Spike VGAs: Every game announcement and rumour analysed
6th Dec 2012 | 17:00
The MTV-backed Spike Video Game Awards have become an annual fixture in the gaming calendar, and 2012's event looks set for another exciting round of game reveals - and perhaps even a peak at next-gen titles.
2011's show saw
The 2012 VGAs are due to be streamed online and via Xbox Live from Friday, December 7 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT (Saturday 2am GMT). Here's a round-up of everything we know and expect...
BioShock, Last of Us and more get new footage
Spike TV has been actively teasing a number of its VGA reveals by releasing ridiculously short snippets of new videos for
The latter is said to show off a new character in Naughty Dog's PS3 exclusive, while People Can Fly's Gears video will feature the game's villain for the first time. THQ's
New DLC for Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect
Ubisoft has confirmed it will show off its history-changing
Also very likely for a VGA reveal is new
Microsoft will also be making an announcement related to its episodic
Possible Alan Wake premiere
Finnish developer Remedy has recent form when it comes to VGA reveals, having premiered Alan Wake's American Nightmare at last year's show.
This week its CEO Matias Myllyrinne republished a Tweet by VGA host Geoff Keighley, mentioning reveals "you definitely aren't expecting". It could mean nothing at all, but considering the studio's recent high profile teases it's just as likely to point to a game reveal.
Earlier this year the studio updated the Alan Wake 2 website domain and later said it's "looking for world-class talent to work on an unannounced project targeted at future generation consoles".
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2
Following a teasing Lords of Shadow 2 trailer released at E3 in June, Konami will finally unveil the first Castlevania gameplay on Friday.
The sequel is set for release on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC next year. See a snippet below:
Likely glimpses at next-gen
With new consoles from Sony and/or Microsoft due for release next year, the VGAs is the next event where we're likely to see glimpses of next-gen titles, even if they're hidden under the guise of 'platform unspecified' as many E3 2012 games were.
VGA host Geoff Keighley has confirmed the show will be the platform for games that are coming "far beyond summer of 2013," and that there are some VGA surprises not currently being teased "for a variety of reasons."
Next-gen candidates that could possibly be shown off are EA's
Cliffy B will deliver "something special"
Cliff Bleszinski sensationally quit Epic Games in October to "chart the next stage in his career" and "take a much-needed break".
Is break time over? The Gears of War creator has confirmed he will be present at the VGAs in some capacity and host Keighley has also been teasing some kind of "old school" reveal. Jazz Jackrabbit HD?
Asked on Twitter if Cliff's appearance is related to some kind of game reveal, Keighley said the former Epic designer will be doing "something special". Your guess is as good as ours.
Bungie's Destiny?
Following a high profile game leak last month, Halo studio Bungie confirmed it will officially show off Activision-backed project
"Go ahead. Take a peek. It's alright. We weren't quite ready, but we will be soon, and we can't wait to finally show you what we've really been up to," read a statement posted on Bungie's website last week.
Destiny is aiming to deliver a space adventure set in "a universe as deep, tangible and relatable as that of the Star Wars franchise".