We’re eyeballing 2017 as we rapidly approach the end of year’s festivities. Despite being busy trying to earn those last few Trophies in our favourite 2016 titles, we’re already pondering the experiences to come in the next 12 months and beyond.

But what we really wanted to know was what developers are most looking forward to playing, when they find time between their own projects. So we sent out the call, asking multiple names across multiple continents exactly which upcoming titles are getting them excited. This is what they chose.

As chosen by…

“It has to be Detroit: Become Human, from the fellow Frenchies at Quantic Dream – such an interesting setting!”

Audrey Leprince, Co-founder, Furi, The Game Bakers

As chosen by…

“I know these guys and they are absolutely crazy (which is a necessary condition to create the game they want to make), as well as very talented, as everyone knows. What they want to achieve seems almost impossible, this is why I hope so much they will make it and deliver once again an amazing game.”

David Cage, Director, Detroit: Become Human, Quantic Dream

As chosen by…

“One of the “holy grails” of VR development is delivering a first person shooter game where a player’s movement and the shooting mechanics are fluid and intuitive. From everything I’ve played so far I believe they are incredibly close to delivering this and it could be another landmark achievement that will push this exciting new medium even further.”

Andrew Wilans, Lead Designer, EVE: Valkyrie, CCP Games

As chosen by…

“I’ll say Final Fantasy VII Remake and hope it gets a 2017 release. FF7 has been my favorite game since I played it in 1997, so the remake can’t come soon enough.”

Chris Davis, Founder, The Escapists, Mouldy Toof Studios

For Honor

As chosen by…

“I’m looking forward to For Honor from Ubisoft. For more than 20 years I have been shooting and blasting various enemies in-game, so I’m really looking forward to a more up-close and physical type of combat. Also, this game has samurai, but I think it would be even better if I were allowed to oversee the development of the look of this character and the way he uses his sword.”

Katsuhiro Harada, Project Director, Tekken, Bandai Namco

As chosen by…

“I am not sure whether this will be released in 2017, but I’m looking forward to God of War. I’m not great at action games, but I’ve managed to complete the entries into this franchise at least. Previously the series used to have a wider view and dynamic camera work but that’s changed to an over the shoulder view. I’m quite interested about how this will alter the dynamic and dramatic action God of War is known for.”

Kazutoki Kono, Project Director, Ace Combat, Bandai Namco

“I’m going to have to plum for God of War. This eagerly anticipated game is 100% guaranteed to serve up all of the cool action we’ve grown to love over the years, but this time with the added addition of more character development with Kratos being forced to curb his seemingly endless rage and become a father figure for a talented young lad with awesome powers. I literally cannot wait!”

Tim Wileman, Producer, Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens, TT Games

As chosen by…

“Hard to choose… Gran Turismo Sport is for sure the best driving game on circuit out there!”

Paul Narducci, Lead Designer, The Crew, Ivory Tower

As chosen by…

“For 2017 I’m most excited about Horizon Zero Dawn because of it’s unique art style. How could you not get excited about giant robot dinosaurs?”

David Hensley, Game Director, Killing Floor 2, Tripwire Interactive

“Guerilla’s Horizon Zero Dawn is definitely my most anticipated PlayStation game for 2017. I’m looking forward to exploring every corner of their beautifully crafted world. Plus Aloy’s a badass with a bow – which is something I always appreciate in games.”

Scott Walters, Assistant Designer, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Crystal Dynamics

“For 2017 it’s difficult to look beyond Horizon: Zero Dawn’s beautiful, marauding mecha-dinosaurs. I quietly hope Guerrilla will consider including our own dinosaur, Rextro Sixtyfourus as a support NPC.”

Andy Robinson, Writer, Yooka-Laylee, Playtonic Games

“I hadn’t really paid attention to this game. Then, at a trade show in Australia, I walked past a booth where it was playing, and it literally stopped me in my tracks. “What the heck is that?” I asked the person I was with. “Oh, that’s Horizon Zero Dawn!” I was like, “I must try this”. So I tried the demo – yep, I’ll play this one! The character design is super-strong, the whole concept of machines as an evolutionary track is amazing, and I love the execution of the action/RPG on this one. Can’t wait.”

Jason Vandenberghe, Creative Director, For Honor, Ubisoft Monteal

“I know I’m not alone here at Rocksteady in being very excited about Horizon Zero Dawn. I was lucky enough to play the 4K demo on PS4 Pro while we were touring to promote Batman: Arkham VR, and the stunning visuals really bring the game’s mysterious world to life.”

Gaz Deaves, Social Marketing Manager, Batman Arkham VR, Rocksteady

“I’m probably a little bit biased, but Horizon Zero Dawn from our sister studio in Amsterdam is going to be a massive deal next year. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some hands-on time with their demos and everyone is in for an epic treat.”

Alex Kanaris-Sotiriou, Art Director, RIGS Mechanized Combat League, Guerrilla Cambridge

“It’s got to be Horizon Zero Dawn. I can’t wait to see what the team at Guerrilla have done. I’ve been watching with a keen interest over the course of its development and I’m looking forward to its release. I think it’s fantastic that the team are challenging themselves with a new genre and new gameplay. Aloy looks like the kind of character I’d like to get to know more about so I’m really looking forward to its release. I also have a bit of an RPG itch, so maybe it’ll be the game to scratch that itch for me.”

Michelle Ducker, Producer, Dreams, Media Molecule

“Those guys at Guerilla are master technicians. They’re always known for beautiful artwork. They have John Gonzalez, who has come in to write the story. There’s a big pedigree there. Now they’ve named their engine – the Decima engine. I always think of those guys as the Naughty Dog of Europe.

“It’s a very ambitious title for them. Thy’ve done Killzone for years and are very good at it. But going from a corridor-based shooter to a broad, wide open world? That’s a very different proposition. It requires a new skillset. Herman Hulst and that team have done a brilliant job going out and finding the best of the best in the industry and I can’t wait to see that final product and what all their efforts are going to yield.”

Dave Thatch, Senior Director, International Software Development & Special Operations, SIE Worldwide Studios America

“That is it for me. That’s like my gaming crack. Being able to run around and explore, have solid combat. I like the idea of the world, the look of it, the characters, the RPG-actioness of it. Truthfully I cannot wait to get my hands on it.”

Scott Campbell, Creative Director, Starblood Arena, WhiteMoon Dreams

“The protagonist looks really cool, it looks pretty open-ended in how you approach problems. I’m a big fan of Far Cry and those big open world action games. It looks beautiful.”

Richard Rouse, Director, Designer, Writer, The Church in the Darkness, Parnoid Productions

As chosen by…

“I love [the Mass Effect] series, and you can always count on BioWare to make an amazing game, something really special that’ll keep you coming back. In fact, I’ve played the ME games more than I played Modern Warfare 2, and I played that game so much my wife made a joke about it in our vows! The early gameplay footage is gorgeous, and I’m really excited to see what they do with 4K.”

James “Jlo” Lopez, Producer, Borderlands, Gearbox Software

“I’m looking forward to the new Mass Effect: Andromeda. I’m a huge fan of the series, and have spent many hours on previous games getting caught up on the storylines.”

Sarah Hebbler, Executive Producer, Rocket League, Psyonix

“I’m going to sound like a EA shill but I love Mass Effect. So I’m excited for Andromeda, like, to no end.”

Paul Keslin, Producer, Star Wars Battlefront, DICE

As chosen by…

“I’m a huge baseball fanatic so MLB The Show 17 is top of my most anticipated PlayStation release next year (and nearly every year). It’s the greatest sports game out there. Ken Griffey Jr is on the cover this year! I named my dog Griffey, so, obviously, I’m super excited for it, especially after playing the retro mode and thinking about how to gear up my avatar in Road to The Show mode.”

Eric Monacelli, Director of Communications, Infinity Ward

Nier: Automata

As chosen by…

“I had a chance to play a tiny bit of it at E3 and the fluid combat system created by PlatinumGames impressed me.”

Spencer Yip, Director, Fallen Legion, YummyYummyTummy

Outlast II

As chosen by…

“There is no better way to relax and enjoy a quiet evening than by screaming your lungs out and (digitally) running for your life. This is why we are eagerly awaiting Outlast II, developed by our friends at Red Barrels. We already have stacks of bourbon, beef jerky and diapers ready for its release.”

Guillaume Voghel, Producer, Mordheim: City of the Damned, Rogue Factor

Persona 5

As chosen by…

“The Persona series brings some of the most stylish and cohesive games out there. I love the immersion that is maintained between the music, sound effects, the HUD, the menus, and the combat presentation. It all keeps me in the mentality of the protagonist.”

Jason Schroeder, Senior Producer, South Park: The Fractured But Whole, Ubisoft San Francisco

“Persona 5! I need to go to school and hang out with my friends!”

Dave Crooks, Game Designer, Enter the Gungeon, Dodge Roll

Prey

As chosen by…

“Prey. After losing myself in the city of Karnaca, I’m very interested in what Arkane has in store for us next.”

Matthias Worch, Design Director, Mafia III, Hangar 13

As chosen by…

“Red Dead Redemption 2. If any developer is automatic, it’s the Rockstar team. I can’t wait.”

Jake Solomon, Creative Director, Xcom 2, Firaxis Games

“The first was a beautiful game, and I think westerns are hugely underserved, as far as genres are concerned. Excited to see what Rockstar has done to build on the technology and success of GTA IV and V. I’m hoping for another massive open playground in a living world.”

Michael Gamble, Producer, Mass Effect Andromeda, BioWare

“I can’t wait to see how they have improved upon the stealth of bears in the woods and to also single-handedly annihilate numerous wildlife species with my wanton lust for harvesting meat.”

Brian Hayes, Creative Director, EA Sports UFC 2, EA Canada

“There’s a ton of amazing stuff coming to the PS4 next year, but tops on my list right now is Red Dead Redemption 2. I love Rockstar’s wild ambition and creative courage, and the open nature of the Wild West setting is the perfect marriage of world and mechanics.”

Ian Milham, Game Director, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Crystal Dynamics

“I really liked the first opus, and on a more general level I’m really into the whole cowboy fantasy. Just riding on horseback through the countryside and getting into this incredible Wild West mood is a unique thrill.”

Stéphane “Fergus” Beley, Game Director, The Crew, Ivory Tower

“Red Dead Redemption is one of my all-time favourite open world game’s. Riding around in the old west and being immersed in that world was an incredibly fun experience start to finish and I can’t wait to do it again, bigger and better on the PS4.”

Eric Jensen, Senior Game Designer, Days Gone, Bend Studio

“I was a big fan of the original and I love how Rockstar Games completely encapsulate the feel of old Spaghetti Westerns across the whole Red Dead franchise. From the music, the lighting, the characters, it all just screams The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Given that the first Red Dead Redemption was released in 2010 and still looks pretty good, I’m looking forward to seeing what the Red Dead team can achieve visually on the PlayStation 4.”

Dominic Matthews, Product Development, Hellblade, Ninja Theory

“Rockstar always deliver compelling narrative and excellent characterisation which together with the visuals and gameplay makes for an epic gaming experience. The original Red Dead Redemption was fantastic and a definite highlight of the last 10 years for me, so when I heard about the sequel and saw the announcement trailer it shot straight to the top of my most anticipated game of 2017 list, though special mention must also go to Gran Turismo Sport and God of War!”

Phil Nightingale, Senior Designer, Tethered, Secret Sorcery

As chosen by…

“It will be one of the first full-fledged VR games to come out and it’s RE on top of it! I mean, experiencing a RE game in first person in my VR gear will be one hell of a ride.”

Jean-François Dugas, Executive Game Director, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Ubisoft Montreal

As chosen by…

“Shenmue III. Any person who works on non-linear games has to pay tribute to a long lineage of games! Having Shenmue back is a great moment for all of us; can’t wait to see what they come up with.”

Nouredine Abboud, Senior Producer, Ghost Recon: Wildlands, Ubisoft Paris

“So many great games to choose from, but for me that is Shenmue III. I’ll never forget playing its predecessors on the Dreamcast. And the soundtrack was so good that I still regularly listen to it.”

Mathijs de Jonge, Game Director, Horizon Zero Dawn, Guerrilla Games

Shovel Knight: Spectre of Torment

As chosen by…

“Across the studio there’s an unanimous excitement for it. It’s Household Games’ founder’s favourite game of all time, and now it’s getting a prequel.”

Gavin McCarthy, Art Director, Way of the Passive Fist, Household Games Inc

Spider-Man

As chosen by…

“I’ve fingers crossed for Insomniac’s Spider-Man game. The fun of Ratchet and Clank realised in a modern New York City with ‘silky’ animations could be an amazing game.”

Ken Chua, Associate Software Engineer, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Crystal Dynamics

The Church Of Darkness

“The Church in the Darkness looks to be a remarkable entry. It explores the shadowy world of cults, paranoia and utopia, and seems like it will be something that expands the medium of games. I can’t wait to sit down and play it.”

John Watson, Technical Director, The Banner Saga 2, Stoic

“We didn’t get a release date in the announcement, but I really hope we can play The Last Of Us Part 2 in 2017, as I loved the first game.”

Masachika Kawata, Producer, Resident Evil 7, Capcom

Torment: Tides of Numenera

As chosen by…

“Going full old school geek, I would say Torment: Tides of Numenera. It is a crowd sourced spiritual successor to one of my all-time favorite games, Planescape Torment.”

Dominic Guay, Senior Producer, Watch Dogs 2, Ubisoft Montreal

What Remains Of Edith Finch

As chosen by…

“It just looks like a game that I’ve never really seen before. It seems to be doing things in a very specific way that’s unique. It tickles my… well, I can’t say [laughs].”

Martin Kvale, Audio Lead, Mosaic, Krillbite