FCG’s Summer Gaming Event Guide

Get your calendars ready!!

The spring and summer games season is here, and gamers have plenty to watch in the next couple of months. The 2020 decade rang in significant change to how the games announcement period has conducted itself, changing from one big event that many companies participated in to several independent events. Though the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, was canceled in all forms earlier this year, viewers can still get updates from some of their favorite studios and companies, and Forever Classic Games has compiled a list of the major events you can tune into.

Playstation Showcase: May 24th

In an article we released earlier this week, Sony has announced their PlayStation Showcase, airing May 24th at 1 PM PST/4PM EST. The PlayStation company promises to offer updates on several of its upcoming titles in both their PSVR2 and PS5 lineups. Many fans are hoping to see glimpses of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 as well as Final Fantasy updates and perhaps some new announcements. 

Summer Game Fest: June 8th

In what will most likely be the biggest show of the season, Summer Game Fest will air live in person and on streaming platforms on June 8th, starting at 12 PM PST/3 PM EST. Summer Game Fest is the creation of industry veteran Geoff Keighley, who in addition to organizing this event also organizes and hosts the annual The Games Awards in December. This upcoming summer show will be a platform-agnostic, two-hour showcase, offering updates, new announcements, and demos of a variety of different games.

Day of the Devs: June 8th

Also on June 8th at 2 PM PST/5 PM EST, companies iam8bit and Double Fine will come together for a Day of the Devs Summer Game Fest Edition show. Day of the Devs is an opportunity put on by these two companies to showcase a large variety of indie games in a manner similar to the treatment more familiar with AAA games.

Devolver Direct: June 8th

Bringing another dose of their “anti-showcase” persona, Devolver Digital will be airing their Devolver Direct stream on June 8th, starting at 3 PM PST/6 PM EST. Devolver, arguably one of the better known publishers of games with unique gameplay and story elements, aims to showcase another new slate of upcoming titles while also putting on an entertaining stream for those lulls in-between announcements

Access-Ability Summer Showcase: June 9th

Broadcasting on June 9th at 8 am PST / 11 am EST, games that feature accessibility options will be spotlighted through the first annual Access-Ability Summer Showcase helmed by Laura Kate Dale, a champion of accessible games who is an author, accessibility and queer representation critic and consultant, video game critic, streamer, and all around content creator. The weekly YouTube show Access-Ability has been highlighting interesting ways developers make games more playable as well as criticizing when games fall short of expected functions; this showcase will seemingly expand that effort with the official announcement citing the intention of having it occur annually “during gaming’s busiest news week, that makes sure disabled players can join in on the hype, safe in the knowledge that at least one gaming showcase makes it clear up front which games are accessible for people with specific disabilities and access needs.”

Games from Hyper Luminal Games, Whitethorn Games, and Soft Leaf Studios have been confirmed to be involved in the event, as well as a reveal for indie darling Cult of the Lamb. Guest appearances from disabled gamers and accessibility advocates are also planned with Radderss Gaming, SightlessKombat, Steven Spohn, and Vivek Gohil confirmed so far.

Tribeca Games Spotlight 2023: June 9th

Providing a small break from announcements for the week, the Tribeca Games Spotlight airs on June 9th at 12 PM PST/3 PM EST. The panel of judges at Tribeca have selected 7 titles to spotlight, highlighting efforts in storytelling and immersive experience in gaming. These games, including Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical and The Expanse: A Telltale Series, will receive new looks and creator interviews as the festival brings the same recognition and introspection that the Tribeca Film Festival is generally known for.

Wholesome Games Direct: June 10th

On June 10th, airing 9 AM PST/12 PM EST, the Wholesome Games Direct will spotlight a variety of indie titles touching on different themes and points of view for the gamer. Wholesome Games is a large online group dedicated to exploring games that lean in a more positive and uplifting light. The showcase will be hosted by several industry veterans from diverse backgrounds and should be an entertaining show with plenty of levity.

The OTK Games Expo: June 10th

Get comfortable for this one. The OTK Games Expo promises to deliver a 3-hour digital showcase airing June 10th at 11 AM PST/ 2 PM EST. OTK, the creator network boasting well-known gamers such as Asmongold and Esfand, will highlight 30 games of different genres in their studio. Expect a live show with guests coming in and out to speak on their projects while members of OTK play and commentate on them.

Future Games Show-Summer Showcase: June 10th

Hosted by primary voice actors from Marvel’s Spider-Man, Laura Bailey and Yuri Lowenthal will ring in GamesRadar’s Future Games Show-Summer Showcase on June 10th at 10 AM PST/1 PM EST. The show promises to show off over 50 games from all different platforms, covering roughly 70 minutes. This show will begin the weekend set of shows as a sort of forerunner for what’s to come.

Xbox Showcase/Starfield Direct: June 11th

June 11th brings another double feature. The Xbox Showcase premieres at 10 AM PST/1 PM EST. Here, players will be given new looks at all of the upcoming projects Xbox has to offer. As soon as this showcase ends, Xbox will roll directly into a specific showcase dedicated to the upcoming Bethesda space RPG Starfield.

PC Gaming Show: June 11th

Rounding off Sunday’s events on June 11th is the PC Gaming Show, airing at 1 PM PST/4 PM EST. Following suit with Xbox and Playstation’s shows, the stream, hosted by PC Gamer, offers 2 hours of reveals and news. The showcase also promises 15 brand-new game announcements. This event will be one for PC enthusiasts to keep their eyes on.

Ubisoft Forward: June 12

Fans of Ubisoft titles will get a dedicated look into the publisher’s upcoming slate with the Ubisoft Forward on June 12th, airing live at 10 AM PST/1 PM EST. With Ubisoft announcing this past week that they will be directing a hefty portion of their resources into the Assassin’s Creed franchise in the near future, the company may very well make this direct showcase centered on upcoming releases in that series.

Capcom Showcase: June 12th

Fresh off their new release of Street Fighter 6, Capcom has more to show us in the Capcom Showcase on June 12th, starting at 3 PM PST/6 PM EST. While no indication of the show’s lineup has been given, many are looking for new tied to 2 of Capcom’s biggest franchises right now, Resident Evil and Monster Hunter. Also, Capcom seems to be riding high at the moment, so perhaps gamers will get new looks at something brand new.

Gamescom 2023: August 23rd-27th

Last, but definitely not least, the summer season ends with Gamescom, arguably the biggest consumer gaming convention in the world. Gamescom will open from August 23rd-27th, with the opening night usually containing a debut showcase of new titles and trailers for all to see.

There you have it! No matter what platform you play on, there are a variety of things to keep an eye out for this summer! Be sure to keep checking back with Forever Classic Games for more updates and exciting news as it becomes available. Happy gaming season, dear readers!