the license to arguably the most well known piece of sci-fi [space fantasy opera]?). Microsoft Xbox Sunday 11th June, 2PM PDT; 10PM BST As someone who doesn't own an Xbox One, this conference doesn't exactly excite me, but I will be tuning in to get a better idea of what they're doing with Project Scorpio after Digital Foundry's piece on the hardware a few weeks back piqued my interest. I predict that the aforementioned Battlefront II, Forza Motorsport 7, and the next installment of the Tomb Raider franchise will be utilised during this presentation to demonstrate the graphical fidelity of the system, as well as Halo 6 or Gears of War 5 being announced at some point during their presentation (lacking a console exclusive FPS wouldn't exactly be helping this system sell). I also expect that we'll be getting some news on Sea of Thieves and Crackdown 3. Part of me feels like Red Dead Redemption 2 would rather turn up at this presentation than at Sony's, and especially so if it gets to be used as one of many graphical comparisons between the One and Scorpio. Bethesda Sunday 11th June, 7PM PDT; Monday 12th June, 3AM BST As always, I think it's safe to expect an update on The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind, and I think we'll see more of Quake Champions. They teased it last year, so why not follow through with it this year? I imagine Wolfenstein: A New Colossus will be announced during their presentation, and considering how quick their turnaround is from a game announcement to release, I wouldn't be surprised if this is game were to be released within the year (my best guess would be Q2 2018). The reason I say within the year - as opposed to being released this year - is because I think that The Evil Within 2 will be also be announced during their presentation, for an October/November release this year. Sony PlayStation Monday 12th June, 6PM PDT; Tuesday 13th June, 2AM BST Like others have said: I do not want to see anything from Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding, and would much rather have Kojima Productions go quiet for a year or two - like Nintendo did with Breath of the Wild - to focus on game development, unless they somehow - miraculously - have gameplay to share with us, which almost certainly - I imagine - won't be the case. The same, I'm afraid, goes for The Last Of Us Part II, and I think Naughty Dog knows better than to just tease us to no end unless, of course, they have some gameplay to show. Other first party content more than likely to feature are: Ni no Kuni II: REVENANT KINGDOM, Days Gone, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, Spider-Man (they're missing out on a lot of sales if this isn't released before Christmas, in my opinion), Dreams, GT Sport, the new God of War, Detroit: Become Human, and likely a steady stream of 5 - 10 VR titles, including Farpoint. I hope that Final Fantasy VII Remake gameplay footage and a trailer will be shown, with Part/Episode I announced for release in November/December of 2017 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the franchise and the 20th anniversary of the original game (if this doesn't happen, though, I won't be too shocked with Namora involved, but they have been fairly quiet since PSX 2015 where localised footage was shown). I also think that this game may have a version where it's bundled with the PS4 remaster of the original, and that a separate Final Fantasy I - IX Collection will also be revealed for release this year. Destiny 2 and Call of Duty: WWII will likely be rather prominent during the presentation too. *Ubisoft TBC; likely Monday 12th June PDT The reveal of the new Assassin's Creed game seems likely, as do possible returns to the Splinter Cell and Farcry franchises. For Honor and Rainbow Siege Six have done some interesting things with multiplayer lately, so I wouldn't mind the reveal of a new multiplayer-focused IP (or just a separate new IP altogether). Sadly, when it comes to Ubisoft at the moment, it's a case of 'well, what have you done for me lately?' (and, spoiler: it's not a lot). *Nintendo TBC; likely to be a Treehouse livestream event that will start Tuesday 13th June PDT I think it goes without saying that Super Mario Odyssey is a HUUUUUGE toe-in for the treatment that Breath of the Wild got at last year's E3: playable on the floor, streamed on Treehouse and given a new gameplay trailer (let me just mention here that I love how Nintendo comes out with 100% gameplay trailers as opposed to the mostly cutscene/CG stuff that we see from other developers). In fact, I'd go so far as suggesting that it could be a toe-in for Game of the show if given the treatment Zelda was last year. Considering that Nintendo's presence at E3 will be followed shortly after this year by the release of ARMS, I think it's possible that we see this game as another one playable on the floor (an alternative to the 2-hour lines waiting for Odyssey) and, in fact, seeing as it's so close to release an that this E3 will be welcoming the public, I wouldn't be too shocked if Nintendo had the game available for purchase during the conference, or held a competition to win the game. Now that would be a genius move on their half! In fact, it's even possible that Splatoon 2 could get a similar treatment in that it could be playable on the floor. In terms of other first party games, I'd expect some potentially major announcements (Metroid or Donkey Kong? Kirby?), as I don't think they'll only be focusing on one game like they did last year, and may even update us on Xenoblade 2, Fire Emblem Warriors, the currently untitled Fire Emblem Switch and Project Mekuru. I'd also expect news on more Wii U ports after the barnstorm success of Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, potentially including Smash or Pokkén Tournament. They'll more than likely also share news on third party ports (Skyrim, FIFA Switch) as well as other third party endeavours (I'm looking forward to news on Square Enix's Project Octopath Traveller in particular). We're also expecting a lot of news on the Switch's paid-for online capabilities and a look at the Virtual Console, with Pokémon Gold/Silver and Smash Bros Melee widely sought after. And - dare I say it? - Mother 3? Other previously announced games that could turn up just about anywhere at this year's E3: Capcom's Marvel v Capcom: Infinite and Deep Down; Konami's Metal Gear Survive and PES2018; Warner Bros. Interactive's Middle-Earth: Shadow of War (they're also rumoured to have another Arkham game in the works); and CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077.

Aha, my bad what I had meant to explain was that they weren't AAA third party titles, and that the port (GHIII) was based on the version of the game from the previous generation and was the only one released across all platforms

Personally, I don't think that AAA third party games (CoD, Battlefield, etc.) are required for the Switch to be considered, by the majority, a success: in fact, only 4 of the 20 highest selling games on Wii (figures accurate as of April 2009) weren't published by Nintendo themselves. These 4 games were either experiences designed uniquely for the Wii or ports of pre-existing games, and I think that for any third party to be successful on the Switch, a similar approach will be required, and has already been adopted by certain developers (Project Octopath Traveller by Square Enix and Skyrim by Bethesda, respectively, for example). That being said, if typical AAA third party games aren't coming to the console, a steady influx of AAA first and second party games, along with many independent titles, will be required to grow interest in the console and appease fans of the console, and this is an approach that we have already seen be adopted by Nintendo in regards to this console. I think the big questions come when we learn of their plans for 2018. Fans will be expecting many of Nintendo's greatest IPs to be announced to be coming to the Switch, such as Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Metroid, Donkey Kong, Kirby and so on, and a plethora of Wii U ports could certainly help fill the gaps, as could more titles coming to Virtual Console (Pokémon Gold/Silver? Mother 3?). They need to show what they've learned from their errors with the Wii U, and from what we've seen so far of their scheduled releases, I think they're well on their way to having the game support required to make this console a success, regardless of whether typical AAA third party games make their way over anytime soon (personally, I think ports could be the way to go in helping fix/build N's relations with third parties and be a smart way for third parties to sell more copies of pre-existing games).

Yes, he is (my bad!) though it's worth noting that his case is different to Anakin's in that he left the Jedi Order long before becoming a Sith Lord (it wasn't a classic case of thinking the Jedi were evil and moving along to the other side as Anakin did). He's part of a group called the "Lost Twenty" (those of whom left the Order but didn't necessarily turn). As for the move away from Jedi not being a good commercial decision, I think there are a ways of looking at it. In Legends (the old, now defunct and decanonised, expanded universe) Luke's Jedi Order was simply named the "New Jedi Order". Something like this is possible, though I think that would be even more jarring than letting the Jedi name go completely. Other possible avenues for naming goes well back to Lucas' early days of working on Star Wars - before it was even called Star Wars - when the Jedi were known as Bendu Knights, and it's worth noting that the name "Bendu" was recently reintroduced into canon by calling a Force entity Bendu in Star Wars Rebels (voiced by Tom Baker), and he was an especially grey character, though different, I believe, to the character Luke will be, not taking sides in any matter acting against the Light or Dark sides. Finally, a good reason for a name change is that this could pave the way to different eras of the universe using the name Jedi and not being directly synonymous with the new faction likely to rise at the end of the sequel trilogy. For example, films, comics, books and TV shows have long been talked about by fans as a desirable - and, from Disney's point of view, a highly profitable - way of presenting the Old Republic era (like the series of games with the same name), and if they were to have such an era focused on before the release of the next trilogy, it wouldnt confuse casual fans of the franchise with the Jedi also being seen in the upcoming trilogy.

Let's remember that the Prophecy of the Chosen One states that they will bring balance to the Force and destroy the Sith. Snoke, Kylo Ren and the Knights of Ren are not Sith, just followers/users of the Dark Side. As for most Sith being Jedi, I believe that Anakin is the only Jedi-turned-Sith that we currently know of. I've been talking with friends for a long time about where this trilogy is likely going, and most of us agreed that the Jedi will likely become defunct, with Luke serving as the Jedi. The Jedi and the Sith are something of a Ying-Yang situation, and the mere existence of the Jedi invites challenge - whether it be the Sith or another Dark Side faction - which erupts into a battle which effects the entire galaxy. I don't think it is simply a matter of merging both sides (as stated in the trailer, calling them "Light" and "Dark" is completely subjective: the galaxy and Force is much more complex than than, yet so much more simple. The "Light" and "Dark" are two "sides" of the same Force, yet one limits their ability in embracing only one) as destroying the Sith, in the Prophecy, to bring Balance means that the Force has a disposition towards the Light.

Well, I wouldn't go that far, but something's certainly happened to send him down this path. From reading other canon material, it is made somewhat apparent that the reason Ben turned and took the dark path in becoming Kylo Ren isn't solely because of his grandfather being Vader (though finding out during something of a Galaxy-wide scandle where everyone found out due to politics likely had something to do with him being tipped over the edge) and he and Luke had been off training and, more importantly, studying the Jedi of old, with Lor San Tekka (introduced and swiftly killed at the beginning of TFA), only six years before TFA. It's alluded to - but not confirmed, as treated as something off a myth - that Luke might have left on this quest as soon as the end of the celebrations on Endor at the end of ROTJ, and may not have even been present for the birth of his nephew. I think Luke - and Ben/Kylo - found something during their quest (hence why Luke is at the first Jedi Temple on Ahch-To) that acted as a catalyst for Luke abandoning the Jedi Order and Ben becoming Kylo and - supposedly - destroying his uncle's academy.

Can we just talk for a second about the visual imagery here?! Kylo on one side, Luke on the other, with Rey in the middle. Her lightsaber literally fades from blue to red... Other things of note: the music! My gosh, the Force theme swelling up but then being extended by the onslaught of trumpets? And how about the fact that it ends with Snoke's theme playing after the title card is shown?

It is indeed!

Something not shown to Western audiences (gee whiz, I wonder why) from the Direct:

Which one? The very first teaser featuring the Falcon flying on Jakku was revealed around Thanksgiving 2014, and the following trailer ("Chewie, we're home") was released mid-April at Star Wars Celebration 2015. Thursday, opening day of Celebration, is featuring a 40th Anniversary Panel in which many surprises are, so we're told, waiting for us, though I take this to mean that the next unrevealed spin-off film (likely a Kenobi film) or a possible first live-action/the next animated TV series could be announced, and George Lucas and Harrison Ford could be making appearances (I mean, even Hayden Christensen and Denis Lawson are!). It is possible that we get our first TLJ trailer during this event, though, considering what comes the following day, I highly doubt it. On Friday, the TLJ panel will be from 16:00 - 17:30 (BST) and will more than likely feature BTS footage, stills and our first trailer for The Last Jedi.

That's right, it was like a 45 second video featuring their cutscenes and the boxart, wasn't it? Though, I suppose it is worth considering that that was a remake of other previous games that were widely expected by the community, and that XY received a Direct - being the start of Gen VI - and SM did also - being the start of Gen VII and the celebration of the 20th anniversary. Whatever's coming next, judging from how Gen VII has unfolded, is beyond a prediction in my opinion, what with all of this generation's event Pokémon likely to have been distributed with Ash Pikachu soon and Marshadow later this year. Gen VII truly does feel like something of a standalone generation - perhaps pushed further by the lack of console spin-off announcements and what seems to be the delay of the next chapter in Detective Pikachu - meant simply as the 3DS' swan song and a celebration of the franchise as opposed to the typical 3/4 year life span of previous generations.

Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill are due to appear tomorrow on Good Morning America in anticipation of the franchise's 40th Anniversary - and Star Wars Celebration - as well as, in all likelihood, an announcement of a new Force for Change initiative alongside the release of a teaser for the The Last Jedi trailer likely to be shown off later this week during SWC. [tweet]851411649575530496[/tweet]

I'm really hoping that we see something Pokémon related soon (I mean, this month or next is typically the usual time for them to drop a game announcement), but I can't help but feel that Pokémon would have their own Direct for such an announcement, as they have recently with the main series games. :/

I have a feeling that these will be transferable unlike Cosplay Pikachu, but I completely see, and agree with, your point. Also, what do people think is next in store for the franchise now? Ash's friends in the trailer for the new movie both have Sinnoh 'mon (Piplup and Lucario), whereas his rival had an Alola 'mon (Incineroar). Been wondering for a while now that SM was a one-off - don't believe we've seen any other new console Pokémon releases since then? - and that Gen VII is both a celebration of what's come before, and a set-up for what is to come (Necrozma, Ultra Beasts, etc.). Sinnoh remakes? An Alola sequel? I don't see them starting off an entirely new generation so soon, but the more I think about it, the more SM looks like Pokemon's swan song on the 3DS, and that whatever we get next - either later this year or next year - will be on the Switch. Worth noting that it's been revealed to be in this year's movie I Choose You, so I think we're going to be seeing it distributed later this year.

I had fully expected Ash Pikachu variants to be our event Pokémon for the year, so this reveal was somewhat unexpected for myself. And with both Ash Pikachu variants and Marshadow being distributed this year, it certainly opens the door for a new game in the near future...

A Polish retailer has seemingly leaked the release date for RDR2 (and no, it's not the placeholder date of December 31st); The listed date is October 3rd 2017. Of course, as with any "leak", take it with a grain of salt (perhaps some pepper too, just to spice things up a bit), and with E3 fast approaching, we should have the confirmation of the release date sooner rather than late (one would hope)!

I've been relatively quiet on the purchasing front when it comes to games for a while now (had other priorities, but I must still be averaging some £15/£20 per month (lately it's been deals on the eShop and PlayStation store). It'll probably sky rocket towards the end of the year when I plan on picking up the Switch and a few games a month to catch up, and until then (and after) I'm going to try to get the most out of my PS4 by purchasing some extremely well received titles.

See, I'm currently in two minds about this. On one hand, they've never moved from one generation of device to another without there being a change in generation, and seeing as this generation has only just started, I can't see them changing from 3DS to Switch only: the install base, of course with the console having just launched, is a fraction of the 3DS'. They also didn't change console part way through the generation with Gen V and BW to BW2. On the other hand, the 3DS, unlike the Switch, was backwards compatible with game cards, meaning that it didn't matter that Gen V was published on the DS, and the only way I can think they'd get around this is by releasing 'Stars' on both consoles, though it could only be eShop only to keep production costs lower for the system with a smaller install base. Sun and Moon did have extremely evident flaws in terms of how smoothly the game performed, though, and I think that this contributes to the argument for a move to the Switch, especially if they are planning on using those HD assets that were found in SM. Personally, I don't want to see 'Stars' on the Switch: the install base is much larger for the 3DS, and if this game is essentially just a port of SM in the way that other third versions are only slightly different to their predecessors, with higher resolution models and 20 or so new Pokémon, I'd be buying it based on the fact that I'm a fan of the franchise and not because I'm interested in the game's content. Adding a new story and making it a sequel, however, changes that, but then why would Pokémon work so hard on a new story and new content only for it to have a much smaller install base and therefore "only" 5-10 million in lifetime sales as opposed to 15-20 on the 3DS as a last hurrah for the franchise on dual screens? I think they have two games in the works, with Stars being a sequel and not a third version as Eurogamer reported, having been worked on alongside Sun and Moon, to be released on the 3DS some time between Q3 2017 and Q2 2018 (judging from movie events too, with what I assume is three planned for this generation - Magearna (2016), Ash Hat Pikachu (2017) and Marshadow (2018)), with a Switch game also in the works for release between Q3 2018 and Q4 2019 (depending on development time).

There's no denying that this is the coolest looking Batman ever put to the silver screen (it's just a shame about the stories thus far)