E3 is right around the corner. Once heralded as the finest time of year for the gaming public, things have been a little different in recent years. Despite the show no longer being the single-most important event on the gaming calendar, E3 still holds a special place in people's hearts.
It's a dream-like environment any reader of popular games culture wishes to see with their eyes. It acts as inspiration and motivation for players to become a personality able to walks its floors. A place those who see it with their own eyes usually never want to endure again. It's busy. It's busy, but it's special.
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But for those of us incapable of making it over to San Francisco for one of gaming's greatest shows, streaming has turned the event into something we can all enjoy from the comfort of our own home. Each major publisher typically hosts a conference or live show to announce, demonstrate and hype up their upcoming titles - but when can we watch them? We've got the times down below, so you don't have to miss a thing. Links to specific streams will come as they're announced. And with us being less than two weeks away at this point, the time is fast approaching.
EA
Time - Saturday, June 10 at 12 PM PT / 8 PM BST
Football - and other such sports! EA are kicking things off this year on June 10 - a full day earlier than the rest of the big players. Calling it the 'EA Play' pre-E3 event, your guess is as good as ours with this one. Sure, EA aren't massive supporters of PC gaming at the minute; they like to keep things within the console market, usually. But that doesn't mean we have to lose out. E3 is about sharing the excitement of gaming. If you can't be happy for your fellow players, E3 probably isn't for you.
Microsoft
Time - Sunday, June 11 at 2 PM PT / 10 PM BST
While Redmond may have hold their own against Sony and the PlayStation 3 in the last console generation, the Xbox One has been faltering against the Japanese electronics firm across the world. With Scorpio set to take centre stage, this could be Microsoft's last chance to push ahead in the console game. With numerous exclusives struggling to make their release dates - or being cancelled outright - Microsoft arguably need more than a simple console refresh at the minute. All eyes will be on them this time around.
Bethesda
Time - Sunday, June 11 at 9 PM PT / 5 PM BST
Rocking up around 5 hours after the culmination of Microsoft's decisive time on stage comes Bethesda - somewhat of a newcomer when it comes to the E3 show floor. Making an appearance with their own show last year to show off Fallout 4 VR, Quake Champions and tease a continuation of the Wolfenstein franchise, we'll likely be seeing more of all three this year, too. A sequel to last year's DOOM, perhaps? Don't hold your breath for The Elder Scrolls VI, however. After Fallout 4, we should all hope they wait before they jump the gun again.
PC Gaming Show
Time - Monday, June 12 at 10 AM PT / 6 PM BST
Now this one is for us. Another relatively new offering at E3, the PC Gaming Show was finally put in place to cater to the expanding PC market. Remember when 'PC gaming is dead' was all the rage? We were always here. Always waiting. As mods started to become more mainstream knowledge and the MOBA scene exploded, it was ironically the growing power for consoles that closed the gap needed to enlighten console gamers that PC gaming really isn't all about Counter Strike 1.6 and StarCraft Brood War - though both are still fantastic, we might add. This one is usually anyone's guess. Not focusing on a specific publisher or developer, this one is for everyone. And everyone means everything. Surprises all over the show.
Ubisoft
Time - Monday, June 12 at 1 PM PT / 9 PM BST
I still have flashbacks to Gamescom last year where Ubisoft consistently ruptured volume levels in a shared show hall by having what appeared to be a cult of worshippers chant the company name over and over. It was probably for free 'swag', but it was still a concerning sight. Though they're constantly putting out impressive trailers and game premises, Ubisoft have struggled to keep players happy this year. Will a new Assassin's Creed appease the cult, or will they be all bark and no bite?
Sony
Time - Monday, June 12 at 6 PM PT / 2 AM BST (June 13)
The gap between Ubisoft and Sony may be longer than that of the PC Gaming show - but that just means more time to grab additional barbecue supplies for those turning E3 into a nerdy get-together. With PSVR still fresh on people's minds, we can hope that'll be a strong focus for Sony going forward. Typically, it's Sony who manage to secure Square Enix as a monumental stage presence. But with both the Final Fantasy VII remake and Kingdom Hearts 3 still years away, we can't imagine what Sony will pull out of the bag this time. Insomniac's Spider-Man game would make a strong case.
Nintendo
Time - Tuesday, June 13th at 9 AM PT / 5 PM BST
Waiting patiently for a day all to themselves, Nintendo play the E3 game very differently. Though once offering a well-regarded and often exciting stage conference, Nintendo's stance has shifted in recent years to a pre-recorded demonstration video screened through their own website. Similar to their famous 'Nintendo Direct' videos, their E3 show typically lasts longer and blows minds with quirky gags before inviting players to try out announced games at public spaces (like Best Buy) while live-streaming gameplay sessions for the entirety of E3 through the 'Nintendo Treehouse' on the conference show floor. Of course, the focus here will be the recently released Nintendo Switch. Expect Pokémon, Mario Odyssey and Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
Devolver Digital
Time - Unconfirmed
Still keeping times close to their chest, Devolver Digital - known for games like The Talos Principle, Mother Russia Bleeds and Hotline Miami - will showcase their first ever E3 show this year. Could they just want a piece of the pie, or do they have something huge to announce? Without even announcing a time for their show, it's hard to imagine what's going on here. We'll have to wait.
Of course, we'll be posting round-ups of each show as they happen - but not before we offer up links to each stream. Once things get a little closer, expect stream URLs to show up on the GameWatcher homepage. And who knows; we might have a little predictions piece going up before then.
