E3 is nearly here
It's almost here. In a few days we'll all be neck deep in E3 news, scrambling to sift through the massive amount of game announcements coming from the LA convention center. We'll be there, trying our darndest to bring as many previews and features as possible to your eyes. But just because we do this for a living doesn't mean we aren't excited--on the contrary, we're totally pumped to see what E3 has to offer. Some of us want hardware news, others want big game reveals, while others just want to be shocked.
Hollander Cooper is hoping for some real next-gen games
Pretty much every non-exclusive next-gen game you've seen is a high-end PC game that's also going to release on last-gen consoles--nothing shown so far actually takes advantage of the power of the Xbox One or PlayStation 4. I'm getting tired of that. Let's see some games that couldn't even remotely function on my seven-year-old Xbox 360, let's get some justification for next-gen besides TV and sports and TV and sports.
Sophia Tong wants to think that Final Fantasy XV will be there
I just want to see some games! Nintendo's been giving us glimpses of what they have in store, so it's very likely that all the games we've been desperately waiting for will actually be there. Microsoft has already said they're waiting for E3 to talk about games, so here's hoping they can take control of their messaging again and share some info that's of interest to gamers. Square also hinted at Sony's press conference that they'll have stuff to show--Final Fantasy XV perhaps? It's going to be a busy week, that's for sure. Can't wait!
Lorenzo Veloria is holding out for major Nintendo news
This is an exciting year for E3. New consoles are being detailed, next-generation IPs are being revealed, and I actually get to go and see it all in person (for the first time!). Other than walking the show floor and playing as many game demos as possible, I am incredibly excited for the Nintendo Direct and the new Smash Bros. announcement. Also, if I could get more hands-on time with the 3DS Zelda, I will be leaving E3 2013 a happy gamer.
Henry Gilbert is excited for a new 3D Mario
In my mind, the Super Mario Galaxy games were easily in the top five games of the last 10 years, pretty much perfecting 3D platforming gameplay. The dev team at Nintendo behind the Galaxy games translated said gameplay spectacularly to handhelds with Super Mario 3D Land, but it felt like a distraction from the main event: their 3D Mario title for the Wii U. Those devs have proven themselves to be some of the most creative in gaming, so I expect them to take Mario in some crazy new directiona.k.a. the total opposite of the overly safe New Super Mario Bros. U. And this team pulled off so much with the Wiis limited visual capabilities. Id like to think that they could do incredible things with an HD system.
Greg Henninger wants Halo 5
I'm excited to see what the Microsoft exclusives are going to be. I'm crossing my fingers for Halo 5, which I actually think is going to be there. I'm hoping it's a next-gen game--even if it's not a launch title. Just announce it. And show it. At least a trailer. Come on.
Justin Towell is excited for Smash Bros.
For me, it's all about the Nintendo line-up. I want to see the new 3D Mario, new Zelda, new Smash Bros... basically this needs to be the E3 that turns the Wii U from an attractive dust-collecting device into a genuine must-have console for anyone who loves video games. Aside from that, I want to see a load of PS4 games that I will buy with the console at launch. So... yeah, games. Lots of lovely games. Yes, I mean a significant quantity on all platforms that sets us up for the next couple of years. Oh, and Shenmue III on ANYTHING. Even Ouya.
Andy Hartup is looking forward to being shocked
You know how it is with E3 now. The vast majority of the announcements are spoiled before the event. Leaks, teasers, well-informed speculation--they all mean that most of the goodies have been unwrapped and pulled apart before the rent-a-celebrity or man in a smart shirt has had chance to reveal them. You feel sorry for them. You practice your surprised face, but it isn't the same. However, that just makes all the genuine surprises all the sweeter. It's that moment when Gabe Newell trots onto the Sony stage to announce Portal 2 for PS3. Or when Peter Moore shows off his GTA tattoo to announce Episodes from Liberty City. It's the Uncharted 2 trailer hitting you full force in the face. It's that single moment--or if you're lucky, couple of moments--that makes E3 great
Tom Magrino wants to find out what makes the Xbox One and PS4 different
Generally speaking, next-gen consoles do want. But more specifically, I'm interested in seeing just how similar the Xbox One and the PS4 will be to the other, and more importantly, what they're going to do to create a differentiating factor. Thus far, Microsoft and Sony have opted to go two different routes with introducing their consoles to gamers--Sony the games route, and Microsoft the next-gen-iest route. I think their positions will flip at E3, with Microsoft talking mostly about games and Sony homing in on next-gen media center features. E3 should also be the time for the two to start making value propositions to gamers, especially if both consoles do, in fact, arrive this year. What'll that look like? I have no idea, but can't wait to find out.
