With E3 just around the corner, it is once again time for the Player 2 crew to get their crystal balls out of the attic and make some wildly inaccurate predictions as to what will appear at the world’s biggest games show. Ubisoft now steps up to bat, what will they bring to 2018?
E3 2018 Predictions – Ubisoft
Paul James
Safe Bet
With The Division 2 on track to launch prior to April 2018, and of course the fact that Ubisoft has already confirmed its presence, we’re certain to see an enormous amount of game at E3 2018. There’s a golden opportunity for Ubisoft to sink the blade firmly into the back of Activision, Bungie and Destiny with this release, and so what better opportunity to make a grand statement. We’ll see quite a bit of The Division 2, on both the Ubi stage and presumably one of the first parties as well.
Fairly Likely
Surely the time has come. There are too many signs pointing towards the glorious return of Sam Fisher and the Splinter Cell franchise. With the most recent cameo being in Ghost Recon wildlands, and then, of course, the Walmart leak you’d have to think that the time has finally come for Sam Fisher to make his next-gen debut. Fingers crossed everyone!
Wishful Thinking
I think both Nintendo and Ubisoft are acutely aware of the great success that Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was. Surely a new game, not necessarily a turn-based strategy game but something in the universe, is in development, but surely E3 2018 is too soon for us to see what is in store next. Maybe one more year to go.
Stevie McDonald
Safe Bet
The Division 2 has been confirmed and rumours abound that the game may release this year, so it’s sure to make a strong showing at Ubi’s conference.
Fairly Likely
An “unannounced franchise title” has also been confirmed by Ubi, so let’s hope we get a hint of what this may be at E3.
Wishful Thinking
Maybe the “unannounced franchise title” will be Watchdogs 3?! Watchdogs was a pretty good game and Watchdogs 2 was even better so surely a third instalment is not only imminent but guaranteed to be awesome. That’s just logic, right?
James Swinbanks
Yves Guillemot’s head appears on a giant OLED wall where he beckons the audience the ‘hack the planet’
Royce Wilson
Safe Bet
Ubisoft showed off their naval combat game Skull & Bones at E3 last year and the game was looking very solid then, so I fully expect a 2018 release date and some more info on it from this year’s event (BYO rum and pirate cliches). The Division 2 has already been announced, and I know Beyond Good & Evil II is in the works because I saw a very, very, very early build of it last year and Ubisoft have been dropping hints about it lately. While I don’t think it’ll be down for a 2018 release, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get an update and pencil-drawn indications for a 2019 launch with a ‘but-this-is-just-a-guide-only’ disclaimer thrown in for good measure. They have also been working strongly in the VR space so I am confident there’ll be more in that arena coming from them out of E3 as well; hopefully, we’ll see more of Transference and Space Junkies since VR is pretty cool.
Fairly Likely
With any luck, we’ll get an announcement on the next Assassin’s Creed, although if the release date is this side of 2019 I will gladly eat my hat (provided you understand “my hat” in this context means “a steak and cheese pie”). Ubi is well aware giving Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry 5 a bit more time in the oven made a huge difference to the games so hopefully that trend will continue. It seems possible another Splinter Cell game may be on its way, and following the success of Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, I wouldn’t be astounded by another title featuring those rascally “Despicable Me nicked our whole thing” Rabbids.
Wishful Thinking
Australian/NZ SAS characters being added to Rainbow Six: Siege. Because let’s face it, those guys are supreme badasses and nothing says “Get it up ya, mongrels!” like shooting a bad guy in their balaclava-clad face with an F88 Austeyr.
Jenn Christodoulou
Safe Bet
Two things Ubisoft does well are Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell, so I think it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing at least one of these this year. But on what platform? In which city? In what era? Who knows!
Fairly Likely
With 2018 being ‘Beyond Good and Evil’s 20th anniversary, and the game getting a sequel announced at E3 last year, I’d hope we’d see some more about it at this year’s conference. I know it’s still very early days yet, but hopes are high!
Wishful Thinking
I don’t even know what I wish for with Ubisoft anymore. Maybe something new and awesome? When Ubisoft find an IP that’s amazing they do it damn well… I just want another one. I just want something new to sink my teeth into and get really excited about, and maybe this year Ubisoft is going to do that for me.
Matt Hewson
Safe Bet
Sam Fisher will be back, it is a given. Frankly, I spent way more time with Splinter Cell Blacklist than was probably healthy so I am super keen for more stealthy adventures through terror-stricken countries. I really hope that super cool co-op mode from Blacklist makes a return too, nothing says fun like sniping spies with friends.
Fairly Likely
I am pretty sure the Tom Clancyathon will continue with the reveal of The Divison 2. There was a good game to be found in The Division, it just got covered by some balance and endgame issues. Hopefully, Ubi has learned their lessons from the first title and some of their competitors and brings a cracking game that will last for months. Oh a new city would be nice too.
Wishful Thinking
A Princely return would be nice. It has been a long time since the Prince parkoured his way through Persia and I am ready for another run. I do think the formula needs a freshen up to further differentiate its self from the Assassin’s Creed franchise though. If the Prince does appear he can’t be open world, a tight linear adventure would be very welcome.
Hope Corrigan
Safe Bet
With the recently delayed Skull and Bones hopefully there will be a tease at what we can expect when it finally comes out. We don’t get an Assassin’s Creed because they’re continuing to take their time with new iterations of the series. There’s a new just dance game and everyone is sad but they’d probably all really enjoy it if they actually gave it a chance.
Fairly Likely
More about Beyond Good and Evil but still no idea for when it will release. New Rainbow Six Siege content with a battle royale mode because of course. Maybe some news about the Assassin’s Creed Origins: Discovery mode for learning.
Wishful thinking
Psyche! Beyond Good and Evil is actually nearly finished and has a release date as well as gameplay footage. Michel Ancel announces at the end that a new Rayman Legends/Origins game is also coming out next year. He then looks directly at the camera and softly says “I love you, Hope.”
Shaun Nicholls
Safe Bet
We know that The Division 2 has been in development for a while, and some of the latest patches added to the Division seem like they may be testing the waters for the release of the sequel.
Fairly Likely
Watch Dogs 2 was a great improvement over the original and even though it did not sell as many units as the original it was still considered a success by Ubisoft. There have been breadcrumbs that point to the existence of Watch Dogs 3 so we just may see something about it at this years E3.
Wishful Thinking
After seeing Michael Ironside reprise the role of Sam Fischer in a sneaky appearance in Ghost Recon: Wildlands, I can’t help but hope this means there is the chance of a new Splinter Cell in the near future after a 5-year hiatus
Stephen del Prado
Safe Bet
Splinter Cell – it’s a foregone conclusion at this point much to the delight of Matt Hewson. Beyond Good and Evil 2 needs some more light shed on it while The Crew 2 will feature fairly heavily in the Ubisoft showcase given its release shortly after.
Fairly Likely
Rumblings of a Watch Dogs follow-up are working their way through the rumour mill and might surface at E3. Assassins Creed will no doubt appear in some way, shape or form along with Rainbow Six Siege 2.
Wishful Thinking
Prince of Persia makes a glorious return with a soft reboot of the series a la God of War.
