E3 Round Up

[jigglybean]

E3 08: Microsoft roundup

(Thanks to MCV for the round up)
No motion sensing controller, but FFXIII, exclusivity deals and dashboard revamp surprise as firm pledges 1000 games before 2009
In the run-up to E3 some analysts were predicting that Xbox 360 has had its day and that the path was clear for PS3 to overtake Microsoft’s machine – but an announcement-packed E3 conference has proved that the US firm still has plenty of energy to invest in its machine.

Spearheaded by claims from the company’s Shane Kim that Xbox 360 will boast a software catalogue numbering over 1000 titles before the end of the year, Microsoft made up for the absence of the expected motion-controller (though some new joypad designs were shown off) or new Halo title with a radical dashboard update and Wii-style gamer avatars and a host of exclusivity deals.

So bullish was the firm that entertainment boss Don Mattrick found time to claim that former PlayStation darlings were now finding their way to 360 – just look for the surprise news that Final Fantasy XIII is no longer a PS3 exclusive for proof of that. The firm also reaffirmed that it would not be beaten by Sony this generation.

Mirroring the firm’s GTAIV exclusivity deal, Xbox 360 (alongside PC) will enjoy exclusive access to DLC for Bethesda’s much-wanted Fallout 3. There were also exclusivity deals on EA's Rockband 2 and Valve’s Portal 2. We were also treated to release dates for Peter Molyneux’s Fable 2 and Epic's Gears of War 2.

There was also plenty of info on Microsoft’s answer to Sony’s EyeToy and SingStar revolution. The first title, dubbed Lips, is being developed by the minds behind cult DS rhythm-action outing Elite Beat Angents and cult PS2 classic Gitaroo man. Coming bundled with motion-sensing microphones, the title will also be the first karaoke outing to work with gamer’s personal music collections, and is fully compatible with both the iPod and Microsoft’s Zune. Lips was joined by Codemasters’ You’re in the Movies.

There’s also the radical revamp to Microsoft’s dashboard that is due to arrive in the autumn – bringing with it Mii-style avatars and a new multiplayer feature dubbed Xbox Prime Time which will allow avatars to compete in game shows across Xbox Live. Add to this the new deal with movie rental firm Netflix and Microsoft has a very appealing multimedia package.

A host of new Xbox Live Arcade titles were also confirmed, including the amazing looking Geometry Wars 2, a modern sequel to arcade classic Galaga and a new South Park title. It was also announced that XBLA has to date generated over $1 billion in revenue.

On the down side, Halo Wars will now not be released until 2009, and whilst Microsoft were granted the chance to confirm the March 2009 release date for Resident Evil 5, the long wait will sadden many.

[jigglybean]

E3 08: Sony

New IP, fresh features for PSP and a now-live movie service is big news from the confident platform holder
It’s fair to say that most people weren’t really too sure what to expect from Sony this E3. The heavily rumoured, and indeed more-or-less-already confirmed God of War III was a given, but still succeeded in raising the pulse upon its unveiling at Sony’s conference.

Arguably more exciting was the new IP from SOCOM developer Zipper, named MAG – or Massive Action Game. And massive it is, promising an unspeakably huge 256 players simultaneously online. Also on the online theme, SOE’s console MMO DC Universe Online was finally aired, and looked impressive – as did the new trailer for Insomniac’s Resistance 2.

Sony was clearly a confident company this year. It’s not alone in thinking that PS3 stands a good chance of catching the opposition in the months ahead. And, as it has done with PSP, Sony continues to change its offering according to what it perceives to be the current public need – this time with news that the 80GB machine will be its primary focus going forward.

PSN announcements were also free flowing. A standalone Ratchet & Clank title, Quest for Booty, will be released later this year. Also touted was flOwer, from the creators of the hugely likeable flOw, Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic and the intriguing PixelJunk Eden.

Surprising perhaps was the weight lent to PSP. Whilst some might even have been expecting an announcement of a new machine, Sony continues to expand the handheld’s offering – it’s hard to deny that the PSP has perhaps evolved more successfully than any other device the market has ever seen. Whilst the new movie and TV rental and purchase service is of course big news for PS3, it’s the PSP functionality that really catches the imagination and sets Sony’s service apart from its competitors – the machine is a huge success story, despite what many seem to think.

Game-wise the PSP also had some treats, chief of which was Insomniac’s FPS Resistance Retribution, along with the likes of a PSP version of Super Stardust.

Then, of course, there’s Home. Still without a release date and with no new significant functionality announced, an otherwise chirpy and likeable Jack Tretton was almost apologetic in his insistence that Home will be worth the wait.

Some have also pointed to the complete omission of any mention of Final Fantasy XIII. Despite Square Enix’s decision to release the game on Xbox 360 alongside PS3 next year, the RPG will surely still be one of PS3’s biggest sellers – not that Square Enix will mind what platform it sells on. Still, the possible implications may just have upset one or two at Sony. Still, at least companion title Final Fantasy Versus XIII remains a PS3 exclusive.

[jigglybean]

E3 08: Nintendo

Three big hitting triple-A titles, a hardware enhancement and emphatic confidence characterise industry leader’s conference
Whether it was the wide-smiled docile tones of Cammie Dunaway, the emphatic wide-chinned confidence of Reggie Fils-Aime or the imperial confidence of Satoru Iwata, Nintendo’s confident strides across the E3 stage were a total un-surprise considering the manner in which it is bossing today’s games industry.

A quick recap on just how successful Nintendo has been of late is now common fare for a Nintendo conference, with president Iwata proclaiming: “A true paradigm shift has taken place in global game market. No one could have imagined the market could have evolved fast enough to allow us to sell million of bathroom scales.” Indeed.

Rivals Sony and Microsoft can keep insisting that they aren’t competing with Nintendo – perhaps if they both stopped lashing out (yes, you too) or trying to copy the company (as touching as it is) we might believe them. Mind you, you can’t blame them – who wouldn’t want a piece of the Wii pie? And Nintendo doesn’t mind – it just gives it something else to talk about besides its ridiculous profits. After all, it’s not like they want to talk about the R4.

Software wise, it may have been a total non-surprise, but Animal Crossing: City Folk looks fantastic and certainly answers the ongoing call for online voice chat on Nintendo's network. Also not surprising was the announcement of Wii Sports Resort, though its inclusion of the unexpected WiiMotion Plus slipped under the rumour radars. And it was great to at last see Wii Music take shape two years after Miyamoto’s stunning E3 performance.

Opinion remains divided concerning whether or not new Mario and Zelda games were or were not announced – though at least the latter seems set in stone. And who saw the DS version of Grand Theft Auto coming? Were it not for the fact that there’s better fanboy fodder out there it would most likely be the talk of the show.

Truth is, though, that Nintendo probably had less to say than its competitors. But then, life’s cosy at the top, right?

[RK Mara]

I can just wonder why no one announced any previously unknown games. Don Mattrick from Bungie said after the Microsoft conference that they are working on a new Halo and Miyamoto has mentioned new Pikmin, Kid Icarus, Zelda et cetera.