The always-ready-to-host Geoff Keighley will return to the stage to present this year’s Summer Game Fest when the event returns on June 8. The event will be held at L.A.’s YouTube Theater and will mark the first time it will have a live audience. The event will also see developers take to the stage to discuss their upcoming and in-progress games.
Discussing the event and concerning the star attractions this year, even Keighley doesn’t know what they will be. “As I always say with these shows, one or two games kind of makes the entire difference. As the producer, it’s challenging because sometimes you have those games, sometimes you don’t, sometimes you think you have them and they drop out or change.”
He also discussed the event’s intent compared to the yearly Game Awards that he also hosts.
“Whereas The Game Awards is very much straight trailer, trailer, trailer, announcement, announcement, announcement,” he said. “I think Summer Game Fest has a chance to talk to the developers and showcase games and give a little bit more context around games. We’re not giving out awards in the show. It really is just kind of a showcase of games.”
With the cancellation and possible death knell of E3 this year, Keighley wants to make sure fans don’t see this as a stand-in for the event. Therefore, there won’t be any demo stations or booths for those in attendance. Instead, Summer Games Fest will be a showcase and series of short talks about upcoming projects.