E3 2008: What do you expect?

[Commonmind]

I know E3 isn't quite the hoopla it used to be, but there's bound to be a few surprises in store for the enthusiast press. What are some of your predictions, or what are you looking forward to most?

Here's mine:

Sony - Announces better backwards compatibility support, for current and future SKU's; announces an open beta date for Home and Little Big Planet; announces the new PSP, which includes touch support and Skype functionality which closer emulates what we see in the iPhone/Instinct, confirming long-standing rumors. I don't foresee the motion controller we seem to be hearing about; I believe Sony will wait for Microsoft to take that course and see if it's a viable addition to a console which has already created a profile within the market.

My wish list: Killzone 2 release date.

Microsoft - Announces a 100% solid Gears 2 date, lifts the veil on the Bungie Halo project, as well as the Peter Jackson Halo project (anyone smell fresh milk?); announces a price-cut and possibly adds their 60gb SKU, which may include a redesign of the current hardware; unveils the motion-controller and several second-party titles which will feature support for it -- including the new Banjo and Viva Pinata titles. I think there's a few other tricks up Microsoft's sleeve, namely some solid exclusive titles that we've not seen thus far.

My wish list: A new, exclusive IP not involving guns or anything derived from the Unreal Engine 3 -- possibly something furry.

Nintendo - Announces a few new games from old franchises which cater to their more hardcore audience -- Zelda and a new Metroid for starters; announces a new peripheral which includes some form of head tracking (the link that ties the balance board and Wiimote together); announces their going to remedy Wii shortages; unveils the new DS, including a wider screen more akin to the PSP and performance that is also comparable to Sony's handheld.

My wish list: Yeah, go ahead and throw rocks at me now -- I want a new Zelda title which uses a similar visual style to what we saw in Wind Waker; I loved the look and feel of that game. Oh, and I'd like some real online support; no more Friend Codes please!

Games - Beyond what I've mentioned above, I'd love to see a few dates for games which are currently in development. More specifically I'd love to see some of the more high profile PC games get some solid release windows -- Dragon Age, Diablo 3 and StarCraft 2. Unfortunately the PC platform isn't a real big focus at E3 and we'll likely have to wait for any other major news that might be headed our way.

[Durandal]

I've given up years ago on trying to guess the whims of E3. I always look forward to it, and I am again this year, but I'm content to be surprised.

Having said that, I think your predictions are probably pretty accurate....

[Lenny]

It might not be the hoopla it used to be, but I'm still annoyed that I'll be missing it! I'll have to catch up when I'm back from my holidays... either that or hope that Malta has a lot of Intarweb Cafes.

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From Sony I expect a solid Home date, some more LBP, and a Resistance 2 date. Killzone 2 will probably be shown with the "Feb 09" date, and even though I'd love to see something definite, I doubt we'll even hear a whisper of FFXIII. Mustn't forget a Motorstorm 2 date - it'll either be one of the last four months of the year, or simply next year.

I'm not sure about them announcing any sort of backwards compatibility for the 40gb SKU, and I'd put money against a PSP2 simply because, in the past, the rumour that it's going to be announced has done the rounds so many times and nothing materialised.

Oh, I think some noise will be made about Blu-ray Profile 2.0.

As for new releases - there's bound to be a video montage of twenty-odd PSN games which are all so outside the box that they're in their own box (not necessarily a bad thing!), and I think there's a chance that GoW3 will be officially announced.

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Nintendo will announce a new peripheral which turns the Wiimote into a hamster ball/is a hamster ball, which will be used specifically for an upcoming Sonic game in which you control Sonic (innovation at its finest!).

Microsoft are definitely going to announce a price-drop, but I'm not sure about a new SKU. Gears 2 is a no-brainer, as is some sort of Halo game. I think Fable 2 will rear it's head with Molyneux taking stage to talk about another major mechanic in the game (dog, single-button combat, family... ability to jack a horse-drawn carriage a la GTA?), and there's a rumour (complete with pictures) that MS have got a Singstar-killer. If they have, that'll be shown... but wait! There's no Peter Moore anymore! I do hope MS have someone else to tattoo and use in demonstrations.

My wish list - something, anything about Portal 2. I don't care if it's just a white pster with the words "Portal 2" scrawled on it. And whilst I'm there, something about HL2: Ep 3 would be nice.

Other than that, I don't really know. Surprises would be nice.

EDIT: There's bound to be Far Cry 2 and Crysis: Warhead, if not Crysis 2. Fallout 3, too. RE5, Tekken 6, Alone in the Dark 5.

I wonder what the chances of a new Factor 5 game are?

Oh, and there'll be a new Star Wars game. There always is a new Star Wars game.

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I'm looking forward to it, but I can't see anything special coming of it - that is, E3 2008 will probably be the local school's Summer Fete to the extravaganza that was the fantastic E3 2005.

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EDIT2:

My wish list: A new, exclusive IP not involving guns or anything derived from the Unreal Engine 3 -- possibly something furry.

Lol.

I can just imagine Viva Pinata 2: Modern Warfare.

[Commonmind]

LOL! I'd buy it!

And I believe Factor 5 has their hands full working on the Wii Kid Icarus title

Just to clarify Lenny, I wasn't predicting Sony was going to add BC to the 40gb unit -- I was referring to a firmware update that would expand current libraries, to something more on par with our old 60gb SKU.

I know this is never going to happen, but it would be nice to expand the PS3's ability to read from and play content of all types, from all sources -- I'm looking at you, FAT32!

[Cayal]

What I'd like to see/hear for PS3

God of War 3
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Release date for Killzone 2, Resistance 2, Final Fantasy XIII, Uncharted 2
Jak and Daxter 5 announced
Kingdom Hearts 3 announed
More RPGs announced
Good looking games from new IPs, not sequels
Heavy Rain info
And whatever the mind blowing thing that writer signed a non-disclosure agreement is.

[Commonmind]

I can't believe I'd forgotten about God of War 3

I want that Kingdom Hearts 3 announcement as well.

Admittedly, though I love all of my systems equally, I really want this show to be a Sony blowout. The PS3 has the most untapped potential of the three consoles, and this E3 could be the event that proves that.

[Lucien21]

Originally Posted by Cayal

What I'd like to see/hear for PS3
Heavy Rain info
And whatever the mind blowing thing that writer signed a non-disclosure agreement is.

I believe those 2 are the same thing.

[Lucien21]

Nintendo Announces "Wii Motion plus" attachment to the Wii-mote which claims to up the accuracy of the remote. http://kotaku.com/5024907/nintendo-i...ii-motion-plus

Microsoft Conference

Portal: Still Alive to come to XBL this year - Exclusive for 2008 http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/po...x-live-arcade/

Resident Evil 5 delayed to March 2009 (Bugger )

Microsoft announces "Lips" with a motion sensetive microphone http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/mi...wireless-mics/ (Trying for the Singstar Market)

Fallout 3 gets exclusive DLC for the Xbox and PC. http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/fa...es-for-window/

Fable2 is finished set for October release.

Gears 2 has a release date 7th November (Election Day So will you vote or go play Gears 2)

360 gets new interface with Avatars (LOL ripping off the Mii's and Home now) http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/xb...new-dashboard/

BIG final announcement: FINAL FANTASY XIII coming to the 360 SAME DAY AS PS3

[Lucien21]

----What happened to the much rumoured motion control ???

[Commonmind]

I was expecting them to announce it

[Lucien21]

Gametrailers.com - Fallout 3 - E3 2008: Microsoft Press Conference Walkthrough Fallout 3 gameplay


Looks freaking ACE.


Gametrailers.com - Resident Evil 5 - E3 2008: Microsoft Press Conference Walkthrough -Resident Evil 5 gameplay

Looks cool

Alos no Bungie or Halo related announcements - Strange.

[Commonmind]

Yeah, I assumed we'd hear something on the Halo projects that everyone knows are in the works. Maybe we'll still see something.

...and Fallout 3 looks amazing.

[Lucien21]

Bungie.net has gone into countdown mode.

So some Halo type announcement after all. Maybe.

[Lucien21]

They announced some more details on the New system update for the Xbox360.

· Play from hard drive. Copy your games from the game disc and play directly from the hard drive. Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to prove you own the game.
· Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web. Browse and purchase Marketplace content whenever you want from Xbox.com and it downloads automatically to your console. Purchase that new map, television episode, the latest Xbox LIVE Arcade game or set up a movie to watch when you get home from work.
· Dashboard built into the new Xbox Guide. For everyone who loves the blades interface, it’s not going away; they are now built directly in to the new Xbox guide. Every feature and option is available right from the guide. You can even access your full games library at all times. No matter where you are (in dash or in game), immediately call up your games played list and directly launch a game.
· LIVE Party system. Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a slideshow of your personal photos. It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not just upcoming games. LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the dashboard, so you can meet up before playing.
· Xbox LIVE Primetime. This whole new category of games is going to give you more reasons to get online with your friends. Games will support everything you’d expect, like Achievements and leader boards, but many of these games will include real prizes. You can invite your friends, and even set a reminder for an upcoming show. Each game is broadcast simultaneously, so everyone is answering the same questions. Many events will have a live host, calling the shots as they happen.
· Avatars. Your online identity started as a Gamertag - it then grew into a personalized Gamercard. Now, it has evolved even further into avatars. You can express your style, check out new outfits and share this with the community. Avatars will also be integrated into Xbox LIVE Arcade games, LIVE Party, as well as retail games. · New display support. Because you asked for it, we are adding 16X10 over VGA or HDMI, and support for 1440x900 or 1680x1050.

[Commonmind]

Thanks for the updates Luc.