Epic Games Announces "Fortnite" for Console and PC

On July 15, 2017, Epic Games took the gaming community by storm with its announcement of "Fortnite," a battle royale survival game that would soon become a cultural phenomenon. Initially released in early access form as "Fortnite: Save the World," a cooperative zombie shooter, it was the upcoming PvP mode, "Fortnite Battle Royale," which garnered massive attention from gamers and media alike. Epic Games promised to bring its unique blend of building mechanics with fast-paced combat to consoles and PC in 2018.

Square Enix Reveals New Gameplay for "Kingdom Hearts III"

In another significant announcement, Square Enix unveiled more gameplay footage from the highly anticipated title, "Kingdom Hearts III." The clip showcased new worlds based on Disney properties such as Monstropolis from Pixar's "Monsters Inc," and revealed deeper mechanics of Sora’s powers. The video left fans excited about the game's planned release in 2018 but also hinted at potential delays due to the developer's desire for perfection.

Bethesda Unveils Details on "The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset" Expansion

On this day, Bethesda Softworks provided more details and a release date for its upcoming expansion pack for "The Elder Scrolls Online," titled "Summerset." The expansion was scheduled to be released in early 2018 and would introduce the island of Summerset Isle into the game world. Known for its rich lore and vast landscapes, Summerset is home to Altmer high elves, promising new quests, combat systems, and a deeper exploration of the Elder Scrolls universe.

Outlook

The announcements from Epic Games, Square Enix, and Bethesda set an optimistic tone for the upcoming year in gaming. "Fortnite" would go on to redefine multiplayer game mechanics with its building elements, while "Kingdom Hearts III" continued to build anticipation with glimpses of new worlds and gameplay features. "Summerset," being a major expansion for "The Elder Scrolls Online," promised to deepen the lore and exploration that fans of the series love.

These events marked a pivotal day in 2017, signaling the industry’s focus on engaging multiplayer experiences, beloved franchises with rich storylines, and expansive worlds ready for players to explore. As we look ahead, these releases would indeed shape much of what gamers enjoyed over the next few years.