Here we go, then: E3 2017 is so close we can taste it – and with it comes nervous anticipation. Obviously there’s lots to be excited for this year, but there are also a few things to worry about as well. We’ve brought some of our team together to talk about exactly that: what are our hopes and fears for Sony’s press conference – and beyond? We want to hear your thoughts on the topic, too – share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Sammy Barker, Editor

E3: the only show in the world with so much build-up I’m actually bored of hearing about it long before it arrives. I think what this show needs to be about for Sony is reinforcing the fact that it’s in a different league to its competitors when it comes to PS4 software support, and frankly I just want it to go mental. I want 60 seconds of Shawn Layden, and then I want a barrage of trailers and gameplay demos for an hour, followed by a further 60 seconds of Shawn Layden and Kratos fighting a big fudging snake.

I wouldn’t say I’m particularly worried about anything: Sony’s silence exudes confidence for me, and I actually think the fact that it hasn’t shown anything in the build-up means I’m likely to get exactly what I want. The one thing I am nervous about is PlayStation VR support – we need to see several games for that. And the only other thing I’m concerned about is Jim Ryan putting his foot in his mouth again during the obligatory post-show interviews. The guy talks sense a lot of the time, but he should know how PR works by now.

Robert Ramsey, Editor

To be totally honest I don't have any real fears going into this year's E3. It's going to have its awkward and crappy moments for sure – I think we're all expecting EA's press conference to be terrible, for example – but for the most part I have a pretty positive outlook. Sony in particular has such a strong selection of games to show that I can't foresee much going wrong at all as long as the company keeps up its now trademark presser pacing.

Leaning into potentially unrealistic hopes, I want to see Spider-Man completely blow people away. I mean, I can't see the finished product being bad at all, but I'd love to see it up there on stage looking like the absolute pinnacle of superhero games. Similarly, I'd be more than happy with a mind-blowing God of War demo – a showing that solidifies the dominance of Sony's first party output.

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Alex Stinton, Reviewer

With the E3 conference schedule expanding every year – just like my waistline – I'm going to miss the Monday night insanity of announcement after announcement. Nevertheless, the slower drip of information will no doubt whip me up into a fervour ahead of the Sony conference as I imagine just what new gaming delights will be coming to the PlayStation 4. At the top of my list is Insomniac’s Spider-Man game, which I really hope expands on the traversal mechanics from the criminally underappreciated Sunset Overdrive to do for everyone’s favourite web slinger what Arkham Asylum did for Batman.

It certainly feels like the VR hype train has slowed considerably since the launch of PlayStation VR, and my biggest fear is that it’s going to end up starved for decent games like pretty much every PlayStation peripheral that came before it. I really hope Sony brings out the VR big guns for E3 to show games that really take advantage of virtual reality. I’m talking about unique experiences that push boundaries, so I’ll be very disappointed if it just ends up being a procession of shooting galleries.

Joey Thurmond, Reviewer

If the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is possible in this world, then my undying hope for a Spyro the Dragon trilogy remaster is all the more believable. Sony will win E3 for eternity if Activision brings back my purple, sarcastic boy. I’d like to see some gameplay footage of Kingdom Hearts III and Final Fantasy VII Remake, but I'm not counting on release dates for either of them. While I'm not sure if Blizzard Entertainment would do this at Sony's conference, I'd love to see it surprise everyone with a new Overwatch hero (Doomfist please!). I'm also sure Kojima is up to no good and will knock out the conference with new details and footage (perhaps basic gameplay?) of Death Stranding. Hoping we'll see Sony keeping the PlayStation VR train strong with more high profile projects attached to it like Resident Evil 7.

My opposing fear for the VR headset is Sony brushing over it like the PlayStation Move and Vita. I’m also concerned we won’t be seeing more commitment from developers to truly utilise the Pro’s capabilities and that the Scorpio will eclipse it in terms of power and relative price. Sony better be prepared to bring down the house on that front.

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Kell Andersen, Reviewer

As one of Push Square’s resident Indie Apologists™, it might surprise you to hear that my hopes for this year’s E3 are decidedly AAA in nature. Namely, I want something unexpected and new, and I want it to be developed by Sucker Punch. I’m also hoping for a Death Stranding trailer that makes my mind hurt. Because, and I’m being deadly serious here, I often find the bonkers build-up to a new Kojima game just as fun as the game itself. Finally, I’m hoping that we get a classic ‘And it’s available right now!’ moment for the long-promised Dreams beta. I’d even settle for a release window. Anything. Please. I’m dying out here.

Thankfully, my biggest fear has already been quelled. After years of E3s filled with more numbers than games, the Japanese giant finally managed to turn the press conference into a fine art with last year’s svelte and speedy offering. 2017 looks to be more of the same, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It also means that I won't have to subject you all to a pun about the show being laden with Layden. Bless up. 

Ken Talbot, Reviewer

I'll be approaching E3 with my usual calm detachment, only to casually drift towards the live streams and news feeds and cry tears of pure hype. I'm hoping From Software gives us a hint of something other than the rumoured original IP – namely Bloodborne 2. I would also love some The Last of Us: Part II gameplay and possibly some Gran Turismo... Anything.

What I don't want is the announcement of any more hardware; I think the PS4 Pro can hold its own for the foreseeable future and it would be counter productive to launch another iteration at least within the next 12 months. Also, given I'm not yet a Sony VR adopter, I would be disappointed if that was a focus, but I still want to see what it's got cooking in that department.  

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Liam Croft, Reviewer

First off, I want updates on the heavy hitters from last year’s conference. Give me a trailer and a release date for Days Gone, Detroit: Become Human, and God of War. Next, let’s see Sony back up their promise of major Japanese announcements. More information on Code Vein, Ni No Kuni 2, and the Yakuza franchise would be more than welcomed. This segment could then be topped off by the unveiling of Bloodborne 2. Then with the time left over I want hit after hit of new games, from both indies and AAA developers. A Spyro the Dragon trilogy remaster off the back of Crash Bandicoot? Yes, please. A Syphon Filter reboot? I’m dreaming! Also, what happened to WiLD? Let’s see that again. Finally, I think the conference’s finale will be the grand reveal of Sucker Punch’s new IP.

What I fear is that Sony will actually focus on games they don’t need to. Death Stranding and The Last Of Us: Part II are still years away, and so I don’t feel like a third trailer for Kojima’s next title will really rock the boat. Bring these games back when they’re six months out.

Stephen Tailby, Reviewer

I'm hoping that Sony's conference echoes the wall-to-wall game talk of last year. With its current line-up, the vast number of third-party partnerships, and a sprinkling of brand new announcements, I think we could be in for a treat once again. I'd like to see some gameplay footage of Red Dead Redemption 2, which should tide me over after its recent delay. I also can't help but get excited for Sucker Punch's next project, whether it's another superhero action game or something entirely different.

To be honest, Sony has enough big games to talk about and potentially unveil that I'm a little worried how much of a look-in PlayStation VR will enjoy. I don't own the system myself yet, but there should definitely be another push on the software front. If the headset is to ever gather mainstream success, it needs games to back up the concept, and Sony has to highlight some new titles at its show that will convince more to give it a try. My fear is that, if it doesn't, gamers will begin to lose confidence in VR and label it as another poorly supported hardware venture from the Japanese giant.


What are your hopes for PS4 at E3 2017? Have you got any worries for Sony's press conference – or the show in general? Share your hopes and fears in the comments section below.