The Game Awards is becoming a hot spot for game announcements, in addition to the accolades being handed out. Currently, at least four named games will be debuting new or first-time gameplay footage, and, as anyone familiar with The Game Awards will tell you, there is bound to be a surprise or two.
Here's a rundown of the upcoming games that will be exhibited at The Game Awards on Dec. 1.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, iOS
Release Date: Dec. 20, 2016 (Episode 1)
Confirmation: The Game Awards's Twitter page.
Analysis: Took you long enough! A mere 2.5 years after The Walking Dead – Season Two released, we're finally getting a look at its much-anticipated sequel. With a release within three weeks of this reveal, I'd expect the gameplay on display to be substantial to say the least. However, I can't say that my interest in the series hasn't fatigued after all this time.
Actually, the most exciting thing from Telltale could be its Guardians of the Galaxy game, which is rumored to be a part of the reveal, if in only a minimal capacity.
Level of Excitement: Moderate.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Platforms: Wii U, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: TBD 2017
Confirmation: Nintendo of America's Twitter page.
Analysis: We've already seen a lot of footage from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, almost all of which was from E3 2016. I mean, Nintendo's YouTube channel is flooded with bits and pieces of gameplay still. That means the only potential new or exciting thing that can come of this "exclusive look" is its Nintendo Switch version. The game was previously announced as a Wii U exclusive, but that changed once the Switch was announced. This reveal could also include a release date, but that announcement could be just as effective in a news release.
Level of Excitement: Low
Prey
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: TBD 2017
Confirmation: Host's Twitter page.
Analysis: Not a lot was known about Prey before E3, to the extent that everyone was still calling it "Prey 2." Now revealed to be a reboot, Prey has once again grabbed our attention. By the same development studio (albeit a different team) as Dishonored 2, Prey plans to bring a new side to Arkane Studios' repertoire. All the footage we have so far are a few trailers and one 10-minute gameplay demonstration. Still plenty of room for more intrigue.
Level of Excitement: High
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: March 2017
Confirmation: Mass Effect's Twitter page.
Analysis: Mass Effect: Andromeda is in the same situation as The Walking Dead: A New Frontier, in that we really haven't seen any footage from it and this game has been in development for almost two years, meaning its interest may have dwindled. That being said, the advantage goes to Andromeda, since their gameplay reveal will be a bit more than mashing the Q key.
Level of Excitement: Moderate
There will also likely be a reveal by Gearbox, potentially related to Duke Nukem, but there have been no further details and likely won't be.
