E3 2007

[kupomog]

o hay e3 is next week, don't forget.

So let's see. MS conference on the 10th, Nintendo and Sony on the 11th. Event ends on 13th.

GameSpot coverage - http://e3.gamespot.com/
G4 coverage - http://www.g4tv.com/e32007/index.html

And on a side note the Entertainment For All Expo is the result of the loss of the old E3 and the demand for some kind of crazy awesome nerd event. So that will be Oct. 18-21 at LACC.

E for All - http://www.eforallexpo.com/

[bovine_university]

I have no idea what to expect this year. Last year there was all that controversy about how E3 was being scaled back and limiting it's exposure to the general public, and I guess now we're gonna find out just how much they are sticking to that threat. Still, the expo is always a bit fun and at least a little informative. I'm aware of some of the bigger offerings that Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony are offering up in the next few months, but there's very little that I've heard of coming up after that. I guess that makes things all the more exciting.

At the very least I expect Nintendo to be giving some more exposure to Smash Brothers Brawl, Metroid Prime 3 Mario Galaxy, and some playable demos too. As much fun as those weekly updates on Brawl are, I think we've earned a shot at a bigger piece of the pie. There's also Umbrella Chronicles, maybe they'll have some more playable levels available this time round, sure at heart it's basically a light gun game, but it sure sounds like an interesting one. Maybe they'll even show us some more Sadness (I expect at least half of you to interpret that last sentence incorrectly).

Microsoft still has a lead to sit on, but lately they've been a bit quiet. Now's their chance to really bust out some big title names, though last year will be a tough act to follow for them. Bioshock and GTA IV sound great and I expect info, though some very early buzz on Resident Evil 5 couldn't hurt either. I'm wondering if maybe they will introduce some new gameplay ideas or innovations to their online service.

A year after their last sub-par E3 effort, Sony has to pick it up on the console front, big time. Though there's no better time to start than at E3. Even though they've had a few big titles come out recently, it just seems like all the big games from Sony (FFXIII, DMC3, MGS4) were already mentioned last year and the release dates are still a little foggy (sure the Wii has been doing that too, but it's had other legs to fall back on in the mean time, like Virtual Console and the casual gaming fan base). There's always room for surprise though, since with all that power in the hardware, I'm sure that it's just going to take the right developer and the right title to blow everyone away with the PS3.

Most of the big names I've heard so far for hand-helds are on the DS (Phantom Hourglass, Sonic RPG, Dragon Quest IX, Contra 4), but I expect big things from Nintendo and Sony. The DS is just getting bigger and bigger, and the PSP is starting to get it's groove back too, though with the success of each of these, I think we can put to rest those rumors from last year of Microsoft trying to get their own hand-held out there too, the competition is just too fierce.

If Sony wants any shot of having a piece of the downloadable gaming front, they need to try something big here, since XBOX Live Arcade and Nintendo's Virtual Console are putting a lot of distance down. We may be surprised by what we see here, after all, we just had that announcement of original demos and titles making their way to the VC next year.

Here's hoping for a good E3 this year.

[Kiyosuki]

I got to go to E3 the past three years but obviously that ain't happening this year. :(

Well even if I got to I probably still wouldn't, but still. Anyways I'm looking out for it.

[morbot]

And on a side note the Entertainment For All Expo is the result of the loss of the old E3 and the demand for some kind of crazy awesome nerd event. So that will be Oct. 18-21 at LACC.

E for All - http://www.eforallexpo.com/ I think PAX already has the crazy awesome nerd event aspect covered for videogame festivals... almost 20,000 people showed up last year... and the space is at least 2x bigger this year... but the more things like this the better... gotta get games out in the mainstream.

[kupomog]

Yeah I know the Penny Arcade one is cool but the E for All Expo is directly endorsed from the E3 owners and is a direct result of the E3 fallout so I felt it needed mentioning.

[blueguy]

Hopefully MS will offer all the playable demos from the show over the Marketplace. I thought that was the idea last year, but they missed out on some titles.
Oh if only the Wii had downloadble demos :(

[SubSane]

E for All is open to everyone passionate about video games and interactive entertainment, including: consumers (children 13 and under require parental supervision)

Lame.

Anyway, E3 should be interesting. Despite the smaller format the usual big announcements and previews should come through.

[Kiyosuki]

Oh if only the Wii had downloadble demos :(

You know I'm surprised how many studios and companies on all the systems still don't take advantage of that possibility.

[DAntae]

e3 snuck up on me this year.

I just want to see some more titles that are going to floor me. I dont ask for a lot, that an a nintendo themed rpg featuring its biggest characters but whatever.

[conor.]

why is this so late?

hasnt it always been mid mayish? did they change dates since they're not allowing public now?

[Otis P Jivefunk]

More Mario Galaxy news and maybe Mario Kart Wii would be sweet...

[Supreme Stonecutter]

why is this so late?

hasnt it always been mid mayish? did they change dates since they're not allowing public now?

The entire show has changed dramatically. My understanding is that the show, while amusing for fans, created an out of control arms race. Companies were spending a ton of money for little payoff, and studio teams were having to change their development cycles around to meet the early May date. Realistically none of those games are ready to show by that point.

They broke it apart, moved it to several locations, pushed the date back, and made it exclusive to the press. Leipzig is the real show according to the blogs.

[kupomog]

Looks like we're getting a new MGS4 trailer at E3, this time in English

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/new-mgs4-trailer-debuting-at-e3-sony-and-konami-keynotes/

[blueguy]

Hell, I'd be happy with the old 15 minute trailer in English.

[sacrelicious]

MGS4 stuff would be cool. So would something really exciting like a release date/more news for SSBB.

I always wonder who will impress most at E3. Like when Nintendo showed off their "Revolution" console, you knew it was going to be cool. This year it just seems like everyone will show off sequel games (Halo 3, MGS4, SSBB, etc), but there is always an unexpected bit of news from each of the console companies and I wonder which one will wow us this year.

[moneychair2003]

i cant wait for the new mgs4 trailer. i just hope theres some new mass effect details given.

[blueguy]

Anyone know a site that's streaming the press confrences real time for free? Otherwise, I guess I can deal with a downloadable one later.

[kupomog]

I'm pretty sure GameSpot is doing live streaming like last year.

[blueguy]

doesn't that require one of their subscriptions though? I got the email from them and there was a button that said, "Click here to find out more details" or something like that. Clicked the button and it was a subscription page. I was already signed in and there was no info about E3.

[kupomog]

I don't think you have to subscribe.. at least I know that last year I watched all three conferences for free as it was going on. Of course it could have changed between then but I never subscribed to anything on GameSpot in the past.

[blueguy]

Alrighty then. If not, no biggy I guess. Will just download the whole thing later anyway to disect it.

[kupomog]

Okay so I did a quick search, all the conferences were free. Paid members got the conferences in HD. The floor shows were live only to paid members, and others got it on a one hour delay. It should be the same this year. Otherwise, you should try G4, 1UP, or GameTrailers. Usually all the big sites have the conferences live and free no matter what though.

[Kiyosuki]

Honestly I'm kind of glad they decided to turn E3 into a strict trade show, because at one point it was just starting to lag so much in comparison to Tokyo Game Show in actual substance. I mean, it was exciting and I loved going but at the same time it was such a strange hybrid freak child of a trade show. Its supposed to be closed to the general public, yet its this big extravaganza with Tony Hawk skateboarding and shows and so on. Not to say that it was all a bad thing, once again it was fun but I like that they're actually concentrating on something.

Plus if this other more public convention works out it'll give us another event and spread gaming news out more.

I'm really looking forward to any new MGS4 info, but hearing it in English should be pretty good too. Maybe we'll see some sort of advancement in the visuals or some additional info since before. Man...that last trailer was released over a year ago, and the first one almost two years ago, time flew.

[blueguy]

I've been rewatching the MGS4 trailers lately and I remember when they first came out, they blew my mind. Both asthetically and visually, and people doubted the PS3 could really pull off those visuals. Now that I go back and rewatch the 15 minute trailer in HD, it isn't really that much of a stretch. The original video was too much I think, but after that it all looks legit beyond the shaky, handheld camera thing they're using for the cinematic effect.
I've got some interesting therories about how the story might play out and the future of the franchise, but I'm sure we'll all be thrown for a loop.

One thing I'm unsure on is, IGN lists the game as March 2008. I thought it was supposed to be out this year? They even made a joke out of that on the big trailer showing 2006, then it changed to 2008 and the alarm sounded, then crossed out and added a 7. I don't think any of the Metal Gear games have been delayed in the past.

[Kiyosuki]

I've been rewatching the MGS4 trailers lately and I remember when they first came out, they blew my mind. Both asthetically and visually, and people doubted the PS3 could really pull off those visuals. Now that I go back and rewatch the 15 minute trailer in HD, it isn't really that much of a stretch. The original video was too much I think, but after that it all looks legit beyond the shaky, handheld camera thing they're using for the cinematic effect.
I've got some interesting therories about how the story might play out and the future of the franchise, but I'm sure we'll all be thrown for a loop.

One thing I'm unsure on is, IGN lists the game as March 2008. I thought it was supposed to be out this year? They even made a joke out of that on the big trailer showing 2006, then it changed to 2008 and the alarm sounded, then crossed out and added a 7. I don't think any of the Metal Gear games have been delayed in the past.

But what we have to remember too is Kojima's "no FMV, no CG" cut scene policy. Its all done with in game graphics, even the cut scenes. So in that regard its still pretty impressive, at least I think so.

That was also almost a year ago though so maybe it has improved. I just want to see more in game-stuff really bad. Thats where the real meat of MGS' visuals, even cut scenes, shows.

On that, Kojima addressed that in an interview. You can find it on MGS4's page on Gametrailers, I can't remember the name of the page but its there. Its in text. He jokes that "Raiden says and insists it was going to be 2007, not us." In other words, they probably don't know. You know how he is. lol

[blueguy]

Right, but that first video was way too good. I mean, Snake was all dusty and you could see the sweat beads rolling down his face and making the dust into mud as it slid down his face. Just too much details and the capabilities of the PS3 weren't really fully realized at that point. I mean, they even thought all their games would run in 1080p and they mocked MS because the 360 wasn't doing that. Whoops.

Don't get me wrong, it still looks great, but back when we first saw them, people just didn't think it'd really be like that. Now with what we've seen from other games in the works, it isn't really all that surprising anymore.

[Kiyosuki]

Heh yeah. Well thats business politics for you, I just take it with a grain of salt because they all do it. I mean, Riiiiiiiiidge RACER!

Those in game scenes though with Snake looking all dusty and with the sweat rolling off was still in game graphics though, Kojima even demonstrated that. I guess they just added the extra effects and for in game models thats pretty impressive flexibility in look and aesthetic. Thats why I say I really want to see more in game, because if its possible to make the in-game models be affected like that with things like dust and sweat then imagine some of the possibilities in the game itself. Snake could get dusty if sand blows on him in the game, or if something splashes on him and the like. That means quite a bit of interactivity. I'm just hoping for anything because there's still very little to judge the PS3 on yet.

[Kiyosuki]

Looking through all the videos and footage seen so far, the new Nights game got a trailer.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/81942.html

This Katamari video is worth watching just for the cool but trippy music.

http://www.gamespot.com/video/939136/6172559/videoplayerpop?rgroup=e32007_videos

[blueguy]

Nintendo presentation Tuesday night. Tune in.

[xboxboy247]

To be honest, I do not know what we should expect from E3 in general.

There's rumor that a new model of the 360 is to be announced later.
(If someone else said it, just scratch my post)

[blueguy]

http://e3.gamespot.com/live.html?tag=event_nav;live

some videos up already. Watching while waiting for MS confrence to start.

[blueguy]

Well that was rather dull. Even the 360 boards are pretty disappointed and the Halo diehard fanbois are mocking the "special edition" 360.

[Corkus]

Meh, not a whole lot of exciting stuff, just a few more tidbits of info on games we already knew about. The RE5 trailer was pretty disappointing, to be honest. I mean, some of the Live stuff was exciting, but offline, there wasn't much to write home about. I was also hoping for some info on Banjo 3, but all it got was a mere mention. Last year was definitely a better showing for MS.

IGN's streaming kept crapping out on me, so I switched to gamespot's. Their resolution isn't as good, but I was able to watch no problemo. Apparently G4's streaming cut to commercial in the midst of the Halo 3 trailer, and everybody watching on there is riled up about it.

Nintendo's first thing tomorrow morning. Better get some shut eye.

[blueguy]

that was the first announcement of RE5 though wasn't it? Keep in mind, that was the one game that won't be out this year, so they probably don't have much to show at this point.

I was streaming G4, and the only issue I had was early on, they said they were going to commercial right before the Viva Pinata thing. You could hear it, but the screen went black for like 20 seconds. I think the commercial thing was for the people were actually watching G4 TV, because I saw the whole thing.

Also, no price drop, so PS3 will only be $20 more then the Elite and have more goodies for a while it seems. Unless MS decides to piss off people and announce it later.

One last thing, I thought some of their stats weren't so flattering. Sales, while far ahead of PS3, should be much farther ahead IMO considering the games they've got. And the 7 million Xbox Live users is kind of a joke since most people have more then 1 account.

[SubSane]

Nah, RE5's been announced for a while. There's many screens and videos of Chris walking around some village-looking street.

[Kiyosuki]

Nah, RE5's been announced for a while. There's many screens and videos of Chris walking around some village-looking street.

Or at least whats believed to be Chris.

( I know it looks like him, I think its him too but like...half the internet seems to scream at you if you say it "We don't know it could be Billy!" Even if it looks...exactly like Chris. )

So yet another supposedly PS3 only game gets 360 treatment too eh? Well this is Capcom after all. I think it looks genuinly pretty creepy though so far. It even looks like Chris er...the main character goes a bit crazy himself maybe.

[DAntae]

pretty meh on most fronts for me.

[blueguy]

Overall fairly dull, but some items of note.

Smash Bros - Dec 3rd
Mario Galaxy - Nov 12th
Wii games online coming. I think I saw mention of Medal of Honor being 32 players?
Mario Kart revealed and will be online capable

[sacrelicious]

Yeah, it was pretty obvious that those big Nintendo games weren't coming for awhile, but I am going to have a really hard time waiting until December for SSBB.

[blueguy]

But we get daily updates which are kinda fun. I just wish they had them over the weekend too.

Oh, and forgot about Phantom Hourglass which looks awesome.

[Corkus]

Wow...I was honestly even more disappointed in Nintendo's conference than I was with Microsoft's. Sure, Mario Kart Wii sounds exciting (Q1 2008), as do release dates for Galaxy and Brawl (Nov. 12 and Dec. 3 respectively), but otherwise, there wasn't much in terms of hardcore titles. Just a brief demo of Corruption and Phantom Hourglass. And don't get me started on their "big surprise" - Wii Fit...

Yes, I like sounding bitter.

[Supreme Stonecutter]

Wow...I was honestly even more disappointed in Nintendo's conference than I was with Microsoft's. Sure, Mario Kart Wii sounds exciting (Q1 2008), as do release dates for Galaxy and Brawl (Nov. 12 and Dec. 3 respectively), but otherwise, there wasn't much in terms of hardcore titles. Just a brief demo of Corruption and Phantom Hourglass. And don't get me started on their "big surprise" - Wii Fit...

Yes, I like sounding bitter.

You might be disappointed because again, E3 is NOT what it was before. Before it was an arms race, this year it appears to be more spread out with less titles.

[DAntae]

we are going to get a pretty solid amount of great titles, last year it was about hyping 2 new consoles and trying to capture their spot in the marketplace. thus it was a little ridiculous. I kind of like what it became, but a little bit more exciting news is all that was missing.

[blueguy]

Sony wins and it isn't even halfway through yet. Some of these games they're showing look awesome.

ehcochrome and Pain

[kupomog]

Yeah seriously, I was so disappointed with Nintendo and MS's conferences but Sony's was really good and I'm glad. I just want to see SOMETHING good for them right now amongst all the "lolz i hoep tey failz" shit.

[W.P.]

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/07/dsc_0921.jpg

http://www.simpsoncrazy.com/gallery/screenshots/4f11/4f11_041.jpg

Zap! http://nohomers.net/images/smilies/gay.gif

(I have no interest in this product, really)

[kupomog]

zzzzzzzzapp!

I was going to hold this for the MGS4 thread but

MERYLMERYLMERYLMERYLMERYL
MERYLMERYLMERYLMERYLMERYL
MERYLMERYLMERYLMERYLMERYL
MERYLMERYLMERYLMERYLMERYL
MERYLMERYLMERYLMERYLMERYL
MERYLMERYLMERYLMERYLMERYL

And now I go to look for thread.

[Kiyosuki]

The Sony conference had a little more personality than the others didn't it? I like how they made fun of Riiiidge Racer!

Still kind of a very level E3 but thats what its supposed to be now anyways. At least the PS3's got some stuff coming finally and this price drop came at a good time (for us anyways, and maybe...them in the long run.) but a lot of their stuff is still stuff thats on the 360 and sometimes Wii as well too.

But then again the same could be said for the 360, console exclusive stuff seems to be really the minority this gen.

[blueguy]

Other then no mention of a new controller (broke mine and waiting for the new one) or FFXIII was the only negative Sony had, IMO. They did exactly what I wanted them to do. Don't spend too much time talking business crap that no one wants to hear. Appeal to the gamers at home and get right into showing us stuff that we want to see and announce stuff.

MS talked too much and didn't show much either. Nintendo talked, but not as bad. They announced some stuff, but didn't show us hardly anything of stuff we knew about and WANTED to see. Sony just delivered.

[Kiyosuki]

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3161061

Silent Hill V

[skittlebrau]

9:20:00 PM mexibrau: wow, i hope that uninspired reading in the trailer isn't the dude's voice
9:20:07 PM mexibrau: like reading from cue cards
9:20:18 PM mexibrau: "they say. war. is hell."

But I can look past that and massively drool over the concept of another Silent Hill game in the works at the moment. Now if somebody'll just buy me a 360 or PS3...

[kupomog]

IT'S JAME--ok I know it's not but I totally thought it was at first.

[Gunstar]

Finally, Silent Hill 5

...from the development team that brought you such hits as that Mark Ecko game, The DaVinci Code, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the Game of Life. (http://kotaku.com/gaming/e307/silent-hill-v-first-screens-developer-named-277532.php)


Oh hey awesome.


:macfail:

[Kiyosuki]

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13977/Konami-Announces-Silent-Hill-5/

Apparently the main is a guy named Alex, he's a war-vet who's looking for his brother Joshua, who dissapeared. Of course you know where his search is going to lead to.

There was also this little thing.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6174357.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;ti

Kojima slipped in some critisism he has over the new E3 format.

[Magnum]

great guitar hero/rock band updates

Also Oblivion is being rereleased as a "game of the year edition" for 360 & PS3, with Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine included, for those of us without a high speed connection....




...for another $60...

:pac-suicide:

[H Thompson]

I'm a little worried for Silent Hill's future, on the one hand if they stick too closely to the old formula, it could be a little too samey and predictable and if they change things too much it could lose what makes it a silent hill game
I sometimes think maybe they should finish with it and make a new horror series entirely, which they originally wanted to do with 4 I believe.

[DAntae]

silent hill should take pages from resident evil 4. you always provide the scares but do them in a new and unique way to the series. its been a decent amount of time since a silent hill game, so even if they dont stray to far it may still be ok.

[kupomog]

http://press.nintendo.com/E32007/

golin/harris

[blueguy]

lol, PC still had the login info from last year.

[Kiyosuki]

lol, PC still had the login info from last year.

Wow your cookies from back then are -still- in your computer?

Thanks for the link btw Kupo. :D

[blueguy]

I wouldn't have thought so, but, here we are.

[blueguy]

Overall, rather disappointed that MS and Sony didn't offer more downloadable demos.

Are the big names going to show up in force for E for All? (should just call it E4) Maybe by then some of the holiday games will be ready for a demo.

[Kiyosuki]

Overall, rather disappointed that MS and Sony didn't offer more downloadable demos.

Are the big names going to show up in force for E for All? (should just call it E4) Maybe by then some of the holiday games will be ready for a demo.

Yeah, maybe we're just so used to the commotion thats usually surrounding E3 that this new, quieter E3 just hasn't set in really.

So now that its done what do you guys think of the new format? Is it alright or do you have a problem with it like Kojima does?

[blueguy]

Just because the show is smaller with less extravagent crap, doesn't mean the announcements and at-home goodies couldn't be as good as they have been in the past.

I never went to any of the shows, but I'd much prefer smaller, less cluttered shows over spectacle any day. If I want to see hot babes, I'd go to a strip club.