( CNN ) -- Apple 's new iPad was n't the only game in town this week . More than 18,000 videogame makers gathered in San Francisco at the 26th annual Game Developers Convention ( GDC 2012 ) to discuss the future of interactive entertainment . While there was plenty of talk about the explosion of casual and social games and how new smartphones and tablets are luring even more users into gaming , there were also plenty of brand new `` AAA '' games debuting at the Moscone Center and surrounding area hotels . `` What always amazes me at a show like GDC is the fact that there 's always a smoke chasing vibe about what 's hot and what 's interesting this year , '' said Cliff Bleszinski , design director at Epic Games , which was showcasing its new Unreal Engine 4 technology at the show . `` Over the last several years we 've seen the rise of freemium gaming and social mobile , and it 's something we 're willing to experiment with when you look at games such as Infinity Blade on iOS . But I 'm of the belief that we 're here to remind people that AAA is here to stay and people will always want beautiful , $ 60-quality gaming experiences . '' The following are five big games that stood out at GDC that are worth picking up when they arrive later this year on a console , PC or gaming device : . 'Medal of Honor Warfighter ' Electronic Arts is leaving the intense combat of Afghanistan for the broader war on terrorism in this latest first-person shooter , which sends players to global hot spots like the Philippines and the Somali coast on missions to rescue hostages and battle pirates . Executive producer Greg Goodrich said the new game , which ships October 23 , features covert missions inspired by actual Tier 1 Operators and events ripped straight from news headlines . The game makers are working with former soldiers to ensure an authentic , yet intense , experience . In an attempt to expand the appeal of the franchise , the multi-player experience allows gamers to play take control of Special Forces from 12 countries , including Australian SASR , British SAS , German KSK and Polish GROM . 'Hawken ' A brand new game publisher , Meteor Entertainment , showed off a very different free-to-play PC gaming experience with `` Hawken . '' Set on a post-apocalyptic , human-colonized planet that has been industrialized to the point of collapse , players pilot giant robotic Mechs armed to the teeth . The fast-paced gameplay focuses on intense battle experiences in a futuristic world that has Asian influences , a la `` Blade Runner . '' The development team utilized the free Unreal Development Kit to bring the first-person action to life and watched as a YouTube video created a bidding war that ultimately gave life to a new game company . One of the key trends at GDC is the evolution of free-to-play games to more console-quality experiences . Hawken goes live December 12 , 2012 . 'LEGO Batman 2 : DC Super Heroes ' This is a very big year for DC Comics fans with `` The Dark Knight Rises '' and `` Man of Steel '' hitting theaters . The latest `` LEGO Batman '' game manages to celebrate both of these beloved super heroes in an incredibly detailed open world Gotham City . Due out this summer across all platforms , the new LEGO game introduces a wide cast of superheroes like Wonder Woman and Green Lantern , and super villains like Lex Luthor and The Joker . The ability to fly through the city as Superman or play with Batman and Robin 's cool vehicles like the Batmobile and Batwing , should appeal to kids of all ages . There 's a reason the first LEGO Batman sold over 11 million copies , and this sequel pushes the fun forward with some of the most amazing visuals yet seen in a LEGO game . Full disclosure : This game is produced by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment , which , like CNN , is owned by Time Warner . 'Sleeping Dogs ' `` Grand Theft Auto V '' is n't the only open-world crime story coming out this year . With `` Sleeping Dogs , '' developer United Front Games introduces a virtual Hong Kong , complete with John Woo-style action . The game 's storyline focuses on a gritty undercover tale that sends players into the underbelly of the triads as cop Wei Shen . With intuitive one-button action that allows players to pull off Hollywood-inspired maneuvers like jumping from a motorcycle onto the roof of a speeding car , this game offers intense action across multiple fronts . Gamers can drive vehicles , including speedboats , pick up an assortment of weapons -- or just use their fists to take down enemies . Players will be able to explore all aspects of this city later this year . 'Assassin 's Creed III ' After exploring history in the Middle Ages and the Italian Renaissance , Ubisoft is focusing on the American Revolution in its latest action-adventure game . This game puts players in control of Connor , a hero of Native-American and English heritage . Combat is carried by using knives , bows-and-arrows and a trusty tomahawk . Players interact with historical figures like George Washington , Ben Franklin and Charles Lee . They also experience 18th century events like the burning of New York and the Battle of Valley Forge . In addition to taking part in the Continental Army 's battle against the British redcoats , gameplay includes more open frontier terrain . With more fluid and streamlined controls , American history has never been so much fun .
More than 18,000 videogame makers gathered at the Game Developers Convention . Five big games stood out at GDC this year , which was held in San Francisco .