Bethesda doesn’t normally do E3 press conferences. As such, I didn’t really know what to expect – okay, I knew which games to expect, but I didn’t really know if Bethesda’s event would be anything truly worthwhile. I was so very wrong. Mostly.
There were three titles that we basically knew would be there – Doom, Dishonored 2 and Fallout 4. Of course they also shoe-horned in some time about Battlecry and The Elder Scrolls Online in-between but even the fan-filled event didn’t seem to care about those titles. Even with those lulls, the vibe in the Dolby theatre (formerly known as the Kodak theatre, where the Oscars are held every year) was electric, and it wasn’t just the free popcorn and soda.
In an industry that is increasingly all too serious and jaded, people seemed genuinely excited for what was on show. Yes, there were tons of snarky comments going around on twitter – people who wondered about the gore of Doom or who debated if having a female protagonist in Dishonored 2 was enough – but the overall response to announcements was of excitement. People weren’t so enamoured with the flashing wrist bands – they were cheering for playable female characters and customisation options. People were excited by what they saw that at the event, and I heard plenty of people saying that this makes them a bit more keen to see if Xbox, EA, Ubisoft and Sony can match that tomorrow.
I was happy with the Bethesda event. Even if you’re not a big fan of Doom, or Dishonored, or Fallout, you could be excited by what the press conference showed about the industry. First up, it’s a wonderful sign that people spontaneous cheered to see female representation in Dishonored 2 and Fallout 4; even if Fallout always had female options, it’s cool to see this kind of affirmation for representation. Plus, with a full range of customisation options, players of all races and backgrounds can play as a character that more closely resembles themselves.
Beyond that, Bethesda hit every point that we could have hoped for. Even their gimmicks were the types of gimmicks that gamers could appreciate – a Collector’s Edition that we all immediately wanted and even an awesome iPad game that can be played offline and was available before we left the theatre? It seemed like Bethesda has been listening to the enraged internet rants concerns of gamers and tried their best to deliver not only games that people would be amped about, but also policies to make those games worthwhile and fun for us all.
And it’s that combination that will make Bethesda a tough act to follow. The E3 veteran press events will have to work hard to be interesting and relevant after those announcements. Can Xbox, EA, Ubisoft and Sony top Bethesda? Of course they can, but it will be a lot harder than any of us would have thought before the conference. They will have to show their commitment to gamers first and foremost, as well as put on an interesting show. It will make for an interesting gauntlet run tomorrow, and I’m hoping that I am left wowed by everyone at the (literal) end of the day.
Last Updated: June 15, 2015
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 15, 2015 at 12:05
Honestly though, everyone is damn excited and hype and I’m loving it. This is what gaming should be and this is how I grew up with it. It great seeing how people react to news and just generally getting hype for things. There are a few arguments going around like you said…but who cares!? Let’s just have fun for change and block out all the noise.
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 15, 2015 at 12:34
I’m very happy with a new Dishono(u)red and Fallout. Super impressed that Bethesda is showing so many great new plans.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
June 15, 2015 at 12:43
You are either American or British … so either say Dishonored or more correctly for our area. Dishonoured.
Screw them Americans Y’all!
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 15, 2015 at 12:47
Well, technically South African English is it’s own English. 😉 So I choose that one.
Also, I say soccer, because it’s part of the South African dialect. 😀
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
June 15, 2015 at 12:54
Soccer in the South African dialect is pronounced R U G B Y. No one cares about that other game. 😛
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 15, 2015 at 12:55
Haha. Total win.
Agreed.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 15, 2015 at 14:35
Absolutely agree Umar – and let’s not stop mocking the Anitas and Jonathan #FullMcintoshes of the world. Let them whine and moan for our enjoyment!
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 15, 2015 at 14:43
Wut..damn I read those tweets. I couldn’t stop shaking my head. We’re not allowed to be excited for doom coz ta violens will make is killerz and we rong peepols for likieng it.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 15, 2015 at 15:29
lol, the irony is, with the amount of looting we do in games, I would have thought the fear would be for us all to become kleptomaniac freaks!!
Hammersteyn
June 15, 2015 at 12:06
“Even if you’re not a big fan of Doom, or Dishonored, or Fallout” Impossible for any gamer to not fit in one of those slots.
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 15, 2015 at 12:06
Right, even as an avid Japanese gamer, I love Doom and Fallout.
Pariah
June 15, 2015 at 12:13
I’m only on the Doom hype train. The other 2 are forgettable for me. But indeed, that proves your point. Every gamer loves at least one of the 3 franchises.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
June 15, 2015 at 12:39
Unlike the last Doom you can actually see the levels. None of this “You need the latest R15k gfx card to render the pitch black at optimal oh and here have a flashlight …. but not while holding a gun”
So was not really impressed with the last installment. 😛
Hammersteyn
June 15, 2015 at 12:06
THIS!
http://coub.com/view/dpc4
HvR
June 15, 2015 at 13:03
They should have opened the press conference with that.
Hammersteyn
June 15, 2015 at 13:05
XD
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 15, 2015 at 13:13
This is possibly the coolest thing I’ve watched today apart from the Bethesda videos. 😀
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 15, 2015 at 12:08
Dishono(u)red looked way cooler than I expected, Fallout looked oh so pretty & their character creation was cool AND clever, & Doom was gore-tastic. Bethesda have thrown down the gauntlet.
Hammersteyn
June 15, 2015 at 12:08
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 15, 2015 at 12:09
throwing in a free iOS game too
oVg
June 15, 2015 at 12:18
Stoked that its a kick ass female protag 🙂 Something Ubisoft are so afraid to do.
HvR
June 15, 2015 at 12:38
That is how you do it; still do not get the hype/complaints about boobs/no boobs option in RPG like Fallout.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
June 15, 2015 at 12:41
Ubisofts ONLY good game had a female protagonist. Jade.
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 15, 2015 at 12:36
They really have. I would cautiously say….faith restored (ignoring things I don’t want to talk about now)
oVg
June 15, 2015 at 12:16
Its a sign of reverse marketing. CD Projekt Red started it. Instead of acting like the execs at the XBONE launch by telling the punters what they want and how they must think, the Industry are now listening to the gamers.
Also as the Industry gets older, the baby boomer CEOs that do not play games are getting replaced by gamers.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
June 15, 2015 at 12:30
EA reveals Mass Effect. All other relevant E3 info gone from memory.
“Did they reveal Fallout 4 … I can’t remember”
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 15, 2015 at 13:19
Meh-ss Effect #amirite 😀
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 15, 2015 at 13:25
😀
WitWolfy
June 15, 2015 at 13:29
If its not a direct continuation of Mass Effect 3 on Earth I dont want any of it… INDOCTRINATION THEORY!!!
GooseZA
June 15, 2015 at 14:11
Yeah, can’t wait for this! Super excited for tonight.
Captain JJ Browmehn
June 15, 2015 at 12:33
I thought it was.
Until
Elder Scrolls Legends