With E3 right around the corner, rumors are abound in the gaming community that new games and even new console hardware will be announced. The upcoming E3 2011 will run from June 7 to 9 and serve as the world’s largest video game expo.
At least one big rumor has been verified: Nintendo will be announcing a new console at E3. This article takes a look at ten other rumors which are circulating around the gaming community.
Note: The list is in no particular order.
#10 New Legend of Zelda Title
The announcement of a new Nintendo console wouldn’t mean much without being accompanied by the announcement of at least one new flagship title. Aside from last year’s announcement of Skyward Sword, the possibility of a new Zelda being the flagship title for Nintendo’s platform is highly likely given the series’ strong showing on every Nintendo console to date.
A leaked list on NeoGAF contained a mention of “Legend of Paper Zelda” as a possible title for Nintendo’s new platform. Although the list itself is unlikely to be true, it goes without saying that fans are clamoring for a new Zelda title, or at least a Skyward Sword that’s bound for the new console and not just the Wii.
#9 Xbox 720 / Xbox 3 Announcement
Microsoft isn’t a company that allows itself to be one-upped by the competition. The release of the PlayStation 2 heralded the launch of the Xbox, and Microsoft followed up on the console with its aging Xbox 360 which has all but dominated the market.
A new console from Microsoft would undoubtedly contain the latest technical specs to compete with Nintendo’s new system, and out-of-the-box Kinect support. The system is also likely to feature Blu-Ray Disc support, due to an increasing demand for space.
Official job postings by Microsoft sparked rumors that the new console would be announced, as they sought to hire engineers to work on a “next generation console.”
Microsoft is undoubtedly seeking to retire its old warhorse, as the Xbox 360—now well over five years old—is showing its age.
#8 Fable 4
Peter Molyneux may have let us down the past two times with Fable 2 and Fable 3, but we all know that isn’t going to stop him from attempting once again to enthrall us with his words, and dreams of a more involving, immersive role-playing game.
Perhaps with Fable 4, Molyneux and his team at Lionhead will not be bogged down by the limitations of the Xbox 360 and work instead with whatever superior platform Microsoft is developing.
#7 Halo 4, Halo: Combat Evolved Remake
It’s no secret that 343 Industries has been working on a new Halo game. As to whether the game will be announced at E3 this year is very likely, given the amount of time it’s spent in development.
According to a job listing put up by the studio, a Senior Character Artist is wanted to work on a “new experience in the Halo universe,” by playing a “significant role in establishing and maintaining the vision for both new and redefined characters,” which hints at the development of a Halo remake.
Despite the fact that Bungie will have no part in the game’s development, it’s a surefire bet that Microsoft will not give up on its most profitable franchise.
#6 Kinect Support for Mass Effect 3 and Other Games
Rumors have surfaced on the Bioware forums and NeoGAF that Mass Effect 3, among many other highly anticipated games, could have native support for the Kinect. The strongest supporting evidence appears to be a “Better with Kinect” logo on the box art of the game, which was promptly removed from EA’s store after being put up for only a few hours.
It’s not too much of a stretch of the imagination to visualize how the Kinect could be use with Mass Effect 3, given the existence of gesture-intensive Omnitools in the Mass Effect universe.
#5 Zone of the Enders 3
Konami has announced in its pre-E3 show its plans to remaster the original two Zone of the Enders titles from Hideo Kojima for both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360.
Likewise, Kojima himself has vehemently stated on his Twitter account that he would not be revisiting the Metal Gear Solid series, shutting down rumors that the company would announce Metal Gear Solid 5 at E3.
Only a few possibilities of Konami’s plans at the event remain, foremost among them would be the announcement of Zone of the Enders 3, which would come along with the revival of the series through the HD remakes of the first two games.
#4 Gears of War: Exile
That Gears of War 3 is currently in beta and will be released this year isn’t a secret at all. What remains to be seen is Epic Games’ plans moving forward, beyond the third game in the franchise. Other plans with Bulletstorm aside, Epic has mentioned that it plans to keep the Gears of War series alive beyond the story of Marcus Phoenix, building upon its game world and rich history.
A recent leak of the Official Xbox Magazine showed the words “Gears of War Exile” printed on the cover as a part of its E3 preview lineup, leading us to speculate that the game will be making an official appearance at Microsoft’s E3 presentation next week.
#3 God of War IV
Kratos’s primary storyline may be over, but that shouldn’t stop Sony from reviving the character for an all new run—or similarly, creating a new character in the same vein and pitting him against the Norse Gods or some other divine entities.
A new Twisted Metal game can’t be the only thing they’re working on.
#2 Grand Theft Auto V
Rumors of a new Grand Theft Auto V have been finding their way onto the gaming news websites in the months and weeks leading up to E3, with details such as possible settings, with Hawaii and Hollywood being the foremost among them; voice acting casting calls; and LinkedIn profiles related to the development of a new GTA-sounding title.
We can only cross our fingers and hope that the game is in good enough shape for them to make an announcement at E3. Their recent game, L.A. Noire, can’t take up the limelight forever.
#1 New Bungie Title
After leaving the domain of Microsoft Game Studios, Bungie signed a deal with Activision to develop and maintain an all new franchise—one that isn’t Call of Duty, which is currently under the care of Treyarch, Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer.
It’s been over a year since that happened—long enough for any triple A game with the full backing of a publisher to be in an advanced stage of development. Whether this unnamed game—and hopefully the birth of a new franchise—will be announced at E3 remains to be seen, but I’ve got my fingers crossed that Activision will, at the very least, tease the game.
