E3-some: What We’re Looking Forward to at E3 2011

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

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What We Know Already: Thanks to a particularly bountiful leak, fans already know that the newest iteration of the reigning king of FPS titles sets the world on fire in spectacular fashion. MW3‘s plot picks up from that of its predecessor, with rogue soldiers from Russia and other places threatening the seats of power in the United States and Europe.

The Big Mystery: Multiplayer. If the leak’s credible, there’s not much left to be revealed about the single-player game. But most of COD‘s acolytes show up for the multiplayer modes, and details on that front have been scarce. Rumors of re-jiggered multiplayer include a supposed survival mode with waves of enemies and the absence of a Tactical Nuke killstreak. We’ll see what joint developing studios Raven, Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer have cooked up for multiplayer next week.

What We’ll Probably Find Out: Elite integration. Activision’s made a big bet on building out a digital platform, especially for the millions of people who play COD games every day and, while the beta this summer will be tested with last year’s Black Ops game, Modern Warfare 3 will sport all the bells and whistles that entice players to plunk down cash for premium Elite subscriptions. The publisher claims that the Call of Duty Elite service will unite and ignite players. E3’s where they’ll have to start proving it.

(More on TIME.com: New ‘Modern Warfare 3’ Screens Take the Battle to the Streets)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

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What We Know Already: Bethesda Softworks’ award-winning fantasy RPG universe takes things to the mountaintops, as another prophecy come true bodes ill for earthbound citizen under attack by flying dragons. Players will be able to dual-wield weapons, meaning that swords and spells can deal out damage in rapid succession. You’ll also be able to mix disciplines so your mage can add some heft to his melee attacks, too

The Big Mystery: Story, story, story. So far, the only details outed about Skyrim have been gameplay mechanics in previews and plot details teased by the above trailer.

What We’ll Probably Find Out: How long this sucker’s going to be. The Elder Scrolls games have always asked for ridiculous time commitments if you want to complete all the main missions and the panoply of side quests. Skyrim will probably be another time-suck in the 60 to 100 hour mold, but a brand new game engine should make it a gorgeous place to lose yourself in.

(More on TIME.com: The Elder Scrolls Skyrim Looks Like Park City, Utah)

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