Reflections On E3
![e3[1]](../../../../img.hsmagazine.net/2011/06/e31.png)
by Keara22HI, HSM team writer
Let’s start with what was completely missing from the Sony presentation at E3:
Virtually any mention of Home.
If you were hoping for some massive core change announcement that would address all the changes that keep being requested (larger limits on friend lists, items, etc.), there was no such animal. The social aspects of PlayStation Home were almost completely absent.
What was very clear is that Sony has developed new hardware and new development software, and the game developers are jumping on that bandwagon. The main features in almost all of the new games are
- using a motion controller
- wearing special glasses to see 3D, and
- developing very fast reflexes to play these games.
In almost every game sample that was shown, the storyline was “run – jump – aim – shoot – run – duck – climb – shoot – run – throw a barrel at someone – shoot”. The romantic storylines we grew up with in Final Fantasy games are nowhere in existence in this new lineup.
Why? Because you can’t argue with success. Jack Tretton announced that PlayStation sales are up 27% over this period last year. He added that more than 90% of the PlayStation users are back despite the outage. And that the PS3 now accounts for 30% of the Netflix volume — with a new media option, Cinema Now, being added later this year.
Plus, the developers are getting in on the promotions, also. Naughty Dog is joining with Subway for a pre-release promotion of “Uncharted 3″ in October before it is released in November. Interestingly, the preview of the game was shown in its 3D version.
Insomniac Games showed a demonstration of “Resistance 3″ and announced there would be a special ‘sharpshooter bundle’ available with the game for those who are interested in upgrades.
Jack Tretton then worked the audience into a frenzy of applause with a preview of “Kratos – God of War Origins” and his statement that Sony is fully committed to 3D gaming on the PlayStation products and the announcement that “ICO” and “Shadow of the Colossus” are going to be put on the market in a 3D format.
Sony is also bringing out two new hardware products – a 3D branded 24″ monitor where 2 people can play a 3D game together and each see different images rather than a split screen. The bundle (monitor, 6′ cable, 3D glasses, and game) will list at $499.99. 3D glasses alone will be sold for $69.99.
Not only is there an emphasis on 3D, but also on games using the Move controller. Tretton mentioned that 8.8 million of those units sold in the past year. 2K Sports Games demonstrated their upcoming “NBA 2k12″ game using Kobe Bryant as the player (live) to show how it works. Coming on October 4.
Zindagi Games showed clips of their new “Dead Man’s Quest” game that is completely motion-activated and in 3D. And Sucker Punch showed a preview of “Infamous 2″ with online missions using Move controller and a feature whereby the player can map his own moves. This new kind of player control over content was also evident in the preview of “LBP3″ where players will have the ability to create their own levels using Move.
One of the more startling innovations was announced by CCP with new game “Dust 514″ exclusive to PlayStation with a MMO that friends can play together online on PCs and on PS3s. They also mentioned a new Home space based on this game.
After a few more brief samples of new games (all of them either using the Move controller, 3D glasses, or both), Kazuo Hirai took the stage and blew the roof off the auditorium with his description of the new PS Suite to reach wider audiences for mobile entertainment by making it available through Android Smart Phones and Tablets.
Then, on top of that, he announced the new PS VITA portable system that will be offered in both WiFi and 3G WiFi versions. The VITA will have dual analog sticks, front and rear cameras, front and rear touch, and a 5″ screen using the fastest broadband network – AT&T. The WiFi system will retail at $249.99 and the WiFi3G will be $299.99.
In the Idle Minds game, “Ruin”, an action-based rpg, players can treat other players as rivals and attack their lairs. And in the demonstration of the new “Mod Nation Racers” by Sony San Diego, the player creates his own race track on the touch screen, creates the background (mountains, lakes, towns, etc.) adds jumps, and manipulates the lighting to have a completely customized racing game.
Another new feature in that system is that users in the same game room can chat during game play and other social connection tools. This feature is in the new SCEA “Uncharted-Golden Abyss” for the VITA. Their demo really got the blood racing with the option of using the traditional controls or a touch screen for movements, battles, etc. Also, the graphics for all of these games are really spectacular – these are not the old side-scrollers with midget cartoon characters and garish colors. Look for watershaders, subtle lighting, lifelike character movements, and (gasp!) a storyline in some.
It is what’s happening. There are currently 80 game titles in development for the VITA. There was even one fascinating cross-over demoed: a new VITA version of Street Fighter X Tekken PLUS Cole from InFamous in a street brawl that defies description.
If you have any males (from pre-teens to grandpas) on your Christmas list, start putting the money aside now for some of the new shooter games. Plus that 24″ monitor (the PS Suite) is designed perfectly for dorm rooms and bachelor pads. And the VITA is going into the same backpack or large purse with the iPad or Kindle. There will be no escaping from gaming ever again!
June 12th, 2011 by keara22hi | 2 comments
Keara is also known in Home as DarthGranny. She is a wicked little old lady with a wild sense of humor.
I bet when Pong first came out they had a lot of naysayers who said that gaming on your TV would never take off. Look at us now! I have never gotten a psp, as much as I enjoy gaming I just never had the reason to take it with me anywhere I go. But I have to say that the demos of the Vita were astounding, it made even me think I might jump into one eventually. The E3 was a very interesting place and I have to give them kudos for the rewards too, the pets and stuff are really cute, especially the T-rex. LOL
There may not be a mention of anything ‘New’ happening on Home, but I got money on it that Home will eventually go ‘Mobile’ on the new Vita, if it is powerful enough to support such an application, it will be THE application for the casual / social gamer to have, with download funcionality and all of the functions and things we can expect from playing Home. So no matter where you can be, I believe home can be accessible from your handheld. If it can support future gaming franchises such as Call of Duty. Then i don’t see why there cannot be a support for Social gaming platforms, as gaming has now crossed new territory of which it’s old rival Nintendo have explored with it’s Wii Console, cornering a new market in casual / lifetyle gaming.