Just because E3 2022 isn’t happening officially doesn’t mean game developers and publishers are skipping out on a summer full of announcements. Microsoft, Capcom, Netflix, Devolver Digital, and many others have stepped in to fill the void, with the Geoff Keighley-led Summer Game Fest kicking off a week of livestreaming events showcasing hundreds of new and upcoming games.
A few major game publishers have already signaled that they won’t hold an E3-style showcase during this time. Electronic Arts and Ubisoft have already ruled out doing their respective events, EA Play and Ubisoft Forward, in June. Nintendo, as Nintendo does, is still a wild card. The company has not announced a Nintendo Direct for June … yet.
Here’s a breakdown of the colloquially known “Not-E3” schedule so far, and what to expect from each show.
Thursday, June 9
Summer Game Fest
11 a.m. PDT/2 p.m. EDT
The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley and friends promise a “cross-industry showcase of announcements and games” during Thursday’s stream. Confirmed to appear at the Summer Game Fest kickoff livestream are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Gotham Knights, Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, and The Callisto Protocol. The show, which is expected to run between 90 minutes and two hours, will feature “a couple of new game announcements” and some surprises, Keighley said. But he cautioned that Summer Games Fest will primarily focus on “stuff that is announced,” so keep your lofty expectations in check.
Where to watch: YouTube | Twitch | Twitter | Facebook
Day of the Devs: SGF Edition Showcase
Immediately following the Summer Game Fest livestream will be a new showcase from iam8bit and Double Fine Productions, where the focus will be on new and announced indie games. The Day of the Devs showcase will reveal a new game from Monument Valley developer Ustwo games alongside new trailers, updates, and game announcements.
Where to watch: YouTube | Twitch | Twitter | Facebook
Devolver Direct 2022
3 p.m. PDT/6 p.m. EDT
Expect hijinks, game announcements, and probably a few gallons of fake blood during Devolver Digital’s annual … thing that they do. Here’s the official description: “A clueless team of Devolver Digital execs, scrambling to produce a presentation, accidentally trigger a reality-bending, industry-wide event that threatens the very fabric of video game time and space.” In reality, Devolver will likely show some cool game trailers.
Where to watch: YouTube | Twitch | Twitter | Facebook
Friday, June 10
IGN Expo
9 a.m. PDT/12 p.m. EDT
Details are still scant, but IGN’s livestream promises “new announcements, never-before-seen gameplay, and exclusive gaming reveals.”
Where to watch: YouTube | Twitch | Twitter | Facebook
Netflix Geeked Week Games Showcase
10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT
Netflix is rolling out Geeked Week content all week, but Friday will highlight the streamer’s gaming-related content, including The Cuphead Show, Sonic Prime, Dota: Dragon’s Blood, and Tekken: Bloodline. It will also focus on Netflix’s games initiative, with “more than 10 Netflix