David Bridges
Early June is set to be an exhilarating time in the gaming industry, especially with the highly anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. This period also coincides with an array of showcases as part of the Summer Game Fest. Among the main highlights are three significant events: the Sony State of Play, Summer Game Fest Live, and the Xbox Games Showcase. Additionally, enthusiasts can look forward to the exciting Day of the Devs, which has become a fan favorite over the years.
This year introduces several fresh showcases while also omitting some expected ones. Notably, Ubisoft has yet to announce a Forward event, likely due to the delay of several major titles that aren’t ready for discussion. However, there’s a hint of an upcoming Splinter Cell project, generating buzz among fans.
Adding to the excitement, CD Projekt Red made an appearance at Epic Games’ State of Unreal earlier this week. They showcased a stunning tech demo of The Witcher 4, which impressively ran at 60 fps with ray-tracing capabilities on a standard PS5. This demonstration highlights the advanced potential of Unreal Engine 5 and piques interest in the future of the franchise.
As it stands, the Summer Game Fest is scheduled to take place from June 4 through June 9. With the absence of E3 (as the Entertainment Software Association shifts focus to an industry-centric event next April), the SGF has effectively become the premier platform for major announcements and updates leading up to Gamescom in August.
We will continue to update this preview as more details about the showcases are revealed, including additional events within the SGF umbrella. Expect embedded videos for each stream as they become available.
Engadget will be actively covering the in-person events in Los Angeles, specifically tailored for media and creators. Our team will provide firsthand impressions of many of the exciting games highlighted during SGF Live.
For those following from home, we have compiled detailed information on how to watch the Summer Game Fest 2025 and what thrilling announcements to anticipate, including a potential release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Let’s hope for some exciting news!
Comprehensive Schedule for Summer Game Fest 2025
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Sony State of Play — June 4, 5PM ET
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Summer Game Fest Live — June 6, 5PM ET
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Day of the Devs — June 6, 7PM ET
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Devolver Direct — June 6, 8PM ET
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IOI Showcase — June 6, 9PM ET
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Wholesome Direct — June 7, 12PM ET
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Women-led Games Showcase — June 7, 1PM ET
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Latin American Games Showcase — June 7, 2PM ET
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Southeast Asian Games Showcase — June 7, 3PM ET
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Green Games Showcase — June 7, 4PM ET
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Frosty Games Fest — June 7, 7PM ET
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Xbox Games Showcase — June 8, 1PM ET
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Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Live Game Premiere — June 8, 10PM ET
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Black Voices in Gaming — June 9, 12PM ET
Watch Sony’s State of Play Live on June 4 at 5PM ET
Tune in on YouTube or Twitch (with English subtitles and Japanese audio options)
As the iconic John McClane famously exclaimed, “Welcome to the party, pal!” The latest Sony State of Play has been added to the SGF schedule at the last minute, with the announcement coming just a day before the showcase. It’s worth noting that Sony typically provides only a short notice about these streams.
This exciting event is set to run for over 40 minutes and will showcase “must-play games” coming to the PS5 from developers worldwide. This indicates a diverse range of titles from Sony’s third-party partners, and hopefully, we will learn some release dates for previously announced games.
Sony usually clarifies if a State of Play will concentrate on third-party games, and this time they have not indicated such, suggesting that we might see exciting content from Sony’s own studios. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for thrilling reveals!
Watch Summer Game Fest Live on June 6 at 5PM ET
Tune in on YouTube or Twitch
Despite our minor grievances about the timing of this showcase, which occurs late on a Friday evening in the UK — coinciding with many on the East Coast wrapping up their work week — Summer Game Fest Live stands as one of the most significant events in early June. The stream kicks off at 5PM ET and is expected to last for two hours.
Organizers promise “spectacular new video game announcements, surprises, and reveals,” heightening the anticipation. This is particularly exciting as host Geoff Keighley previously tempered expectations ahead of last year’s event.
While specific titles are yet to be fully confirmed, we do know that SGF Live will showcase a fresh look at Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, a Soulslike action RPG from the Chinese developer Leenzee, set to launch in July. The open-world MMORPG Chrono Odyssey is also confirmed, alongside an appearance from the Atomic Heart studio, Mundfish.
Additionally, renowned game designer Hideo Kojima will make an appearance. Given that SGF Live occurs just weeks before the launch of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, we can expect an exciting preview of this title before a more detailed event on June 8 (more on that shortly). There may also be insights into some of Kojima’s other ongoing projects.
Geoff Keighley has released an initial list of partners participating in SGF, including major players like PlayStation, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox, Steam, 2K, Epic Games, and Square Enix. Embark Studios is also featured, with high expectations surrounding its extraction shooter, Arc Raiders, possibly revealing a release date.
Viewers can catch SGF Live on over 20 platforms, including YouTube (with a 4K 60 fps stream), Twitch, X, TikTok, Steam, and various international services. The event will stream live from the YouTube Theater, and attendees have the option to participate in person.
Regardless, we’ll ensure you receive all the major news from Summer Game Fest Live. And we won’t shy away from enjoying an adult beverage with a little umbrella while we cover the action!
Watch Day of the Devs Live on June 6 at 7PM ET
Join us on YouTube (same stream as SGF Live) or Twitch
As soon as SGF Live wraps up, the YouTube and Twitch streams will seamlessly transition into the summer 2025 edition of Day of the Devs. This indie-focused showcase consistently boasts an impressive lineup of innovative games that are definitely worth following.
Among the titles that will be showcased are Possessor(s) from Heart Machine and the intriguing “nightmarish RPG” Neverway from Coldblood and co-publisher Outersloth. Additionally, we can expect to see something from House House (famous for Untitled Goose Game), likely the cooperative “walker-talker” Big Walk, which was announced in 2023. Overall, Day of the Devs will feature approximately 20 exciting games.
Last year’s showcase included potential contenders for the 2024 game of the year, such as UFO 50, along with the captivating platformer Screenbound, survival climbing game Cairn, the whimsically kooky Building Relationships, and the sci-fi mystery Phoenix Springs. My Steam wishlist grows significantly after each Day of the Devs showcase — it’s amusing how that consistently happens!
Watch Devolver Direct Live on June 6 at 8PM ET
Tune in on YouTube (same stream as SGF Live and Day of the Devs) or Twitch
For those hoping for release dates for Baby Steps and Skate Story during the SGF edition of Devolver Direct, we apologize. This showcase will concentrate solely on one game, which is neither of those.
Devolver Digital will unveil a previously unannounced title called Ball x Pit: The Kenny Sun Story. While further details about the game remain undisclosed, it’s said to be a title that the Devolver team themselves can’t seem to put down, even after hundreds of hours of play. Given Devolver’s strong reputation, this showcase is likely to be captivating.
Watch IOI Showcase Live on June 6 at 9PM ET
Join us on YouTube, Twitch, or TikTok
IO Interactive is hosting its very own showcase for the first time, which is generating considerable excitement, particularly for the upcoming 007 First Light, a James Bond game that the studio has been developing for several years. There’s confirmation that we will witness a world premiere of this game during the event. It’s likely that a teaser or trailer for 007 First Light will be shown at SGF Live, followed by a more in-depth exploration during the IOI Showcase.
Additionally, IO Interactive will not neglect its Hitman: World of Assassination franchise. Expect updates regarding future content for that series, as well as new collaborations involving the Hitman franchise. The stream will also present MindsEye, an action-adventure title developed by Leslie Benzies’ studio, Build A Rocket Boy, which is set to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on June 10.
Watch Wholesome Direct Live on June 7 at 12PM ET
Join us on YouTube or Twitch
Don’t overlook the smaller events that occur during SGF, as they often showcase delightful surprises. One such event is the Wholesome Direct, which will present approximately 60 cozy games. Expect world premieres, demo announcements, and updates from developers and publishers such as Playstack, btf Games, ustwo games, and Wētā Workshop (whose Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game is set to launch in July).
Watch Women-led Games Showcase Live on June 7 at 1PM ET
Tune in on YouTube
This showcase is exactly what it promises to be—a spotlight on games developed by women-led and majority-women studios. The Women-led Games Showcase will feature a total of 39 titles, including exciting world premieres and official release dates.
Watch Latin American Games Showcase Live on June 7 at 2PM ET
Join us on YouTube
The Latin American Games Showcase will showcase over 50 games, all developed by talented creators from Latin America. Viewers can expect world premieres, game updates, and much more during this exciting event.
Watch Green Games Showcase Live on June 7 at 4PM ET
Join us on YouTube
The Green Games Showcase is a fresh addition to this year’s lineup, centering on the gaming industry’s growing commitment to environmental sustainability. This showcase will feature games directly contributing to green initiatives, as well as titles designed to raise awareness regarding environmental issues.
Notable participants include Amazon Games, Skybound Games, and Team17. The event will include a Q&A session focused on how games can inspire meaningful action on climate change, alongside a fundraising campaign aimed at planting 50,000 trees.
Watch Xbox Games Showcase Live on June 8 at 1PM ET
Tune in on YouTube or Twitch (with a separate ASL stream available on Twitch)
How many times do you think we’ll hear “day one with Game Pass” during this stream? While that phrase is guaranteed to feature prominently, Microsoft has a plethora of exciting content to share. This is the most significant Xbox showcase of the year, promising numerous reveals and updates from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard.
Among the anticipated titles in the pipeline are Fable (2026), Perfect Dark, Gears of War: E-Day, Everwild, State of Decay 3, Clockwork Revolution, Hideo Kojima’s OD, and Contraband. Although it might be premature to expect updates on The Elder Scrolls 6 since it remains years away, we could see more details on these other projects, along with surprises like what Double Fine and Toys for Bob are currently developing.
I’m particularly hopeful for updates on Blade, the game being crafted by Arkane Studios. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear about the next Call of Duty. There’s always room for announcements from Microsoft’s partner studios and publishers too. Plus, we might catch a glimpse of what Halo Studios is working on.
One title we can surely expect to hear more about on June 8 is The Outer Worlds 2, which will receive its own dedicated segment immediately following the main Xbox Games Showcase.
Watch Death Stranding 2 Live Game Premiere on June 8 at 10PM ET
Join us on YouTube
Kojima Productions will be present at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, joining Geoff Keighley to launch a world tour celebrating the debut of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. The event will feature a panel discussion with notable guests, along with a live demonstration of this much-anticipated game. If you cannot attend in person (tickets are available now), you can catch the hour-long event streamed live from the comfort of your home.
Several publishers and organizations are also hosting their own showcases around the SGF. Here’s a rundown of those events:
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Future Games Show — June 7, 4PM ET, on YouTube (featuring more than 40 games)
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Frosty Games Fest — June 7, 7PM ET, on YouTube (showcasing “the coolest upcoming and recently released games made in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand”)
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PC Gamer‘s PC Gaming Show — June 8, 3PM ET, on YouTube (featuring 50-plus games)
Get ready, gamers! We’re on the brink of receiving a wealth of details about numerous exciting new games in the very near future.
Brandon Fletcher
