Microsoft Press Conference- Was a good press conference with no big surprises compared to Last Years E3 and the announcement Of Final Fantasy XIII released day and date with PlayStation 3 version. Microsoft has several big things to look forward to in the future.
Halo:ODST and Halo:Reach- Halo:ODST will be the big xbox360 Exclusive for this fall and will be a full priced game $59.99 and will have full multiplayer, plus all the Halo 3 map packs released to date . In the Microsoft Conference some gameplay was shown and seems to have some similarities but also shows some gameplay differences from Halo 3. The Halo:ODST storyline seems to play like a mystery and a departure from other Halo Story lines. Also for Halo 1 alums the pistol makes its return.
Halo:Reach-Is a Prequel to Halo 1 and not much is known about the game.Other then a short teaser trailer and is based on the Novel Halo:Fall Of the Reach.
Xbox Live Improvements- Microsoft is fallowing social network trends on the Xbox360 with there Facebook and Twitter integration to the Xbox Live Dashboard. I have no problem with Microsoft adding Social Networks to the Xbox360 but I think people will rather update there Facebook and Twitter on there mobile device (Iphone, Blackberry, etc). Given the success of netflix, Microsoft announced an on demand gaming service not all games will be on there but classic games for the Xbox360 such as Bioshock and Mass Effect. Also, the ability to stream full movies on the 360 in High Definition, if your Internet connection that can handle it.
Exclusive Splinter Cell :Conviction- This is one of the games that was a big surprise for me.Since Publisher Ubi Soft scrapped the original Splinter Cell: Conviction and started from scratch.This game looks impressive and has great potential of becoming one of the biggest games of the year and a game of a year contender.
Project Natal- This has been a rumor for the past few months but finally Microsoft reveled there motion controller based on a persons motions.There is a camera that takes a 3D scan and allows a person to interact with the game without a control.Also Project Natal has the capability to use voice chat and recognition.Project Natal has potential to be a great alternative to conventional gaming but I am skeptical if it can really work.
Sony- This was a make or break E3 for Sony given there struggles to gain footing in the market as of late. But a solid software and hardware shown at E3 Sony looks like they will have a strong lineup of games for the remaining 2009 and 2010.
PSP Go-This would have been a surprising announcement by Sony but since information was leaked it took Surprise out of the announcement. The PSP Go looks impressive and does not have a UMD disc but games and other media can be downloaded from the PlayStation Network, emusic partnership and PS3 Integration. Also Gran Tourism 5 and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker both look impressive. Some negatives to the PSP Go is the price at $249 Might be to high for people.Also,there is only one analog stick a huge complaint that was not resolved on the original PSP.
Uncharted 2- The sequel to one of Playstation3 biggest games looks amazing and will be one of the biggest games coming this year for the ps3.Based on the short Demo expect a game similar game to Gears of War series with more exploration.
God Of War III- Its been a while since the last true God of War game.Kratos makes his return,the game looks great and improvements in combat that gives the player more options. But this game will not be released this year and will be a disappointment for some fans of the series.
Gran Tourismo 5, Agent- Gran Tourismo series is one of the most realistic racing games in the industry and Gran Tourismo seems to fallow the tradition.Also a request by many fans for years, yes vehicles can be damaged.
Rockstar
Agent is a game developed by Rockstar north the same creators of the Grand Theft Auto Series. All that we know of the game story is about a secret agent in the 1970's and is exclusive for ps3 in 2011.
Not mentioned was the rumored Playstation3 slim or a price drop on the Playstation3.This does not surprise me, but I can see Sony announcing a price drop for the PlayStation 3 in the fall to help during the holiday shopping season.
PS3 Motion controller-Unlike Microsoft Project Natal we actually have seen a demo for it. It looks like the controller has true one to one motions but the demo was rough around the edges and felt rushed. It still seems that this motion controller is a long ways off, expect it exit year but I could be wrong.
Nintendo- The wii and the Nintendo DS has been a huge success in casual gaming for the last few years.But at E3 Hardcore gamers wanted to see more announcements geared towards them
Two new Marios- This was a big question of this years E3 and Nintendo did a smart thing with the announcement of Super Mario :Galaxy 2 and New Super Mario Bros Wii which is geared towards to four player mulitiplayer.
Wii Motion Plus-Was a theme that was heard often throughout this years E3 and could be hit or miss depending on the game.Games such as Red Steel 2 and Wii Sports:Resort pin point procession to win those games but not all games will be using Wii Motion plus so it may not be worth buying unless people have games that need it.
Mature Games -Nintendo over the past year has attempted to bring more mature games to the Wii with games such as No More Heroes and Madworld with mixed results. Nintendo is hoping games Such as Dead Space Extinction and Slient Hill: Shattered Memories will have success compared to these games success on other consoles.The lingering question is there a mature market for the Nintendo Wii.
Metroid the Other M- Metroid has been a critical and commercial success on the Nintendo but a sub par performance of Metroid prime III.Nintendo has moved development to Tecmo with there pedigree of good games (Ninja Gaiden Series, Dead Or Alive).The trailer looks very interesting and also is stated to be a mix of first person and third person gameplay.
Third Party And Surprises
Tony Hawk: Ride-Did not look bad which was a surprise to me. But, I am not sure If Tony Hawk series will have the same pull and the Skateboard Controller might be a turn off for people.
Pc Games- There where no big PC announcements and games such as Left for Dead 2 and Crysis 3 are on Consoles as well. It seems that PC games will be doing announcements with smaller press events.Which is a disappointment because it would be a perfect time to announce games such as Half Life 2:episode 3 to hardcore and casual gaming market.
There is so much more to mention but E3 is information overload at times. It’s good to see the old E3 back with huge crowds and major media outlets coverage which shows how Vibrant the gaming industry is today. All three consoles look to have a great remaining 2009 and strong lineup for 2010.So everyone will be happy regardless of what gaming console a person owns.
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