Gamers around the world will be able to start their summers off by tuning in to E3 2021 from June 12 to 15. The gaming expo will be held entirely online, with a focus on making showcases, announcements, and gameplay footage available to any fan interested in watching. The weeks before and after E3 2021 in June and July are also a prime time for showcases put on by other companies. Many of these events will allow gaming fans to get a glimpse of what could be coming out in future months.
E3 2021 will be available to stream on numerous platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. However, it will be important to check the E3 schedule ahead of time to ensure specific events aren't missed. Fans can do this by downloading E3's mobile app. Currently, the full schedule has yet to be added, but it will likely be updated to reflect the 2021 showcases in the coming weeks. Similar events not associated with E3 won't be included on that official schedule, of course, like Summer Game Fest 2021 and EA Play Live.
A number of anticipated games with planned 2021 release dates will likely be included in E3 proceedings, like Nintendo's Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Ubisoft's Far Cry 6, and Microsoft's Halo Infinite. Fans could also potentially get updates on more enigmatic games that have been in development for some time, including The Elder Scrolls 6, Elden Ring, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. Below is a list of each confirmed conference and showcase happening around or during E3 2021, along with what fans might expect to see therein.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: INDIE Live Expo 2021 - June 5
INDIE Live Expo 2021 is a Japanese, non-E3 event that will give gamers a look at indie games releasing in the near future. This year's INDIE Expo will showcase over 300 games on June 5 at 2 AM PT/9 AM GMT. Fans can watch on YouTube, Twitter, and Twitch.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Guerrilla Collective - June 5 & 12
Not part of E3 2021, Guerrilla Collective is a newer digital game expo that showcases upcoming projects in the industry. Last year, the showcase included Baldur's Gate 3, Boyfriend Dungeon, and the now wildly popular Valheim. This year's lineup will include a fresh set of titles, like Beasts of Maravilla Island, Super Space Club, and Trifox. The event is broken into two days: June 5 at 8 AM PT/3 PM GMT and June 12 at 8 AM PT/3 PM GMT. Fans can tune in on Twitch.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Black Voices In Gaming - June 5
Also separate from E3 2021 but partnered with Guerilla Collective, Black Voices in Gaming focuses on games from Black developers and about Black protagonists. Black Voices in Gaming will take place on June 5 at 10 AM PT/5 PM GMT. Fans can watch on Twitch.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Summer Game Fest - June 10
Summer Game Fest's Kickoff Live!, presented by Prime Gaming, is another gaming event separate from E3 2021. According to a teaser trailer, 2021's Summer Game Fest kickoff is the start of a series of digital events covering game reveals, teaser trailers, and gameplay demos throughout the summer. The kickoff will take place on June 10 at 11 AM PT/6 PM GMT and will be hosted by Geoff Keighley. Fans can watch on the official Summer Game Fest website.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Koch Primetime - June 11
Koch Media, parent company of Metro, Saints Row, TimeSplitters, and other game IPs, will be running a livestream separate from E3 2021. Koch Primetime is planned for June 11 at 12 PM PT/7 PM GMT, though not much is known about what the event will cover. Fans can watch on Twitch.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: IGN Expo - June 11
IGN Expo is a showcase event that's part of the brand's Summer of Gaming celebration. Along with unique new announcements, the expo will be providing more information on some of the games revealed at Summer Game Fest's kickoff. IGN Expo will take place on June 11 at 1 PM PT/8 PM GMT. Fans can watch on IGN's social channels, including Twitch, YouTube, and Twitter.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Wholesome Direct - June 12
Also separate from E3 2021 and partnering with Guerilla Collective, Wholesome Direct is an indie game showcase that focuses on slice-of-life, simulation, and feel-good games. Fans of relaxing simulation titles like Animal Crossing will want to consider tuning in on June 12 at 10 AM PT/5 PM GMT on YouTube and Twitter.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Ubisoft Forward - June 12
On the first day of E3 2021 proper, Ubisoft will host its Ubisoft Forward showcase. Fans will likely hear about upcoming titles like Far Cry 6 and Rainbow Six Quarantine, as well as potential updates on DLC for Assassin's Creed Valhalla or Immortals Fenyx Rising. Ubisoft Forward will take place on June 12 at 12 PM PT/7 PM GMT, with no information on the showcase's predicted length. Fans can watch on Twitch and YouTube.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Devolver Digital Showcase - June 12
Devolver Digital announced via Twitter that its E3 2021 plans have been made, but it only said a showcase will "probably" happen on June 12 and did not specify a time. Devolver Digital isn't listed as a confirmed participant on E3 2021's website, so it's possible this will be an independent showcase happening concurrently to the expo. Devolver Digital is known for bizarre showcases and unique events like 2020's Devolverland Expo, so many fans are likely excited to see its confirmed date and time for E3 2021.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Xbox & Bethesda E3 Event - June 13
Xbox and Bethesda will also be contributing a showcase to E3 2021. While nothing has been confirmed on what fans might see from the two major publishers, there will likely be more information about games like Halo Infinite and Starfield and possibly development news for The Elder Scrolls 6. It's also possible fans will hear about brand-new projects, now that the dust has settled on Microsoft's Bethesda acquisition last fall. Fans can watch on June 13 at 10 AM PT/5 PM GMT on Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: PC Gaming Show - June 13
Presented by PC Gamer, the PC Gaming Show will be an official part of E3 2021 and is a showcase dedicated to PC gaming only. The games featured in the showcase could include both indie titles and upcoming AAA games, though there isn't yet a confirmed list of developers and publishers for this year's version. The PC Gaming Show will take place on June 13 at an unspecified time. It can be watched on PC Gamer's YouTube channel.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Future Games Show - June 13
Present by GamesRadar, the Future Games Show is another official part of E3 2021. It's set to occur on June 13 at an unspecified time, but GamesRadar has described it as a "double-header digital show" with the PC Gaming Show, so the two could occur back to back. Like the PC Gaming Show, there hasn't yet been an update on what to expect from June's Future Games Show. Fans can watch on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Square Enix E3 Showcase - June TBA
Square Enix has been confirmed for E3 2021 and will be hosting a showcase at some point during the expo. While the date and time haven't been revealed, there are plenty of games the expo could showcase for both 2021 and upcoming years. These include Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, Final Fantasy 16, Life Is Strange: True Colors, and the rumored Guardians of the Galaxy game.
ESummer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Nintendo E3 Direct - June 13
Another confirmed participant in E3 2021 is Nintendo. The company is currently celebrating some major anniversary milestones, alongside recent exciting game announcements. 2021 is the 25th anniversary of the Pokémon series, which will see the November release of the Diamond and Pearl remakes. The first open-world Pokémon game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, is also slated for January 2022. Both of these games could have new gameplay footage shown during E3, but Nintendo is celebrating the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda as well, leaving many Zelda fans hopeful for news about Breath of the Wild 2.
There has been widespread speculation about a new Nintendo Switch model, which has been rumored to be revealed before E3. While nothing is confirmed, a new "Switch Pro" with updated specs would be an exciting announcement for fans. Other topics Nintendo might cover during E3 are Splatoon 3, Monster Hunter Stories 2, and Metroid Prime 4. The Nintendo event will occur at 09:00 PT/12:00 ET on June 13 and will last for 40 minutes.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Steam Next Fest - June 16-22
Previously known as Steam Game Festival, Steam Next Fest starts just after E3 ends and focuses on showcasing upcoming games releasing on the Steam platform. Steam Next Fest offers six days of game demos, streams with developers, personal interactions with development teams, and gameplay showcases. Steam Next Fest will be happening June 16 to 22, when fans can watch on YouTube.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Limited Run Games Showcase - July 14
Limited Run Games, a distributor specialized in producing small, limited-edition runs of various games, will be holding its showcase almost a month after E3 2021 has ended. The showcase will contain more than 25 titles slotted for its next distribution. Limited Run Games' showcase will take place on July 14 at 1 PM PT/8 PM GMT. Fans can watch on Twitch.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: Tennocon 2021 - July 17
Also happening after E3 2021 concludes, Tennocon 2021 is an online conference dedicated to the free-to-play MMORPG Warframe. The event will be all day on July 17 and will cover the history of Warframe and what can be expected in the future. Tennocon participants can also purchase special digital content and merchandise packs to commemorate the 2021 event.
Summer 2021 Gaming Event Schedule: EA Play Live - July 22
At the time of writing, EA hasn't revealed any information on what viewers can expect from its EA Play Live event, but fans do know it will take place on July 22 at an unspecified time - more than a month after E3 2021. Once more information is revealed, fans should be able to watch EA Play Live on EA's social channels.
While there is a chance more publishers and developers could decide to participate at the last minute, it has at least been confirmed Sony will not be involved in E3 2021. This may be frustrating news for those hoping to get more information on upcoming PlayStation games like Horizon Forbidden West or God of War: Ragnarok. However, E3 2021 will cover plenty of other titles and hopefully fuel excitement for gamers all over the world.