Paris Games Week 2017: Everything you need to know

The 7th edition of Paris Games Week kicks off in a few days, and although the event has never had the same media coverage as certain other major events, such as Gamescom and E3, it's still one of the world's largest video game shows, and that's why most of the industry leaders will be in attendance in France, starting with Sony, with the company set to hold a conference on October 30.

There's so much more than that happening over the course of the event, though, and here's what to expect during the show, which runs from November 1 to 5.

Sony brings PSVR, Nintendo bets on the Switch

Sony will start the party two days before the official opening of the show, and after a presentation that left us with mixed feelings during E3, we hope the conference will meet our expectations. One thing is certain: virtual reality will be at the centre of things. We know the interest Sony has in this technology, since the second version of PSVR was unveiled earlier this month, and there are plenty of games that VR fans should be interested in, including Gran Turismo Sport, The Inpatient, Bravo Team, Ace Combat 7, Final Fantasy Monster of the Deep, DoomVR, Skyrim VR, and Stranger Things - The Experience.

The Japanese platform holder will unveil its complete line-up and probably some surprises during the conference on October 30 at 17:00 CEST (16:00 BST).

As for Nintendo, at the time of writing, no Nintendo Direct is planned, let alone a conference. Nintendo will be present at the show with a selection of the biggest games from the Switch's catalogue, available for visitors to see, although Xenoblade Chronicles 2, unfortunately, won't be playable. The game will receive live presentation sessions throughout the show on the main stage of the Nintendo area. However, although for those who want to actually play something, there will be plenty of games available, including:

- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Splatoon 2
- Super Mario Odyssey
- ARMS
- FIFA 18
- Fire Emblem Warriors
- Pokkén Tournament DX
- Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
- Minecraft
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Switch
- Sonic Forces

Revitalised by strong licenses, the 3DS isn't left out either, as the excellent return of Samus Aran in Metroid: Samus Returns; the very recent Fire Emblem Warriors; and the upcoming Kirby: Battle Royal are sure to draw some attention. Here are all the 3DS / New 3DS games present at the show:

- The Layton Adventure: Katrielle and the Millionaire Conspiracy
- Fire Emblem Warriors (New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 2DS)
- Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns
- New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star
- Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters
- Miitopia
- Metroid: Samus Returns
- Kirby: Battle Royale
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
- Pokémon Sun/Moon

For those who love nostalgia, a retro gaming space will be open at the show too, with SNES Classic Mini consoles available so players can try some of the greatest Nintendo titles from the 16-bit era.

After all the announcements made this June at E3, Microsoft is now offering visitors the chance to play the Xbox One X in Paris. With the most powerful console in the world set to be released on November 7, only hours after the closing of the Parisian show.

Annual series and expected comebacks

In terms of third-party publishers, Electronic Arts will be in attendance in Paris, and have brought with them 64 PS4 stands in order for fans to try Star Wars: Battlefront II. As always, FIFA 18 will join the party, both on PS4 and Switch (in the junior show), and Need for Speed: Payback will also be playable.

In regards to Bethesda, this year they've decided to focus on Nintendo, as they're going to show the Switch versions of the acclaimed Doom as well as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

The Japanese giant Square Enix will be bringing Final Fantasy XV to the event, while Kingdom Hearts III, the eternal absentee continues to drift into outer space where it seems to have been lost. Two spins off, a DLC and a PC version, will be on the program for Final Fantasy fans, as well as some other big names.

- Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition
- Final Fantasy XV multiplayer expansion pack Brother in Arms
- Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition
- Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV
- Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood
- Dissidia Final Fantasy NT
- Life is Strange: Before the Storm
- Lost Sphear
- Spelunker Party!

Bandai Namco will present the very promising Dragon Ball FighterZ which, once again, should appeal to fans of the series. Also on the cards for the publisher is Ni No Kuni II as well as Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker.

Capcom, however, is all about the classics this year, with Street Fighter V, Capcom vs. Marvel: Infinite, and Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 all in attendance. Monster Hunter World will also be there too which, in addition to being playable, will be presented on-site by the game's development team.

The French publisher BigBen will also attend the event with five of its titles, including the big comeback of Outcast and the new entry in the WRC series:

- WRC 7
- Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor
- Rugby 18
- Gravel
- Outcast

Finally, the Assassin's Creed series returns with its latest episode this month, and although Origins is released before the show starts, fans who haven't got their hands on the game can do so in Paris. Activision will be celebrating a release too, as Call of Duty: WWII is coming out on November 3, with Destiny 2 also being shown off by the publisher.

Nacon and Plantronics, kings of accessories

On the accessory side of things, Nacon will be showing the Revolution Pro Controller 2, the second version of its PS4 controller, as well as the compact version. The manufacturer will also unveil its new PC hardware with the 7.1 GH-300ST headset, the CL-700OM keyboard, and the GC-200WL controller, while Plantronics will offer RIG 800 wireless headsets for console and PC.

Esports Tournaments

ESports tournaments will also be held by the Esports World Convention (ESWC), with four tournaments planned during the show:

- CSGO: November 2 and 3, finals on Friday November 3
- Clash Royal: November 1 to 4, finals on Saturday November 4
- Quake Champions: November 1 to 3, finals on Friday November 3
- FIFA 18: November 3 to 5, finals on Sunday November 5

Nintendo is also preparing the final stages of the French part of the Splatoon 2 European Championship. To try your luck with your team, go directly to the venue on November 3, and if you're lucky (and good) you could find yourself competing in the final on November 5.

Young gamers

Space will also be dedicated to children at Paris Games Week Junior, with no less than 33 games accessible to younger gamers, including:

- Dragon Quest Heroes 2
- Farming Simulator 17
- FIFA 18
- GT Sport
- Harvest Moon
- Just Dance 2018
- Kingdom Hearts 2.8 HD
- Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5
- Knack 2
- Knowledge is Power
- Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga + The Bowser Minions
- Mario + The Rabbits Cretins: Kingdom Battle
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite
- Mega Man Legacy Collection 2
- Micromachining
- Miitopia
- Monopoly
- MXGP3
- NBA 2K18

As with each major international event, Gamereactor will be on site to bring you the highlights from Paris Games Week. More than 300,000 visitors visited the show's floor in 2016, a figure that has been steadily increasing since its first edition in 2010, so expect plenty of talking points to emerge in the coming days.