Oh Yeah...We're Going!
This is it…the weekend before E3. All of us over here a Pixelated Geek are excited to be able to cover what is quite arguably one of the biggest gaming expo’s of the year. There’s so much we still don’t know about what’s coming this year or what to expect, but here’s some more about what we know and can expect.
Sony Unveiling New, Slim PS3?
On the Sony front, talks about a hardware redesign have started surfacing, and speculation is point towards a new PS3. Similar to Sony’s route with the PS2 and PSP, rumor has it that the company is planning to release the PS3 Slim, a significantly smaller version of the black monolith. Of course, the redesign wouldn’t bring that much new stuff to the table, except maybe table space, but the inclusion of Bluetooth 3.0 might be coming with the new system.
However, since no console was specified, the hardware redesign could be for a multitude of things, like the PS2, which is still going strong, or the PSP, though the new PSP Go! has been all but confirmed. Then again, there’s still the rumor of that PS3 Motion controller, which I wouldn’t doubt is coming.
However, there’s news that while a Slim PS3 is in fact on the way, we won’t be seeing it at E3.
Why, you ask? There’s still many standard PS3 systems still available and Sony wants to let those sell before unveiling the updated model. Maybe Sony should go forward with a price drop if they want to unload the rest of those systems. But who knows whether or not that will happen anytime soon.
256 Player MAG Demo for Journalists
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s highly anticipated MMOFPS (that’s Massively Multiplayer Online First-Person Shooter for those of you that aren’t up on the latest acronyms) MAG, formerly Massive Action Game, will be playable at this year’s E3, with Journalists being part of eight-man teams to be led by the game’s developers, taking part in 256-player games. Sounds exciting.
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Microsoft Reveal Plan for Zune Integration with the Xbox 360
Microsoft will be showing off the Zune HD at E3 and, likewise, will be showcase just exactly how it will be integrated with the Xbox 360. Not just satisfied with Zune connectivity, the Zune brand will become part of the Xbox 360’s Video Marketplace, similar to Netflix Instant Streaming, and will offer a library of TV Shows and Movies to 360 owners.
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Does Miyamoto’s Absence from Nintendo’s Press Conference Mean More Gamer Oriented Presentation?
Startling news from Nintendo has revealed that the father of many great franchises, such as Mario and Zelda, Shigeru Miyamoto will not be speaking at Nintendo’s E3 Press Conference. With previous E3 Press Conferences being geared towards the more family friendly games, his absence from this year’s conference may signal a break from the current family-friendly strategy and a return to some of Nintendo’s core franchises. Who knows, we may see a new Super Mario or Zelda game announced this year. One can only hope, right?
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Wii Fit Plus to be Revealed at E3
However, even without Miyamoto at the Press Conference, speculation of a Wii Fit Plus being unveiled at E3 are still going strong. Apparently, Nintendo has already trademarked the name and E3 would be the perfect time to make a dramatic. But even with the popular title in the works, the chance of some of Nintendo’s core titles making a showing at E3 is still anticipated.
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Activision Blizzard Confirms E3 Line-Up
Activision Blizzard has released their E3 line up, though with only the Activision half of the company showing up, it’s no surprised that they’re all Activision titles.
Along with the highly anticipated Modern Warfare 2, here’s a list of what to expect:
- Blur
- DJ Hero
- Guitar Hero 5
- Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
- Prototype
- Singularity
- Tony Hawk: RIDE
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
- Wolfenstein
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EA Unveils E3 Line-Up
EA has also released their E3 and it’s a doozy. Along with some of the more anticipated titles, such as The Sims 3 and Mass Effect 2. We’re definitely gonna have a lot on our hands when we get to the EA booth next week.
With just a little over two dozen titles, EA promises to have much to show. Here’s a list of what they’ve got in store:
- Army of Two: The 40th Day
- Battlefield 1943
- Battlefield: Bad Company 2
- Brutal Legend
- Dante’s Inferno
- Dead Space Extraction
- Dragon Age: Origins
- EA Sports Active
- EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis
- FIFA 10
- Fight Night Round 4
- G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Madden NFL 10
- Mass Effect 2
- MySims Agents
- NCAA Football 10
- NHL 10
- Need for Speed NITRO
- Need for Speed SHIFT
- Spore Hero
- Spore Hero Arena
- The Saboteur
- The Sims 3
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
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More cryptic images from Kojima regarding new Metal Gear. Plus new project: MASK
Kojima Productions has been driving gamers insane with their needless countdowns, mysterious symbols and images. And now, clicking on the Kojima Productions logo on the countdown site reveals a new site. Labeled “MASK,” my suspicions that the team at KP are working on more than just the next MGS game may have been right all along. The site shows a mask (obviously), slowly revealing a creepy woman underneath as a creepy tune plays in the background.
And back on the MGS front, as the countdown gets lower, more symbols have begun to appear, with a picture of what appears to be the Cyborg Ninja, Raiden. However, a closer look reveals the character has brown eyes, whereas Raiden has blue eyes. Maybe this some new character altogether.
That's not Raiden
With MASK seeming as though it is a completely separate project, will we see it at E3. And while we’re on the topic, could we possibly see any other non-MGS projects? Maybe Zone of the Enders 3?
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No Dead Rising 2 at E3 due to Swine Flu concerns
Bad news on the Capcom front. Dead Rising 2 will apparently not be shown at E3 due to Swine Flu concerns. I didn’t know Zombies had to worry about the flu, but travel precautions and government restrictions have made it necessary for the Japanese developers that back out of the trip. However, it seems that Dead Rising 2 is the only game that Capcom won’t be showcasing. Given the early stage of the game’s development, the team isn’t comfortable with someone else handling what they have. Bummer.
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Kingdom Hearts Team not making the trip either
More bad news, this time for Kingdom Hearts fans. Again, due to Swine Flu concerns, Square-Enix has cancelled plans for its Kingdom Hearts team to attend E3. It’s unfortunate, especially for those expecting a KH3 announcement this year, though whether an unveiling of Kingdom Hearts-related games will still surface, given that staff from both European and American divisions of Square-Enix, as well as some Japanese representatives will still be making the trip.
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Atari cancels plans for E3
Atari has seemingly backed out of E3 this year. With less than a month before kick-off, the company had apparently decided to cancel their plans for E3, supposedly focusing more on other marketing plans for their upcoming titles, including Ghostbusters. I have to say, I feel like this is more Atari’s loss than E3’s. However, only time will tell if this was a smart move.
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Well, that’s about it. Stay tuned, because next week, Pixelated Geek hits the big time, live (sort of) from LA and the Electronic Entertainment Expo.
