There is a lot to be excited about, this week. The Game Developers Conference kicks off in San Franciso tomorrow morning, where Sony, Microsoft, and third-parties are expected to make new announcements.
A couple of Microsoft reveals have already leaked. Fable: Heroes is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade (which may be what Lionhead is counting down to), and Forza Horizon is in development for Xbox 360 at Playground Games. We should hear actual details regarding the two tomorrow, when the embargo for Microsoft’s Spring 2012 Showcase event lifts. Additionally, we’ll most likely hear more about Halo 4 and the oft-rumored Gears of War title for Kinect.
Sony will be making announcements. The internet has speculated that it has saved its Destination PlayStation reveals – which include LittleBigPlanet Karting (still never “officially” announced by the company – although confirmed) – for GDC. This also includes the rumored God of War IV, which was most recently listed by Amazon France. David Cage will showcase Quantic Dream‘s latest tech at the show, so it’s possible we may get a glimpse at the studio’s next PlayStation 3 exclusive.
Electronic Arts is going into the exhibition big with a two-hour livestream press conference on March 6 at 6pm PST / 9pm EST, where it will showcase Medal of Honor: Warfighter, SimCity 5, and is rumored to reveal the next Criterion-developed Need for Speed, as well as Dragon Age III. Army of Four, which was recently outed by a voice actor on Twitter, is also a possibility.
Epic Games has said it will showcase its Unreal Engine 4 to “select licensees, partners and prospective customers” during GDC. While that does mean we won’t get to see it firsthand, we can always hope for a leak, or two.
Outside of GDC, there is plenty more to be excited about, especially if your a fan of the Japanese market.
On March 7 at 19:00 JST / 5am EST, Imageepoch will host its “JRPG Declaration Vol. 2″ web conference, where “two new game announcements” will be made, at least one of which is an “original new RPG.” We should hear about at least one title a few hours before the conference, thanks to the Tuesday night Famitsu leak. The conference will be streamed live on Nico Nico.
Two days later, on March 9 at 20:00 JST / 6am EST, Sony will host its “PlayStation Vita Game Heaven” web conference, where it will announce new games and detail already-announced titles. A Phantasy Star announcement is expected. You will be able to watch it live here.
In terms of game releases, it’s also a big week. Here are the big guns:
- Blades of Time (PS3, 360)
- I Am Alive (XBLA)
- Mario Party 9 (Wii)
- Mass Effect 3 (PS3, 360, PC)
- MLB 12: The Show (PS3, PSV)
- MotorStorm RC (PS3 via PSN, PSV via PSN)
- Street Fighter X Tekken (PS3, 360)
- Unit 13 (PSV)
Get ready!
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