My predictions for the 2019 gaming year were as accurate as this
6.1.2020
Translation: machine translated
Every year I make predictions about what exciting game news the coming year has in store. Here is the analysis of my predictions from last year. It turns out: I'm a fortune teller.
In my annual prediction for the coming game year, you expected me to have a hit rate of over 50 per cent. I didn't disappoint you: the majority of my 11 out of 19 predictions for the 2019 gaming year were correct.
A decent haul, in my opinion. Let's take a look at my warm-weather, bold and balls-of-steel predictions that I made a year ago.
Warmist predictions
Tendentially correct: "Diablo 4" is coming in 2020
The 2020 date is not quite as likely, as Blizzard itself claims it will be a while yet. But "Diablo 4" was presented at Blizzcon 2019, as I predicted, and what was shown was really delicious. Hurreii.
Right: New mobile-only Switch
And another hit. With the Switch Lite, Nintendo has unveiled a new portable console that can no longer be docked. The controllers are also not detachable, but it is cheaper.
Right: "Red Dead Redemption 2" for PC
In November, just over a year after the console launch, Rockstar's Wild West smash hit also landed on the PC. Two weeks later, it was also released for Google Stadia.
Almost right: "Watch Dogs 3" is coming in autumn
I was right that "Watch Dogs Legion" would be presented at E3, but the release date was March 2020 - and the date has since been postponed indefinitely.
Nope: Valve adjusts the margin
Nope: Valve is sticking to the 30/70 share that developers and publishers receive from game and in-game sales. While the big companies benefit from special conditions, the masses are left out. The competition from the Epic Store is apparently still not painful enough.
Right: "Borderlands 3" shoots its way into our hearts
Gearbox's loot shooter was unveiled in 2019 and launched straight away. Since September, there have once again been masses of weapons to collect while weird characters make penis jokes. The response was generally positive, even if I personally had hoped for more innovation.
Bold predictions
Nope: "Cyberpunk 2077" will be released this year
Unfortunately not. Although there was new gameplay footage and a great guest appearance by Keanu Reeves at E3, the release isn't until April 2020
Right: Microsoft combines Game Pass and Xbox Live
Game Pass Ultimate is the name of the fun and not only combines the online service Xbox Live, it also includes the Game Pass for PC and Xbox One.
Almost right: Open beta of Google's streaming service
So if we're honest, this prediction is completely correct. Google Stadia was launched in 2019, the service costs money and it's an open beta. Except Google doesn't call it that. But the way the game streaming service currently works and what it offers just screams beta. But I've already written about that in detail.
Nope: "Earthworm Jim" remake
I was really looking forward to playing another instalment of the wacky platformer. Maybe 2020 is the year of the return and maybe I'll dare to make the prediction again :)
Right: New "Zelda" is presented
At E3 2019, Nintendo showed a short teaser for the successor to "Breath of the Wild". However, the release is probably still a long way off.
So half: crossplay becomes normal
Let's just say it's become more normal. More and more games offer cross-play functionality between consoles, PC and even mobile. "Dota Underlords" and "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" are among them. Crossplay has even been announced for "Borderlands 3".
Balls of Steel predictions
Almost right: Xbox streaming console
The Xbox Series X, or simply Xbox, was officially unveiled at the Game Awards 2019 - but only one model. However, rumours of a second, cheaper model continue to swirl.
Rather right: PS5 is coming
Although there are no official images yet - at least not of the retail version - Sony has also revealed various details about the PS5. As expected, the Japanese company skipped E3. However, information on the PSVR is still missing, which is why the next forecast is a shot in the arm.
Nope: PSVR 2 is teased
No pictures, no information, nothing. Sony has long since announced that it will continue to focus on VR, but the company has not yet made any public statements about PSVR 2.
Right: Valve's own VR glasses
The device is called Valve Index, costs a fortune and has been available since the middle of the year.
Nope: Amazon launches streaming service
Once again, I was too early. Rumours are growing that Amazon will soon let the cat out of the bag and present an alternative to Stadia and co. but there is still no concrete information.
Yes: New "Bioshock"
Although there were no teasers or images, 2K officially announced that it was working on a new "Bioshock". A new studio called Cloud Chamber was founded for this purpose.
Nope: Rocksteady's next game is "Aquaman"
Everything pointed to a spectacular unveiling until the very end, but in the end it was all just wishful thinking. Developer Rocksteady will probably not present a new game until 2020 and Aquaman is unlikely to play a role in it, even though I would still think it would be great. <p
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
