The Game Awards 2019 is just a few short hours away. With none of its announcements leaking ahead of time, the big reveals from the show seem to be shrouded in mystery. However, some industry folks have come out, giving us an idea of what we can expect.
We here at DualShockers have been pondering what big surprises the show have in store, as well as who the big winner will be at this year’s Game Awards. Here are five predictions we are pretty certain will happen during the show’s duration.
Batman: Court of Owls Video Game Adaptation Announced
Back in September, WB Games Montreal posted a mysterious tweet teasing its next project. As it was attached to Batman’s 80th anniversary, it was clear that the development studio was working on a new Batman game. The tease itself quickly flashed some images, one of which indicated that Batman’s next video game adventure would involve the Court of Owls.
So, why would the first look of a Batman: Court of Owls video game be held at this year’s Game Awards? Well, the voice actor Roger Craig Smith tweeted about the show. Specifically. he said, “Keep them eyes and ears on The Game Awards tonight! Got a little somethin’ we’re cookin’ up for ya….” For those unaware, this is the voice actor who played the Caped Crusader in Batman: Arkham Origins.
Roger Craig Smith is involved in other big video game franchises though. He is known as the voice of Sonic from Sonic the Hedgehog and Mirage in Apex Legends. Could he be teasing news from one of those franchises? Sure, it’s definitely possible. But a new Batman game seems to be more “worthy” of the tease, and would certainly get a bigger pop than the aforementioned titles.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate‘s Last DLC Fighter is Doomguy
Now, I know we posted an article about Kingdom Heart‘s Sora being in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and I do think it is a viable option. Sora’s moves could be translated very well in Nintendo’s fighter. But I think the world of Disney is too integral for Sora to be properly represented in Smash Bros. Also, adding another sword character would be kind of lame. But what about a gun character?
No, not Halo‘s Master Chief (although that would also be amazing). I’m talking about the demon-slaying marine simply known as the Doomguy. Before I start this brief rant, I do think if Doom’s protagonist is added, they will go with “Doomguy” instead “Doomslayer,” simply because it doesn’t evoke the actual violent nature of the character.
Really, this prediction is only grounded in this leak that we reported on in early November 2019, where we see Mii Fighters sporting Cacodemon attire. Additionally, Doomguy has been one of the most rumored fighters to be added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate huge roster. As far as “hard evidence,” that is really it.
Bethesda has had a pretty good relationship with Nintendo since the Switch launched. Much of its games, like Doom, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim have all made it onto the platform. Doom, in particular, has almost every entry available on the Switch with Doom Eternal and Doom 64 slated to come to the console next year. Having a Bethesda rep doesn’t seem too out there, and Doomguy would certainly be one that gets a huge pop if it actually got announced.
Ghost of Tsushima Gets a Release Window
During this week’s State of Play, the people at PlayStation gave us a glimpse of Sucker Punch’s upcoming game, Ghost of Tsushima. It is already known that we will be seeing the full trailer, but I believe we’ll get more than just that. I’m talking about a release date.
There really isn’t any indication of when Ghost of Tsushima will hit store shelves, but it is slated for a PS4 release. With the PS5 coming late next year, it only makes sense that Sucker Punch’s next game will come before that. However, I can’t really see this game coming out in Q1 2020 considering the ridiculous lineup that is already slated. With games like Final Fantasy VII Remake, Doom Eternal, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Last of Us Part 2, it may not be the best option to have this in Q1 or early Q2 of 2020.
With all that in mind, I think Ghost of Tsushima will get a Summer 2020 release window. That way, there isn’t really a commitment to a specific date, and it puts it far away from all the big games coming out within the first half of 2020.
Bayonetta 3 Finally Gets Shown with Gameplay
It’s about time we see the next adventure of everyone’s favorite Umbra Witch. Yes, I am talking about Bayonetta 3.
Developed by PlatinumGames, Bayonetta 3 was initially announced at the Game Awards in 2017. There was no gameplay whatsoever. Just a very brief teaser showing Bayonetta’s legs and Scarborough Fair, her set of pistols aptly names Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme. The last we heard about the game was back in September of 2018 at Bitsummit Roadshow where Hideki Kamiya and Atsushi Inaba said development was going “very, very well.”
With it being two years since its initial announcement, I think its time we see this game in action. And what better place than The Game Awards, the show it was first announced at.
Game of the Year Winner is The Outer Worlds
The nominees for Game of the Year for the 2019 Game Awards is an interesting one. It is truly indicative of this year in gaming. There isn’t really a standout title. Rather, a list of a few solid titles from this year. Moreso than years prior, it’s a divisive list; one that spans different genres both in gameplay and storytelling. Just as a reminder, here are the nominees:
- Control
- Death Stranding
- Resident Evil 2
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- The Outer Worlds
The safe assumption is that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the winner. Nintendo’s fighter is one of the Switch’s best-selling video games and keeps its large community interested with genuinely great DLC fighters. It is the big game on the list. But I think it is a bit far off for people to consider it for 2019’s Game of the Year.
I think there is an argument for any of these games to be this year’s Game of the Year. But out of all of these, I think The Outer Worlds takes home the gold or whatever that cool looking trophy is made out of.
Out of all the games from this list, it seems The Outer Worlds is the one everyone, both gamers and journalists, can agree is great. I don’t think you could say the same thing about Control and Death Stranding, as they are arguably the most divisive of the bunch. Resident Evil 2 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice have the same sort of positivity surrounding it, but those are a bit more niche. The Outer Worlds is probably the most approachable game on this list and one that is still fresh in everyone’s mind.
The Game Awards are on tonight, December 12, at 8:30 pm ET/ 5:30 pm PT. You will be able to stream the show on just about all major social and streaming platform.
A new addition to the show is The Game Festival which allows gamers around the world to check out a selection of demos for the next 48 hours. You will be able to play games like Nightdive Studios’ System Shock, Eastward, and SkateBIRD.
The post The Game Awards 2019: Five Predictions for Tonight’s Show by Michael Ruiz appeared first on DualShockers.