The Crag's E3 Preview - Microsoft

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You have more stuff coming besides Kinect stuff, right?

    Ah, Microsoft. The definite darkhorse in this E3 race. The past year has been pretty good for the boys in green. Sales in North America continue to be strong and Kinect has proven to be the upgrade for the Wii crowd rather than the Move, passing the 10 million mark in sales this month. But what's on the horizon? Things have been awfully quiet on the 360 front and Microsoft always likes to make a big showing at E3. They most likely have something up their sleeves, but what?

   New System - Can this be it? After the rumors of Project Cafe started to surface, similar but less founded murmurs began to arise about the 720 making an appearance at THIS E3. While it is certainly in the works, my gut says nay. The 360 still has wheels and they have nothing to really gain by going toe to toe with Nintendo in 2012, even if they are both targeting the same audience. The PS4 is also probably not coming until 2014, so they still have time if they want to keep a leg up on Sony.

  Kinect Games -   last year's Kinect lineup at E3 was...uh...how to say this nicely? Terrible? Horrendous? Abysmal? I guess they all apply. Sure Dance Central was a great use of the tech and the kids probably enjoyed Kinectamals, but they are part of a crowd that doesn't even know what E3 is. For the hardcore, Kinect has remained a frivolous piece of hardware that does nothing for them. 

   Until now.

   Microsoft has been hard at work creating experiences on Kinect that the hardcore Halo playing gamer that fills their coffers wants to play. Images of Ghost Recon with Kinect have already been leaked, adding to the wave of expectation that hardcore Kinect games are coming. The real question is can they pull it off. Can they enable Kinect to enhance the gaming experience rather that seeming gimmicky? Ideas like being able to throw a grenade if its near your feet or give commands to your squad seems intriguing, but can the tech really pull off such actions? We will certainly find out in 2 weeks. Microsoft is going to spend a large chunk of their press conference trying to convince gamers that Kinect is for everybody, not just the casual. I remain optimistic but cautious. 

Oh, and if they could bring this guy I would be pleased as well.

   Skype - Microsoft purchased the internet communication company for a cool 8.5 BILLION dollars and I'm sure they've been working on ways to incorporate it into the Xbox experience. But given the short amount of time, there will probably be nothing substantial but surely a mention of what their plans are in the future for it.

   360 Games - I like to give Nintendo crap for having no games on their systems but, honestly, if it wasn't for the third party support, this would be a dry year for the Xbox. Where are the exclusives? Gears of War will certainly get its spot and look awesome, but what else should make consumers buy a 360 over a PS3 this holiday? Mass Effect already went multi-platform and Valve has finally warmed up to Sony, so I'm sure the next Left 4 Dead will follow the same path as Portal 2. Bungie has moved on from Halo so even if another comes out, its sure to lack the same soul. I'm hoping that Microsoft isn't banking on Kinect and their superior online service to keep them ahead because it seems like a lot of eggs in one basket. Hopefully E3 will bring some big reveals for their core audience and not expect them buy a Kinect to get in on the fun.

   Price Cut - It's definitely remote, but I could see the mentions of a upcoming price cut to force Sony's hand. The 360 is just cheaper to produce and, if they really don't have any firepower to go against Sony this holiday in terms of software, they could announce a Kinect bundle(after revealing all their new Kinect games) and price it at $300. Not that exciting for current owners of slims, but it might be in the mix to keep them ahead of the curve.

   If any conference is going to hold some surprises, it's Microsoft. What do YOU think they have in store?

The Crag's E3 Preview - Sony

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We got PSN back online, yay!

   Although it sounds like a broken record this point, Sony really was gaining some momentum and it felt like "the year of the Playstation" was finally upon us. Sales were up. The exclusive line was as strong as ever. And then those pesky hackers had to come along and ruin everything. Sony's E3 press conference will be a big indication of their image going forward and, if they want to regain their speed, it has to start at E3.

   PSN - As much as Kaz and the gang would love to put the crash behind them, the PSN debacle must be addressed. Luckily, Sony has just the man for the job. Kevin Butler was a big hit last year with his rant on motion gaming and my gut tells me that this is where he will make his impact. Rather than making a big joke of it, I wouldn't be surprised to see the man himself come on stage and give a humorous but sincere apology that PSN is not only back, but will be bigger and better than ever. The network has dragged behind XBOX Live in almost every way since its incarnation, missing features such as cross game chat, better online performance, etc. Rumor has it though that, with the rebuilding of the network after the hack, such features were given room to be implemented. While this is all speculation, of course, it would be just what Sony needs to move on and put the PR nightmare behind them. If they actually handle it this way though, only time will tell.

NGP - Sony's portable is sure to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, focal point of Sony's press conference. Although the PSP sought to be the portable system for hardcore gamers, the DS trounced it with less impressive specs but a more diverse lineup. Down, but not out, Sony is ready for round 2 and revealed the NGP.

From a cursory glance, it's easy to see that this thing is a beast of a machine. Housing dual analog sticks(FINALLY), a larger screen, faster processor, better graphics, 3G network support, and a back touch panel, this piece of hardware made nerds everywhere cream their pants at its sight. But what about the price? Odds are that e3 will be the spot for the big reveal on what this thing will cost. Sony has said that they had a competitive price in mind all along, but we all know that Sony's idea for a competitive price and the average consumer's are two very different things. If I had to guess, with the 3DS going for $250, my guess is somewhere in the $300-$400 range, which might be too expensive for most.

But in the end, regardless of muscles and price, it comes down to substance. It needs good games. Sony has seemingly gotten that squared away, with big names like Uncharted, Call of Duty, LittleBigPlanet, and Resistance all among the first batch to come out. The hardcore for the hardcore. The inclusion of the big name first person shooters intrigues me the most on the list. Call of Duty sells like crack because people love playing online. If the NGP can replicate that experience on the go...now that would be a selling point.

PS3 Lineup - Before the PSN hack, 2011 was looking to be the "Year of the Playstation" for one reason and one reason alone: the games. Aside from the dozens of AAA multi-platform games set to come out this year like Batman:Arkam City, Rage, Skyrim, Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3, etc. Sony had set themselves up with even more quality to just ice that cake of goodness up. Infamous 2, Uncharted 3, Twisted Metal, Resistance 3, and a slew of others will all make an appearance in some way on stage, showing off what is in store for PS3 owners. 2011 is surely the strongest year the PS3 has had to date and Sony is sure to point that out.

My wonder is what happens in 2012. The Last Guardian will hopefully show its face around then, but what does Sony have in store long term in terms of exclusives? My guess is there will be at least 1 big reveal. The next God of War could certainly make an appearance, or possibly an new IP from a big name. Over the past few months, Cliffy B, Gears of War creator, has changed his tune about the console, now being quoted to praise the PS3 as a "great console." Will he pull a Gabe Newell and announce something from Epic for Sony? It certainly would be interesting.

The Crag's E3 Preview - Nintendo

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Oh Baby...

   It's that time of year again! E3 2011 is just around the corner and the press conferences are starting to take shape. I'm extra pumped this year because I'm leaving my job and have a ton of sick days to take, so I'll actually get to watch the press conferences live this time around. But what will Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft talk about and reveal this year? Over the next week, I'm going to go through the big three's expected reveals and give my two cents on what it all means. First up is Nintendo.

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The Big N wants you back

   In terms of dollars, it's no question who walked away from this console generation the big winners. The Wii found its way onto the fad train and they haven't look back. However, let's be honest, it's impossible to call yourself a hardcore gamer and only own a Wii as, outside of a handful of 1st party titles, the machine has been a shovelware dispenser, capitalizing on a casual market that wanted the "Wii Sports player,' and not much else. Their motion controls have been one of the most innovative pieces of tech this generation but developers outside of Nintendo really couldn't do anything with them that didn't seem like a gimmick that quickly wore out its welcome. Nintendo knows this and is strolling into e3 with something to prove. And from what we've heard from their camp already, they are bringing the thunder.

   Project Cafe - Nintendo is sure to win the headlines since nothing grabs attention like a hardware reveal. Details about the new system to be released in 2012 have been trickling in and it appears that Nintendo, rather than relying on the casual market that helped them basically print money, are aiming their sights back at the hardcore and hope to win back the 3rd parties with hardware that will out perform the 360 and PS3. But there's got to be more to it than just a machine capable of great graphics, right? What's the catch? Well it appears that the controller will be their weapon that makes them stand apart from the crowd, which is both intriguing and a gamble.

   Although obviously it's all speculation, the word on the street is Nintendo's new console is going to utilize some sort of touch interface that will different than anything we have experienced thus far in gaming. There has to be something to this, as another set of rumors leaked that the system might be called the Nintendo Feel, playing off the controller interface. It's certainly an interesting idea. The two screen interface really worked for the DS and Nintendo knows how to innovate, but I keep asking myself what could it do that will improve gaming rather than just feel like a gimmick. I heard the idea that it could be almost like a portable that you play on your big screen and, when you're on the go, you can detach it and continue your game on the go. That certainly sounds awesome, but they just released the 3DS - wouldn't that cut into their own market? 

   The other thing to consider is price. A controller with a touch interface can't be cheap (Analyst Michael Pachter guessed about $100). Nintendo also doesn't like to sell their consoles at a loss since, unlike Sony and Microsoft, they are a gaming company and only a gaming company without profits from any other area. So with an expensive controller and top of the line hardware, this thing has got to be somewhere in the high 300s to low 400s to make. Although I'm sure they won't reveal the price at this e3, its definitely got to be something that should be cleared up come June. 

   I also find it curious that they are picking this time frame considering the market they are going after. It appears they want to win back the hardcore with these specs, and more power to them. But how long will it be before Microsoft and Sony come back with their own new systems? My guess is Microsoft will look for a 2013 launch date with the PS4 to follow in 2014. Can they really expect to compete with a system that will already be trailing tech wise that quickly? And what about all the casual gamers they converted, literally carving out an entirely new market? Are they just going to abandon the success they had there?

   3DS - As impressive as the tech is, the handheld's sales have been solid but not amazing, and it's clear that software is needed if they are going to move units.  3DS titles are sure to be a huge focus of Nintendo's press conference, rolling out Zelda, Resident Evil, and a bunch of other strong titles that will finally give gamers a reason to buy the thing. If they are smart, they should spread out the release dates and stop these dry spells that their hardware seems to go through. It feels like every time Nintendo hits a void of titles, especially this generation, they blow their load too quickly and leave their fanbase hungry shortly after.

   Wii - The Wii should finally get a must buy title with Skyward Sword, which is sure to be shown and playable. But is there anything else coming out? The system's price cut will certainly help sales, but I'm hoping Nintendo has at least one more ace up their sleeves to keep their fanbase happy until 2012. Honestly, my guess in no though unfortunately. Their developers seemed focused on the 3DS and Nintendo history has shown that they don't mind leaving the Wii stranded with titles.  Link's latest adventure will probably be the Wii's final horray before Cafe or whatever it will be called takes center stage.

 Think Nintendo has anything else up their sleeve?

Not So Fast

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Just when you thought it was over...

   Well...shit.

   Despite Sony's growing wave of optimism about the imminent return of PSN and the first bits of information of their "Welcome Back" rewards have come to light, another bear trap has been triggered and we're still at a stand still. Saturday has come and gone and the return of PS3's online functionality still sits in limbo. 

   From their latest blog post, Sony states: "As you may know, we’ve begun the process of restoring the service through internal testing of the new system. We’re still working to confirm the security of the network infrastructure, as well as working with a variety of outside entities to confirm with them of the security of the system. Verifying the system security is vital for the process of restoration. Additional comprehensive system checks and testing are still required, and we must complete that process before bringing the systems online."

 

   If indeed the case, I can't really blame them. If it ain't ready, don't send it out to the fire. I think I just feel so disappointed because it looked like the return was set for the week and I'm set in a little period of limbo with my gaming. Brink comes out this Tuesday and I'm all set to get that, but that leaves me two days of gaming with nothing to really sink my teeth into. I don't have enough time to really start something new, but it's enough time that I wish I just could be playing something, you know?

   What really sucks is that if PSN is still down by mid week, it will really hinder the functionality of Brink. I was really interested in seeing how well the game would meld the single and online portions of the game but, with the current state of things, that doesn't really seem possible. Hopefully it will be a non issue by then though. Hopefully. The wait continues...

Hey! PSN Isn't Dead Afterall!

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It's alive!

    Just like Jesus and zombies, PSN has risen from the dead! In a press conference late last night, Sony's Executive Deputy President Kazuo Hirai informed the world that this week PSN will return with some functionality, including friends lists, account management options and, most importantly, online gameplay. The Playstation Store will still be down, but they expect it to be back in full swing by the end of the month. 

    It's been a tumultuous two weeks for Playstation and its fans. Lets face it, Sony f'ed up and this will definitely damper the "year of the Playstation." I don't blame them for getting hacked. NOTHING is really safe and if someone wants to hack something, eventually they'll get in if they have the skill and time. I think the real beef lies in the way Sony handled this entire fiasco, waiting several days after the initial intrusion to inform users that our credit information might have been compromised. I understand the desire to not cause a panic if they weren't 100% sure, but I think sparse blog posts really didn't make anyone feel they were forthcoming with what they knew. It was a gamble that didn't pay off and now they must begin to regain all the momentum and trust their system had going for it.

   The real mystery is how this hiccup is going to affect Playstation going forward. There have been surveys and anonymous employee talk from Gamestop that a growing number of gamers are trading in their PS3s for 360s, but these reports are far from conclusive. I'm sure sales will drop and software numbers will take a tumble, but to what extent won't be known for a few months, and anyone claiming otherwise is pulling your chain. My prediction is that sales will drop but then slowly pick up again as the months pass by. Years from now, we'll always talk about the PSN gaff, but it won't devastate the system like some internet columns are predicting. If the 360 can get past the RROD issue, I think Playstation can get past this.

   I've been a Playstation customer since PS1 and, although I'm definitely disappointed by all this, I don't think my purchasing trust in them has been greatly altered. It was annoying to have to get a new credit card and change my password for a few things since I used the same log in on PSN for other things, but nothing was THAT inconvenient and it served as a wake up call that I should be doing more to protect my identity online. I'm sure a lot of people aren't going to store their credit information on PSN when it returns on Tuesday, but the more that I think about it, its probably safer than ever. What are the odds that, after all this, the network gets hacked again?

   I do appreciate that Sony's offering some free stuff for gamers as a way to say, "sorry we dicked you over." I'm a Playstation Plus member and its nice to see that, because I lost two weeks of a service I payed for, I'll get a month free as compensation. If they could throw in a free downloadable game, which they've hinted at, I think that would certainly be enough to win me back in their good graces.

   I guess, in the end, while I wouldn't blame gamers for switching over because of this incident, I won't be one of them. I stuck with Playstation all these years because, in the end, I feel they provide the best gaming experience out of the three platforms and this incident doesn't really change that. Infamous 2, Uncharted 3, Twisted Metal, as well as all the other multiplatform gems are still on their way. It was annoying not being able to play online or sync my trophies or any of the other stuff Playstation is supposed to do but, hey, sometimes it hits the fan.

   No sweat, Sony. Sometimes you just down right piss me off. But I still got your back.