E3 2014 Preview: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

Every year around June, gamers and industry professionals around the world set their eyes and ears on Los Angeles. The annual Electronic Entertainment Expo is the exact reason why. 2014’s edition of the video game expo looks to be one of the most surprising and quality showcases of all time. In order to get you up to speed on what’s planned for this major event, we’ve cobbled together this preview on everything you need to know about E3 2014.

1. It’s Going to Take Place in a Very Familiar Location

The 2014 edition of the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo will take place the one place its been associated with for several past edition of the show – the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. The expo will take place over three days during the month of June – June 10, June 11 and June 12.

2. Microsoft’s Press Conference Will Take Place a Day Before the Show

One day before E3 2013 officially begins, Microsoft will present their live press conference before the rest of their hardware/software rivals. The name of their pre-E3 stage show has been dubbed “Xbox: Game On,” which will be livestreamed right here at 9:30 a.m. PST/12:30 p.m. EST on June 9. Xbox boss Phil Spencer noted that several sequels and new titles will make an appearance during their media briefing.

This year’s setting will be the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California. Some of the games expected to be shown during Microsoft’s Xbox livestream include Halo 5: Guardians, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Forza Horizon 2, Fable Legends and more.

3. Electronic Arts Press Conference Will be Held on the Same Day as Microsoft’s Press Conference

Once Microsoft’s press conference concludes, video game publisher Electronic Arts will be next up to present their own pre-E3 stage show. Their livestream (“EA World Premier: E3 2014 Preview”) will take place on June 9 at 12 p.m. PST/3 p.m. EST. EA will broadcast their show from the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium.

Those watching should expect to see more footage of the Star Wars Battlefront game that debuted at E3 2013, Mirror’s Edge 2, a new Need for Speed and a slew of new IP’s (Geoff Keighley tweeted that six new games are being planned for the EA’s livestream announcements). Along with this stage show, Microsoft stated that they’ve put together “a number of fan-centric events” for Los Angeles denizens and the viewing audience.

4. Once EA’s Live Stage Show Concludes, Ubisoft is Up Next

The following pre-E3 livestream press conference on hand for June 9 will come from Ubisoft. Ubisoft will run their games showcase at the Orpheum Theater at 3 p.m. PST/6 p.m. EST. Ubisoft’s slate of already announced titles that may pop up during this press conference include Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Far Cry 4 and new looks at unannounced titles that are sure to surprise us all.

5. Sony Will Have the Final Live Press Conference of the Day

The final company livestream showcase on June 9 will be handled by Sony and will most likely focus on the PlayStation brand of gaming. Starting at 6 p.m. PST/9 p.m. EST, Sony will show off the newest projects and hardware/software initiatives for the PS3, PS4 and PS Vita. PlayStation fans can definitely look forward to seeing a closer look at the Uncharted sequel planned for release on the PS4. No final location has been planned for Sony’s livestream press conference yet, but we’ll make sure let you know about it once the news are out.

Head to the next page to get some more info on what’s being prepared to go down at E3 2014!

6. Nintendo Will Skip the Stage Show Presentation, But They’re Still Showing a Livestream

For the 2nd year in a row, Nintendo will not take the E3 2014 live show stage. However, they are planning to debut a “Nintendo Digital Event” livestream that will show off their newest slate of games. On Tuesday (June 10th), you can expect to watch the livestream here starting at 9 a.m. PST/12 p.m. EST. You can expect to see new footage of Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS, a new Wii U Legend of Zelda, Bayonetta 2 and more.

7. Nintendo’s Holding a Huge Super Smash Bros. Tournament

Nintendo’s “Digital Event” isn’t the only planned event that Nintendo is holding during the E3 2014, though. A Super Smash Bros. Invitation tournament is also being prepped for the show. This showcase of Nintendo’s franchise fighter will feature 16 of the top Super Smash Bros. players and will be livestreamed from the Nokia Plaza (L.A. LIVE) in Los Angeles. The aforementioned 16 players will get to showcase their fighting game prowess in Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U.

Game Informer offered up some extra details on this big tournament:

The tournament takes place on Tuesday, June 10 and will feature 16 pre-selected Super Smash Bros. vets playing the Wii U version of the game. Starting at 9:30 a.m. that morning, Nintendo will begin distributing the 3,000 wristbands necessary to attend at the Nokia Plaza at L.A. LIVE, 777 Chick Hearn Court in Los Angeles. Nintendo is requesting that fans not line up before that time. At 2:30 p.m. the doors open for the tournament, and at 4 p.m. the fighting begins.

Nintendo is offering preferred up-front seating to attendees who cosplay as Nintendo characters.

8. Nintendo Will Also Showcase Live Demos of Brand New Games and Allow Everyone to Play the New Super Smash Bros. at Best Buy’s

The final livestream presentations that Nintendo will show off during E3 2014 are live game demos. Nintendo will be display in-depth demonstrations of their new games at a special booth called the “Nintendo Treehouse.” These demos will be streamed all day on June 10, June 11 and June 12. Best Buy shoppers will get to play the new Super Smash Bros. at Best Buy, too (the specific dates, store locations and times for the demos can be seen at the following LINK).

9. Several Big Name Publishers Will Be on Hand for E3 2014

A nice selection of gaming’s biggest video game publishers and developers will be on hand to present their newest and most exciting upcoming games. Here’s a list of the most notable companies who are confirmed to appear at the expo:

• Activision Publishing

• Bandai Namco Games America

• Bethesda

• Capcom USA Inc.

• CD Project RED

• Crytek

• Deep Silver

• Disney Interactive

• Square Enix

• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

10. A Bunch of Big Name, AAA Games Have Already Been Confirmed

Along with the aforementioned list of confirmed publishers and developers that will present their upcoming products at E3 2014, a nice selection of great games have also been confirmed. Here’s a list of some of the AAA-games that will get shown off in some form on the E3 2014 stage floor:

• Alien: Isolation

• Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

• Destiny

• EA Sports UFC

• Far Cry 4

• Halo 5: Guardians

• The Legend of Zelda (Wii U)

• Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

• The Sims 4

• Star Wars: Battlefront

• Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS

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