My E3 Grades

[lupin]

Watched all the E3 Press Conferences and here are my grades along with an overview of the conferences:

Microsoft D: They didnt show off anything new. No new games nothing big at all. But, it didnt get a D- or F because all the games they showed where coming out this year. That itself was a faily large size announcment. Outside of this they continued to talk up the Games for Windows Live adventure by announcing GOW for the PC (XP and Vista). They also announced Sega Vintage lineup of titles for XBL, with Sonic and Golden Axe being released that night (Tuesday). Also releasing that night on Live was Microsofts licensing of Disney movies in HD on the Video Market Place.

Nintendo C+: Nintendo pretty much gave a big screw you to a lot of fans by saying "Weve done Online and dont need to 'pick it up'". Which really means, "we dont care we are still selling consoles". Nothing new announced, except for Wii Fit. A work out game with a new controller, the Wii Board, that uses pressure sensitive. Seems like a nice bit of tech. Nintendo also announced the Wii Zapper and showcased it with the upcoming release Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles. They also announced another peripheral for the Wii, the Wii Wheel. This will be launching with Mario Kart Wii (duh). It is not 100% clear if this has motion sensors in it like the numchuck attachment or if it is just a casing.

Sony A: Sony really shined this year. Maybe thats because they treated it like it was still the Old E3 and the other guys toned it down too much. They showed off footage for MGS4 and a whole slew of first party titles, including Killzone 2 gameplay footage. They also introduced a new title from the Sly Team that looks to be a system seller. They also announced the lackluster PSP redesign; and shed a lot of light on the Home application. As it stands now, it seems like a replacment for the XMB as all content can be launched/viewed from Home. Sony also dropped the bomb that UT3 will be a timed exclusive (a la GTA SA) for the PS3 and PSN will support user created mods. Though to what extent is unknown.

To be fair, this is MS's 2nd E3 after the 360 launch, and only Sonys first. Sony had a lot of games that have gone unseen thus far making its presence stronger. But Nintendo had no excuse for its horrible conference. I honestly dont give two flying anythings about how well the Wii and DS are selling, if you dont have the software, if you disenfranchise the core audience, you arent going to make it.

[magunwarrior]

I didn't read your descriptions, but yeah, I agree, Sony won.

Although the bar was set very low, the only reason I watched the press conferences was because I was in chat room with people watching it.

But Sony won because they showed games! Microsoft was just bleh, the only thing that came out that I liked was Sonic for XBL.

Nintendo should have just came out and dropped their cocks on stage and made everyone suck them, because their products print money.

And Phil Harrison said beta funny, that was worth watching it.

[samureye]

Did you really spring for a pro pownce account? Why?

[masherscf]

Did you really spring for a pro pownce account? Why?

Why not? I almost did. Then I remembered that I already have a Flickr pro account.

[samureye]

Well he has 6 friends on it, is why I asked.

[xibalba]

I wasn't impressed really by any of the companies. I hate FPS unless playing with a friend or 2 just to goof off with and have a good time.

[muffins]

Did you really spring for a pro pownce account? Why?

http://www.ridingsun.com/files/ridingsun-kualaLumpurTrain380.JPG

Thread successfully derailed captain!

But honestly I think that Nintendo had a fine showing. I don't need my console to be an entertainment system (see InDigital episode about this gen of consoles).

[samureye]

About E3, Sony was OK, I think people are making it out to be too much - but I freaking love MGS. That and Tekken 6 are the only reasons for me to get a PS3 and it might trump anything else.

[logant]

I really don't know what I want. I like the 360, but I like more than FPS. I like games like Ratchet and Clank and Jak and Daxter. However most of my friends have XBox 360's and they want me to play against them on Live.

[defaultprophet]

I think those grades are a little off.

Even I will admit Sony took more chances and had the best showing, but A it is not my friend. Stuff to look foreward to like Killzone and MGS, plus that Unreal PC mods support is a big deal, but they still haven't shown me enough to make spending 500 smackaroos yet. The console still has potential, but it's gonna take more than a Halo clone and Solid Snake to win me over. I'd give it a B.

Microsoft played it safe, but that's to be expected. They're not gonna be able to stop Wii from growing like it is since it's a different market and they're well ahead of Sony, so all they're really trying to do is make people feel good about buying a console that's probably going to explode within a year of heavy playing. And I think they did that to some degree. Halo, Mass Effect, GTA4, add up to a very solid holiday line up. That being said, they didn't show a whole lot new. That's worth a C from me.

Nintendo...Fit Pad.

Stop it. I know you've found a rich vien of consumers with the kids and soccer moms, but don't feed me this crap that you still have the core gamers in mind. Mario Galaxy and Metroid are good, PS2 ports and lame 3rd party shooters and swordfighting games aren't. The graphics of Mario Kart are a joke. And yes, games can be totally fun and have sub par graphics, but come on. Rating is D- if you're a gamer, B+ if you're 11, or 36 and drive a minivan.

[magunwarrior]

You have to remember though, Nintendo usually saves big announcements until the Tokyo Game Show.

[lupin]

Did you really spring for a pro pownce account? Why?

Mainly, because I like to try things out to their full potential. Also, it was only $20 a year and I got money to throw away :P

Thanks btw for getting the topic back on tracks only to have me derail it again. Lol