E3 2021: The 5 biggest video game announcements so far include space, vampires, fantasy and ... Master Chief
It's only Sunday, yet video game fans have been greeted with several big revelations about what they'll play this holiday and beyond.
The Electronic Entertainment Expo, E3, is one of the most important events for the video game industry, as fans and retailers get a taste of what to expect from the biggest game publishers.
Thursday kicked things off with the Summer Game Fest featuring several game announcements, followed by events from publishers including Ubisoft, Square Enix, Microsoft, Bethesda and more.
Although there are still more E3 news and reveals, here's a breakdown of some of the biggest game announcements so far:
E3 2021:'Starfield,' 'Redfall,' 'Halo Infinite' and more reveals from Xbox games showcase
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'Elden Ring' is very much happening
The hype for this upcoming role-playing game has been well deserved, bringing together the creative talents of George R.R. Martin, the author behind the "Game of Thrones" series, and Hidetaka Miyazaki, who worked on beloved video game properties "Dark Souls" and "Bloodborne." Publisher Bandai Namco says the game will feature a "vast and seamless landscape" with natural weather and time-of-day progression. And if it's anything like the studio's earlier games, expect it to deliver a challenge.
'Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora'
Yes, "Avatar" is back but not as a movie. The Ubisoft game "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora" is a 2022 game developed by studio Massive Entertainment, which previously worked on "Tom Clancy's The Division 2." It's described as a first-person action adventure game made exclusively for next-generation consoles and PC. Players will play as Na’vi and explore a never-before-seen part of Pandora.
'Starfield' is coming in 2022
Bethesda Game Studios, the home to "Fallout" and "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim," creates its first new video game universe in 25 years. Players will get to create any character they want and explore space with unparalleled freedom. "It's an epic about hope, our shared humanity and answering our greatest mystery," said Bethesda Games Studios' Todd Howard.
Vampires stalk Arkane Studios' 'Redfall'
Vampires are always cool and the bloodsuckers revealed in the upcoming game "Redfall" make Dracula look like one of the Fall Guys. Four main characters – you pay as one and three friends can join in – are investigating the Massachusetts town of Redfall, which is being invaded by some super vampires and has a strange cult that is growing in power. The action – from the developers behind "Prey" and "Dishonored" – frenetic, with flying superpowered vampires who can appear and disappear at will. Coming to Xbox Series X/S and PCs in Summer 2022.
'Halo Infinite' is out this holiday
"Halo Infinite" had been expected to help drive the launch of the new Xbox Series X and S consoles in November 2020. However, Microsoft and studio 343 Industries postponed its arrival and now we know it is due this holiday season, which be the 20th anniversary of the launch of the first Xbox and "Halo: Combat Evolved" 20 years ago.
A bit of cinematic-quality footage from the game shown during Microsoft's Xbox showcase showed main character Master Chief making his way through the wreckage to meet a new artificial intelligence companion who apparently will replace Cortana. The mystery of his original AI's whereabouts will apparently be part of this next installment's mystery. Beyond the story campaign, the game will also have free online multiplayer.
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