E3 might not be happening in LA this year, but that shouldn't stop Ubisoft delivering what's become one of the highlights of the season - 60 minutes of camp charm and maybe even some game reveals too.
Ubisoft Forward: Official Livestream - June 2021 | #UbiForward Watch on YouTubeOur live coverage of this event has finished.
18:45 pm UTC *taps mic* Martin Robinson 18:45 pm UTC *clears throat* Martin Robinson 18:45 pm UTC Hello, good evening and welcome to Ubisoft's 2021 E3 show! Martin Robinson 18:48 pm UTC Now excuse me while I set up my screens (and figure out how to get the iPlayer up and running out here so I can sneakily have the Belgium v Russia game on as well). Martin Robinson 18:48 pm UTC (and also thank heavens Christian Eriksen is okay after those terrifying scenes earlier). Martin Robinson 18:49 pm UTC But we're not here for football! We're here for video games! Martin Robinson 18:49 pm UTC What to expect tonight? Martin Robinson 18:50 pm UTC Well, it's mostly leaked already, but to keep things spicy I won't post any spoilers here. Martin Robinson 18:50 pm UTC Though allow me a small 'lol' at the fact that Nintendo itself was one of those who leaked one of the games. Martin Robinson 18:51 pm UTC I do believe there is still room for a few more surprises, though. Martin Robinson 18:52 pm UTC And I'm not saying that just to keep you here for the next hour! Martin Robinson 18:52 pm UTC Though the company would be nice as I slowly slip into madness and the kind of low-key drunk that happens while sipping this beer I just poured after a day spent out in the sun. Martin Robinson 18:53 pm UTC If past years are anything to go by it'll be the opener - and I really hope it is as it's always upbeat and nutty. Martin Robinson 18:54 pm UTC That's the weird thing about Ubisoft's E3 conferences - I'm not a big player of their games at all, and yet I'm a massive fan of their conferences. Martin Robinson 18:55 pm UTC They typically do a wonderful job of capturing so much of what's brilliant about video games. Martin Robinson 18:55 pm UTC I hope I'm not giving this the commentator's curse and what follows is an hour of neckstabbing and moody swears. Martin Robinson 18:56 pm UTC Absolutely not - that was when Ubi's conferences peaked! Martin Robinson 18:56 pm UTC Though you could also argue that was the Mr. Caffeine year. Martin Robinson 18:58 pm UTC I was there for the birth of my daughter, I've got to see my team lift the FA Cup, stand under the podium as the motorsport outfit I love the most take Le Mans after years of trying, and yet when I'm on my deathbed I will lean forward and proudly proclaim 'I was there for that Mr. Caffeine year at E3'. Martin Robinson 18:58 pm UTC God it was brilliant. Martin Robinson 18:58 pm UTC The kind of thing that's not really possible away from a live E3. Martin Robinson 18:58 pm UTC I should probably start watching the stream tbh. Martin Robinson 19:00 pm UTC Just over an hour, I believe. Martin Robinson 19:00 pm UTC And here we go! Martin Robinson 19:01 pm UTC We have presenters! Martin Robinson 19:01 pm UTC And they're a smartly turned-out, professional pair. I fear they are too good to start making jokes about 'poop on your toothpaste'. Martin Robinson 19:02 pm UTC All these years later I still have no idea what he was on about. Martin Robinson 19:02 pm UTC But I digress! Martin Robinson 19:03 pm UTC Here we have freshly retitled Rainbow Six: Extraction. Martin Robinson 19:03 pm UTC You can't say that anymore! Martin Robinson 19:04 pm UTC I do understand the reasoning though. Given all that's happened the past year it'd be about as popular a title as Rainbow Six: Poking a Swab in Your Gob Until You Really Start to Gag. Martin Robinson 19:04 pm UTC I have to say though. Martin Robinson 19:04 pm UTC Having gotten excited about a Just Dance opener. Martin Robinson 19:05 pm UTC A CG trailer for a zombie shooter is possibly the most disappointing thing possible. Martin Robinson 19:05 pm UTC Thanks Ubi! Martin Robinson 19:05 pm UTC Well that was a complete waste of everyone's time. Martin Robinson 19:05 pm UTCKami: ... I... I did say I wanted a new Zombi... but not like this. Not like this...
This is all your fault.
Martin Robinson 19:06 pm UTC Given how tight the mechanics are in R6: Siege I've still got plenty of hope for this. Martin Robinson 19:07 pm UTC I am not so much of a fan of this painfully scripted, overly long presentation. Martin Robinson 19:08 pm UTC Perhaps? It's weirdly po-faced and drawn out. Martin Robinson 19:09 pm UTC I presume this is because this is Ubi's big best this year and they are going all in on it. Martin Robinson 19:09 pm UTC Which is fair enough. Martin Robinson 19:09 pm UTC The end result is after ten minutes of pre-amble we are finally getting to see the game in action. Martin Robinson 19:10 pm UTC Like Siege, the probe plays a big part - it's all about planning and execution, like a real-time XCOM. Martin Robinson 19:12 pm UTC I'm hoping 60fps is a given on current gen! Martin Robinson 19:13 pm UTC We have just been asking ourselves that... Martin Robinson 19:13 pm UTC I think you might be on to something there! Martin Robinson 19:14 pm UTC Is Belgium Russia any good? Martin Robinson 19:15 pm UTC Well, I really did condemn us all with my hype earlier didn't I? Martin Robinson 19:15 pm UTC Even I couldn't have imagined something as dreary as this. Martin Robinson 19:15 pm UTC That's one brilliant thing they have done. Martin Robinson 19:15 pm UTC Those comment sections are cesspools. Martin Robinson 19:16 pm UTC Unlike our lovely comments here, of course. Martin Robinson 19:16 pm UTC (Honestly, thank you so much for joining me here tonight - it's always lovely to watch these alongside all of you). Martin Robinson 19:16 pm UTC Well that's a decent looking video game but I don't think it quite necessitated that. Martin Robinson 19:17 pm UTC Here's that new Rocksmith that leaked earlier by Gibson! Martin Robinson 19:17 pm UTC Like a lot of others, I'm sure, my midlife crisis has been accelerated by the pandemic and I spent a lot of the last year fiddling around with guitars. Martin Robinson 19:18 pm UTC So I'd be quite keen to have a crack at a new generation of Rocksmith - it always seemed like a fun and useful thing. Martin Robinson 19:19 pm UTCblarts: My 31 guitars are willing to accept this challenge
OMG I DEMAND A LIST OF THEM!
Martin Robinson 19:19 pm UTC Rocksmith +, coming from Ubisoft San Francisco. Martin Robinson 19:20 pm UTC You can use your phone as a mic now - I presume bypassing the interface of old? Martin Robinson 19:20 pm UTC Indeed that is the case. Martin Robinson 19:21 pm UTCKami: I have a vintage Ukelele and an old 90's keyboard. One of the massive ones. I like playing it every so often.
That's all you need for a killer band tbh.
Martin Robinson 19:23 pm UTC The Rocksmith+ beta is on its way. And that looks like fun! Martin Robinson 19:23 pm UTC Now its on to Steep follow-up Riders Republic. Martin Robinson 19:24 pm UTC I hope it's alright to say that we'll have a bit more on this later on tonight on the site - it looks incredible and I'm really hoping it catches on in the way that Steep sadly never could. Martin Robinson 19:25 pm UTC Don't they just! I feel bad for being miserable about them sometimes when the truth is they're often bloody astounding these days. Martin Robinson 19:25 pm UTC I don't believe that was ever properly cancelled. Maybe it's waiting for Switch Pro! Martin Robinson 19:25 pm UTC Or maybe not... Martin Robinson 19:26 pm UTCblarts: For Martin, Gibson ES335 and Les Paul, Fender Strat, Telecaster, Coronado and Hellcat,,3 Grestch, a 2008 Signature Porl Thompson (The Cure) Schecter Corsair, 6 epiphones, 5 Squier, Vintage 12 String, Hagstrom Viking, a Jackson, and a few more dotted about
This makes me feel better about my collection. Also a Coronado is my dream guitar atm. That's an amazing haul!
Martin Robinson 19:27 pm UTC Anyway back to Riders Republic - there's a lot to love here, with a bustling Ubi open world pieced together by some off-the-wall takes on extreme sports. Martin Robinson 19:27 pm UTCAquinasBatman: Thank you, x201. As bearer of bad news, however, I'm holding you responsible
Thanks for being the one to tell them... I didn't have the heart.
Martin Robinson 19:28 pm UTC I totally forgot it's coming out in 2021 - September 2nd, to be precise. Martin Robinson 19:28 pm UTC So there will be some fun games to play this year! Martin Robinson 19:29 pm UTC A quick update on Siege, and time for me to feel guilty again for not checking in on Siege for a while. Martin Robinson 19:29 pm UTC It's very bloody tense isn't it? Martin Robinson 19:30 pm UTC Crossplay is coming to cloud platforms this year, and to consoles next year - which is of course welcome news. Martin Robinson 19:30 pm UTC That's your progression shared across all plaftforms too. It really is time for me to start playing this again isn't it? Martin Robinson 19:31 pm UTC Well, it's not a gameplay trailer exactly - I will excuse a stylish cartoon trailer like the one we're getting now for Rainbow Six Siege and.... Martin Robinson 19:31 pm UTC I was going to say a new operator but I won't pretend I know that for sure. Martin Robinson 19:31 pm UTC The pacing is not great, for sure. Martin Robinson 19:32 pm UTC Well there you have it a new operator. Martin Robinson 19:32 pm UTC Is that a compliment? Martin Robinson 19:32 pm UTC It sounds to me like a pretty awesome compliment. Martin Robinson 19:33 pm UTC Oh no it's another game I really like and have lost track of - Trackmania, funnily enough, which has some nice look ing new DLC. Martin Robinson 19:34 pm UTC As does The Crew 2 (like that one) Brawlhalla (never played it - sorry) Watch Dogs: Legion (accents lol) and For Honor. Martin Robinson 19:34 pm UTC Live service games everyone! Martin Robinson 19:34 pm UTC I feel ashamed for not playing more of them. Martin Robinson 19:35 pm UTCAquinasBatman: checked stream at odd time. Footage of Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles followed immediately by a logo for 'Crew 2'
Would play that crossover.
Martin Robinson 19:35 pm UTC YES! Martin Robinson 19:35 pm UTC It's what we actually genuinely I'm not even being sarcastic here all came for! Martin Robinson 19:35 pm UTC JUST DANCE! Martin Robinson 19:35 pm UTC This has honestly woken me right up. Martin Robinson 19:36 pm UTC Ru Paul choreographer Todrick Hall is stepping up for this new Just Dance. Martin Robinson 19:36 pm UTC Please give Just Dance as much time if not more than you gave Rainbow Six Ubisoft. Martin Robinson 19:37 pm UTCForge002: Yeah at this stage i much pefer listening to Lee Dixon
I would also take Lee Dixon appearing in Ru Paul Drag Race.
Martin Robinson 19:37 pm UTCForge002: Yeah at this stage i much pefer listening to Lee Dixon
I would also take Lee Dixon appearing in Ru Paul Drag Race.
Martin Robinson 19:37 pm UTC That's Just Dance 2022, anyway. Martin Robinson 19:37 pm UTCMalek86: No Wii version this time, goodnight champ
RIP
Martin Robinson 19:38 pm UTC Tekken and Gran Turismo used to be our go-tos with our old dance mat. Martin Robinson 19:38 pm UTC Valhalla now! Martin Robinson 19:39 pm UTC A game that everyone here loves, but one that I know I'll never have the time to play. Martin Robinson 19:39 pm UTC Aye - you have one arse cheek steering left, one steering right, then you use your feet to accelerate or brake. Martin Robinson 19:39 pm UTC It's called Groin Turismo. Martin Robinson 19:40 pm UTCAquinasBatman: Mr Robinson seek medical help
I'm ringing them right now!
Martin Robinson 19:40 pm UTC Anyway back to Valhalla! Martin Robinson 19:42 pm UTC There's a new Discovery Tour coming this autumn - which always sounds so very appealing to me, as it's a chance to explore the world without the game getting in the way. Martin Robinson 19:42 pm UTC Valhalla is also getting a second year of DLC. Martin Robinson 19:44 pm UTC A pivot to television - Mythic Quest, which I passed on after a handful of episodes but which I'm reliably informed gets a lot, lot better and actually becomes quite brilliant. Martin Robinson 19:44 pm UTC Ah so now I'm feeling bad about not watching TV series as well as not playing video games. Martin Robinson 19:45 pm UTC I'm a huge fan of Sam Richardson so will probably watch this bizarre werewolf sitcom. Martin Robinson 19:46 pm UTC But yes, that does feel odd sitting here in this E3 conference. Convergence, ey? Martin Robinson 19:46 pm UTC (Is the Belgium Russia game still any good?) Martin Robinson 19:46 pm UTCINSOMANiAC: I just watched 'Nodlbody' and it's basically John Air Wick. John Wick meets the A Team. It's pretty pretty good.
Getting on this as soon as possible!
Martin Robinson 19:48 pm UTC My attention perhaps drifted. Martin Robinson 19:48 pm UTC But I had no idea what this was for the last few minutes. Martin Robinson 19:48 pm UTC Why is everyone so serious? Martin Robinson 19:49 pm UTC That's all our dear Ian Higton wants as well. Martin Robinson 19:49 pm UTC I'm not sure who plays these games for this kind of drama. Martin Robinson 19:49 pm UTC Maybe it makes sense in context! Martin Robinson 19:52 pm UTCslowdog1976: that would be me martin
Hello! I think I'm just an impatient idiot!
Martin Robinson 19:52 pm UTC This twisted take on Far Cry does look brilliantly unhinged, mind. Martin Robinson 19:53 pm UTC And a tease of the return of Blood Dragon? Martin Robinson 19:53 pm UTC Or simply a re-release/remaster! Martin Robinson 19:53 pm UTC Okay, that did win me over. Martin Robinson 19:54 pm UTC And now, could you please look surprised as the new Mario + Rabbids game is unveiled. Martin Robinson 19:54 pm UTC If you weren't aware Nintendo leaked this earlier. Martin Robinson 19:54 pm UTC Yes, that Nintendo. Martin Robinson 19:55 pm UTC And they did so by simply publishing the game details - screenshots and all - on its own website. Martin Robinson 19:55 pm UTC That's the sort of E3 drama I live for. Martin Robinson 19:55 pm UTC Indeed! Martin Robinson 19:55 pm UTC Well, after the look at the unhinged post-launch plans for Far Cry 6, it makes sense that we segue into the fever dream of this crossover. Martin Robinson 19:56 pm UTC Sparks of Hope be its name. Martin Robinson 19:57 pm UTC In keeping with the format of the evening, we're getting a quick interview with the developers after that CGI reveal, before we move into the gameplay itself a bit later. Martin Robinson 19:57 pm UTCMiyamotosan: This better not be the closer
I think it may well be!
Martin Robinson 19:57 pm UTC I could be wrong, though. Martin Robinson 19:58 pm UTC I'm wrong about most things, and have been about pretty much everything tonight. Martin Robinson 19:58 pm UTCDeadman316: What’s Sparks of Hoorp?
It's a typo that our CMS will no longer let me edit out. *sadface*
Martin Robinson 19:59 pm UTC Oh I thought you were dissing my spelling. As you were! Martin Robinson 19:59 pm UTC I'm in awe of how crisply pressed his shirt is. Martin Robinson 19:59 pm UTC You could cut your fingers on that collar. Martin Robinson 20:00 pm UTC It would be the sweetest revenge. Martin Robinson 20:00 pm UTC Tell you what, though. Martin Robinson 20:00 pm UTC This looks bloody good and very technically impressive given it's running on a Switch. Martin Robinson 20:00 pm UTC It is for Switch, right? Martin Robinson 20:01 pm UTC Interestingly I didn't see a platform announced for that... Martin Robinson 20:01 pm UTC Anyway, as you were! Here's a final surprise from Yvvvveessss. Martin Robinson 20:03 pm UTC Here we go! Martin Robinson 20:04 pm UTC Oh it's Avatar. Martin Robinson 20:04 pm UTC A lovely surprise! Martin Robinson 20:04 pm UTC As is the reminder that more Avatar movies are somehow being made. Martin Robinson 20:04 pm UTC That will happen when you're the highest grossing film of all-time, of course. Martin Robinson 20:05 pm UTC Doesn't mean it isn't a piece of vapid shit. Martin Robinson 20:05 pm UTC What it is certainly, though, is very pretty. Martin Robinson 20:05 pm UTC And this looks absolutely breathtaking. Martin Robinson 20:06 pm UTC Avatar was probably better off as a video game anyway - this looks like proof of that. Martin Robinson 20:06 pm UTC Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, coming in 2022. Martin Robinson 20:07 pm UTC Wasn't it just? Martin Robinson 20:07 pm UTC An odd one, but a staggeringly beautiful one. Martin Robinson 20:07 pm UTC And while that was protracted beyond all reason, there was still plenty to find cheer in there. Martin Robinson 20:08 pm UTC Also that was probably first look at a game running on the new Switch so I'll take that. Martin Robinson 20:08 pm UTC Devolver is later! I won't be joining live, I'm afraid, as I'm old and need a liedown, but I will be back at 6pm tomorrow for Microsoft. Hope to see some of you back here then - and thanks for joining me tonight! Martin Robinson Load more comments Loading
