The Summer Game Fest 2025, the leading event in the gaming industry, begins this Friday, June 6, at 6 p.m. (Brasília time), live from the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the event brings together over 60 companies, including giants like Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, Capcom, and Square Enix, promising two hours of announcements, trailers, and exclusive reveals. Expectations are high for highlights such as a new Death Stranding 2 trailer, with Hideo Kojima’s presence, and rumors point to a possible Resident Evil 9 reveal by Capcom. The festival runs until June 9, with additional showcases and the Play Days event for press and content creators.
This year’s edition marks the sixth season of the Summer Game Fest, which has solidified its place as the main replacement for the now-defunct E3, canceled in 2023. The main event will be streamed live on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and Instagram, ensuring global access for gaming fans. Beyond the opening presentation, side showcases like Day of the Devs and Xbox Games Showcase will provide more details on indie titles and major productions.
- Expected highlights for the opening event:
- New Death Stranding 2 trailer, featuring Hideo Kojima on stage.
- Potential Resident Evil 9 announcement by Capcom.
- Updates on highly anticipated games for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
- Presence of over 60 publishers, including Bandai Namco and SEGA.
The Summer Game Fest 2025 promises to be a milestone for the industry, focusing on innovation and diversity in games, from AAA blockbusters to indie projects. Following the main event, the Play Days, from June 7 to 9, will allow journalists and influencers to test the announced titles, expanding global coverage.
What to expect from the opening
The main presentation, lasting two hours, will be the highlight of the Summer Game Fest 2025. Geoff Keighley, known for organizing The Game Awards, promises a spectacle filled with world premieres and updates on highly anticipated games. Hideo Kojima’s participation, one of the industry’s most iconic names, raises expectations, especially for the new Death Stranding 2: On the Beach trailer, slated for release in 2026. The event will also feature announcements from indie studios, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to diversity in genres and platforms.
Rumors about Capcom have stirred the gaming community. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Resident Evil 9, the next chapter in the acclaimed survival horror franchise, may be revealed during the broadcast. The Japanese company, which made waves in past editions with titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, may also share updates on Street Fighter 6 or other projects in development.
Participating companies and their bets
Over 60 companies will be at the Summer Game Fest 2025, bringing a varied catalog of games. PlayStation, for instance, may showcase updates on exclusive PS5 titles, while Xbox, following major acquisitions like Activision Blizzard, is expected to highlight games like Fable and The Outer Worlds 2, which will have a dedicated showcase on June 8. Nintendo, despite the recent Switch 2 launch, has not confirmed a Direct, but its presence at the event suggests potential announcements for the new console.
- Confirmed publishers at the event:
- Capcom, with rumors of Resident Evil 9 and Monster Hunter updates.
- Square Enix, possibly with news on Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest.
- SEGA, which may reveal more about Sonic or Persona.
- Bandai Namco, known for Elden Ring and Tekken.
- Amazon Games, focusing on new titles like King of Meat.
The presence of smaller publishers like Annapurna Interactive and Devolver Digital ensures space for indie games, which often steal the show with creative proposals. The diversity of participants reflects the evolution of the Summer Game Fest as an event that spans blockbusters to experimental projects.
The relevance of Summer Game Fest
Since its inception in 2020, in response to the cancellation of events like E3 and Gamescom due to the pandemic, the Summer Game Fest has become the main stage for gaming industry announcements. Created by Geoff Keighley, the event combines digital broadcasts with in-person experiences, such as Play Days, which allows the press to test games firsthand. In 2025, the sixth edition reinforces its position as the epicenter of gaming news, with a global audience following every reveal in real-time.
The event also highlights the growing influence of games in pop culture. Partnerships with film studios, like Blumhouse Games, which is expected to showcase horror titles, show how the industry is expanding beyond console and PC screens. The inclusion of themed showcases, such as Women-Led Games and Latin American Games Showcase, underscores the commitment to representation and the recognition of developers from diverse regions.
Showcase schedule
The Summer Game Fest 2025 extends beyond the opening. In the following days, a series of complementary showcases will keep audiences engaged. On June 6, right after the main event, Day of the Devs will highlight indie games, curated by Double Fine Productions and iam8bit. On June 7, showcases like Wholesome Direct, focusing on “cozy” games, and Future Games Show, hosted by Laura Bailey and Matthew Mercer, will feature over 40 new trailers.
On June 8, Xbox will hold its showcase at 1 p.m. (Brasília time), followed by a deep dive into The Outer Worlds 2 by Obsidian Entertainment. Later, at 8 p.m., Hideo Kojima returns with the world premiere of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach in a dedicated event. June 9 wraps up with Black Voices in Gaming, celebrating Black developers.
- Main Summer Game Fest 2025 schedule:
- June 6, 6 p.m.: Summer Game Fest Live (2 hours).
- June 6, 8 p.m.: Day of the Devs (indie showcase).
- June 7, 2 p.m.: Wholesome Direct (60 “cozy” games).
- June 8, 1 p.m.: Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct.
- June 8, 8 p.m.: Death Stranding 2 Game Premiere.
Focus on accessibility and inclusion
The Summer Game Fest 2025 also makes room for initiatives promoting accessibility and diversity. The Access-Ability Summer Showcase, on June 6 at 12 p.m., will highlight games developed by people with disabilities and titles with accessibility options. Presented by Laura Kate Dale, the 52-minute showcase will include British Sign Language subtitles, reinforcing the commitment to inclusion.
The Women-Led Games showcase, in its second edition, will feature 39 games developed by women-led studios, while the Latin American Games Showcase will present over 50 titles from Latin America. These initiatives show how the event aims to amplify voices that have historically had less visibility in the industry.
News for the Nintendo Switch 2
With the Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5, one day before the Summer Game Fest, fans are eager for potential announcements related to the console. Although Nintendo has not confirmed a Direct, its participation as an event partner suggests that games like Mario Kart World or optimized ports for the new hardware may appear. The Japanese company often surprises with strategic announcements, and the Summer Game Fest would be the ideal stage to showcase the Switch 2’s potential.
The absence of a dedicated Nintendo event may be due to the focus on the console’s launch, but partnerships with studios like Devolver Digital, which is expected to present Enter the Gungeon 2, may bring cross-platform news compatible with the Switch 2.
The role of Play Days
From June 7 to 9, Play Days, an in-person event exclusive to press and content creators, will allow hands-on testing of the announced games. Held in Los Angeles, Play Days is an opportunity for journalists to try demos and interview developers, generating detailed content that fuels Summer Game Fest coverage. In 2024, titles like Monster Hunter Wilds and Perfect Dark shone in this format, and expectations are high for 2025 to repeat the success with new releases.
Play Days also strengthens the connection between developers and the media, ensuring that announced games receive extended attention. For the public, this translates into detailed previews and gameplay footage that start circulating shortly after the main event.
Technology and innovation in the spotlight
The Summer Game Fest 2025 will also be a stage for technological advancements. Epic Games, for example, showcased Unreal Engine 5 in previous editions and may bring updates on its engine during the event. CD Projekt Red, participating in the State of Unreal on June 4, is expected to reveal technologies to be used in The Witcher 4, highlighting how the Summer Game Fest goes beyond games to address the future of development.
The presence of studios like Supermassive Games, known for narrative-driven titles, and Pearl Abyss, behind Crimson Desert, suggests that the event will also spotlight innovations in storytelling and open-world design. These trends are set to shape the releases of 2025 and 2026.
How to follow the event
The Summer Game Fest 2025 will be accessible to all through live streams. The opening, on June 6 at 6 p.m., will be available in 4K/60 fps on YouTube and Twitch, with subtitle options and sign language interpretation for the Xbox Showcase. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Steam will also broadcast parts of the event, ensuring broad coverage.
For those in Los Angeles, limited tickets for the in-person event at the YouTube Theater are available, but most fans will follow from home. The organization recommends that viewers stay tuned to the Summer Game Fest’s social media for real-time updates and direct links to the streams.
