It's time for the Summer Game Fest liveblog, to which you, lovely readers, are cordially invited. SGF 2023’s main event begins tonight at 8pm BST / 3pm EDT / 12pm PDT, and I’ll be manning the levers to bring live updates on all the game reveals, fresh looks, and trailers that this annual announce-o-rama has to offer.
Will there be an update on Alan Wake 2? Will we see Mortal Kombat 1 in bloodied action for the first time? Will Geoff Keighley wear a suit jacket over a t-shirt with shoes that look just slightly too big? Yes, yes, and probably yes. There’ll be much more besides, from Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty expansion to Immortals of Aveum and Fortnite’s Chapter 4 Season 3 update, Wilds. And that’s just the confirmed games – we’re expecting this main Summer Game Fest show to last a couple of hours, so there should be plenty of surprises too.
And do stick around RPS in general, as we’ll have this whole NotE3 week covered from every angle – including on the ground, via Ed, who’s been swanning around LA playing a load of this stuff. Lucky sod. We’ll also have news from Day of the Devs, Summer Game Fest’s indie-focused companion show, which will follow immediately after the main Geoff Fest livestream tonight.
Welcome in advance to our Summer Game Fest liveblog coverage! The plan is to go *actually* live at around 19:45 BST, shortly before the main event starts. See you then.
– James Archer
Alright let's go. LET'S GO. Summer Game Fest starts in just under 15 minutes, I have an evening's supply of Diet Coke to hand, and my comment moderation finger is warmed up by deleting a spam post about Roblox exploits. Friends, we are ready.
– James Archer
Six minutes to go. Hope we see some games.
– James Archer
Dave L. says: If the Facebook VR games thing from last week is anything to go by, we will see lots of 'Not Actual Game Footage' trailers
If the camera opens to digital approximations of Geoffey K's eyes on a Vision Pro, I'm quitting RPS.
– James Archer
Here we go...
– James Archer
It's Geoff Keighley, off of video games marketing. With a smoking jacket?
– James Archer
First game reveal is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown! Not the troubled remake but a 2.5D platformer.
– James Archer
And a pretty slick-looking one too, I must say.
– James Archer
The Lost Crown is out on January 18th, 2024.
– James Archer
Mortal Kombat 1 (Mortal Kombaaaaaaaaaaaaat) is up next.
– James Archer
Opening with a brawl between Sub-Zero and Kung Lao, the latter missing his Oddjob razer hat.
– James Archer
Kenshi and Johnny Cage confirmed as well. And a mortal monk Raiden?
– James Archer
Ending with a suitably gross compilation of fatalities. Very...squishy.
– James Archer
NetherRealm's Ed Boon takes the stage...
– James Archer
Bit of explanation on the Kameo system: you'll select both your main fighter and a Kameo fighter, who you can call out a few times each fight to borrow their moves.
– James Archer
Here's the full deets on Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/prince-of-persia-returns-to-its-action-platforming-roots-with-the-lost-crown
– James Archer
Jean-Claude Van Damme plays Johnny Cage. Lol. Lmao.
– James Archer
MK1's out in September, though I don't think that's news? Oh and Ed Boon's off.
– James Archer
Next: Path of Exile 2.
– James Archer
Just a brief glimpse, but looks hectic! A lot faster than Diablo IV.
– James Archer
Street Fighter 6 x Exoprimal crossover???
– James Archer
There was not nearly enough time given to the Street Fighter 6 x Exoprimal crossover. But now here's Nicolas Cage, on the Nicolas stage, to chat about his Dead By Daylight appearance.
– James Archer
Auldman says: No, no, no not more B movie actors in games, jeez.
The disrespect!
– James Archer
He's a survivor, btw, not a killer. Though from the teaser trailer, it could have gone either way.
– James Archer
Mortal Kombat 1 trailer!
– James Archer
I'm loving this Cage appearance, if I'm honest.
– James Archer
Now for some in-game footage, which is immediately met by confused laughter. Same here, SGF audience!
– James Archer
Friend of the Electronic Wireless Show podcast Henry Cavill, and his co-stars, introduce the trailer for a new season of Netflix's The Witcher show.
– James Archer
A giant bug just rolled up to do some kind of big slow Sonic spin attack. Does that happen in the games? I...I don't know.
– James Archer
Quick Witchfire trailer. Lotsa skulls.
– James Archer
Crossfire: Sierra Squad just then. It's a VR military shooter coming in August to Steam.
– James Archer
Then some gameplay for Remnant II, out on July 25th. I liked the bit where they fought a giant fantasy hammerhead shark that shot lasers.
– James Archer
Announcement time: a new, 2D but modern-styled Sonic game...
– James Archer
Hmm, 4-person multiplayer?
– James Archer
Sonic Superstars, it's called. Out in Autumn, including on Steam.
– James Archer
Now for some Honkai: Star Rail. Man, Graham was right, this is extremely anime.
– James Archer
Just a plug for its PS5 port, alas.
– James Archer
New Lies of P trailer next...
– James Archer
Oh also, here's that Path of Exile 2 trailer:
– James Archer
...and Witchfire:
– James Archer
Lies of P looks pretty, but the big news is that there's a demo. And it's out now, apparently!
– James Archer
Something new now: Sandland, from Bandai Namco. Combines anime-ish fighting with vehicular combat and desert exploration.
– James Archer
Annapurna Interactive Showcase teaser, happening June 29th.
– James Archer
Cinematic trailer for Throne and Liberty, NCSoft's upcoming fantasy MMO, rolling now.
– James Archer
Oop, sorry for missing the Lies of P release date - it's September 19th. Here's the trailer they just showed:
– James Archer
New trailer for Warhaven. It'll be playable for free during the upcoming Steam Next Fest.
– James Archer
And then a Party Animals trailer that was over in like ten seconds. It had animals. I'm sorry.
– James Archer
Ah, here's that Crash Bandicoot moba, Crash Team Rumble. Out June 20th.
– James Archer
Sam Lake now on stage to re-introduce us to Alan Wake II.
– James Archer
caff says: This Remedy guy does look a bit like Max Payne
Big if true.
– James Archer
Unfortunately for Alan Wake II, Remedy have already peaked.
– James Archer
WarderDragon says: Max Payne's face was modelled after him, it's fairly well known!
Big if true.
– James Archer
Sound like you'll be switching between Alan and new FBI agent character Saga Anderson pretty often. Here's the first in-game look from Saga's perspective...
– James Archer
(Here's the Sand Land trailer:)
– James Archer
Alan Wake II footage escalates quickly as a large bloke with a deer's head crashes through a ceiling, leading to Saga gunning him down.
– James Archer
Quick look at the crime scene investigation mechanic, and we're just about done. Release date: October 17th 2023.
– James Archer
Wait, Space Marine II has a co-op campaign? Oh ho hooo.
– James Archer
Yes! for up to three Spess Mehreens at once.
– James Archer
Space Marine II is out this winter. I'm still not entirely sold on the mute Tyranids as a main enemy (RIP every Ork saying "Oh it's a fight now!") but the horde size could carry them.
– James Archer
That was Yes Your Grace: Snbowfall, a "cinematic kingdom management RPG" with some gorgeous pixel art.
– James Archer
Some schlocky zombie shooting now, courtesy of John Carpenter's Toxic Commando. Yes, that Jonhn Carpenter. Out in 2024.
– James Archer
Toxic Commando is made by Saber, to be fair. Their World War Z game was way better than it had any right to be.
– James Archer
Now: Baldur's Gate 3. Focusing on nasty piece o' work Gortash, played by...Jason Isaacs, apparently.
– James Archer
August 31st for BG3, btw.
– James Archer
Now Marvel's Spider-Man 2, which isn't for PC at the moment, so I'll use the time to back-post some trailers.
– James Archer
Alan Wake II:
– James Archer
Spayss Mohrune Two:
– James Archer
Yes, Your Grace:
– James Archer
Toxic Commando:
– James Archer
Spider-Man 2's out on October 20th 2023, if you have a PS5.
– James Archer
Here's Palworld, which Geoff describes - accurately, it turns out - as "Pokemon with guns".
– James Archer
Hey, sometimes Lickitung's gotta pop the glock, y'know.
– James Archer
Palword enters early access in Janurary 2024. It's followed, in the preset, by a new expansion for Black Desert.
– James Archer
Very quick glance at The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. Deep Tolkien Galactic?
– James Archer
Return to Moria gets a nice, vague 'Fall 2023' release date.
– James Archer
Now here's a mobile game, Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis.
– James Archer
Geoff is plugging junk food. That's not like him.
– James Archer
BG3 trailer!
– James Archer
Now we're onto Dont Nod's ghostly third-person brawler Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. Promises to launch before the end of the year.
– James Archer
Got us now, Kiryu-chan...
– James Archer
This is Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. As promised, shows off a return to the fight fighting of previous Yakuzas.
– James Archer
Under the Waves, coming August 29th, is Quantic Dreams' next game. A spooky, isolationist underwater adventure starring the most dishevelled deep sea diver I've ever seen.
– James Archer
Little sizzle reel for Call of Duty: Warzone's season 4 there.
– James Archer
New LAD trailer:
– James Archer
Faefarm next - the previously Switch-exclusive farming sim is coming to PC!
– James Archer
Some Marvel Snap news: a new mode, Conquest, is coming next week.
– James Archer
If that ProZD comedy bit explained how Conquest mode works, I didn't understand it.
– James Archer
King Arthur: Legends Rise puts a very fantastic spin on ol' Arhtur's story, which was already a bit farfetched to begin with.
– James Archer
Wayfinder! Early access opens this summer.
– James Archer
Unreal Editor for Fortnite. Oop, and now onto something else. Stallaris Nexus!
– James Archer
Space Trash Scavenger is exactly what it sounds like.
– James Archer
Oh bother, the Borg are here.
– James Archer
Nah sorry this is going too fast
– James Archer
OKAY that last game was Star Trek Infinite, which looks like it might be a Trekkie 4X? More details coming on June 16th.
– James Archer
Twisted Metal TV series teaser next, featuring a clown beating up Anthony Mackie. No cars though.
– James Archer
Now Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior. Looks vaguely Hades-like, but you can create a little army out of copies of yourself.
FFVII Rebirth will be out in 2025. Aaaaaaaand that's a wrap for the Summer Game Fest main show!
– James Archer
What did we think readers? Am slightly embarassed to say it but I think my highlight was the Spuss Mirane 2 co-op announcement. I could hear a particular pair of my friends squealing from several dozen miles away.
– James Archer
I was only down to liveblog the main show but... fudge it, shall we stick around for Day of the Devs?
– James Archer
Yah alright
– James Archer
First up, Wishes Unlimited are revealing Beastieball. Turn-based RPG volleyball?
– James Archer
"Beasties are animals that evolved to play sports"
– James Archer
Last few trailers from Geoff Fest. Immortals of Aveum:
– James Archer
Fortnite Wilds:
– James Archer
And Final Fantasy VII Rebirth:
– James Archer
Beastieball's out in 2024.
– James Archer
Now a fresh look at Hyper Light Breaker.
– James Archer
HLB is an "open world game where you never return to the same place twice".
– James Archer
And it's entering early access sometime later this year.
– James Archer
Now, here's Simpler Times, a first-person packing sim about reminiscing over things you pick up.
– James Archer
"Coming soon" on PC.
– James Archer
Oh this is neat: Viewfinder, a puzzle-exploration game from Sad Owl Studios. You take pics with a Polaroid, and looking at those photos turns them into real 3D objects you can use to build new paths.
– James Archer
Now onto Hauntii, a beautifully handrawn twin-stick shooter. As the name suggests, you're a ghost, and can possess objects to use their capabilities.
– James Archer
Ooh, abandonware retail sim Cart Life is coming back! Sounds like just a modernising touch-up rather than a full remake.
Well, I say that. There's gonna be more storylines, new art, and updated controls.
– James Archer
Premiere time: here's Hellskate, a demonic, THPS-inspired skateboarding game with a roguelite twist. I mean, in addition to the demonic one.
– James Archer
Aw, this is putting a big grin on my face. Swinging swords at monsters while pulling sick kickflips.
– James Archer
Now for an update on Henry Halfhead, Lululu Entertainment's peculiar shapeshifter sandbox.
– James Archer
...I can't even begin to describe this.
– James Archer
Rachel has accidentally done it for me: "Stanley Parable meets Wattam".
– James Archer
Next is Cocoon, presented by former Limbo/Inside lead designer Jeppe Carlsen.
– James Archer
In Cocoon, you'll be travelling between worlds that are contained in a small, carryable orb when you leave them. Chucking this little universes around is a key part of the puzzling.
– James Archer
Switching between worlds to get around obstacles is, and forgive me for ignoring the indie focus for a moment, very Effect & Cause from Titanfall 2. In a good way!
– James Archer
Remember The Unfinished Swan? Ete is a bit similar, but with full colour, and is generally about painting for painting's sake rather than navigating an empty world. iIt's out in 2024.
– James Archer
The Indie Megabooth, previously seen at PAXs East and West, is coming back. No confirmed events, but it'll be making its first post-pandemic appearances at some point.
– James Archer
Now for Summerhill, story-heavy puzzler that has a young shepherd (and their trusty dog) tracking down their lost herd across a pastel-painted world. It’s being made by members of the Alto’s Adventure and Alto’s Odyssey dev teams.
– James Archer
An anime girl has hijacked the stream. Happens.
– James Archer
She's plugging Eternights, a an action-dating sim 'bout fighting monsters and falling in love. Neawww.
– James Archer
Eternights (I didn't call it Eternite, you imagined it) is launching in September this year.
– James Archer
Huh! A hardware-building game, Retro Gadgets. It's already in early access on Steam, and looks like a less silly Kerbal Space Program for handheld games consoles.
– James Archer
And another building game, this time for DIY Mars rovers. It's called Mars First Logistics, and we have just seen one such rover fail to deliver a pizza.
– James Archer
I like the K'nex vibe of these designs.
– James Archer
Mars First Logistics is coming to early access on June 22nd.
– James Archer
Saltsea Chronicles is next. It's an cosily cartoon-styled adventure game set on a ship in a flooded world.
– James Archer
As Caff has pointed out, this is being presented by former RPS contributor Hannah Nicklin. There! I've disclosed it.
– James Archer
Double Fine don't pass up the chance to show off their 32-part megadocumentary on lmaking Psychonauts 2, Double Fine PsychOdyssey.
– James Archer
Sounds like we're approaching the end of Day of the Devs.
– James Archer
Yep, we're gonna close out on a New Caledona-inspired musical performance.
– James Archer
Well! That was lovely. Loads of cool stuff - Viewfinder is probably my pick of the bunch but I was generally cooing a lot more often than during the main show.
– James Archer
Right, that's me signing off. Thank you all who've followed and commented! I'll be back on liveblog duty this Sunday for Microsoft and the PC Gaming Show. Hopefully see you all then as well. Cheers!
– James Archer
(Oh and enjoy the Devolver show, those who celebrate)
– James Archer
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