A Writer’s E3 Predictions
By Joris van Zoest | May 9, 2011 | Editorials | No comments | Share
Before we look in to the upcoming E3, we take short glimpse at last year’s event. Even though it didn’t disappoint, you won’t find many that would say that it was packed with surprises.
E3 2010
Let’s start off with Microsoft the innovators and developers of some of today’s best gaming gadgets, including the Kinect that in 2009 was introduced at their press conference.
In 2010 they introduced us to a new and better Xbox 360, now with the describing word, Slim on the back. The redesign included a new and smaller motherboard saving 30% space, an new CPU/GPU/eDRAM chip, Wi-Fi, 2 additional USB ports and a custom USB port which allows you to connect the innovating Kinect sensor. Many foresaw the Kinect as just another failed attempt of out beating Nintendo’s worldwide family renowned console; yup you got it, the Wii. Well, as being a what you could call, Wii fanatic, I joined the skeptic group, almost hoping that Microsoft would fail utterly, but to this day, I still can’t figure out if they did, or not.
Then it was Sony’s turn. As many expected, Sony showed their motion controller add-on, the Playstation Move, and a statement of the obvious, it reminded an awful lot of the Wii. Although the resemblance, Sony attracted very high interest, both from the press and from the fans. But even though both Sony and Microsoft had good shots at taking home the trophy, Nintendo ran away with the prize.
With the new 3DS, Nintendo revolutionized handheld 3D gaming, at least, that was what Nintendo themselves would like to call it, but of course there is always a catch. With two rear facing cameras for taking 3D pictures, a front facing camera for face recognition, and Augmented reality cards, that allowed real world environment gaming, Nintendo mesmerized quite a crowd to their booths. Now to the catch, in order to experience the full 3D effect, you would have to stand exactly at the correct angle for it to work, and playing for longer than 30 minutes could cause smaller headaches, though it has to be noted that Nintendo does advise to take a break after that long. Nonetheless, the previous Nintendo statement remain far from untrue.
The huge entrance to E3 at the Los Angeles Convention center.
E3 2011
All this brings us to this year, and I think that contrary to last year, E3 will have a lot more in store, well at least games wise.
Kinect will be tested, all its features and all its powers will be put to use, with Microsoft releasing more demanding, and grownup games for the console, and even already known games will be introduced to the sensor. We’ll see Microsoft attempting to gain more buyers by lowering prices on the Kinect. Other than that, Microsoft won’t have anything else major to reveal, besides from small add-ons for the Xbox 360, and an increase in Xbox Live membership prices, partially in order to pay for the Kinect price cut. Some commercials for their new Windows 7 phones would not be unexpected, we will get to hear why their phone is so much better than other phones, and how easy playing games, while still being social is.
As for Sony, a new handheld is needed, and they are going to deliver with the PSP 2, which most likely is going to be renamed to something more catchy. The device will feature a better engine, and new upgrades in general, too many for me to mention. And as being as big as Sony is, it will of course gain a lot of attention from everywhere at the trade show, and hopefully will become a worthy contender of Nintendo’s 3DS.
Regarding a new Wii, Nintendo won’t attempt to overcome the challenge from both Sony and Microsoft this year. If Nintendo doesn’t act, the Wii will slowly die out, maybe not this year, nor next year, but soon.
PC gaming will rise once again, several games will be released, pushing the PC to the limit, and we will see growth in online PC gaming. More multiplatform games will have exclusive PC content, and maybe even a PC controller? Though it seems very unnecessary, it wouldn’t surprise me if some of the bigger companies also would like to have a bite of the cake.
Games
Concerning games, we’ll see a bunch of sequels, prequels and whatever.
Microsoft will try and pump out as many new IP‘s (Intellectual Property – a new series, one that is new and without sequels) and series as possible to maintain their exclusive reputation.
Sony will have quite a few games to unveil, but all eyes will be resting on Uncharted 3, and how it will handle the hype, and possibly the pressure, only time will tell.
Milo was unveiled at E3 in 2009 as a demonstration for Kinect
Talking about IPs, did anyone forget Milo? Don’t tell me that it hasn’t crossed your mind that that project was alluring. Milo, your virtual friend that always will be sure to let you know that he likes what you’re wearing as you stand in front of the Kinect sensor.
Now, I’m not alluding to the possibility that the project will be brought back from the dead, but the idea, and the technology is very interesting, and I think that the industrious developers feel the same way. I really hope that someone decides to pick it up, because if not, that would be a huge mistake, and a devastating loss in future gaming.
Other predictions
- New hardcore experience Kinect games
- Next generation home console and brief description
- Move Exclusives
- New IPs and series, using Milo technology
- Cheaper Xbox 360 Slim
- Announcement of new handheld, possibly PSP2
- New Xbox Live features for both phones and other handheld devices
- Alan Wake Sequel
- New IP featuring new Nintendo Franchise Character
Sure, I bet they’ll prove me wrong in a lot of places, and of course there will be a lot more to E3 than what I have written, and maybe that’s good.
