Summer Game Fest and Other Events: Everything We Know So Far

    
    The Summer Game Fest 2022 stream will be the kickoff event for the season, and there’ll be plenty more to follow.
    Summer Game Fest
    

    The 2022 summer games season looks like another strange one for the gaming world. Without E3,?once again, we can now expect a plethora of online shows looking to fill the vacuum the once massive games industry event?leaves behind.
    With this in mind, we put together a quick roundup of all the major shows that we know of so far, and they’re coming up sooner than you think. We’re focusing on the events happening in June, but we’ll be expanding this post to include more details on events such as August’s Gamescom 2022, which will be back to an in-person event later this year.
    CNET will be actively covering the expansive summer games season, so be sure to check back with us as more details come in. Especially if Nintendo and PlayStation decide to hold live events as well.
    Summer Game Fest – Thursday, June 9, 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m ET
    Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest event has grown in scope over the last couple of years. The 2021 gathering saw the reveal of numerous games, including the first gameplay trailer for Elden Ring.

So expectations are pretty high for the June 9 online stream — so much so that you can even watch it in select Imax theaters. If you’re going that big, then there must be something exciting going down.
    

Get ready!!@IMAX is teaming us with us for #SummerGameFest on June 9 and @TheGameAwards in December!

That’s right: Watch all the reveals, surprises and announcements with your friends in select IMAX theaters for full-scale immersion 🙂

This is going to be cool! IMAX LIVE! pic.twitter.com/dvQPIgqF09
    — Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) May 5, 2022

Guerrilla Collective – Saturday, June 11, 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET
    The Guerrilla Collective is a digital showcase focusing on the latest games from independent developers and other unknown creators. Many of the games on display in previous years became sleeper hits, such as the detective puzzle game Genesis Noir, dating-sim roguelike Boyfriend Dungeon and the survival shooter Chernobylite.?
    If you’re looking to watch a fun, chill show about games and see the creators behind them, tune in for the Guerrilla Collective stream.
    Wholesome Direct – Saturday, June 11, 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET
    While many livestreams feature games with violent content or other mature themes, Wholesome Direct takes a different approach. It focuses on games that offer a chill, relaxing atmosphere and touches on titles that are approachable for everyone.?
    In last year’s stream, games like the Pokemon homage Ooblets and Unpacking were big hits, with the latter becoming one of CNET’s best games of 2021.
    Future Games Show – Saturday, June 11, 12 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET
    Hosted by GamesRadar, the Future Games Show has grown steadily over the years to become a fairly significant industry showcase. According to the folks running this year’s show, we can expect dozens of new trailers and reveals from publishers like Sega, Konami and Warner Bros. Entertainment.?
    This isn’t the only Future Games Show event this year. The next one happens in August around Gamescom.
    Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase – Sunday, June 12, 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
    Though Starfield won’t make a 2022 release, we still might see an appearance at the upcoming Xbox showcase.
    Microsoft / Bethesda Game Studios
    Along with Summer Game Fest, another stream that could potentially make a massive impact on gaming in 2021 is the official Xbox & Bethesda showcase. Not much is known right now, but many games seen in a recent trailer, such as Hellblade II and Starfield, could be making appearances.?
    Unfortunately, Bethesda Softworks’ Starfield and Arkane Studios’ Redfall were both delayed to 2023, but that doesn’t mean there won’t have a showing this year. We’re feeling quite optimistic about the kind of content expected to be shown this year.
    PC Gaming Show – Sunday, June 12, 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET
    The?PC Gaming Show, headed up by PC Gamer, is another powerhouse games event. This event specifically focuses on games that coming to PC, along with some updates about the newest hardware.
    In previous years, we got to see new reveals for Dying Light 2, Borderlands 3 and Baldur’s Gate 3. This year is looking to be something of a wild card year, so be sure to tune in if PC gaming is your top priority.
    Overwatch Showcase – Thursday, June 16, exact time TBD
    Following a successful Overwatch 2 beta, Blizzard will be hosting an online showcase focusing on what’s to come with the sequel to the developer’s popular online shooter. This showcase will cover details on the roadmap for Overwatch 2, beta feedback and much more. Here’s hoping we can see more of the fun player-versus-enemy AI cooperative mode that made the rounds a few years back.