E3 General Discussion

[Shawn]

Well, E3 is here. Which means all the big news of the year should start flowing in any time now.
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/4183/ps38zu.jpg

At Sony's press conference yesterday, they revealed many details about the PlayStation 3.

http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/release/pdf/060509ae.pdf

The PS3 will come in two models (and two prices).

Basic: 20gb HD = $500
Deluxe: 60gb HD, HDMI support, SD/CF/Memory Stick slots, Built-in WiFi = $600

The most interesting point being that the PS3 controller will incorporate a tilt accelerometer. It won't be able to sense full, 3-dimensional movement like the Wii controller, but it will be able to sense which direction you're tilting the controller, as well as how fast you're moving it.

The PS3 will launch in Japan on November 11th, 2006.
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6880/wii8ik.jpg

WiiConnect24: Your Wii will always be connected to the internet, 24/7. It will download new content for your games even while it's 'off'. Animal Crossing will be always online.

No price has been announced yet, but Nintendo is saying that it's going to be cheaper than the competition.

Launch date is Q4 2006.

There is a speaker built into the Wiimote. They showed this off as the player hearing the bowstring when (s)he pulls it back. You'll also hear the sound of an arrow flying from your controller to the TV.

A Classic Controller (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2006/wii/controller.html) will be available, which resembles an SNES controller with analog sticks.

Confirmed games include:

Trauma Center: Second Opinion
Call of Duty 3
Harvest Moon
Project H.A.M.M.E.R. (http://wii.nintendo.com/games_hammer.html)
Disaster: Day of Crisis (http://wii.nintendo.com/games_disaster.html)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (http://wii.nintendo.com/games_zelda.html)
Resident Evil
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (http://wii.nintendo.com/games_metroid.html)
Super Mario Galaxy (http://wii.nintendo.com/games_mario.html)
WarioWare: Smooth Moves (http://wii.nintendo.com/games_wwsm.html)
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
Cooking Mama
Dragon Ball Z Budokai: Tenkaichi 2
Wii Sports (http://wii.nintendo.com/games_wiisport.html)
Red Steel
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/5827/x3606ks.jpg

Lumines will be making an appearance on XBox Live!

Announced: Fable 2, Forza 2, Halo 3 (http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/b/3/5b3d8532-65bc-4bf6-b5ea-6ba0f2084d74/h3_e32006_announce_large.wmv)

Grand Theft Auto 4: Simultaneous launch with PS3, October 16, 2007. X360 will have exclusive episodic content.

Microsoft is releasing a wireless adapter for the PC, so you can use the wireless X360 controllers.

PC players will be able to go head-to-head against X360 players.
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/5681/ds7fc.jpg

The DS is said to have over 100 new games coming from now until the end of the year, including the following titles:

Contact
New! Super Mario Bros. (http://e3src.nintendo.com/games/ds/new_super_mario_bros/)
Yoshi's Island 2 (http://e3src.nintendo.com/games/ds/yoshis_island_2/)
Diddy Kong Racing
Starfox DS (http://e3src.nintendo.com/games/ds/star_fox_ds/)
Elite Beat Agents (http://e3src.nintendo.com/games/ds/elite_beat_agents/) (Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan)
Mega Man ZX
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney 2
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Cooking Mama
Harvest Moon DS
Final Fantasy III
Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (http://e3src.nintendo.com/games/ds/legend_of_zelda_the_phantom_hourglass/)
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (http://e3src.nintendo.com/games/ds/hotel_dusk_room_215/)
Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol (http://e3src.nintendo.com/games/ds/chibirobo_park_patrol/)
Kirby DS (http://e3src.nintendo.com/games/ds/kirby_ds/)
Tenchu: Dark Secret (http://e3src.nintendo.com/games/ds/tenchu_dark_secret/)

VOIP is on the table for the DS.

[Pierce Tondry]

Five hundred dollars? My wallet is having phantom pains.

[Figrin D'an]

Hope the system is worth the hype, since that's $200 more expensive than the X-Box 360. I haven't seen an MSRP on the Wii yet.

[Shawn]

Here's something else to chew on: In Japan (ONLY), the basic model will be ¥59,800 while the 60GB model will have an "Open Price". That means that retailers will be free to charge as much as they think is appropriate. So if there are shortages (and you know there will be), the price could skyrocket to absolutely absurd amounts.

Of course, I feel the prices are pretty absurd to start with. But this is the company that launched a $250 handheld system that's actually doing moderately well.

[Oriadin]

Have to admit I was dissapointed in Sony for not changing the layout of their controler. I know there are a lot of fans of it, but personally I cant stand it. The analog stick is awkward to get to and the buttons just dont seem to fit comfortably. I didnt really like the look of the boomerang, but to revert back to the same old controller style? Bleh...

[Shawn]

Updating the first post with info as I get it.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

My apartment mate was streaming the Nintendo conference on his computer. I watched 5 minutes of it, but it became so laggy and choppy, I decided that class was a better time spender than laggy video feed.

I'm really excited about some of the new games to come out on the DS, as well as almost everything about the Wii.

I'm not so excited about is the PS3. Sony could have done a better job with it, made it affordable (I can build a good PC for cheaper), and their controller. Is it true they came up with the 'new' controller design in the recent past? As in.. 2-4 weeks ago? With their built in tilt-o-meter?

[Morgan Evanar]

Originally posted by Oriadin
Have to admit I was dissapointed in Sony for not changing the layout of their controler. I know there are a lot of fans of it, but personally I cant stand it. The analog stick is awkward to get to and the buttons just dont seem to fit comfortably. I didnt really like the look of the boomerang, but to revert back to the same old controller style? Bleh... Pretty much the only thing I don't like about the PS1 dualshock/PS2 controller is the location of the analog sticks.

I probably will end up avoiding all of the consoles, as usual.

Every single even slightly honest developer has said that the 360 and PS3 are basically even.

[Oriadin]

I like what I see with Wii but not keen on the anaolg sticks on the standard controller, as mentioned above. Have to try it to see what its like, but looks too out of the way.

[Vega Van-Derveld]

Great thread, Shawn. I doubt that I'll be shelling out on any of these new consoles - the last console I bought myself was an N64 :uhoh though we did have an XBox for a while - but it's cool to read about them all nonetheless.

[Shawn]

Some screenshots of the Virtual Console (http://gamersreports.com/media/561/) for the Wii, which will allow you to play NES, SNES, Genesis, TG16, and N64 games. Wowee!

[Lady Vader]

I'm really looking forward to going to E3 and checking everything out! I'm interested to see the new model of next gen consoles (though I'm honestly not into them) as well as upcoming games, like the episode releases for Half-Life.

And, of cours,e I'll be spending a good deal of time at the Blizzard booth. Really, did you expect anything less of me? ^_^;

[Shawn]

Concept art for a new Star Wars game:

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/9616/photo0510060170vu.th.jpg (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0510060170vu.jpg)http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/4787/photo0510060183pk.th.jpg (http://img55.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0510060183pk.jpg)http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/3724/photo0510060195pl.th.jpg (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0510060195pl.jpg)

I seriously want a print of the first one.

[Ryan Pode]

Basic: 20gb HD = $500
Deluxe: 60gb HD, HDMI support, SD/CF/Memory Stick slots, Built-in WiFi = $600

Guess its time to switch to the X-Box. $500 is too absurd a price when I can get the 360 and a couple of games for the same price.

[Shawn]

UK won't get the $500 'budget' version PS3, 60gb model will cost £425 ($799) (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6151565.html)

[Oriadin]

Im thinking MS will drop the price of the Xbox for the PS3 launch and my guess is you'll be able to buy both a 360 and a Wii for the price of the PS3.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Originally posted by Shawn
UK won't get the $500 'budget' version PS3, 60gb model will cost £425 ($799) (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6151565.html)

... why? :huh

[Droo]

Originally posted by Shawn
UK won't get the $500 'budget' version PS3, 60gb model will cost £425 ($799) (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6151565.html)

I know things have been said regarding Nintendo shooting itself in the foot but that is sheer idiocy. Sony are going to be missing out on sales here.

[Oriadin]

I think Sony are relying far to heavily on the Playstation name. Ive never been a big fan of Playstations but there is no arguing how popular its been but after E3 ive struggled to find anything that is excited about anything PS3 is bringing to the table.

Complaints over the price
Complaints over the controller
Complaints about the two systems

[Pierce Tondry]

Originally posted by Oriadin
I think Sony are relying far to heavily on the Playstation name. Ive never been a big fan of Playstations but there is no arguing how popular its been but after E3 ive struggled to find anything that is excited about anything PS3 is bringing to the table.

I agree they're overconfident right now, but they've got some good reasons for it. Time will tell whether their popularity in Asia holds, although I am betting that it will not at this price.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

I'm one of those Playstation fanatics. Granted, I don't play as much as I used to, but it's nice once in a while to plop my buns down on the floor and turn it on. I recently beat God of War (and am currently stuck on the 10th challenge in the Challenge of the Gods :x ), and that game alone has really gotten me back into the swing of things console-wise.

I'm about 50/50 on whether or not to throw Sony 500 bucks, but I've never been disappointed in the past; my ps2 is still chugging along quite nicely - even after Skeletor sat on the disktray when it was open and halfway busted it.

[Shawn]

I'm really not sure which way I'll go yet, if any.

I just can't see myself plopping down that kind of cash for a PS3; If I do get one, it'll be after a couple of pricedrops. I do know that it'll probably have a stranglehold on most of the big-name franchises (barring GTA) and probably have some fun, niche titles. As a piece of hardware, I hate my PS2, but I can't deny the number of great titles for it.

The Wii looks really interesting. I think the first generation of games will mostly be gimmicky crap meant to show off the controller, but the second gen on should really take hold and come out with some interesting and unique games. At least, that was the case with the DS. I'm quickly becoming a fan of pick-up-and-play games, and the pricepoint certainly looks appealing (~$200). If it gets 3-4 games I'm really interested in, I can't see myself not getting one.

The X360. Hmm. Depending on the number of cross-platform games, this may be a somewhat cheaper alternative to the PS3. The main problem I have is that - like the XBox before it - all of its good titles are coming out on the PC, which leaves me little reason to buy one.

Btw s'Il: I'm currently stuck on the last boss of God of War on the hardest difficulty. :x That caused me all sorts of frustration on "Normal", I can't imagine how long it's going to take me on "God".

[Dasquian Belargic]

I can't afford console gaming anymore, but I have a friend who is loaded and will undoubtedly buy at least one of this generation of consoles, which will then take up residence in our shared house. I'm hoping it will be the PS3 - providing Sony have managed to keep ahold of the Final Fantasy franchise.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Originally posted by Shawn
Btw s'Il: I'm currently stuck on the last boss of God of War on the hardest difficulty. :x That caused me all sorts of frustration on "Normal", I can't imagine how long it's going to take me on "God".

The last boss, for me, was half easy and half frustrating. I had it on "Normal", and after I get the tenth challenge done (there's no 'if' - I will beat this stupid challenge), I'm going to go back and play the game through on "God".

[Lamar Starworth]

All I can say about e3 is that I'm definately going to be buying an X-Box 360 and PS3. And I'm definately buying Mass Effect's on it's release day. That looks like the most promising game throughout all of the e3, besides the obvious franchise of Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV.

I'm in love with the Live and Madden games already, so no need to say anything about that. But everyone needs to check out that Mass Effects game. It looks like the second coming of...well heaven. Hehe, well j/p, but it's great.

Mass Effects is the best! (YAH!)

[Shawn]

The last boss, for me, was half easy and half frustrating. I had it on "Normal", and after I get the tenth challenge done (there's no 'if' - I will beat this stupid challenge), I'm going to go back and play the game through on "God".Bumping the thread just to say that I finally beat Ares on "God", and did all 10 Challenges afterwards to finish up. Can't wait for God of War 2.