E3 2016
The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016 (E3 2016) was a major annual trade show organized by the Entertainment Software Association to promote video games, hardware, and related technologies, held from June 14 to 16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California.[1][2] It attracted 50,300 industry professionals, including publishers, developers, retailers, and media, marking a slight decline from the 52,000 attendees at E3 2015.[1][3] The event featured press conferences and demonstrations from leading companies such as Microsoft, Sony, Electronic Arts, Bethesda, Ubisoft, and Nintendo, unveiling key titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the God of War series reboot, Death Stranding, and Battlefield 1.[4][5] Nintendo's presentation highlighted its upcoming NX hardware prototype, later released as the Nintendo Switch, alongside expanded Pokémon Sun and Moon details.[4] Virtual reality emerged prominently with playable demos of Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR, signaling growing industry investment in immersive tech despite ongoing debates over its commercial viability.[4] While praised for innovative reveals, E3 2016 drew criticism for overhyped trailers and fan discontent with shifts in franchise directions, such as Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare's space opera pivot away from modern warfare settings.[6]Event Overview
Dates and Venue
The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016 was held from June 14 to 16, 2016, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.[7][8] The event operated on a Tuesday-through-Thursday schedule, with public show floor hours from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. PDT each day, following pre-event press conferences starting as early as June 11.[9][10] This marked the 21st annual E3 and continued the tradition of hosting the trade show at the Los Angeles Convention Center, a venue selected for its capacity to accommodate large-scale exhibitor booths and attendee crowds.[7]Attendance and Economic Impact
The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2016, held from June 14 to 16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, drew 50,300 attendees, marking a modest decline from the 52,000 recorded in 2015.[11][3][12] This figure encompassed industry professionals, media, and limited public access via lottery, with approximately 300 exhibitors participating, including major publishers showcasing upcoming titles.[13] Broader metrics incorporating E3 Live online streams and pre-event activities reported over 70,000 participants, though physical on-site attendance remained the core metric for event scale.[14] Economically, E3 2016 contributed an estimated $40 million to the Los Angeles economy, primarily through hotel bookings, local spending, and related tourism.[15] This impact aligned with prior years' patterns, supporting jobs in hospitality and convention services, though specific breakdowns for 2016—such as hotel nights or direct spending—were not publicly detailed by organizers. The event's footprint strained local infrastructure, including traffic and lodging, prompting discussions on expanding capacity for future iterations.[15]Theme and Industry Context
The video game industry in 2016 was characterized by the dominance of eighth-generation consoles launched three years prior, with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One collectively surpassing 50 million units sold by mid-year, fueling record revenues exceeding $100 billion globally for the prior fiscal period. Publishers prioritized software expansions for these platforms, including enhanced graphics via mid-generation upgrades, while mobile gaming eroded traditional PC and console shares but remained secondary at E3's console-centric showcase.[16][17] Virtual reality represented the event's prevailing focus, positioned as the next paradigm for immersive gameplay amid hype from tech giants like Facebook's Oculus and HTC. Sony demonstrated over 50 PlayStation VR titles, including Resident Evil 7 biohazard fully playable in VR and Batman: Arkham VR, ahead of its October 2016 launch bundled with the headset for accessibility on existing PS4 hardware. Microsoft emphasized cross-platform VR via Oculus Rift compatibility for Fallout 4 and teased Scorpio hardware optimizations, while PC demos of HTC Vive underscored spatial tracking innovations, though high entry costs—around $600–800 per headset—tempered widespread expectations. This VR push reflected causal drivers like advancing sensor tech and developer tools, yet empirical data from early adopters highlighted barriers such as limited content depth and physiological issues like nausea.[18][19][20] Nintendo's subdued presence, limited to a digital event without playable hardware, underscored its Wii U sales lag—under 14 million units lifetime—prompting a pivot toward hybrid portability with the teased NX successor, amid internal challenges from mobile competition like Pokémon GO's explosive July launch. The expo thus captured an industry at equilibrium: robust current-gen ecosystems sustaining blockbusters like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, juxtaposed against speculative bets on VR and hardware refreshes that would materialize later, such as Xbox Project Scorpio's 4K capabilities.[21][17]Press Conferences
Square Enix
Square Enix did not host a traditional press conference during E3 2016, which ran from June 14 to 16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, choosing instead to emphasize booth demonstrations and daily live streams under the banner "Square Enix Presents."[22] These streams, broadcast on YouTube, featured developer interviews, gameplay footage, and updates across multiple days, serving as the company's primary platform for E3 communications.[23] Prior to the main event, Square Enix organized a pre-E3 showcase on June 8 focused on the Deus Ex Universe, where attendees viewed a 17-minute gameplay demo of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, highlighting stealth, augmentation, and narrative elements in the cyberpunk setting. The company's E3 booth offered hands-on demos for several titles, including Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Hitman (Episode 3: "Freedom Fighters"), Just Cause 3 (Land Mech Assault DLC), Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness, I Am Setsuna, The Turing Test, and Black the Fall.[22] Key updates during the presentations included details on Final Fantasy XV, such as confirmation of a main story length of 40 to 50 hours, new screenshots, and a playable "Titan Challenge" demo emphasizing combat against massive bosses.[24][25] The game, set for release on September 30, 2016, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, also saw mentions of an upcoming virtual reality experience featuring character Prompto.[26] Other featured properties encompassed Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward expansions, and ongoing support for Hitman's episodic model.[27] To mark the 20th anniversary of the Tomb Raider franchise, Square Enix hosted celebratory activities at the booth, including cosplay contests, merchandise displays, and developer panels, though no new title was formally announced beyond teases of future projects from Crystal Dynamics.[28][29] The event underscored Square Enix's strategy of leveraging established IPs like Final Fantasy and Deus Ex for interactive engagement rather than spectacle-driven reveals.[22]Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts hosted its E3 2016 press conference on June 12, 2016, at 1:00 PM PT, initiating the pre-E3 events as part of the inaugural EA Play fan-focused showcase held separately from the main Los Angeles Convention Center floor.[30][31] The event took place at The Novo (formerly Club Nokia) in downtown Los Angeles, with a linked broadcast from a companion EA Play gathering in London to highlight global releases like sports titles.[32][33] Unlike prior years, EA opted out of a traditional E3 booth, redirecting resources to EA Play for extended demos and attendee access from June 11 to 19.[34] The conference emphasized updates to core franchises, with CEO Andrew Wilson framing announcements around player engagement and technical advancements like the Frostbite engine's expanded use.[33] Titanfall 2 received prominent coverage, confirming a single-player campaign featuring pilot Jack Cooper and Titan BT-7274, alongside refined multiplayer modes; Respawn Entertainment revealed a release date of October 28, 2016, and an early multiplayer beta for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One starting August 19, followed by PC on August 25.[33][35] Battlefield 1, set in World War I, showcased extended gameplay emphasizing trench warfare, operations mode, and large-scale battles; DICE announced an open beta from August 31 to September 8 across platforms, with early access for EA Access subscribers and pre-orders.[33] Mass Effect: Andromeda debuted its first planetary exploration and combat gameplay trailer, highlighting the Frostbite engine's role in rendering diverse alien environments and Ryder family protagonists; BioWare targeted a holiday 2016 release, later delayed to March 2017.[35][33] Sports titles included FIFA 17's introduction of "The Journey," a narrative mode following young player Alex Hunter, powered by Frostbite for enhanced animations and realism, set for September 29, 2016, release.[35][33] Madden NFL 17 and NHL 17 featured trailers from London, showcasing improved ball physics and defensive mechanics for Madden, and enhanced skating and checking for NHL, both launching in August and September 2016, respectively.[33] Star Wars updates encompassed Star Wars Battlefront expansions, including the free "Death Star" expansion and paid "Outer Rim" DLC introducing heroes like Jabba the Hutt and bounty hunter modes; EA also revealed a new linear, story-driven Star Wars game developed by Visceral Games, distinct from DICE's multiplayer focus.[33] Additional notes included expanding EA Access to PC via Origin Access for early trials and the reveal of NBA Live 17 with refined dribbling and dunk animations.[33] The event underscored EA's pivot toward subscription services and cross-platform accessibility amid growing esports integration.[36]Bethesda
Bethesda Softworks held its second annual E3 press conference on June 12, 2016, beginning at 7:00 p.m. PDT in Los Angeles.[37] The event focused on updates for ongoing franchises and new title reveals, emphasizing first-person shooters and RPG expansions, with presentations from executives like Todd Howard and developers from studios such as id Software and Arkane Studios.[38] [39] A major highlight was the announcement of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, a remastered version of the 2011 original optimized for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, featuring enhanced graphics, volumetric lighting, and dynamic depth of field, set for release on October 28, 2016.[40] The edition included all prior DLC and introduced mod support for consoles, allowing players to create and share modifications similar to the PC version, addressing long-standing fan requests for cross-platform compatibility.[40] Bethesda revealed Prey, a reboot of the 2006 game developed by Arkane Studios, shifting from the original's sequel plans to a first-person immersive sim set on a space station infested with alien mimics, emphasizing player agency through unique abilities like shape-shifting and psychokinetic powers, with a planned 2017 release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.[41] [39] Quake Champions, a free-to-play arena shooter reviving the classic series, was unveiled with a cinematic trailer showcasing fast-paced multiplayer combat featuring champions with unique abilities and passive perks, developed by id Software for PC with competitive esports focus.[38] Updates for Fallout 4 included the Contraptions Workshop DLC, released on June 21, 2016, adding machinery-building features like conveyor belts and manufacturing systems to expand settlement customization.[39] DOOM received demonstrations of its multiplayer modes and SnapMap tool for user-generated content, building on the game's April 2016 launch success.[38] Dishonored 2 showed extended gameplay from Arkane, confirming its November 11, 2016, release with selectable protagonists Emily Kaldwin and Corvo Attano, each offering distinct supernatural abilities.[39] The conference also teased a new Wolfenstein title through a brief trailer featuring protagonist B.J. Blazkowicz, hinting at a sequel to 2014's The New Order without a release window.[42] Additional segments covered The Elder Scrolls Legends open beta launch and The Elder Scrolls Online updates, including the One Tamriel patch removing level restrictions for open-world exploration.[43]Microsoft
Microsoft's Xbox E3 2016 briefing took place on June 13, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. PDT, hosted by Xbox head Phil Spencer.[44] The event emphasized a unified ecosystem transcending traditional console generations, with new hardware designed to coexist alongside existing Xbox One models rather than supplant them.[45] A major hardware reveal was the Xbox One S, a compact revision of the Xbox One measuring 40% smaller in volume, incorporating an internal power supply, support for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc playback, High Dynamic Range (HDR) for games and video, and vertical stand compatibility.[46][47] Priced at $299 for the 500 GB model, it launched on August 2, 2016, with capacities up to 2 TB available.[46] Spencer followed with the announcement of Project Scorpio, a high-performance Xbox One variant targeting native 4K gaming resolution and virtual reality capabilities, powered by a 6-teraflop GPU, while ensuring full compatibility with all Xbox One games, accessories, and peripherals; it was slated for a holiday 2017 release.[48][49][45] On the software front, Microsoft introduced Xbox Play Anywhere, enabling select digital purchases to grant access on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, with shared saves and achievements across platforms; inaugural titles included Gears of War 4 (releasing October 11, 2016) and Forza Horizon 3 (September 27, 2016).[47] The company also expanded backward compatibility to include Tekken Tag Tournament 2 at no additional cost for Xbox Live Gold subscribers and enhanced Xbox Live services with Clubs for community organization, Looking for Group matchmaking tools, and Arena ranked competitive modes, incorporating titles like EA Sports FIFA.[47] The briefing featured extensive game demonstrations and announcements, prioritizing first-party and exclusive content. Key showcases included Gears of War 4 multiplayer gameplay from The Coalition, Halo Wars 2 real-time strategy expansion from Creative Assembly (February 2017 release), Sea of Thieves pirate adventure from Rare, State of Decay 2 zombie survival sequel from Undead Labs, ReCore action-platformer from Armature Studio and Comdotgames (September 2016), Dead Rising 4 zombie-slaying return from Capcom Vancouver (holiday 2016), and Scalebound action-RPG from PlatinumGames.[50][46] Third-party support was highlighted through trailers for Final Fantasy XV from Square Enix, Tekken 7 from Bandai Namco, and cross-platform updates for Minecraft enabling multiplayer between Xbox, Windows 10, and mobile devices.[46][50]PC Gaming Show
The PC Gaming Show, organized by PC Gamer as an alternative to console-centric press conferences, held its second edition on June 13, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. PT.[51] Hosted by esports commentator Sean "Day[52]" Plott, the approximately 100-minute event featured developer presentations, trailers, and gameplay demos focused exclusively on PC titles.[51][53] Major game announcements included Relic Entertainment's showcase of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III, featuring a trailer with large-scale battles involving warriors, airships, and mechs.[51] Studio Wildcard updated ARK: Survival Evolved with details on the Redwood biome and the Titanosaurus creature for base-building.[51] TaleWorlds Entertainment revealed siege warfare gameplay for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, confirming mod support at launch.[51] Other notable reveals encompassed CI Games and Deck13's The Surge, a sci-fi action RPG with souls-like combat mechanics; Boss Key Productions' LawBreakers, including a new map trailer and alpha signup; and Dontnod Entertainment's Vampyr, highlighting combat systems with dodging and piercing attacks.[51] Additional highlights featured Tripwire Interactive's expansions for Killing Floor 2, set for full release in fall 2016, alongside their VR title Killing Floor: Incursion demonstrated with Oculus Touch controls; Obsidian Entertainment's Tyranny, an isometric RPG emphasizing narrative choices and tactical combat; and Bohemia Interactive's Arma III Apex expansion, launching July 11, 2016, with a co-op campaign.[51] Smaller studios presented titles like Finji's procedurally generated survival game Overland, Nova Core's sci-fi MMO Dual Universe with voxel-based ship-building, and Torn Banner Studios' magic-infused multiplayer combat in Mirage: Arcane Warfare.[51] Hardware segments included AMD's unveiling of its Polaris architecture GPUs: the Radeon RX 480 (releasing June 27, 2016), RX 470 (offering 2.8 times the performance of prior generations in certain workloads), and esports-oriented RX 460, with demonstrations of Doom running via the Vulkan API.[51] Alienware also previewed a VR-ready backpack PC powered by the RX 480 for untethered experiences.[51] The event underscored PC gaming's emphasis on diverse genres, modding, and high-fidelity hardware integration amid E3's broader industry focus.[51]Ubisoft
Ubisoft held its E3 2016 press conference on June 13, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. PT in the Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, marking a return to the traditional Monday slot ahead of the main expo.[54][55] Hosted by Aisha Tyler in her fifth consecutive year, the event opened with a moment of silence for victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting and celebrated Ubisoft's 30th anniversary with an emphasis on virtual reality experiences alongside major franchise updates.[56] The conference featured live performances and celebrity appearances, including South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker for South Park: The Fractured But Whole, which showcased tactical superhero gameplay and a December 6, 2016, release for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, with pre-orders bundling the prior Stick of Truth game.[56] Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands received an open-world gameplay reveal set in Bolivia, supporting solo or four-player co-op, slated for March 7, 2017, on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.[56] Expansions for Tom Clancy's The Division were detailed, with Underground launching June 28, 2016, for Xbox One and PC (August 2 for PS4) and Survival to follow exclusively first on Xbox One.[56] VR titles highlighted included Eagle Flight, a capture-the-flag game in a post-human Paris releasing in autumn 2016 for major VR platforms, demoed with Oculus founder Palmer Luckey, and Star Trek: Bridge Crew, a multiplayer simulation featuring actors LeVar Burton and Jeri Ryan, also autumn 2016.[56] Combat-focused For Honor presented extended melee footage pitting knights, samurai, and vikings, with a February 14, 2017, release and upcoming multiplayer alpha.[56] Watch Dogs 2 emphasized hacking gameplay in San Francisco, with 30-day PS4-exclusive DLC and a film adaptation in development.[56] New IP Steep, an open-world extreme sports title covering skiing, snowboarding, and wingsuit flying, was revealed for December 2016 with beta sign-ups opened immediately.[56] Other announcements encompassed Just Dance 2017 with a live Queen cover performance and October 2016 release (Nintendo NX version in 2017); Grow Up, a platformer sequel to Grow Home for August 2016 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One; and Trials of the Blood Dragon, a motocross mash-up available digitally post-conference.[56]Sony
Sony's press conference took place on June 13, 2016, at 6:00 PM Pacific Time, held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.[57] The event emphasized first-party and exclusive titles, featuring extended gameplay demonstrations and new reveals while avoiding celebrity appearances or extended non-gaming segments, a departure from prior years that prioritized content over spectacle.[58] The conference opened with an extended gameplay demo of God of War, developed by Santa Monica Studio for PlayStation 4, showcasing a narrative shift to a father-son story between Kratos and his son Atreus, with revamped third-person combat emphasizing combos, axe-throwing mechanics, and puzzle-solving in a Norse mythology setting.[18] No release date was specified, but the demo highlighted seamless camera-over-the-shoulder perspective and environmental interactions.[59] Subsequent announcements included Days Gone, an open-world action-adventure game by Bend Studio for PS4, featuring zombie survival elements, crafting, and motorcycle traversal in post-apocalyptic Oregon, with Deacon St. John as the protagonist.[18] A new trailer for Horizon Zero Dawn by Guerrilla Games demonstrated robotic creature combat, bow-based archery, and trap mechanics in a tribal future world, confirming special editions and a 2017 release window.[18] Sony revealed Marvel's Spider-Man by Insomniac Games as a PS4 exclusive, with a cinematic trailer depicting web-swinging action, combat against foes like Mister Negative, and original story elements separate from prior adaptations.[18] Hideo Kojima announced Death Stranding, his debut title from Kojima Productions for PS4, via a cryptic trailer emphasizing themes of connection and isolation, featuring Norman Reedus and Mads Mikkelsen, with no gameplay shown.[60] Third-party highlights featured Resident Evil 7 biohazard by Capcom, confirmed for PS4 with PS VR support and a January 24, 2017, release, shifting to first-person horror in a derelict plantation setting.[18] The Last Guardian by Japan Studio received an October 25, 2016, release date for PS4, following years of delays.[18] Other titles included Detroit: Become Human by Quantic Dream, a narrative-driven thriller about androids, and the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy remaster by Activision, collecting the first three games with updated visuals for PS4 in 2017.[18] A significant portion addressed PlayStation VR, set for launch on October 13, 2016, in North America, with demos of Farpoint (Impulse Gear's shooter), Star Wars Battlefront: X-Wing VR Mission (EA's space combat sim), and Batman: Arkham VR (Rocksteady's detective experience), underscoring Sony's push into virtual reality hardware bundled at $399 with camera and games.[18] The conference concluded with orchestral performances and recaps, positioning PS4 exclusives as core to Sony's ecosystem amid competition from Xbox and Nintendo.[18]Nintendo Digital Event
Nintendo deviated from its prior E3 format by announcing on May 5, 2016, that it would not conduct a traditional press conference or Digital Event, opting instead for extended Nintendo Treehouse: Live broadcasts centered on gameplay demonstrations for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS titles.[61] The streams commenced on June 14, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. PT, with over eight hours dedicated primarily to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, including live playthroughs of its open-world mechanics, physics-based puzzles, and combat system.[62] This approach emphasized hands-on accessibility, as the game was made playable on the E3 show floor for select attendees, marking the first public demo of its revamped formula blending elements from earlier Zelda entries with survival and exploration influences.[21] Subsequent Treehouse sessions on June 15 and 16 expanded coverage to other franchises. On June 15, starting at 10:00 a.m. PT, the stream highlighted Pokémon Sun and Moon with demonstrations of core battles, introducing mechanics like Z-Moves—powerful one-time attacks activated via Z-Crystals—and Alolan regional forms of familiar Pokémon species such as Rattata and Geodude.[63] Additional segments covered amiibo functionality integrations and minor updates, such as new Splatoon figurines compatible with the base game. June 16's broadcast, from approximately 10:00 a.m. PT, featured third-party titles including Monster Hunter Stories for Nintendo 3DS, showcasing turn-based RPG combat with monster-riding elements, and Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, a port with enhanced visuals and quality-of-life improvements like auto-save.[64] The Treehouse format yielded no major new game announcements but provided in-depth looks at confirmed titles, reinforcing Nintendo's commitment to its existing platforms amid speculation about successor hardware. Paper Mario: Color Splash received extended play sessions illustrating its action-platforming puzzle elements on Wii U, while Yo-kai Watch 3 demos emphasized expanded world maps across U.S. and Japan settings.[21] Overall, the presentations garnered positive reception for their transparency and focus on developer insights, though critics noted the absence of hardware reveals or third-party blockbusters as a subdued presence compared to competitors' conferences.[65]Exhibitors and Demonstrations
Notable Exhibitors
Sony Interactive Entertainment occupied a particularly expansive booth in the South Hall, emphasizing PlayStation VR with dedicated demo areas for immersive experiences and hands-on play for titles such as God of War, Spider-Man, and Days Gone, alongside traditional console demos.[66][67] Microsoft's Xbox booth featured prominent displays of the newly announced Xbox One S slimline console, with interactive zones for multiplayer titles including Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3, drawing significant crowds for competitive play sessions.[68][69] Bethesda Softworks maintained one of the largest third-party booths, centered on high-profile franchises with life-sized replicas and playable sections for Doom, Dishonored 2, and Fallout 4 enhancements like mod support and VR compatibility demonstrations.[70][71] Ubisoft showcased a booth focused on competitive and cooperative gameplay, including large-scale battle arenas for For Honor and urban exploration demos for Watch Dogs 2, streamed live from the floor to highlight multiplayer features.[72][54] Nintendo's booth, though more restrained compared to prior years, centered on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with extended open-world demo stations allowing attendees to explore Hyrule on Wii U and Nintendo Switch hardware.[73] Other significant exhibitors included Bandai Namco Entertainment with RPG showcases like Tales of Berseria and Dragonball Xenoverse 2, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment featuring DC Comics titles such as Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition expansions.[74]Absences and Limited Participation
Several prominent publishers declined to maintain booths on the E3 2016 show floor, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the event's return on investment and a pivot toward alternative marketing strategies.[75][76] Nintendo, a longtime E3 participant, announced in May 2016 that it would forgo any physical booth or on-site press briefing, opting instead for remote engagement through a Nintendo Direct video presentation on June 14 and extended Nintendo Treehouse livestreams showcasing gameplay demos.[77][78] This approach allowed Nintendo to highlight titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild without the logistical costs of floor space, though it limited direct hands-on access for attendees.[21] Electronic Arts withdrew its booth in late January 2016, prioritizing its separate EA Play event held concurrently in Los Angeles, which featured demos and announcements but occurred outside the main E3 venue.[79][80] Activision followed suit in early March, choosing not to exhibit independently and instead partnering with other firms—such as Sony—to showcase titles like Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare during their events.[81] – note: using as indirect confirmation, but primary from others. Disney Interactive and Wargaming also skipped booths entirely, with Disney citing a strategic realignment away from traditional trade shows and Wargaming emphasizing that E3 no longer aligned with its business priorities for titles like World of Tanks.[79][82] These absences contributed to a noticeably thinner South Hall, traditionally dominated by third-party publishers, though core exhibitors like Ubisoft and Bethesda maintained substantial presences.[83]Featured Games and Hands-On Demos
At publisher booths and on the show floor, hands-on demos emphasized interactive gameplay for upcoming titles, allowing attendees to test mechanics beyond trailers. Sony's expansive booth featured playable sessions for third-party titles including Killing Floor 2, a co-op shooter with horde-based combat; Let It Die, a free-to-play roguelike climber emphasizing brutal melee and traps; Headlander, a Metroidvania-style adventure with body-swapping possession mechanics; and Yakuza 0, a prequel exploring 1980s Japan with brawler combat and side activities.[84] [85] Guerrilla Games' Horizon: Zero Dawn offered demos showcasing third-person action in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by robotic beasts, where players used intuitive bow aiming, crafting, and override tools to hunt machines, highlighting responsive controls and environmental tactics over previous cinematic showcases.[86] Santa Monica Studio's God of War provided narrative-focused combat trials, depicting Kratos mentoring his son Atreus in axe-throwing melee against mythical foes, with emphasis on rage mechanics as a "disease" theme and seamless companion AI integration.[87] EA's Battlefield 1 multiplayer sessions simulated World War I trenches, with 64-player modes featuring biplanes, horses, and bayonet charges, noted for immersive audio like overhead aircraft and gritty, squad-based objectives diverging from modern warfare norms.[88] Bethesda's public-access event included playable Fallout 4 VR, adapting the open-world RPG for virtual reality with teleport locomotion and Pip-Boy interactions, enabling exploration of the Commonwealth wasteland from a first-person immersive perspective.[89] [90] Nintendo's booth centered on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild demos, where players navigated an open Hyrule with physics-driven climbing, cooking survival elements, and emergent combat against environmental threats like rock monsters, blending exploration freedom with light puzzle-solving in bounded areas.[91] Ubisoft's Ghost Recon: Wildlands allowed co-op takedowns in a Bolivia-inspired open world, focusing on tactical squad commands and vehicle chases against cartels.[92] Square Enix demonstrated Final Fantasy XV on Xbox One, with a "Trial of Titan" segment involving summon battles and party synergies in a massive open area.[93] These sessions underscored E3 2016's shift toward tangible playtesting for major releases scheduled into 2017.Hardware and Technology Highlights
VR Announcements and Demos
At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) held from June 14 to 16, 2016, virtual reality (VR) hardware and software took center stage, with major platforms including PlayStation VR (PS VR), Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive featuring extensive demos and announcements. Sony emphasized PS VR during its June 13 press conference, showcasing over 50 launch titles and playable experiences, positioning the headset—set for an October 13 release—as a key driver for VR adoption on consoles.[94][95] Sony highlighted several PS VR titles, including the stage demo of Farpoint, a sci-fi shooter from Impulse Gear set on a hostile alien planet, emphasizing immersive combat with PS VR Aim Controller support.[18][96] Batman: Arkham VR was presented as a narrative-driven experience allowing players to investigate in Batman's perspective, distinct from traditional Arkham gameplay.[97] Additional demos included Star Wars Battlefront: X-Wing VR Mission, a single-player space combat segment, and Here They Lie, a first-person horror title.[18][98] Ten PS VR games were playable on the show floor, such as remastered Rez Infinite and Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin.[99] Capcom demonstrated a PS VR-exclusive Resident Evil 7: Biohazard demo titled "Beginning Hour," shifting the series to first-person horror and marking a significant VR push, with the full game supporting the headset at launch on January 24, 2017.[58] Square Enix announced the Final Fantasy XV VR Experience for PS VR, a short interactive demo tied to the main game's October 2016 release.[100] Oculus Rift demos focused on controller integration with Oculus Touch, featuring hands-on sessions for Wilson's Heart, a narrative adventure involving heart surgery mechanics, and The Unspoken, a spell-casting arena battler.[101] Ubisoft revealed Eagle Flight, a multiplayer aerial combat game set in post-apocalyptic Paris, playable in VR via Oculus Rift with bird-of-prey flight simulation.[102] Attendees noted high demand for Rift demos, praising graphical fidelity but citing long wait times.[103] HTC Vive showcased developer stations with titles like an early Fallout 4 VR build from Bethesda, adapting the open-world RPG for room-scale tracking, though impressions varied on locomotion and scale.[104] Bethesda also announced Doom VR, a full VR adaptation of the 2016 shooter, and a tech demo, both exclusive to Vive in 2017.[105][106] HTC demonstrated mixed reality setups and experiences like an Everest climbing sim, underscoring Vive's emphasis on full-body immersion over seated VR.[107][108] Overall, E3 2016 shifted VR focus from hardware reveals to content, with PS VR leading in title volume while PC-based systems like Vive highlighted spatial interaction.[109]Console and Accessory Reveals
Microsoft announced two new additions to the Xbox One family during its E3 2016 press briefing on June 13. The Xbox One S, a redesigned, slimmer console measuring 40% smaller than the original Xbox One, supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback, HDR for games and video, and an internal power supply, with availability starting in August 2016 at prices from $299 for a 2TB model.[49][110] Microsoft also unveiled Project Scorpio, positioned as a premium Xbox One variant capable of native 4K gaming at 60 frames per second, featuring a 6-teraflop GPU, 320 GB/s memory bandwidth, and support for virtual reality headsets, with a planned release in holiday 2017.[48][111] The device was designed to maintain backward compatibility with existing Xbox One games and accessories while advancing beyond traditional console generations through enhanced cross-platform play with Windows 10 PCs.[112] Sony Interactive Entertainment did not announce any new consoles at its E3 2016 press conference on June 14, instead emphasizing software and PlayStation VR demonstrations.[18] Nintendo similarly withheld details on its next-generation NX system during its digital event on June 14, confirming only that it would support The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in 2017 without hardware specifications or visuals.[113] Among accessories, Harmonix revealed the Rivals Expansion Pack for Rock Band 4, including updated peripherals with a sleeker design for enhanced compatibility with the game's legacy library.[114] Third-party exhibitor Nyko showcased VR-oriented accessories, such as cooling grips for controllers to mitigate hand fatigue during extended sessions.[115] These announcements complemented the console hardware focus, though no major new first-party controllers from primary exhibitors were introduced.Awards and Exhibitions
Game Critics Awards
The Game Critics Awards for E3 2016 were determined by votes from editors and journalists at 40 international media outlets, evaluating games and hardware demonstrated at the June 14–16 event in Los Angeles.[116] The awards highlighted standout presentations, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild securing three categories, including Best of Show, for its open-world innovation on Wii U and NX platforms.[117] Winners were announced on July 5, 2016.[118]| Category | Winner | Developer(s) | Publisher(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best of Show | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Nintendo EPD | Nintendo |
| Best Original Game | Horizon Zero Dawn | Guerrilla Games | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Best Console Game | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Nintendo EPD | Nintendo |
| Best VR Game | Batman: Arkham VR | Rocksteady Studios | Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment |
| Best PC Game | Civilization VI | Firaxis Games | 2K |
| Best Hardware/Peripheral | PlayStation VR | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Best Action Game | Battlefield 1 | DICE | Electronic Arts |
| Best Action/Adventure | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Nintendo EPD | Nintendo |
| Best Role Playing Game | Final Fantasy XV | Square Enix | Square Enix |
| Best Racing Game | Forza Horizon 3 | Playground Games, Turn 10 Studios | Microsoft Studios |
| Best Fighting Game | Injustice 2 | NetherRealm Studios | Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment |
| Best Sports Game | Steep | Ubisoft Annecy | Ubisoft |
| Best Strategy Game | Civilization VI | Firaxis Games | 2K |
| Best Family Game | Skylanders: Imaginators | Toys for Bob | Activision |
| Best Online Multiplayer | Titanfall 2 | Respawn Entertainment | Electronic Arts |
| Best Independent Game | Inside | Playdead | Playdead |
| Special Commendation for Graphics | God of War | Santa Monica Studio | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
Into the Pixel Exhibition
The Into the Pixel exhibition at E3 2016 showcased 14 selected pieces of concept art from video games, highlighting artistic contributions to the medium. Held from June 14 to 16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center alongside the main expo, the event celebrated a diverse range of visual styles, from 2D illustrations to 3D renders, drawn from both major franchises and independent titles.[119][120] Selections were determined by a jury comprising industry experts, including Bob Rafei (formerly of Naughty Dog), Glenn Phillips (curator), Matt Hall (senior concept artist at Amazon Game Studios/Double Helix), Nora Dolan (independent curator), Patricia Lanza (from The Annenberg Space for Photography), and Seth Spaulding (art director).[119] The process emphasized artistic merit in game development, with entries submitted by developers and publishers.[120] The featured artworks represented games such as Dishonored 2, No Man's Sky, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, underscoring the exhibition's focus on innovative visuals.[119]| Game | Artwork Title | Artist(s) | Developer/Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dishonored 2 | Corvo | Sergei Kolesov | Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks |
| Dreadnought | Corvette in Hanger | Yuriy Mazurkin, Mathias Wiese | Yager Development/Six Foot/Grey Box |
| Edge of Nowhere | Cliff Walk | David Guertin | Insomniac Games/Oculus Studios |
| Far Cry Primal | Takkar Face | Patrick Lambert | Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft |
| Guild Wars 2 | Dwarven Valley | Daniel Dociu | ArenaNet/NCSOFT |
| Headlander | The Satellite Chalet | Derek Brand | Double Fine/Adult Swim Games |
| Layers of Fear | Red Riding Hood | Paweł Kot | Bloober Team/Aspyr |
| League of Legends | Lunar Revel | League Art Team | Riot Games/Riot Games |
| No Man's Sky | Eclipse | Kuldar Leement | Hello Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| ReCore | Dungeon Concept | Todd Keller, Kip Carbone | Armature Studio/Comcept/Microsoft Studios |
| Rush Blast | A Mother's Imperative | Chris Chamberlain, Tommy Kinnerup, Esben Rasmussen | Neoglyphic Entertainment/Neoglyphic Entertainment |
| Song of the Deep | Merryn's Leviathan | Sing Ji | Insomniac Games/Gametrust |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | Geralt and Ciri | Bartłomiej Gaweł | CD Projekt Red/CD Projekt Red |
| Unravel | Tire Swing | Martin Sahlin et al. | Coldwood Interactive/Electronic Arts |