This time last year I was just another schmuck writing about E3 under the dreary grey of a Melbourne winter. Well, not this year folks. This year I am writing about E3 from its hometown of Downtown Los Angeles, mere minutes away from the convention centre that will be spilling over with game fans in less than a week’s time. And yes, I will be one such fan (expect plenty of tweets during the convention as well as wraps for all the major media briefings and a mega hand-on review).
By now you’ve heard the usual gaggle of E3 rumours so we’ll spare you the re-run and just get straight to the biggest questions of the week. We’ll be asking if…
… Nintendo’s Wii 2/Project Café will really be “all new”?
Whenever someone starts touting something as “all new” I am immediately sceptical, unless that someone is Nintendo. There have been countless whispers about the new Wii 2, or Project Café as it being called (presumably because it also makes a mean latte – YES PLEASE NINTENDO), some of which imply a move to entice more core gamers to the consol. Word on the street is that the new console will focus on an innovative new controller with integrated touchscreens.
… Sony’s PSP2, AKA NGP, will make us all forget last month’s hacking?
The most recent leaks reveal that Sony’s long awaited NPG may be named PSVita. Any specific details about Sony’s next portable device, like performance or new technology, has been well guarded – what little we have heard has hinted at interoperability between the device and the PS3. That’s right, you can play the pants off Uncharted 3 on your PS3, then continue the game on your Vita while waiting at the Coles deli. We can only hope the NPG rains shit all over the flop that was Sony’s PSPGo.
… these anticipated third-instalments will live up to their predecessors?
Mass Effect 3: while reviews were mixed for the ME2, we trust BioWare will close the trilogy in style.
BioShock Infinite: without Rapture will this franchise still hold up?
Battlefield 3: set to be our first glimpse of the Frostbite 2.0 engine. More of the same, but we are not complaining.
Gears of War 3: don’t you dare change a thing! This game is candy for my mind and I don’t want you cutting the sugar.
…Microsoft will have anything to talk about?
With not one rumour of an updated or new console floating around we are left wondering what the guys at Microsoft will spruik this year. Is this silence an indication of Microsoft’s intent to move away from gaming and into home entertainment? Will we hear more about this IPTV/Kinect/Xbox project dubbed Orapa at E3? Will they be serving mini pies at their afternoon tea?