Every year I review the big E3 conferences, which is a fun opportunity to pick out all the embarrassing moments, blunders, and mistakes. But this year's digital-only expo was disappointingly polished—a result of publishers being able to film their shows in advance in a controlled environment.
Honestly, I miss the cringe. That's a big part of the E3 experience for me—and this year's parade of pre-packaged streams was almost entirely devoid of it. But let's review the event anyway, because it's tradition. Well, except our own show, because that would be weird.
Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase
Taking full advantage of Sony skipping E3, Microsoft basically killed it this year. We got first looks at the likes of STALKER 2. As far as aggressively coordinated marketing assaults by giant corporations go, this was a belter.
Gearbox E3 Showcase
In this stream we followed an excitable Randy Pitchford around the set of the Homeworld 3 teasers that seemed to be leading up to something, then didn't. Honestly, a waste of time.
Summer Game Fest
I enjoyed this. It felt like classic E3. A host on stage, big reveals, shameless celebrity cameos, and even a few musical performances. All it was missing was the cringe. Kojima talked (Elden Ring. It was just a good time. If I must sit through a feature length commercial (which is what E3 shows all are), I might as well be entertained.
Guerrilla Collective
This indie showcase took place over two days and featured over 70 mostly new games. That's a huge number, and while I love what Guerrilla Collective does, some curation would have made it so much more enjoyable. There was a lot of great stuff here: Sable all look great, to pick out just a random few. But the sheer volume of games on show meant they all started blurring into one.
Wholesome Direct
I love the idea of this celebration of cosy, charming games. with Mollie: I wish they'd shown fewer games for longer.
Ubisoft Forward
Sadly, unremarkable. There was some DLC for Ubisoft usually delivers when it comes to conference cringe, but it didn't even have that going for it this year.
Koch Primetime
This was hard work. A bunch of new games were announced under the publisher's Prime Matter banner, including Gungrave. But the stream's uneven mix of short trailers and long, tedious Zoom interviews with developers in their bedrooms was absolutely gruelling. I don't want to be too harsh, because these are challenging times, but a bit of editing wouldn't have gone amiss here.
Square Enix Presents
The big reveal here was a great action games, but man, this thing is hideous.
Capcom E3 Showcase
This wasn't really a proper E3 show: just a brief rundown of games we already knew existed, including The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. I can't wait to play that. But in general, this was a bit of a washout.
In conclusion
So that was E3 2021. I don't know what the future of the show is going forward, but providing the pandemic is at least somewhat under control next year (or the year after), I'd love to see it return to the way it used to be. I miss the stage shows and the live audience reaction.
Not those annoying guys clearly planted by the publishers who go "Woooo!" at every reveal, but the genuine ripple of excitement that comes with a properly unexpected game reveal. But if the future of E3 is purely digital, I can't say I'm looking forward to the next one. Streams just aren't the same.
