Ubisoft has already had a year worth celebrating. Yes, the launch of Far Cry 5 was a success, but more importantly to the company itself, it managed to successfully fend off a hostile takeover from the French conglomerate Vivendi. However, while slipping out of the grasps of Vivendi is good news for any fan of the publisher, E3 is all about showing off games. Last year we got new announcements like The Crew 2, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, and perhaps the biggest mic-drop moment of last year's E3: The reveal of Beyond Good and Evil II. While we already know a few of the games we'll see at their press conference, I'd count on Ubisoft to attempt another big reveal this year too, but we'll get to what I think that will be later.
The Obvious: It would be more surprising if these didn’t show up
Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
Without fail, every year there are dozens of rumors circling Ubisoft's next Assassin's Creed game, and this year was no exception. So, to set the record straight before E3, Ubisoft confirmed that the next game in the franchise will be Assassin's Creed: Odyssey in a tweet that came with the caption "See you at E3!" As for what the game will actually be like, we still have to rely on rumors. Current speculation and reporting suggests the game will include two different protagonists, a large focus on naval combat, a Roman/Greek setting, and dialogue options, which would be a first for the series. For more on the rumors surrounding Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, see here. https://twitter.com/assassinscreed/status/1002331391789617152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%…The Division 2
The Division 2 is also scheduled to be at E3 2018, although it is another sequel we know very little about. Besides the fact that it exists, Ubisoft hasn't shared much about the game. Thanks to an Ubisoft earnings report, we know the publisher plans to ship the game by the end of the 2019 fiscal year, which ends in April 2019. Ubisoft's reluctance to give us any information about the game thus far makes me even more convinced that we will be getting a massive reveal for The Division 2. I fully expect both an official reveal trailer, gameplay demo, and fall 2018 release date. If the game really is going to come out within the next year, Ubisoft is going to have to start showing it off sooner rather than later.A New IP and Skull & Bones
Every E3 Ubisoft reveals at least one shiny, new IP. In the previously mentioned earnings report, Ubisoft said that another new IP is in the pipeline, so it's a safe bet that the publisher will reveal it during their press conference. I also expect them to revisit the new IP they showed off last year: Skull & Bones. In case you don't remember, that's the naval combat game that looks like Assassin's Creed: Black Flag without the assassinating. Last year we got a pretty extensive look at the game, but we haven't seen anything since then, so I expect another trailer or demo during the conference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9YYYVG0YQIThe Crew 2
The Crew 2 is coming out just a few weeks after E3, June 29th to be exact. So, it would make sense for Ubisoft to use the E3 hype-machine to get people to notice the game and start pre-ordering. Are we going to see a lot of it? I doubt it. The more time Ubisoft gives The Crew 2 during its press conference is time taken away from things like new IPs and previously unseen games like Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and The Division 2.Oldies but goodies - For Honor and Rainbow Six Siege
Thanks to an E3 lineup teaser from Ubisoft, we know to expect a few older games making a comeback at E3 this year. Rainbow Six Siege, now in its third year of support, will be making a return to the stage. It's hard to imagine what new things they can bring to the table this late, but Ubisoft continues to surprise the gaming world with its continued support of the game, so I wouldn't count out a substantial announcement this E3. For Honor is another game that Ubisoft hasn't let die, and since it's only been out for a year, there's still a lot more room for improvement and plenty of time to bring in new players with a high-profile content drop.The Maybes – High risk, potentially high reward
Splinter Cell
The return of the Splinter Cell franchise has long been talked about, but we still haven't had official confirmation of a sequel from Ubisoft. Over the past year, the mumblings of a return have only grown louder and louder. There was a supposed leak just last month that showed a Walmart pre-order listing for a new Splinter Cell game. While there are reasons not to trust that leak, the recent inclusion of voice actor Sam Fisher in Ghost Recon: Wildlands is just another reason to suspect a new entry in the franchise. I'd even go as far as to say that if a new Spinter Cell is revealed, Ubisoft will include a 2019 release window, too. I suspect Ubisoft will make a pretty big deal about a new Splinter Cell this E3, much like they did with Beyond Good and Evil II last year.