Prediction Roundup: Volume I

Prediction Roundup attempts to rationalize and provide insight to some of the gaming industry's most pressing questions by using deductive reasoning and supporting facts. Following each prediction is a handy "confidence meter" displaying how Game Nook views the prediction's probability.

1) Infinity Ward not launching a Call of Duty title next year?

With the slight decay of the Modern Warfare brand and developers preparing for the next generation of consoles, it wouldn't be surprising if Infinity Ward didn't release a Call of Duty game in 2013. The Call of Duty franchise has an undoubtedly massive library of assets, most of which will need to be remade or updated for the next generation of consoles. It'd make sense for Activision to provide Infinity Ward time to update its IW engine and have its star Call of Duty developer launch on next generation hardware in 2013 or '14. To fulfill Activision's need to release yearly sequels, it's possible Sledgehammer Games could fill in for Infinity Ward's absence next year. 

Confidence Level: 2/5 Nooks

2) Could Bungie reveal its new game at E3 2012?

Given what's known so far about Bungie's next title, Bungie announcing its next project at E3 isn't a stretch. From what can be inferred with released information, Bungie's next game is most likely launching on current generation systems and is a persistent world of some sort. Rumor has it their next game spans across a wide range of devices and provides a world where "[it is] always there for you." If this seemingly massive project is launching this late in the current console life cycle, it's hard to imagine Bungie not lifting the veil soon.

Confidence Level: 4/5 Nooks

3) Can Dishonored make a 2012 launch?

Despite Arkane Studios stating a 2012 launch window for Dishonored, there is considerable room to be skeptical of their claim. Though its launch trailer debuted mere weeks ago, and marketing is slowly ramping up, very little of the game has been shown in public. In fact, no gameplay footage has been shown at all. What has been shown however, are snippets of in-game assets, totalling a few minutes.

Being a fairly ambitious and risky project, perhaps Bethesda Softworks, Dishonored's publisher, is waiting to get a clearer picture of what the industry's release calendar will look like. But if Dishonored does release in 2012, I'd guess a September release because early-mid summer seems too soon given what's been shown, and the holiday season (October-December) may be too competitive. However, even that might be a stretch considering Bioshock Infinite launches in mid October. To be prudent though, it's possible Dishonored may release in Q1 of 2013 due to how little the public has seen and strong competition during the holiday months.

Confidence Level: 3/5 Nooks

4) Could Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut release in July?

While a summer window has been confirmed for Mass Effect 3's extended cut, exactly when it will launch has yet to be announced. A logical release date could be middle to late July, which corresponds to the beginning of EA's second quarter of fiscal 2013. A July launch window may be enticing for EA because it could strengthen its barren second quarter. Since EA will be focused marketing NCAA Football 13 -which releases July 10- launching the Extended Cut later in July may prove to maximise exposure and sales of both titles.

With reports claiming that Mass Effect 3 performed well, EA could use the Extended Cut as an opportunity to reintroduce the title to audiences. EA could attempt to remarket Mass Effect 3 in an effort to further boost sales, similar to what was done with Star Wars The Old Republic's 1.2 patch. Also, it wouldn't be surprising if EA marketed Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut as an "enhanced experience" over the original.

If the Extended Cut announcement was an act by EA to salvage any goodwill, EA may avoid announcing its release date far in advance. In an effort to refrain from excessive hype, arguably one of Mass Effect 3's core problems, it'd make sense for EA to announce a release date very close to launch, perhaps within a week of release. EA wants to make sure it doesn't over-promise, it wants to avoid being scrutinized a second time for the same mistake.

Confidence Level: 3/5 Nooks