E3 2015: PC Gaming Show Predictions, Rumors & Expectations

Things I think we’ll see at the PC Gaming Show

• Project Bluestreak Gets a Name (and a Proper Reveal)

After coming out of retirement in 2014, Cliff Bleszinski formed Boss Key Productions and announced a free-to-play shooter, tentatively named “Project Bluestreak”. We know it’s an arena FPS running on Unreal Engine 4, and that it takes place in a sci-fi setting, but that’s about it.

According to the concept art, Project Bluesteak will span the globe from America to Japan.

So far we’ve only seen concept art and a pre-alpha level teaser, but with CliffyB named as a show participant, it’s likely we’ll get our first glimpse at a proper trailer.

• Overwatch Beta Details

Blizzard is showing up, and that means it’s safe to assume we’ll get more Overwatch info— not that it’s hard to come by. With an extensive video library of the game’s characters and abilities already floating around in cyberspace, there isn’t much left to reveal, besides a date.

At this year’s PAX East we learned the Overwatch beta was slated to begin this fall, so several months later I think we can expect a further refinement of window.

• Tacoma Information

Gone Home was one of the most polarizing indie games of 2013, it gained massive praise from some while others claimed it shouldn’t even classify as a game. The success of Gone Home has propelled Fullbright into a growing studio with plans to release its next game, Tacoma, in 2016.

We got our first look at Tacoma near the end of last year with this launch trailer. Its opening feels very similar to BioShock, except you’re in space. Hopefully Fullbright will show us what the gameplay will look like, and offer more context to the story.

• Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord Gameplay and Release Date

Fans of the series have been waiting since 2012 to see Bannerlord in action. Fortunately for us, Developer Taleworlds Entertainment has a suspicious habit of releasing Bannerlord information every September 27th.

Now, three years later, we may be seeing a September 27, 2015 release date, making E3 the perfect venue for that announcement. The game’s publisher, Paradox Interactive is participating in the show, so it’s not unreasonable to predict they’re bringing Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord along for the ride.

The visuals have seen a big improvement, hopefully the animations receive the same treatment.

We’ve seen screenshots and the engine at work, but it’s about time we saw some actual gameplay. The Mount & Blade series has always depended on its gameplay to make up for substandard visuals, and now that it’s gotten a visual upgrade I’d like to see if the gameplay gets the same treatment as well.

• Total War: Warhammer Public Demo

Last week journalists were treated to a private demo of Total War: Warhammer. The showing was hands-off, but still seemed to impress those who attended. The PC Gaming Show is likely to be the public’s first opportunity to see the game in all it’s fantastical glory, with an on-stage showing being the most probable method of reveal.

Whether or not it will be playable on the show floor is another story all together, but either way were likely to get our first glimpse at the highly-anticipated war game.

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