Recap: Everything that happened at Summer Game Fest 2022

I think we need E3

Well, it’s here! The initial “big push” Summer Game Fest stream just ended. Here’s a big old Summer Game Fest 2022 recap: emphasis on old.

Vibe check? I was heavily reminded of the low key artifice of the PC Gaming Show throughout: where it was hard to tell what was actually a reveal and what had been shown weeks or months ago. There were lots of ads and a few “exclusives/world firsts” that were basically modified existing trailers. The Rock stopped by to plug his energy drink (twice) and showed off a trailer for his new movie, Black Adam. The “one more thing” final announcement was The Last of Us remake, which wouldn’t have hit that hard for a lot of people (myself included) even if it wasn’t leaked.

It’s been the prevailing wind in the air since E3 left the main stage in 2020. Instead of a unified weekend/slice of time where everyone can hone in, take off work, and get excited together: we’re once again repeating the formula of spreading out showcases. Despite the call to have less of those, there’s actually a healthy amount on track for next week, not to mention the rest of the summer. I wouldn’t have as much of a problem with a never-ending cavalcade of these things if they all delivered (even on an unintentionally comical, “laser/tag Mr. Caffeine” level): they do not.

At the end of the stream Geoff noted that Summer Game Fest will return as an “in person and digital event” in 2023. Hey, what a coincidence: the ESA just said E3 is allegedly doing the same! 2023 is going to be wild y’all.