By Michael WORKMAN

The Electronic Entertainment Expo – E3 – is arguably the most coveted event for gamers and game developers alike. Since its beginning in 1995, E3 has helped fuel the gaming industry’s unprecedented rise that now rivals the movie and music industries. But at its heart E3 is the game developers ultimate showcase and playground for their craft. Many game companies choose E3 as the moment to unveil new titles or even a glimpse of the next consoles. Companies like Square Enix, Warner Bros. Interactive, Bethesda and Ubisoft are just some of the major developers that will undoubtedly have a great deal of coverage for E3 2011. First up: Square Enix. Square Enix has taken on the monumental task of designing the sequel to the legendary classic 2000 release “Deus Ex” with “Deus Ex: Human Revolution.” The “Deus Ex” series is known for its action RPG and choice based gameplay set in a near future earth with cyberpunk qualities. Players are free to choose how to beat levels whether it’s through guns blazing, stealthy infiltration or smooth talking. Some are skeptical for “Human Revolution” as the previous sequel “Deus Ex: Invisible  War” was considered by many fans a disaster, but Square Enix has assured that “Human Revolution” with live up to its well-respected predecessor.

Warner Bros. Interactive certainly has a big contender at E3. “Batman: Arkham City” is a follow up to the wildly successful “Batman: Arkham Asylum.” Originally in “Arkham Asylum” Batman was confined only to the fictional mental facility, but with “Arkham City” the Caped Crusader is now free to roam most of Gotham. Warner Bros. Interactive confirmed that even more villains from the comics would be featured than in “Arkham Asylum” which only raises the bar of excitement for fans since “Batman: Arkham Asylum” currently holds the Guinness Work Record for “Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever.”

Recently Bethesda Softworks has been enjoying great success with its popular “Fallout” series, but at the 2010 Spike Video Games Awards Bethesda game director Todd Howard dropped a bombshell with the announcement of “Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.” Set in a fantasy world, Skyrim has a very Nordic feel as snow covered forests and frosty mountains seem to dominate the landscape. Bethesda has said that Skyrim will not only have the classic Elder Scrolls action RPG gameplay but also a revamped combat system and the addition of dragons as enemies. “Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” is listed as one of the titles being featured at E3 but whether it will have a playable demo or a simple game trailer has yet to be seen.

Last but certainly not least is relative newcomer to the game developing heavyweights Ubisoft Entertainment and their new title “Assassin’s Creed: Revelations.” After a trailer was leaked online Ubisoft officially came out and announced the next addition in the “Assassin’s Creed” series. “Assassin’s Creed” games are unique in that they feature stealth, fast-paced action, and free running all set in a historical backdrop. This time in “Assassin’s Creed: Revelations” the player is put in the city of Constantinople at the height of the Ottoman Empires power. New gadgets are now at the players’ disposal to make free running much easier and combat more exciting while assassinating new villains across the city.

With even more major titles set to be on display at this year’s E3 there is a very good chance that this coming week will be beyond the expectations for all who attend. There have even been rumors that Nintendo plans to showcase their next console simply dubbed “Project Café.”

More will be revealed when E3 kicks off on June 7.

  E3, JUNE 02, MICHAEL WORKMAN, News