Zion and I took our seats subsequent to the great Nicholas Serpa from Nintendo The whole lot whereas Liam scooted off to what I assume was a extra PlayStation-centric a part of the viewers. The present kicked off and it actually felt great to expertise a stay showcase after E3’s cancellation. Positive, the video games showcased weren’t all licensed bangers, however with Mortal Kombat 1, Alan Wake 2, and Last Fantasy VII: Rebirth all in attendance, I actually could not complain.
The largest shock was when the one and solely Nicolas Cage joined Geoff Keighley on stage. I really like this man and I am keen on his work, from the likes of Face/Off and Con Air to newer performances in Mandy and Shade Out of House. Seeing him gentle up the stage in his garish inexperienced swimsuit was an absolute delight and never one I am going to neglect anytime quickly.
A Change of Plan
As soon as the present was over, we hit In-N-Out Burger (assembly Manon Gage from the wonderful FMV recreation Immortality on the way in which) and proceeded to choose up our passes to the Play Days occasion.
Afterward, we had meant to attend The Combine, an indie showcase showcasing 40 upcoming video games. Simply earlier than we received there, nonetheless, we would acquired an e mail stating it had been cancelled last-minute.
Oh.
It turned out that the venue did not have the related permits to host the occasion, so the fireplace marshall and LAPD shut it down simply as builders have been about finished setting every little thing up. For sure, the organisers have been heartbroken. We did not personally attend ourselves however Jirad the Completionist saved the day and hosted a particular stay stream from his workplace to showcase the indie video games from The Combine. We spoke with him the next day, and to say he was exhausted can be an understatement. Prime work, that man.
Some unlucky information for tonight’s occasion for @indieexchange – The venue is closing us down earlier than we begin as a result of permits on the venue.
So with that mentioned… I’m doing a stay stream that includes dozens of indie devs who have been going to indicate their video games! https://t.co/48BuHC1Uxq
— Jirard The Completionist (@Completionist) June 9, 2023
Whereas this was happening, we trotted off to a few venues that turned out to be excellent for assembly vidya recreation individuals and personailities. Earlier than Play Days had even kicked off correctly, I frolicked and chatted with the great Nick Apostolides (Leon Kennedy from the RE2/RE4 remakes), Ben Starr (Clive Rosfield, FF16), Suzi Hunter, Brittney Brombacher, Lord Cognito, and so many extra.
The Buzz With out the Bustle
Transferring onto the precise Play Days occasion, the entire setup was completely excellent. It happened throughout what was described as a campus; a number of small buildings grouped collectively for straightforward entry.
Provided that the occasion was purely for companions and media/creators, the environment felt extremely relaxed; you would stroll from one appointment to the subsequent with no stress, shake palms with builders and interact in dialog, and simply seize food and drinks with subsequent to no queues (aside from the immensely fashionable pizza stand).
There’s room for enlargement, although not an excessive amount of, I hope. There have been loads of exhibitors there (together with Warner Bros., Disney, Bandai Namco, and Sq. Enix), however it was undoubtedly lacking a pair extra large hitters, together with different vital representations from retail and accent producers. We knew properly forward of time that Nintendo would not be in attendance; clearly, that may have been a boon.
Regardless of this, the two-day occasion was maybe the most effective E3 substitute we may have requested for; it actually was the thrill with out the hustle and bustle. We have already gone into depth with our hands-on impressions of video games like Mortal Kombat 1, Foamstars, Disney Phantasm Island, Sonic Superstars, Oxenfree II, and Little Kitty, Large Metropolis, however that wasn’t all we noticed. We additionally checked out Fae Farm (a captivating if unremarkable amalgamation of each farming recreation you have ever performed) and Scorching Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged (a stable racer that we hope can maintain up properly on Change).
Unsurprisingly, we ran into extra recognisable figures from the {industry}. On Saturday, I walked out of the principle HQ, face down in my cellphone checking my subsequent appointment. I appeared up and Xbox’s Phil Spencer was simply there, strolling in direction of me. Naturally, I finished him for a fast chat. He got here throughout genuinely as a beautiful, humble man who was equally as excited as I used to be to take a look at some new video games.
So cool to fulfill @XboxP3 at Summer time Recreation Fest; what an important, humble man! pic.twitter.com/lNSR4nL7oU— Ollie Reynolds (@O_T_Reynolds) June 10, 2023
Elsewhere, Zion had noticed Sonic Group’s Takashi Iizuka strolling round, so, after all, I needed to say hello to him as properly, albeit with the plain concern that he may recognise my identify and wag his finger at me for my Sonic Frontiers evaluate. He was extremely pleasant, and I made certain to let him know that I used to be genuinely enthusiastic about Sonic Superstars.
Nevertheless, my most weird and pleasant encounter occurred outdoors the occasion on Saturday morning. Zion and I have been hanging out within the resort café whereas Liam had already headed out. I used to be writing up my Mortal Kombat 1 impressions and mere seconds after I completed up and began strolling to the occasion, we bumped into NetherRealm’s Ed Boon strolling in the very same course. We wound up chatting for the 20 minutes it took to achieve the campus, and it’ll endlessly stay a cherished reminiscence.
And at last, in what can solely be described as fortuitous circumstance, the primary individuals we bumped into at Summer time Recreation Fest have been Package and Krysta, from uhh… Package and Krysta! They’re simply as beautiful in actual life as we may have hoped, and I am looking forward to some future collaborations.
On the finish of the day, Summer time Recreation Fest’s Play Days felt like a superb industry-focused occasion that, whereas actually missing in earth-shattering bulletins this yr, was competently executed to permit for relaxed periods with new video games and an ideal alternative for {industry} friends throughout improvement and media to combine and alternate data. Adorned with comfy sofas and foliage in each course, I actually hope it retains the identical type and environment sooner or later.
A Celebration Like No Different
To cap off what had already confirmed to be a visit to recollect, an opportunity encounter between Liam and Large Bomb’s Jeff Grubb resulted in an invitation to attend Large Bomb at Nite, the outlet’s stay protection of Summer time Recreation Fest. Whereas we did not participate in any of the stay streams, it was fairly surreal attending the accompanying social gathering. We frolicked with individuals like Kinda Humorous’s Greg Miller, Tim Gettys, Blessing Adeoye Jr., Snowbike Mike, and Andy Cortez, together with a few of the great of us at GameSpot and Kotaku.
And we could not full our journey with out visiting the LA Conference Centre and witnessing what would have been the principle venue for E3. Whereas it was actually a formidable sight in itself, it was, after all, fully empty. We mentioned our goodbyes and headed off to seize a beer and a chew.
Want you have been right here, E3. #E32023 pic.twitter.com/l7xeuSHO86— Zion Grassl (@ZionDood) June 11, 2023
Drained, However Grateful
On Sunday, simply after the Xbox Showcase (which we watched from the consolation of our resort rooftop, full with a swimming pool and Dr. Pepper), it was time to go residence. I bid Zion and Liam farewell — each have been staying in LA somewhat longer — and left for the airport.
The red-eye flight was leaving at 5:30 pm PT and arriving at Heathrow at 12:30 pm BST the subsequent day. I am unable to sleep on planes, so I felt tough. The next rush again to Euston station and the overwhelming warmth actually woke me up, however by the point I arrived again residence, I used to be each sleepy and glad in equal measure. Time for mattress.
I really hope to attend Summer time Recreation Fest once more. If this certainly proves to be a everlasting fixture in E3’s outdated slot, it genuinely has the potential to show into essentially the most prestigious, go-to gaming occasion of the yr. It wants larger and bolder recreation bulletins, that is for certain, however as an industry-focused occasion that claims a agency “no” to the overwhelming hustle and bustle of larger occasions with extra footfall, I could not actually ask for far more.
Nintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into horror ebook whereas nursing a beautiful cup of tea. He additionally enjoys lengthy walks and listens to every little thing from Motorhead to BB King.
