Yesterday we gave you some pretty sensible predictions about what we expect to happen at E3 2017 when it gets underway in just over a week’s time. Being sensible is boring, though, so I’ve decided to get a little more creative. I’ve come up with another four things that I dream of seeing at the show, I just know I almost certainly won’t. So kick back and let me take you on a brief journey of my wild imagination.
The Last Of Us Part Two VR
It’s likely we won’t even see The Last Of Us Part Two at E3 this year, but all the same it remains just about everyone’s most anticipated game right now. But what’s the one thing that could make us even more excited than we really are? Well VR support of course.
Naughty Dog knows how to tell a story better than anyone. Keep the third-person camera and get creative; I can only imagine what they’d be able to do with bold new medium. The horror aspect of the game would be greatly intensified too, with Clickers ticking away right in front of your face.
Project Scorpio Supports… Everything
A year ago, the safe money was on Microsoft’s upgraded Xbox One console, Project Scorpio, supporting the Oculus Rift. Microsoft and Oculus share a close relationship, with the Xbox controller bundled in with every Rift sold and Windows 10 PC owners enjoying game streaming through a virtual theater. But Microsoft’s own line of Windows 10 headsets, coming later this year, threw a wrench in those plans.
Personally, I still want to see Rift on Scorpio. Microsoft’s new headsets remain unproven and every hands-on we’ve had has presented its own set of quirks. The problem Rift supports a different ecosystem and different tracking mechanisms. It’s highly unlikely Microsoft is will to support all of the Rift’s extra sensors and Oculus Home itself. Oh well.
All of Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is in VR
My prediction in yesterday’s article was that Battlefront 2 will feature much more substantial VR support over its predecessor, perhaps with a full mode dedicated to flight combat. But, as unlikely as it is, a small part of me still hopes that we’ll see complete integration with Battlefront 2 on PSVR, Rift, and Vive as well Project Scorpio.
True, the game would struggle to comfortably fit into VR, but if Resident Evil 7 could do it then so can Battlefront, right? Imagine becoming one of the game’s heroes and realistically wielding a lightsaber on the battlefield, or using the PlayStation Aim controller to really feel like a soldier with boots on the ground.
VR 2.0
E3 doesn’t really feel like the right time for a VR hardware announcement, and it’s certainly too early for sequels to the Rift, Vive, and PSVR, but we’d love to see someone come out with a truly next-generation headset all the same. That’s especially after seeing improved VR displays from Samsung and the arrival of inside-out tracking on other headsets.
Perhaps LG’s new headset could see some significant spec boosts before it’s released, or another company is waiting in the wings with the most impressive device we’ve yet seen.
