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.
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?
Think Nintendo has anything else up their sleeve?
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