Bethesda Conference Recap - E3 2015

The first conference of E3 2015 also happens to be the first dedicated conference at the expo from major publisher Bethesda. First on the screen is the distinctive Fallout logo, counting down to zero, at which point the conference is under way.

Things start with a video of developers under Bethesda hyping things up, followed by a montage of gameplay clips from various Bethesda published titles, both released and unreleased. Company representative Pete Hines takes the stage once this concludes for an opening speech.

The first IP being discussed is DOOM. ID Executive Producer Marty Straton comes on to introduce the new entry into the storied franchise. After talking about what makes up the DOOM experience (“big effing guns” among other things), a good chunk of gameplay is shown with the title running on the brand new ID Tech 6 engine. In classic DOOM fashion we see the player running around a non-descript space structure eviscerating demons with two different shotguns, a sort of pulse-rifle, a machine gun, and finally a chainsaw. Gunplay looking suitably meaty with enemies disintegrating into small chunks after being shot at close range, while demons that are knocked down are killed with a brutal finishing move.

After the trailer, Marty reveals that there will also be a multiplayer component. A ‘sneak-peak’ is shown, revealing a few maps and some bursts of action, indicating that it will see humans facing off against demons in an asymmetrical setup. Finally, the ability for players to create and share custom maps and game modes such as a co-op mode is revealed, a sort of integrated mod-kit called “Doom Snapmap.” To close off the DOOM segment, another gameplay clip from the singleplayer campaign is run, this time showing a different setting, hell, and a few different enemy types including a huge beast that comes on screen right before the clip ends.

Pete returns to talk about a new content-sharing and community website, Bethesda.net, focused on discussing Bethesda published games and sharing user-made content.

The next game shown is Battlecry, with the announcement for worldwide signups for the upcoming Beta becoming available. A new faction is also revealed with a trailer briefly introducing the classes that will be available.

Next up on the stage are co-creative directors from Arkane Studios, developers of Dishonored. After a brief introduction to the franchise, A CGI trailer is shown revealing that Dishonored 2 is on its way, with an older Emily Caldwin being show as the player character. Little gameplay is shown, with the setting and narrative premise being given the most emphasis. After the trailer, it is announced that you can also still play as Corvo, and the game will be coming to the PS4, Xbox One and PC, though no release date was mentioned. Finally, a remastered version of the original Dishonored is announced for the PS4 and Xbox One.

After this is a brief segment about the recent launch of Elder Scrolls Online for next-gen consoles and a trailer revealing upcoming content for the MMO. Following this, a mobile Elder Scrolls strategy card game called Elder Scrolls Legend in the same vein as Hearthstone is announced along with a brief trailer.

The final showcase is saved for the recently announced Fallout 4. Game Director Todd Howard comes on to talk about the game, revealing it had been worked on since the release of Fallout 3. A mosaic of concept art is the first thing shown, with dozens of intriguing locations being hinted at. Todd then explains how the game will start before the Nuclear war, and shows off the new character creation screen and a gameplay clip from pre-war Boston, indicating that your character will for the first time in a Fallout game be fully voiced.

Todd reveals that the main part of the game will take place 200 years after this with your character as the sole survivor of his vault. Gameplay from post-war Boston is then shown from both a first and third person perspective. Dialogue with NPCs is shown in a cinematic third-person camera akin to Mass Effect or The Witcher 3, though Todd indicates that you can still have conversations in first person.

Your canine companion who is seen in the reveal trailer makes an appearance, with the pooch being used to collect items and attack enemies, also indicating that the VATS combat system will be returning. The new and improved pip-boy is shown off, complete with audio and even game tapes. The collector’s edition will come packaged with a real-life Pip-boy that will integrate with smart phones and act as a second screen. A pip-boy App will also be available for those who buy the normal version.

After this, a free mobile 2d vault-management game Fallout Shelter is revealed as a sort of companion title for Fallout 4. The game will focus on managing vault rooms and citizens who can go off into the wasteland and have adventures you won’t actually take part in. This game will be releasing right away.

Finally, Todd discusses the crafting system that will let users build a custom home for yourself and your dog, as well as settlements that will be populated by NPCs within Fallout 4. On a smaller scale, you will be able to create custom items such as scopes and other weapon/armor mods that will be cobbled together from the many random items you will pick up when exploring. A clip showing a laser pistol being turned into a variety of other weapons is used to demonstrate the system. The final trailer reveals some real-time gunplay that looks significantly less clunky than the previous two Fallout games. One weapon being shown launches a teddy-bear that takes a man’s head off. The game is finally revealed to be coming out on November 10th of this year.

With that, Pete is back on for closing statements and the first ever E3 conference from Bethesda, and the first conference of E3 2015, comes to a close.