We are only a few days away Summer Game Party – an event that now aims to fill the rather large gap left by E3. Geoff Keighley’s big summer party may not have the grandeur of those legendary shows, but it’s still prominent enough to attract announcements and updates from publishers around the world.
We took this opportunity to round up the usual suspects from the editorial staff and ask for their Summer Game Fest predictions, but there’s a little twist to this particular Talking Point. All our writers have been asked to make an educated prediction And a ‘dream’ prediction – the latter is something that seems highly unlikely, but would make them incredibly happy if it happened.
Once you’re done reading our madness, head over to the poll and comment section at the bottom of this article.
Aaron Bayne, video producer
Prediction: After the shadow drop of The Finals last December, I think we have a good chance of seeing Arc Raiders again from Embark Studios, with a possible launch date. This free-to-play third-person PvPvE extraction shooter (and breathing) was originally set to launch for The final in 2022, before numerous delays. Originally announced at The Game Awards in 2021, it would be a full circle moment to see the launch announcement at another Keighley show.
Dream: It’s been three years since Project 007 was announced, and I’m eager to hear something new about it. I was fully on board the IO Interactive bandwagon after the brilliant Hitman 3, and a 007 game seems like the perfect choice for the studio. I suspect if we saw anything it would only be cinematic, but I’d sacrifice Geoff himself for a bit of gameplay and a 2024 release window.
Khayl Adam, staff writer
Prediction: BioShock 4 has been revealed again and will be released in late 2024. That may sound optimistic, but 2K confirmed the game in a Tweet in 2019, along with the creation of developer Cloud Chamber. At the time, the publisher said the title would be in development for “the next few years,” and I think that time is fast approaching. Judas comes out in March 2025, and I think that’s enough wiggle room for both to breathe. that, otherwise we won’t see it until the end of 2025.
Dream: I must have 2K on my mind, but my dream is that the new game from one of the “biggest and most beloved franchises” isn’t in fact the fourth game in the BioShock or Borderlands franchises. but is instead 2016. Designer Jake Solomon has since left to start his own outfit, but there is still a lot of talent at the studio and it’s time for a new main game.
Liam Croft, assistant editor
Prediction: At least three Xbox exclusives will be announced for PS5 over the course of this week. I believe one of these will be the new rumored DOOM game, confirmed as a multiplatform release during the Xbox Games Showcase. The other two will be unveiled during Microsoft’s annual business update, which takes place just before the show – usually the day before. It makes too much sense for Microsoft not to combine the upcoming Starfield expansion with a PS5 version, so I think the latest Bethesda RPG will be one of them. I’m not so sure about the third, but based on the fact that Microsoft used Sea of Thieves as a “major test” for its multiplatform efforts, I think it wants to expand on that with a port from a co- op/multiplayer game. Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PS5, PS4 would really make a splash.
Dream: I don’t really like hoping for showcases anymore; I usually go into the procedure with a clean slate. Capcom has teased that there will be multiple announcements during the SGF live show, so I’d love to see any of the recent Resident Evil rumors come to fruition. Resident Evil 9 seems extremely unlikely as Sony seems to have these reveals on lock, but I think that’s exactly why this is my dream prediction! The speculated remakes of Resident Evil Zero and Code Veronica seem a little more realistic, so I’m throwing those two out as well.
Robert Ramsey, assistant editor
Prediction: I like to think Capcom will hit us with Dragon’s Dogma 2 news. The open world RPG is probably my favorite game of 2024 so far, and I’d be over the moon for a DLC announcement – or even just an update roadmap. The game was prominently featured in the Summer Game Fest promotional trailer, and Geoff says the showcase will mainly focus on existing titles. Put these two things together and this seems like a solid prediction, but I’ll go one step further and say an expansion will happen in early 2025.
Dream: I don’t see this happening because it’s such a Japan-centric franchise and the timing doesn’t quite match up with a Japanese audience, but my dream Summer Game Fest reveal is Dragon Quest 12. The game was announced years ago and we I haven’t seen anything other than a logo. Honestly, I just want to know what this thing looks like, what the tone is, and if we can expect it to come out before 2030.
Sammy Barker, editor
Prediction: There’s clearly something going on with LEGO Horizon, but it’s currently unclear whether it’s a physical set of the famous Danish bricks or a blocky video game adaptation of Aloy’s world. While it may seem strange that Sony would shy away from making this announcement during its own state of affairs last week, the manufacturer is operating in mysterious ways, and it’s always been willing to give Geoff Keighley the time. Don’t be shocked if this pops up during Summer Game Fest, whatever it turns out to be.
Dream: A dream announcement? Wow, there are so many possibilities: a new Sly Cooper perhaps? The escape of primates? What about the excellent Gravity Rush series making its long-awaited, topsy-turvy return? For my part, I’d love to see more of Project Mugen, the insanely ambitious open-world gacha from Chinese developer Naked Rain. I’ve interviewed one of the creative directors and watched the trailer a billion times, but honestly, I’m still not 100 percent convinced that this game actually exists. Prove me wrong, NetEase!
Stephen Tailby, assistant editor
Prediction: I think we’ll see Astro Bot take a victory lap. I have a feeling Sony has given Geoff a little extra trailer for the upcoming PS5 platformer, perhaps featuring a few new gameplay gimmicks, or perhaps zooming in on a few of those PlayStation cameos that were teased in the game’s debut. Pre-orders start on June 7, which happens to be the day of the Summer Game Fest live show; it comes to mind that Sony wants to remind viewers about Astro Bot, and tell them they can pre-order it now. It may be a fairly safe prediction, but I certainly won’t complain if we see that cheerful little guy again.
Dream: Obviously this won’t happen, but the announcement that would bring me the most joy would be the return of Burnout. Not only that, this new Burnout is amazing. It’s structured like the PS2 entries, it plays just like Burnout 3: Takedown, and the visuals are absolutely mind-bogglingly good. Crash mode, online multiplayer, DJ Atomika, a butt rock soundtrack. It’s a brand new game with all the original tracks and levels, but you can also unlock classic tracks and levels. It’s current generation only and insanely fast. The atmosphere is lively, cheerful and unashamedly arcadey. There is a fantastic introductory film that I never miss and an absolutely zero story. I can’t tell you how much I want this.
Now that you’ve read our predictions, it’s your turn. Vote for your favorites in our poll, then give us your own completely (un)realistic hopes and dreams in the comments below.