In two months we will learn all about Ubisoft’s plans for their games in 2018 and beyond during their E3 2018 press conference. However we already know quite a lot about what’s in store for the publisher. Though it probably won’t compare with last year’s conference, Ubisoft could have another strong showing at E3 this year.

Will we get more Beyond Good & Evil 2? Will there be any big surprises? Will there be yet another random, silly dance sequence? All that and more will be answered in this in-depth article on Ubisoft E3 2018.

Now this article is mostly speculative as far as Ubisoft’s E3 plans will be as a whole but we did a lot of homework on the company’s history, games, and news and narrowed down the most likely appearances. We’ll be sure to update the article if we learn of any new information.

Update (May 24, 2018) – Ubisoft confirmed in a lineup reveal trailer that Beyond Good & Evil 2, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Starlink: Battle for Atlas, Transference, and even For Honor and Rainbow 6 Siege will be at E3 this year. They also promised a few surprises.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Ubisoft confirmed the existence of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey via the official Assassin’s Creed Twitter account. They promise that more information will be revealed at their E3 press conference on June 11 at 4 p.m. ET.

The response came after the game was leaked. French website JeuxVideoLive broke the news, saying that the follow up to last year’s Assassin’s Creed Origins will allegedly take place in ancient Greece. They shared an image of a keychain with an ancient Greek helmet that is apparently part of the game’s merchandise line. Kotaku confirmed the report, saying that they’ve heard rumors about the game’s Greek setting since January from many sources who have played the game themselves or have heard about it secondhand. Kotaku even received their own photo of the keychain from a tip who said that they’re being sent across game stores everywhere today.

Update (June 11, 2018): A ton of info was shared via an interview with narrative director Mel MacCoubrey for UNILAD Gaming (via Variety).

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey takes place in 431 BC during the Peloponnesian War between Athens’ Delian League and Sparta’s Peloponnesian League. The two playable characters, Kassandra and Alexios, are both Spartan. The two work together as mercenaries on the island of Kefalonia after their families were destroyed 17 years ago. The Abstergo Industries subplot returns with Layla Hassan from the last game. There’s also naval combat with the player recruiting sailors to provide buffs for the ship. Combat builds from Origins with gear customizable and upgradeable. There’s also a ability system connected to the spears they wield, with the player choosing to specialize in melee combat, ranged combat, and stealth. The events in the story will play out as they did historically but the dialogue system can impact side stories.

The E3 trailer confirms that the story does start with the hero being tossed off a cliff, as we expected from the teaser trailer. Ubisoft’s E3 presentation again confirmed the two playable characters and that you play the character throughout the entire game. It also confirmed that your combat abilities are tied to your spear and confirmed how dialogue choices work. We also saw the five arrow bow from Origins. The E3 presentation also showed off a gameplay demo, showing horse riding, an expanded version of the combat from Origins, gear rarities, skill trees, large scale army battles, ship combat, and the hawk. Oh and don’t forget the Minotaur.

The game is coming October 5, 2018.

The Division 2

Ubisoft has already confirmed that The Division 2 will be making an appearance at E3 2018. We can expect a cinematic trailer divulging some story details but the game may be too early in development to show off gameplay just yet.

The game was announced earlier than planned back in March. Julian Gerighty, the creative director of Massive Entertainment, said that the team always thought of 2016’s The Division as only the beginning of a much larger story. He also said that the game will run on an updated version of the Snowdrop Engine and incorporate everything they’ve learned from updating the last game. He also said that the development team will once again collaborate with Ubisoft Reflections, Red Storm Entertainment, and Ubisoft Annecy while bringing aboard Ubisoft Shanghai and Ubisoft Bucharest. The team will add a new type of achievement called “Shields” to the first Division which will grant you special rewards to players in the sequel.

However, the development team promised to continue updating the first Division with regular content updates even with the release of the sequel, starting with the 1.8.1 update which added an Xbox One X patch, two new Legendary modes and a new Global Event known as Blackout. So Ubisoft’s E3 presentation may devote some time to talk about these updates in more detail as well as how exactly Shields will work.

Ubisoft hasn’t been subtle about its plans for “live services” with their games being continuously updated throughout the year to keep players invested and spending money on microtransactions. Expect that to be a recurring theme throughout its E3 2018 press conference.

Update (June 10, 2018): During Microsoft’s E3 2018 presentation, we got a story trailer for The Division 2 along with a gameplay trailer.

Update (June 11, 2018): Ubisoft’s 2018 E3 presentation gave some more gameplay and story details. Players have to fend off an oppressive civilization overrunning Washington D.C. After you complete the story campaign, you choose between three different specializations with a special weapon and different tools and skills. Eight players can partner up for the endgame challenge of Raids. Ubisoft are also planning consistent, free content updates. Year one will contain three different episodes of DLC. Ubisoft also showed off a 30 minute demo of the game after the conference.

The Division 2 is releasing on March 15, 2019 according to GameSpot.

Beyond Good & Evil 2

Beyond Good and Evil 2: E3 2018 Trailer Breakdown with Ubisoft Montpellier | News | Ubisoft [NA]Gabrielle Shrager and Emile Morel from the Beyond Good and Evil 2 team join Youssef Maguid to break down all the new characters and action in the latest E3 2018 trailer. #BGE2 #UbiE3 https://www.facebook.com/beyondgoodan… https://twitter.com/bgegame http://www.youtube.com/UbisoftNA ABOUT BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL 2: Journey to System 3, for the prequel to one of Ubisoft’s most beloved… 2018-06-11T20:11:51.000Z

The reveal of Beyond Good & Evil 2 was one of the biggest surprises of 2017. What was once thought of as vaporware became a reality in pretty much an instant, although we weren’t quite expecting Ubisoft to go with the open-world, mature-rated direction they went with instead of the smaller, more linear but tightly scripted direction of the first game.

While we would get an in-engine demo of the game to show off the massive scope of the world as well as some space ship piloting, not much else is known about the game. According to Ubisoft’s website, the game will let you play by yourself or with friends in a huge online playground. The game will also feature a customizable protagonist, according to DualShockers.

Since the game is still in early development, we may not get much more information about it this year. At best we’ll get a reminder that the project still exists and we may even get another cinematic trailer to get people excited. But don’t hold your breath for anything too mind-blowing.

Update (May 3, 2018): We got some more pre-alpha footage, showing of some more early space travel and hand-to-hand combat.

Update (June 11, 2018): We did in fact get a new cinematic trailer for Beyond Good & Evil at Ubisoft’s E3 2018 presentation showing off familiar characters. We also got pre-alpha footage of one of the game’s cities. The presentation confirmed both solo play and online co-op.

They also issued an open invitation for fans to contribute to the development of the game through the Space Monkey Program.

New Splinter Cell

The Special Operation I update for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands added new PvE and Ghost War PvP content themed after Splinter Cell, another Tom Clancy game series. One mission even allowed you to meet series protagonist Sam Fisher. This may be an indication that a new Splinter Cell game is coming.

There’s more evidence to back this up, as Eurogamer points out. Ubisoft brought back Michael Ironside to reprise his role for Fisher. Why would Ubisoft bring back Ironside just for a little bit of DLC, especially after fans complained when he was replaced for Splinter Cell: Blacklist? In addition, Fisher appears older in the DLC indicating that some time has passed since his last outing (We’re getting some Old Snake vibes here). And at the end of the DLC, Fisher learns about a new mission involving a possible “Empty Quiver,” which is military speak for the “seizure, theft, or loss of a functioning nuclear weapon.”

There’s more happenings pointing to a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft co-founder, president, and CEO Yves Guillemot told The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley on YouTube @ E3 last year that they haven’t forgotten about the franchise, according to comicbook.com. A listing for a new Splinter Cell game appeared briefly on Amazon, the publication reported. Even Ironside himself teased the return of the franchise on Inside Xbox in April 2018. A Splinter Cell game was mentioned as part of a massive leak on Walmart Canada’s video game listings in May 2018. So overall it’s very likely that we’ll see an announcement at this year’s E3 presentation.

Update (June 11, 2018): Splinter Cell was not confirmed or announced at Ubisoft’s E3 2018 presentation.

Watch Dogs 3

While Ubisoft has made no mention of a third entry in the Watch Dogs franchise in their official channels, they have been giving a few sly hints. We’ve already written a thorough article on these antics and what they could mean for a potential Watch Dogs 3, but we’ll give you the Cliffnotes for our purposes here.

A February 2017 patch to Watch Dogs 2 included an extended ending cutscene hinting at a sequel as well as a possible location of London, England. Then the Uplay Client let players access a command prompt for fun effects as part of an April Fool’s joke. Then a few days later the Watch Dogs Twitter account tweeted “this is everything” before quickly deleting the post.

If Ubisoft were to announce Watch Dogs 3 this year, they probably would reveal it about a week or so before their E3 press conference and then show off some gameplay at the conference itself just like they did with Watch Dogs 2 and other games. Of course, it’s possible that they would just drop it out of nowhere during E3, as was the case with Skull and Bones and Beyond Good and Evil 2.

As for what will be shown with a reveal, we can expect a confirmation on the location of the game as well as any details on new mechanics such as new ways to hack things and sneak around guards. We could also get details on regular content updates and events for the online multiplayer component the series had since day one.

Update (June 11, 2018): Watch Dogs 3 was not confirmed or announced at Ubisoft’s E3 2018 presentation.

Skull & Bones

Ubisoft’s answer to Microsoft’s Sea of Thieves was announced at E3 2017 but the publisher has been pretty quiet on the project since then.

We do know from a gameplay trailer that Skull & Bones promises a shared open world that reacts to your actions along with both solo and co-op gameplay. The game also has competitive multiplayer in a variety of game modes with player vessels battling each other in naval combat similar to that seen in the Assassin’s Creed series. You can also customize your captain, crew, and ships.

The release period has already been confirmed for Fall 2018, so we’ll most likely get a concrete release date during E3 2018. Since this is yet another online multiplayer game, we can also expect Ubisoft to divulge plans about content updates and events.

Update (May 17, 2018): Ubisoft has delayed the game to 2019 or 2020, according to Variety. The news came from an earnings call. So it’s not likely to make an appearance at E3 this year.

Update (June 11, 2018): Turns out Ubisoft did show off a new trailer for E3 2018. They also gave out some gameplay details such as how weather and other events can influence your gameplay. The game promises a shared world with other pirates, similar to Microsoft’s Sea of Thieves.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas

Like Skull & Bones, Starlink: Battle for Atlas was announced at E3 2017 but has stayed relatively quiet since then. However we already know from Ubisoft themselves what the game will be like and that it’s releasing sometime in Fall 2018.

The game uses physical, Skylanders-like Starship models that you mount onto your game controller for playing in the game world. The ships’ parts can be mixed and matched on the fly for different play styles and changes instantly appear in the game. Players travel through an open, living star system with seven planets to explore.

We’ll most likely get a concrete release date for the game as well as prices for the physical space ships. If that happens, then you can bet your bottom dollar that a pre-order announcement will accompany it so you can lose that bottom dollar as you rush to buy it before it’s sold out or buy it for insanely jacked up prices on eBay.

Update (June 11, 2018): The game will include the Arwings from Star Fox, according to Ubisoft’s E3 2018 presentation. The Arwings will be a physical starship that you can play with in the game. Star Fox creator Shigeru Miyamoto himself came on stage to accept a prototype of the Arwing toy. The Star Fox content will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. The game is coming to all consoles on October 16, 2018.

The Crew 2

The Crew 2 is steadily approaching its June 29, 2018 release date, so there’s plenty of information about the game out already. We already know from Ubisoft that we’ll be traveling and racing around the United States in a variety of popular cars, planes, boats, and more.

So if it makes an appearance during E3 at all, it would just be to remind people of the game’s existence. The dates for the beta haven’t been announced yet so maybe we’ll learn about that as well.

Update (June 11, 2018): Ubisoft indeed reminded everyone of The Crew 2’s existence at their E3 2018 presentation.

Just Dance 2019

Just Dance 2018: E3 2017 Official Conference Presentation | Ubisoft [US]Live from the E3 2017 Ubisoft stage, watch the never before seen performance of Just Dance 2018 with a special appearance by Bebe Rexha! Each year the record-breaking franchise is bringing all new moves with breakthrough features and over 40 of the hottest tracks and coolest dances. The game is available on all platforms but… 2017-06-13T00:05:09.000Z

The Just Dance franchise has seen annual releases since its debut in 2009, so we can expect an announcement for a Just Dance 2019 at Ubisoft’s press conference along with a zany, over-the-top dance performance to accompany it like they’ve had at conferences since 2016. We’ll probably get some info on what songs are coming to the game this time as well.

Update (June 11, 2018): Ubisoft indeed confirmed Just Dance 2019 with a dance party at their E3 2018 presentation. According to Variety, the game will release in October and features songs from Elton John and Camila Cabelo to name a few.

DLC for Far Cry 5

Far Cry 5 has three different campaigns lined up in its season pass all inspired by popular 80s action and horror movies. Hours of Darkness will drop you into the middle of Vietnam as you rescue your comrades and fight off the Vietcong. Lost on Mars takes you across the red planet while mowing down aliens with Sci-Fi weaponry. Dead Living Zombies has you and a friend fending off waves of zombies in seven B-Movie scenarios.

We’ll likely get a release date for the first DLC campaign coming to the game, Hours of Darkness, at this year’s E3 conference as well as some more info on the other two campaigns. We also might get some more details on Far Cry 5’s free post-launch content like its live events. We know we want more weapons added to the game as opposed to slightly upgraded versions of the same weapons over and over again or overpriced weapon skins masquerading as new weapons.

Update: Hours of Darkness has already been released. So all that’s left is Lost on Mars and Dead Living Zombies.

Update (June 11, 2018): Ubisoft did not mention any of Far Cry 5’s DLC at their E3 2018 presentation.

New Games & Other Stuff We Didn’t Predict

A new Trials game called Trials Rising was announced focusing on online multiplayer races. The game has levels themed after multiple places around the world. The game releases February 2019 on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

The Donkey Kong DLC for Mario + Rabbits Kingdom Battle will release on June 26, 2018.

Transference, Ubisoft’s VR horror game, is coming Fall 2018.

For Honor is getting four new Chinese warriors in new Marching Fire update. There is a new 4v4 mode called Breach where warriors storm a castle.

Ubisoft’s coming conference looks to be more of the same. We’ll get some new surprises we didn’t see coming but for the most part it’s going to be stuff we’ve known about for nearly a year. That being said it will still be interesting to see what the publisher has in store for us for 2018 and beyond.

What do you think of our predictions? What games are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comment section below.

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