The partially crowdfunded sequel Shenmue 3 needs more time in development and has been delayed. The game had been slated for release on August 27 but has now been pushed back to a fall release of November 19. In a letter on the game's Kickstarter page, creator Yu Suzuki explained the delay."Whilst almost ready, the game simply needs a little more refinement before being truly finished," it states. "We feel that the extra time we have will help us deliver the true Shenmue experience players around the world deserve! We thank you for your patience and understanding."Shenmue 3 debuted at E3 2015, neatly seguing into a Kickstarter campaign that reached an at-the time record-breaking $6.3 million from 70,000 backers. It kept the crowdfunding going with a slacker backer campaign, which added roughly another million. In 2017, Deep Silver announced it would publish the game. At that point it was scheduled for the second half of 2018.The sequel to Shenmue has been a long time coming. Shenmue 2 was released in 2001, and being aware of the development through the crowdfunding campaign has made the length of this sequel's development stand out. It has gone through multiple delays, and Suzuki has let fans in on the process and promised changes based on feedback.Info from Gamespot.com

Magic: The Gathering has been a hugely popular game for more than 25 years, but while video games, comics, and books have been produced in that time, a screen adaptation is yet to happen. This is about the change however, with the news that Avengers: Endgame director Joe and Anthony Russo are adapting the fantasy card game into an anime series for Netflix.The streaming giant has announced that the Russos will be teaming with Wizards of The Coast, which first released Magic in 1993, and its parent company Hasbro, to executive produce the show. In a statement, the Russos said: "We have been huge fans and players of Magic: The Gathering for as long as it has been around, so being able to help bring these stories to life through animation is a true passion project for us."Netflix states that the show will "expand on the stories of the Planeswalkers." Planeswalkers are the most powerful beings that the player can take the role of, as well as a type of card in the game. Beyond that no further plot details are known, and a release date is yet to be announced. The show will be written by Henry Gilroy, who worked on the animated Star Wars shows The Clone Wars and Rebels, and Jose Molina, whose credits include The Tick and Agent Carter.Magic: The Gathering was the first ever trading card game, and 2015 it was reported that it has more than 20 million players worldwide. A Magic movie was previously in the works, initially at Universal, and more recently at Fox. It is unknown if a film is still being developed.In related news, it was confirmed last week that production of The Witcher, Netflix's adaptation of the fantasy novel series-turned-video game has now finished. The show is set to arrive later this year.Info from Gamespot.com

There are plenty of streaming services for people to subscribe to, and each week, they all get new content. We have the upcoming releases for Amazon, Hulu, and Shudder all packed into one place for you. The new releases for Netflix this week are located here.Both Amazon and Hulu are getting District 9 and Jackass 3D this week, but Amazon gets it a day early on Monday, June 3. Also landing on Monday is the new podcast series Visitations on the horror-themed streaming service Shudder. Hosts Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah discuss turning fear into art with creators within the film industry, including Taika Waititi, John Landis, and more.The most anticipated release on these services this week is Season 3 of The Handmaid's Tale. You can check out the latest trailer for the new season above. The new episodes lean heavily towards a growing rebellion within the country, and it seems pretty intense.If you're looking for a creature-feature to watch this week, you could check out Boar, which releases on Shudder on Thursday, June 6. A man marries into an Australian family who lives in a small, outback town. However, that's not the only problem. There's a gigantic, murderous boar terrorizing everyone. Check out this shot from the movie below.Creature feature fans, mark your calendars - BOAR premieres exclusively on Shudder this Thursday, June 6th! 🐗💀 pic.twitter.com/mrZ2cYX2Xc — Shudder (@Shudder) June 3, 2019Below, you'll find a full list for what's coming to Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Shudder for the week.Amazon Prime Video:June 3District 9 (2009)Jackass 3D (2010)June 4Chasing Happiness – Amazon Original movieCreative Galaxy S3 – Amazon Original seriesJune 7Home Again (2017)Hulu:Available June 3The Weekly: Series Premiere (Hulu Original)Vox Lux (2019)Available June 4District 9 (2009)Jackass 3 (2010)Available June 5The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 3 Premiere (Hulu Original)Available June 6Shakespeare in Love (1998)Available June 7Into The Dark: They Come Knocking: Episode 9 Premiere (Hulu Original)Shudder:Monday, June 3Visitations With Elijah Wood & Daniel NoahThursday, June 6Boar (2017)Info from Gamespot.com

Square Enix has teased some of the games it plans to show at its E3 2019 presentation, and now the company has added another. In a brief teaser video, it announced a game called Outriders, and promised more details at Square's stage presentation on June 10.The teaser is very short, simply showing a mysterious figure asleep in a cryo-chamber, with red alarms sounding in the background. The figure gasps awake and then stares menacingly at the viewer. It then transitions to a logo along with the debut date. The tweet that accompanies the video reads, "Initialize Cryostasis wake-up procedure.">>Initialize Cryostasis wake-up procedureSee it first: >>> 06.10.19 Info from Gamespot.com

Microsoft has said for months that it plans to "go big" at E3 2019, and with rumors of a next-generation Xbox console announcement at Microsoft's E3 press conference, it's only fitting the company would throw a big sale to get Xbox One owners even more hyped for all the upcoming news. Microsoft revealed its biggest Xbox sale of the year will launch Friday, June 7--just two days before Sunday's big event--with major discounts on newly released games, consoles, bundles, and more.Xbox One S Fortnite Battle Royale Special Edition Bundle (1 TB) - available 6/7A brand-new Xbox One console is launching as part of the huge Xbox sale. Starting June 7, fans can get their hands on an Xbox One S Fortnite special edition bundle (1 TB), which comes with the new gradient purple console, a matching controller, 2,000 V-Bucks, and a Dark Vertex Fortnite cosmetic set that comes with a Legendary Outfit, Epic Glider, and Rare Pickaxe (available only in Battle Royale and Creative modes). You'll also get one month free of Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass. The complete bundle will sell for $300, and during the sale, you can get it for $50 cheaper.In terms of other hardware, you'll also be able to save $100 on a brand-new Xbox One X and get $50 off other Xbox One S bundles and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. If you're in need of new controllers, you'll be able to save $10 on black, white, special-edition, and limited-edition Xbox wireless controllers. PC hardware will also be marked down, with up to $500 off a new gaming PC or laptop from Microsoft's partners, like Asus, Razer, and MSI.Xbox One X Enhanced titles (playable in 4K ultra HD) will be on sale, too.Expect to see some great games marked down. While the full list of games hasn't been revealed, we know there will be discounts up to 75% off new Xbox One games like Mortal Kombat 11, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Tom Clancy's The Division 2. Other confirmed deals will include Forza Horizon 4, World War Z, Sea of Thieves, NBA 2K19, Anthem, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Spectre Rising Edition. Some games will start as low as $20. In addition, some PC games will be on sale, including Forza Motorsport 7 Ultimate, Gears of War 4, and Deep Rock Galactic.Stay tuned for more info on Microsoft's E3 gaming sale, which will run June 7 through June 17 online and in stores. If you've also got a PS4, be sure to check out all the upcoming game deals in Sony's Days of Play sale, which kicks off the same day.Info from Gamespot.com

In anticipation of another big showing at E3 2019, Microsoft has announced another entry for its line of custom Xbox One consoles, this one themed after Fortnite: Battle Royale, Epic's zeitgeist-defining free-to-play shooter. Available starting June 7, the Xbox One S Fortnite Battle Royale Special Edition Bundle (1TB) will normally sell for $300 from the Microsoft Store. But as part of a wide-ranging, limited-time sale in celebration of E3, Microsoft will offer a $50 discount off the bundle through June 17, selling it for $250 in the US.In addition to the console itself, which sports a stylish royal(e) purple gradient, the bundle includes a matching purple Xbox wireless controller, a copy of Fortnite, a Dark Vertex cosmetic set for the game (comprising a Legendary Outfit, Epic Glider, and Rare Pickaxe), 2000 in-game V-Bucks, and a one-month free trial Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass (the former of which is required to play Fortnite). While the base game is free, so much of Fortnite's culture revolves around cool player cosmetics, so this package should give any new player a leg up in the real battle royale: fashion.Although Microsoft recently announced a move away from physical media with the reveal of the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, the Fortnite Battle Royale Special Edition appears to be a holdover from earlier versions with a disc drive. The Fortnite console bundle is launching as part of a huge upcoming Xbox sale on a variety of games, consoles, and accessories--check out all the discounts that'll be available from June 7 through 17.Microsoft could be announcing its next-generation Xbox hardware in a matter of days. The Microsoft E3 press conference takes place this Sunday, June 9, and it's rumored to be revealing one or more next-gen systems. Info from Gamespot.com

A new month has arrived, which means we've got a slate of new games coming. While June is often associated with the excitement of E3, that doesn't mean the game releases will be slowing down. This month features an array of exciting new games, which includes big names like Nintendo's Super Mario Maker 2, a remaster of PS1 classic Crash Team Racing, and Yakuza series spin-off Judgment.You can see all of the biggest game releases coming out in June in the table below. For a broader look at what's ahead this year, be sure to check out our complete list of game release dates in 2019.Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch) -- June 21Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is a remaster of the PS1 classic of the same name. It follows in the line of Activision's most recent Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon remasters with vibrant new visuals and revamped control schemes. While Nitro-Fueled contains all of the original's tracks, it'll also include remastered content from later games in the series, such as Crash Nitro Kart and Crash Tag Team Racing.Suggested Reading:Crash Team Racing Is Shaping Up To Be An Amazing Recreation Of The OriginalCrash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled Pre-Order Guide: Release Date, Bonuses, Nitros Oxide EditionJudgment (PS4) -- June 25Judgment is the latest from Yakuza developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. It's a spin-off of the Yakuza series' universe that puts you in control of private detective Takayuki Yagami, who becomes embroiled in the mystery of a serial murder case. Judgement takes place in familiar locales from the Yakuza series, but its story and gameplay are a bit different. You beat up thugs in typical over-the-top fashion, but you also investigate crime scenes and gather leads in your case in hopes of discovering the truth.Suggested Reading:Judgment Makes A Familiar Crime Drama Feel New, The Latest From The Yakuza Devs15 Minutes Of Open World Gameplay In Judgment From The Yakuza TeamSuper Mario Maker 2 (Switch) -- June 28Super Mario Maker 2 is the sequel to the Nintendo's much-loved Super Mario Maker. Much like the original, the sequel allows you to create and share your own custom Mario levels. As to be expected, the stages can be made in the style of the original Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, or New Super Mario Bros. U. This time around, Nintendo has also added Super Mario 3D World assets. Other major improvements include the ability to customize how auto-scrolling levels scroll, more diverse objective sets, and an assortment of new tools.Suggested Reading:Super Mario Maker 2 Seems Like It Can Last ForeverSuper Mario Maker 2 Doesn't Make You Wait To Unlock ToolsFull June Release ScheduleGamePlatformRelease DateThe Elder Scrolls Online: ElsweyrPS4, Xbox One, PCJune 4The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IIPS4June 4Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth3DSJune 4Trover Saves The UniversePCJune 4Octopath TravelerPCJune 7Doraemon: Nobita's Story of SeasonsSwitchJune 12Blaster Master ZeroPCJune 14Bloodstained: Ritual of the NightPS4, Xbox One, PCJune 18Crash Team Racing Nitro FueledPS4, Xbox One, SwitchJune 21Heavy RainPCJune 24Bloodstained: Ritual of the NightSwitchJune 25JudgmentPS4June 25The Sinking CityPS4, Xbox One, PCJune 27F1 2019PS4, Xbox One, PCJune 28Super Mario Maker 2SwitchJune 28Cadence of HyruleSwitchJune TBASamurai Shodown (2019)PS4, Xbox One, PCJune TBAInfo from Gamespot.com

We're only a few days away from E3 2019, but for Pokemon fans, the most exciting news is coming this week. Ahead of Nintendo's E3 livestream, the company is broadcasting a special Pokemon Direct this Wednesday, June 5. In contrast to the broader E3 Direct set for next week, which will showcase a number of Switch games coming in 2019, this week's presentation will focus exclusively on Pokemon Sword and Shield. If you're eager to tune in, here's everything you need to know about when the Pokemon Direct starts and what to expect from it.What Time Does The Pokemon Direct Livestream Start?Fans in the US will need to wake up a little early to catch Wednesday's Pokemon Direct, as the broadcast is scheduled to begin at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET. That translates to 2 PM BST in the UK. Those in Australia, meanwhile, will need to stay up until 11 PM AEST to watch the presentation.6 AM PT9 AM ET2 PM BST11 PM AESTWhere To WatchNintendo will be streaming the Pokemon Direct on its usual channels. You'll be able to watch the broadcast on the company's website, as well as on its YouTube or Twitch pages. You can also tune in right here on GameSpot and watch the Direct via the embed below once it goes live. What To ExpectAll Nintendo has said about the Pokemon Direct is that it will showcase "roughly 15 minutes of new information on Pokemon Sword and Shield." Just what that entails is anyone's guess at this point, but considering this will mark the first time we're getting new details about the games since they were unveiled back in February, there will presumably be a lot to dig into. One thing we can safely count on seeing, though, is new Pokemon. Each new generation of games introduces a variety of new monsters to catch and raise. So far, we've only seen the three new starters players will be able to choose from, so Nintendo will likely unveil at least a few more Gen 8 monsters during the Direct.We'll also likely learn more about the games' cast and setting. Nintendo has already confirmed that Sword and Shield take place in an entirely new region called Galar, and we've gotten a quick glimpse at some of the places players will be able to explore, but we don't yet know anything about the games' story. Nintendo will presumably use the presentation to introduce some of the characters players will meet on their journey, such as your new rival (or rivals) and the professor who'll be giving you your first Pokemon. We may also get a look at the villainous team serving as Sword and Shield's main antagonists.One more thing we can expect to see is a new gameplay mechanic. Nearly every installment in the series thus far has introduced some sort of new feature to keep gameplay fresh, such as Mega Evolution in Pokemon X and Y, and Z-moves in Sun and Moon, and that trend will likely continue with Sword and Shield. We don't yet know what form that mechanic will take, but give that it will presumably play an integral role in adventure, we'll likely get our first look at it this week. We may also get to see the games' cover art, and possibly a new Legendary Pokemon. For more thoughts, check out what we hope to see from Pokemon Sword and Shield at E3 2019.Info from Gamespot.com

Who could have guessed that Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would wind up being two great tastes that taste great together? DC Entertainment and IDW are continuing their hot streak of hilariously over-the-top collisions between the rain-slicked gloom of Gotham and the cartoon color of the Turtles’ New York City with Batman/TMNT III--the third and final miniseries in the crossover saga. And this time, TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman is getting in on the action alongside writer James Tynion IV and artist Freddie Williams II.Take a look at this exclusive preview of Batman/TMNT III #2.While the first miniseries brought the villainous Foot Clan to Gotham and the second brought longtime Batman foe, Bane, to NYC, the third series is getting bigger than ever before as Krang--though probably not the Krang you might be familiar with--poses a threat to the multiverse itself.That’s right, the weird and wild world of Batman/TMNT is going full Cosmic Crisis as Krang is mixed in with the Anti-Monitor. And that’s only the beginning of Batman/TMNT III’s reimagining of classic characters: The Turtles themselves all borrow looks from the roster of Robin alumni like Red Hood and Nightwing while Joker is now the Shredder-like leader of the terrifying Smile Clan.Issue #2 continues the multiversal insanity as Batman and the Turtles are pitted against strange black-and-white doppelgangers of themselves that may or may not be from some other dimension. Or, maybe, something even more insidious is at play.Batman/TMNT III hits shelves June 5.Info from Gamespot.com

Following Telltale Games' closure, another of its games is scheduled to be delisted. Both seasons of Minecraft: Story Mode will be gone from all digital storefronts and no longer downloadable come June 25."On behalf of the publisher, Minecraft: Story Mode - A Telltale Games Series, Season 1 and 2 will no longer be supported on June 25th, 2019," Mojang published in a blog post. "If you have purchased these seasons, please download all remaining episodes prior to the service being discontinued in June."Just because a game has been delisted doesn't mean it's lost to you forever, but you'll have to be quick and careful. If you want to keep playing Minecraft: Story Mode after June 25, you'll need to download all of the game's episodes before then. To keep them, you can never delete them from your system.Even if you still own the episodes, you won't be able to redownload them. If you own the physical versions of Minecraft: Story Mode, check to see if all episodes are on the disc. In some cases, only the first episode is stored on the disc, and the next ones are digital downloads. If that's true for your copy, you'll need to download the episodes that aren't on your disc before June 25.Minecraft: Story Mode is merely the latest in a long line of Telltale Games' titles that have been recently delisted in the wake of the studio's closing. On GOG, you can no longer download The Wolf Among Us, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, Hector: Badge of Carnage, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, both Batman: The Telltale Series and Batman: The Enemy Within, and the entire Sam & Max series. Most of those series cannot be bought on Steam as well, though several are still available on Xbox One and PS4's digital marketplaces. 2K is working to preserve Tales from the Borderlands on digital storefronts, however.Currently, Minecraft: Story Mode is available on Xbox One, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, PS Vita, PS3, and mobile devices. But, again, come June 25, that will no longer be the case.Info from Gamespot.com

E3 2019 is fast approaching, but this year the industry's big annual event is getting preempted by a new challenger. Google has announced it will hold a special "Stadia Connect" presentation that will outline several key pieces of information about its ambitious video game streaming service, just days before the rest of the games industry debuts its wares in and around the Los Angeles Convention Center.What Time Does Google's Stadia Connect Livestream Start?Google Stadia Connect will debut on Thursday, June 6. For those in the United States, it will bein at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET. For UK gamers, that's 5 PM BST. Australian watchers will need to make a late night of it, since the stream will begin at 2 AM AET on June 7.Where To WatchGoogle Stadia Connect will air through Google's own Stadia YouTube channel. You can check it out through your standard YouTube app, or just bookmark this page and watch it right here. The company has already set a placeholder stream for the live event, embedded below.What To ExpectGoogle previously promised that the details to come this summer would include price, game announcements, and launch information. The brief teaser confirmed that all of those are on-tap for Thursday's event, which means we'll soon see some of the answers to our most burning questions.Google has already stated that Stadia won't be sold like a traditional video game console. It is a streaming solution, so it can be used on anything with a Chrome browser. That includes Chromecasts, which can act as your connection to a TV, but you could just as easily play on your tablet or laptop. Google will be introducing dedicated hardware in the form of the Stadia controller, however. The price details will probably include a price for both the controller itself, and more broadly, how games will be priced. At the moment it's an open question if games will be sold a la carte or as some kind of subscription plan.The launch details should include word of when we can expect Stadia to become widely available in various territories. Likewise, the game announcements should give a better idea of what we'll be able to play when it does launch. We know that the company is working closely with Ubisoft, and that Bethesda is planning to make Doom Eternal available on it.For more on E3 2019, check out the schedule of all the E3 2019 press conferences.Info from Gamespot.com

With E3 2019 on the horizon, June is gearing up to be an exciting month for gamers, but in the midst of all the buzz, don't forget there are new free games to be had this month. Amazon is giving away another free batch of indie PC games in June, and to claim them, you just need to be a Twitch Prime member, a service included with every Amazon Prime subscription.Stikbold: A Dodgeball AdventureFirst up is Aegis Defenders, a 2D platformer where you play as a team of Ruinhunters searching for a legendary weapon that can save their village. The gameplay involves Metroidvania-style combat and tower-defense strategy. The next available free game is Stikbold, a colorful sports game similar to dodgeball that pits you against your friends through hectic local co-multiplayer gameplay.10 Second Ninja XThe premise of 10 Second Ninja X is simple: You're a ninja, and you have 10 seconds to take out all the Nazi robots on the map. The side-scrolling platformer has over 100 levels, and Prime members can grab it for free right now. Finally, there's The Metronomicon, a rhythmic game where you fight monsters with the power of music. There are eight different heroes to control, and each has their own unique abilities and attacks.If you're already an Amazon Prime member, don't miss out on Twitch Prime's other perks. In addition to free games, you can currently get 12 months of free Nintendo Switch Online, four months of free League of Legends loot, 30 days of free Crunchyroll Premium, and more.June's free PC games for Prime members will be available until July 1; after that, they'll be replaced by a new batch of titles. Once you claim the games at Twitch, they'll be yours to keep. Just be sure you're logged in and that your Twitch account is linked to your Amazon Prime account.SIGN UP FOR TWITCH PRIME »How to link an existing Amazon Prime account to Twitch »Twitch Prime Free PC Games for June 2019Aegis DefendersStikbold10 Second Ninja XThe MetronomiconInfo from Gamespot.com

Apple hosted its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) today with a bevy of announcements for both its hardware and software. Kicking the conference off was an unexpected surprise: PS4 and Xbox One controller support is headed to both iPhone (via iOS 13) and the Apple TV.According to Apple's official iOS 13 features preview, the upcoming software update--slated to launch this fall--will allow PS4 and Xbox One controllers to work on iPhones via Bluetooth compatibility. With Apple's tvOS update--also slated to launch this fall--both controllers will work on the Apple TV as well. As a CNET report states, Apple hasn't confirmed whether all controller features--such as rumble vibration and headphone functionality--will work once both products receive their respective updates.The news comes not long after the California-based company unveiled its gaming streaming service, Apple Arcade. The monthly subscription service is expected to launch this fall, and while pricing remains undisclosed, Apple has confirmed that a lot of developers--including Konami, Sega, Sumo Digital, and more--are working on bringing games to the platform. Some titles include Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm, Team Sonic Racing, The Artful Escape, Where Cards Fall, and more.In other WWDC news, iOS 13 will introduce the highly-requested dark mode feature to the entire platform. The iPad is getting its own software titled iPadOS and will implement new features like a column view for better multitasking. A dedicated app store is heading to the Apple Watch which will make downloads much easier and more streamlined. Apple also brought back the Mac Pro with 28 cores, a six-channel memory system, eight PCI expansion slots, and more.The Apple TV got a 4K overhaul in September 2017 and is currently available for $179. CNET called the device an answer for those who have a 4K HDR TV and lots of iTunes purchases.Info from Gamespot.com

The picture of what to expect from Remedy Entertainment's Control is slowly coalescing as the developer gives more and more looks at the upcoming title, but just because we've seen more of Control, doesn't mean we're any closer to understanding it. A recent preview of the game for journalists ahead of E3 2019, in which we delved into one early-ish level, left us with as many questions as answers. But it did give an impression of what the game will be like as it delivers the story of the Federal Bureau of Control, its directive to deal with all sorts of paranormal stuff, and Jesse, its new director.The mission Remedy previewed was called Directorial Override. At the start of Control, strange creatures called the Hiss invade the Oldest House, the skyscraper headquarters for the Bureau of Control, possessing various employees and turning them into hostile, gun-toting creatures and monsters. That created a lockdown in the building that prevents Jesse from moving freely, so she needs to use her new director authorization to lift it. To do so, she has to head to the building's maintenance sector, fight a bunch of monsters, and meet some other Bureau of Control characters along the way.In the Bureau of Control, communing with ghosts is something they have the equipment to help with.The preview only gave some vague hints at the story Control is trying to tell and the unusual ways it'll deliver it. Jesse's first day on the job as director of the Bureau comes after the death of Zachariah Trench, who previously held the position. But the supernatural nature of the Bureau means that Trench is not all the way gone. Navigating through the level, Jesse would hear Trench's voice at times, providing her disjointed hints about what she should be doing or what her role as the director is. It seems that in the level preceding the one in the preview, Jesse's task was to find an object called "the Hotline" that would allow her to hear Trench's messages from beyond the grave more clearly. In the Bureau of Control, communing with ghosts is something they have the equipment to help with.It's from Trench that Jesse gets the names of several Bureau employees she should seek out, but they're scattered throughout the facility and she can't reach them without releasing the lockdown. As Jesse talks to various other characters, the game also presents her internal monologue with a closeup of her face. We learn that Jesse isn't entirely trusting of all her new coworkers. As a narrative device, Jesse's internal monologue shows how she's maneuvering through the Hiss invasion by gauging who to trust, suggesting there's a lot more to the interpersonal dynamic of the story than we've seen so far.In one conversation, Jesse reveals that she and her brother Dylan had contact with the Bureau of Control when they were children after they discovered a paranormal object: a slide projector that could open up doorways to what sound like other dimensions. Dangerous things came through those doorways, but Jesse and Dylan also managed to use one to contact some kind of entity that helped them deal with the situation. The Bureau showed up soon after; Jesse escaped but Dylan was captured, and she's been searching for him ever since. It sounds like that's what led Jesse to the Bureau to begin with, but as we learn from her internal monologue, there's a lot more to the story that Jesse is holding back and that we haven't heard yet.Control also looks to boast some out-there characters for Jesse to meet as she moves through the building. The preview included Ahti, a janitor Jesse talks to as she's looking for a way through the maintenance sector to reach the directorial override controls. Remedy's known to take inspiration from the works of David Lynch, and with the headphones he never takes off and shock of messy gray hair, Ahti is an homage to the director's character from Twin Peaks. True to his inspiration, Ahti is also a bit strange. He thinks Jesse is his new assistant, dispatching her to do some maintenance work. In practical terms, it mostly means clearing out Hiss enemies and removing an enormous fleshy, living mass from a nearby power generator before it explodes.Remedy has offered journalists opportunities to try the game's combat before, and this preview didn't include all of the bells and whistles (and levitation) of previous looks at the game. It did give a sense of the ways combat can evolve, though. We faced off against various Hiss enemies (some of whom exploded like suicide bombers, others who were a bit smarter and tried to use cover or flank Jesse. Fighting in Control is about quickly mixing and matching the tools you have at your disposal, like picking up objects with your mind and heaving them at enemies before following up with a barrage of pistol fire. If the Hiss get too close, your shape-shifting gun can change into a shotgun that's great for clearing some space, as is Jesse's melee attack. Battles require a lot of adaptation as the Hiss flood in, requiring you to keep moving and addressing targets as quickly as you can before you get overwhelmed.Luckily, there are things that can help with that. As Jesse explored the maintenance sector, at one point, a linoleum floor gave way, dropping her into a strange while and concrete hallway--a portion of the astral plane. These locations are puzzle areas where Jesse can gain new abilities by finding Objects of Power, and after completing some careful platforming, Jesse reached a plastic carousel horse that gave Jesse the ability to do a short-range dash move, useful for clearing large gaps and getting out of harm's way quickly. When we got back out to fight the Hiss, dashing around became essential to keep from exploding or getting cut down by gunfire.Though the Control preview gave a sense of how the game will play--it feels a lot like Remedy's last title, Quantum Break, but a little more fluid and adaptive--we're still waiting to see how all these story elements will gel together into a cohesive narrative. Things like Jesse's internal monologue suggesting she's not exactly who she says she is, and Trench's ghostly help for his successor, pique interest and give a sense that there's a lot under the surface of Control, beyond its most apparent paranormal ideas and creatures. But picking the game up in the middle left us more confused than anything about all those things, and how they work together in the overall narrative.This preview did show that Control is iterating on the gameplay ideas of Remedy's past titles, Alan Wake and Quantum Break, to make combat that feels even more fast, intuitive, and responsive in the moment. And Remedy is taking things in even weirder directions than it did with a game about a writer's words come to life and another about a time travel-induced end of the world, which is very enticing. Remedy has a strong history with telling stories in games, especially strange ones, and this look at Control did nothing but increase curiosity. Info from Gamespot.com

E3 2019 formally begins on Tuesday, June 11. During recent years, fans have grown accustomed to the weekend prior having a sequence of press conferences and presentations as publishers announce their games and hardware before showing them on the convention floor. But this year, the pre-E3 portion of the event has expanded yet again and starts seven sooner.Several companies have announced their own events for the week prior to E3, getting out ahead of the rush of announcements and staking a claim to their own time to make an impact on viewers. As a result, E3 is almost two full weeks--the first seeded with pre-E3 announcements, and the second consisting of publisher press conferences and convention days. In fact, there's something happening almost every day until the end of E3. And that's without counting some of the major recent announcements that preceded this pre-E3 news; we got Death Stranding's release date and trailer and learned about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.The wide swath of events coming this week is getting so large you may have trouble keeping track, so for your convenience, we've compiled a schedule of everything going on this week. Be sure to check out our full press conference schedule for what you can watch and when.Apple WWDC Event - Monday, June 3This isn't a first, as Apple often targets its WWDC event for early June, and its proximity to E3 has been noted as Apple ventured further into gaming offerings on the App Store. But in the overall sequence of E3-adjacent events, it seems to be the first out of the gate. This year's WWDC announced support for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controllers for iOS and Apple TV.Pokemon Sword & Shield Nintendo Direct - Wednesday, June 5 (6 AM PT)Nintendo doubtless has loads to show at E3, but it's giving more details on one of its biggest franchises its own time slot. Pokemon Sword & Shield, the next main installment in the hit franchise for Nintendo Switch, will have a dedicated presentation on Wednesday morning. It will be about 15 minutes long, but as Nintendo showed in its recent Super Mario Maker 2 presentation, it can pack a lot of details into that amount of time. Check out when and how to watch the Pokemon Direct for more details.Pokemon Direct Start Time6 AM PT9 AM ET2 PM BST11 PM AETBeyond Good & Evil 2 Space Monkey Report - Wednesday, June 5 (6 PM PT)Ubisoft has outlined some of its plans for E3 2019, but has also stated flatly that Beyond Good & Evil 2 won't be among them. Still, the pre-E3 period won't be entirely without BG&E news, as the game is planning the next of its Space Monkey Report streams for the Wednesday prior. These have been semi-regular events updating fans on the progress of the game. Ubisoft's decision to hold back from E3 suggests it won't be chock full of big reveals, but if you've been looking forward to more Beyond Good & Evil, it should provide some interesting tidbits.Beyond Good & Evil 2 Stream Start Time6 PM PT9 PM ET2 AM BST (June 6)11 AM AET (June 6)Google Stadia Connect - Thursday, June 6 (9 AM PT)Google will make good on its promise to reveal price and launch details for its Stadia streaming service this week, with the first of its "Stadia Connect" presentations ready to debut on Thursday. The company has confirmed that the presentation will outline launch plans, including game announcements and a price reveal. Check out when and how to watch the Stadia presentation for more details.Google Stadia Connect Start Time9 AM PT12 PM ET5 PM BST2 AM AET (June 7)Destiny 2 Next Chapter - Thursday, June 6 (10 AM PT)Just after the Google Stadia announcement, Bungie will be explaining its plans for Destiny 2. The current season of content is coming to a close, and with Bungie now split with publisher Activision fans have wondered what will happen now. The "Next Chapter" announcement will explain these next steps, and given that it's targeting the announcement right next to E3, it probably isn't just going into maintenance mode.Destiny 2 Livestream Start Time10 AM PT1 PM ET6 PM BST3 AM AET (June 7)EA Play - Saturday, June 8 (9:30 AM PT)Electronic Arts is once again forgoing E3 proper, instead holding a fan-focused event at a nearby location. This year, though, it's not having a formal press conference at EA Play. It will hold a series of livestreams covering several of its upcoming games, beginning with Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order. Others on tap include Apex Legends and its Season 2 Battle Pass, Battlefield V, FIFA 20, Madden NFL 20, and The Sims 4. Check out how and when to watch EA Play for more details.EA Play Livestream Start Time9:30 AM PT12:30 PM ET5:30 PM BST2:30 AM AET (June 9)Nintendo Invitational Tournaments - Saturday, June 8 (11 AM PT)Between its Pokemon-focused Nintendo Direct on Wednesday and its E3 Nintendo Direct the following Tuesday morning, Nintendo has one more event during the weekend. It will be hosting a series of tournaments throughout the day on Saturday. The Super Mario Maker 2 tournament promises a lengthy look at the game to be released later in June, while the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament could drop some hints regarding upcoming DLC characters. A Splatoon 2 tournament is also planned to ink up the place.Nintendo Invitational Start Time11 AM PT2 PM ET7 PM BST4 AM AET (June 9)Info from Gamespot.com