Microsoft:
Welcome to the new Xbox 360.
The major news from the first major conference of E3 was the redevelopment of the Xbox 360 basic user interface. While the dashboard has seen many minor developments since the launch of the 360 in 2005, this marks the first complete overhaul. The new user interface will feature Mii-like avatars and a completely different look, with each blade of the dashboard now being referred to as 'channels'. Additionally, the Xbox 360 will now be home to an Xbox Live Primetime channel, which will see gamers watch and play in virtual versions of TV gameshows such as 1 vs. 100. For more information, see our Fall Update detailed news article.
Microsoft also took the opportunity to announce varied information on several A-list games and flagship titles. A new trailer for Fallout 3 was debuted, and it was revealed that exclusive downloadable content will be available for the game (that is, if it's ever released in Australia). Notable games received dates - Fable 2 is completed, according to Peter Molyneux, and will be released world wide in October. Gears of War 2 will also get a worldwide release on November 7, while Resident Evil 5 is targeting 13 March.
Along with the usual chest beating, some smaller news was revealed, including Galaga Legions and Geometry Wars 2 for Xbox Live, the original and duly enhanced Banjo-Kazooie as a Live title, and downloadable content for Grand Theft Auto IV this year. Additionally, and as expected, Microsoft announced Lips, their motion-sensitive competitor to the wildly successful Singstar franchise.
Perhaps the two most surprising announcements of the conference were that we'll be seeing an exclusive Portal title for Xbox Live Arcade which will include the original game and an additional challenge mode, and that Final Fantasy XIII will be coming to the 360. Final Fantasy is one of the most successful and popular franchises in gaming and has traditionally been a Sony mainstay.
For a full, blow-by-blow account of the Microsoft press conference, check out PALGN's live blog of the event.
Nintendo:
Wave Race Wii? Nope, it's Wii Sports Resort.
Many were bemused by Nintendo's E3 press conference of last year, with the announcement of Wii Fit dominating proceedings. This year, events were probably a little less from left field, though that could be because we're all now accustomed to Nintendo's modern brand of left field. The first major announcement actually took place before any press conference had begun - that of Wii Motion Plus, an Wii Remote attachment that Nintendo boasts recreates true 1-1 control. Nintendo used their conference to announce further details on the product - most importantly, that it will come bundled with Wii Sports Resort, the sequel to the popular launch title. Wii Sports Resort features at least three sports, including jet ski, frisbee, and fencing. Another Nintendo bundle product, Wii Play, has been wildly successful in Australia, though it remains to be seen if Wii Sports Resort will have the same runaway effect, as the Motion Plus concept is perhaps a touch more abstract.
Nintendo also announced Animal Crossing City Folk for the Wii. The Animal Crossing series is perhaps lesser known among the mainstream, but remains a fan-favourite, and the announcement of an Animal Crossing title for Wii has long been anticipated. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the game is that it, like Wii Sports Resort, will also feature a new peripheral Wii Speak. This USB peripheral sits on top of your television and is said to allow multiple players to converse in the one room with others over the internet. It's not yet known whether this function will be available in previously released Wii games, such as Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
A variety of other games were also demoed briefly, from Shaun White Snowboarding and Rayman TV Raving Rabbids to Star Wars The Clone Wars and Call of Duty World at War. Additionally, it was announced that Grand Theft Auto China Town Wars, a new GTA title, would be coming to the Nintendo DS.
To end their press conference, Nintendo re-announced Wii Music, the music game that saw Shigeru Miyamoto conduct an orchestra of Miis at E3 2006. The game will be out for Christmas this year, and will see players pick up a wide variety of instruments, from drums (using the balance board as well as the Wii remote and nunchuck) to saxophone to sitar. It's not yet been revealed as to the nature of the song list, though from the trailer we can only assume we'll be playing dozens of variants on the Super Mario Bros. theme. Though some might interpret the game as an alternative to Guitar Hero or Rock Band, Nintendo claim that it isn't about competitive play or high score beating, but rather, "just playing for the pure joy of playing."
For more information, head over to PALGN's live blog of the conference.
Sony:
Resistance 2. Big, loud, and eagerly anticipated.
The final conference from a hardware manufacturer was Sony's, beginning at 4:30AM this morning. If you were brave enough to stay up to catch it, and have only just woken up - our condolences. We'll try to catch you up on everything you are too bleary-eyed to remember.
The Sony conference seemed to be the most scattered with smaller tidbits of interesting information. Resistance 2 was demoed, and it was revealed that the game will feature 8-player online co-op, and an enormous 60 player deathmatch. Resistance: Retribution a PSP spin-off for the series, was also announced. In addition, Buzz will also finally make its way to the PSP. The ever-delayed Home made another appearance, with the small, but intriguing revelation that players will be able to adapt to the style of certain games - a players home may look like a battleground from Resistance, for example. There was also the announcement of a new SKU for the PlayStation 3 - an 80GB model.
Sony chose to partly emphasise their strong successes of their past endeavors in the conference, revealing that this year, there will be no fewer that 130 new PlayStation 2 titles available. Fans with a budget will also be pleased to know that Sony revealed a 'Greatest Hits' range of games for the PS3, which will include Motorstorm, Call of Duty 3, and Assassin's Creed.
The PlayStation Network was a major feature of the press conference as well, with several interesting announcements. First, it was revealed that Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty will be released on the system. The major news, however, was that the PSN will soon be host to films and TV episodes in both standard and high definition. Progressive downloading will be available for those on low bandwidth. PAL availability was not announced. DC Universe Online was also shown, an MMO for players wanting to fight alongside or against their favourite DC superheroes.
The two biggest announcements for Sony were left until last, however. God of War 3 will be coming to the PlayStation 3 soon, but not in 2008. A short teaser trailer was glimpsed, but unfortunately, no major information was yet revealed. Perhaps the most unexpected announcement of the conference was the revealing of MAG (short for Massive Action Game), a brand new IP from Zipper Interactive (the people behind the SOCOM series). The game, reportedly due for release some time next year, will be an online action game, but really, the only thing that you need to know at this stage is that it will support an extraordinary 256 players in one game at any time.
For a detailed look at the conference, don't forget to take a look at PALGN's live blog of the event.
If you're hungry for more E3 info, don't throw in the towel yet. There's plenty of information and game previews to come, with high-profile titles still on show at the conference, and third-party information yet-to-be-revealed. As always, PALGN will be there to guide you, blinking and tired, into the sunlight. Stay tuned.
Would it be taxing on a game system to have 256 players? surely you wouldnt be able to see them all at the same time? so they would only have to render whoever you are close to or whateveR?
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