E3 2008 Highlights Recap
The sun has set on this year’s E3 and it’s now time to name the winners, losers and what the best of the show was. All this of course is according to little old me. So let’s start this week off with a look back to what July 14-17 brought to the gaming world.
Microsoft Highlights
New Xbox Experience, Lips, Scene It? 2, Netflix, Final Fantasy XIII, Fable 2, Primetime, Marketplace via Xbox.com, Portal: Still Alive
Microsoft really answered a lot of skepticism with their keynote. What would they show? Who would present? Introducing the new Xbox redesign was a surprise that no one anticipated. It introduced an Avatar system to the Xbox 360 and brought with it a completely new user interface. It’s also bringing a host of other features like 8-party chat and a “play from the hard drive” option.
The Netflix announcement was also received very well. The Xbox 360 will be the only console offering this kind of movie download service. They kept things simple and precise during the keynote as they hit one strategic announcement after another. The games they showed were aimed specifically did a good job impressing both the hardcore and casual.
Nintendo Highlights
Wii Music, Grand Theft Auto for Nintendo DS, SPORE, Animal Crossing
Nintendo had an excellent strategy in my opinion. The presentation of that strategy was lacking but to pay little attention to both Sony and Microsoft and instead focus on competing within yourself was brilliant. Let’s face it…they have no competition this generation and I was pleased to see that they’re very much aware that their only real focus is on the Wii and DS. Their keynote was filled with a battle between the Wii and DS without much thought on Sony or Microsoft.
It’s one of the reasons why Nintendo has rebounded from a horrible showing with the Gamecube and have taken control over homes across the world. They worry about themselves and they always price things just right. It’s not about their games moreso than it is about being different and at the sweet spot in price.
Sony Highlights
God of War 3, Little Big Planet, Massive Action Game (MAG), $399 80GB SKU
Sony trickled in with their keynote and unveiled a few interesting things. The most exciting on the game front was the reveal of God of War 3. Resistance 2 didn’t look that great and although there was “actual gameplay” this time, it just didn’t wow me. And even though God of War 3 was simple CGI, it did get the juices flowing. Little Big Planet did as well.
I’m not sure about Zipper’s Massive Action Game but I listed it as a highlight simply because of how ambitious of a project it is. 256 players? We’ll see. I don’t have much to say except that it was a decent show but it was missing any real buzz.
I might try a online course. I fail at school... What ya doing? Web design?
I'm popular XD
July 21st, 2008 at 9:29 am
Hey, what about South Park for the XBLA?
July 21st, 2008 at 9:45 am
meh lol
July 21st, 2008 at 9:57 am
I watched them all and pretty much agree with your findings. In presentation, I felt MS did the best, Nintendo 2nd, Sony 3rd. What they brought an how they showed us is how I feel. Clearly Nintendo is in a different league and I’m willing to bet a a decent number of 360 users and PS3 users own a Wii as a 2nd console. This is a family system and geared to younger eyes game wise and I think its great. Price wise though, by the time you buy the extra controller and nunchuck, your getting close to the cost of a 360. For Sony, the only thing I really dug into was way at the end and the announcement of MAG. If I hadn’t forced myself to stick around, I would have learned about it after the fact. Sucks they still can’t get Home out for the PS3 user, good to see they have videos available at least for them now.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:32 am
I agree in the order you said. The guy presenting for sony just seemed scared when he was up there.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:50 am
Hi, Deacon. I think I already posted some comments on the matter, and I also vote that Microsoft did the best job. Of course, this E3 goes with the “who the hell is that award” as some celebrities apeared who made everyone go to the Wikipedia and search for any clues about them (Duffy? the lost Hillary Duff sister?). The podcast community around did perceive that presentations skill were lacking, as many people were almost sleaping on some presentations.
By not presenting Home, Sony put another nail in the coffin. They’re still running behind Microsoft on the community side. I think hardcore Nintendo gamers are feeling betrayed as there are no titles from their favorite characters in the near future.
The one question that remains is: how much Sony can afford to loose to go to second place? We know they’re already out of getting to the first place, as Nintendo is firmly in position (and winning a lot of money because of it). Sony won the HD format wars, but is loosing a loooooooot of money (and my belief is that they are making some manufacturers angry on the Blue-Ray drive price). Can they ask not only their fanboys to wait a little more for the console to really deliver on games, but also their investors and stockholders to offer more but loose more money in the meantime? We will have to wait and see.
All I can tell you is: I love my 360.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am
good post Tyrone. another concern of mine though on the Microsoft front is this “temporary” price adjustment. it’s really not a price drop at all. they’re clearing out the 20GB until it’s gone and then the price jumps back up to $350
July 21st, 2008 at 11:03 am
That is true Deacon, not much of price drop as more an likely a FIRE Sale! But hey, lots of people say 20 gig is plenty of space and you’ll never fill that up, right! LOL. Glad I’m not the only one that thought Tretton looked defeated on stage!
July 21st, 2008 at 11:04 am
he totally reminded me of the stapler guy from Office Space lol
July 21st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Gears 2 looks pretty sweet as well. I know it wasn’t unveiled at E3 but we did get to see a lot more of it. Sony’s E3 looked pretty good. I’ve been playing a lot of PS3 in the last couple weeks though and it has already made me glad I’m an xbox owner.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I also think that Microsoft did the best with their press conference. I am looking forward to several of the games that were covered (RE:5,GOW2,Fallout
However… I am also a little jealous of PS3 owners because of a few of the Sony exclusives. The multiplayer for Resistance 2 looked great. The Sony exclusive Massive Action Game (horrible name), which is believed to be a 1st person shooter massive online game, could be amazing if it is done right, and the DC MMO game has me exited and I don’t even like MMOs.
I hope Microsoft has some thing comparable to these games in the pipeline. Think the action and precision gameplay of COD4 with greatly expanded customization, an original story, and a quality, persistent online world. Could Bungie or Activision already be working on this? I can only dream.