E3 2021 hosted its first virtual version of the premier event for computer and video games and gear, which featured presentations from Nintendo, GameSpot, Capcom, Razer, and Ubisoft, among others.
The Official E3 2021 Awards Show crowned Forza Horizon 5 as the most anticipated game of 2021. Editors from IGN, PC Gamer, GameSpot, IGN China, GamesRadar+, and Game Bonfire assisted in the voting.
Ubisoft Forward’s presentation showed a trailer for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, which will launch in 2022. According to The Hollywood Reporter, James Cameron’s original film is being re-released in China. “Avatar 2” is scheduled to come out December 17, 2022.
Ubisoft also announced an extended scene and teaser for a Far Cry 6 season pass. Players will be able to play as previous villains, a first in Far Cry history. Mario+Rabbids Sparks Hope! was also announced.
Gearbox showed scenes from the movie set of Borderlands, featuring clips of director Eli Roth, Kevin Hart, Edgar Ramirez, producers, and others.
The new trailer for Halo Infinite showcased its multiplayer mode.
Microsoft Flight Simulator and Paramount Studios have partnered to launch Top Gun: Maverick.
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios.
Warner Bros. Games released a Back 4 Blood trailer.
Post Malone made a quick appearance to wish everyone well. Dean Takahashi, lead writer for GamesBeat at VentureBeat, hosted an Xbox retrospective panel with Robbie Bach, Shane Kim, and Ed Fries.
Verizon announced a $1 million commitment towards increasing female representation in the gaming industry. This commitment will be achieved through the Verizon Game Forward Scholarship for female students at historically Black Colleges and Universities. Cxmmunity is the non-profit organization helping to organize and carry out the commitment.
Verizon is also launching Dignitas NFT, asking fans to get involved in using their social channels. A select 100 will be chosen to receive “unique, high fidelity NFT holograms” of Dig’s Women’s FPS team. The NFTs can be viewed in augmented reality where fans can walk around and snap photos with their favourite player’s hologram. The NFTs will be signed by players come June 24, as part of the Game Changers tournament.
In other NFT news, Mythical Games launched early access for Blankos Block Party, which merges art, video, and NFT-authenticated game characters.
There is a new family-friendly home console called Amico.
Capcom confirmed that Resident Evil Village DLC is in development, plus a new trailer for The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, which is coming to Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Steam on July 29. They also announced Monster Hunter Stories 2 will be out on Nintendo Switch and Steam on July 9. The “Trial Version” demo is coming to Switch on June 25, and Steam on July 9. This version will allow players to create “your own Rider, start your journey, befriend and raise some Monsties, and eventually transfer all your progress to the full game launch,” the company said.
Razer unveiled a new laptop called the Razer Blade 14. The company calls it “the world’s most powerful 14-inch gaming laptop.”
Finally, Nintendo came with several announcements, including new trailers for Tekken‘s Kazuya Mishima coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate; a new 2D entry in the Metroid saga called Metroid Dread, which is the first addition in over 19 years; and a new trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Oh, and a new Switch Pro was supposed to be announced — but it wasn’t. Folks will have to wait longer for a successor to the OG. The E3 Virtual Portal will stay open until June 30.