E3 2010

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Overall, surprisingly, nothing much I was all that interested in, and a series of disappointments.


One of the games I was looking forward to being there was Aliens: Colonial Marines by Gearbox (first announced way back in 2006). Gamespot listed it on their E3 show floor map (as they did the year before) and it was eventually taken down.

On the classic gaming front it would've also been nice for Microsoft to give some sort of update on Game Room, but no show of support there.
I was also looking to hear more info about SNK Arcade Classics 0 from G1M2/SNK Playmore listed as being for the PS2, as info on that title has been extremely scarce ever since it was found listed on the ESRB website last year, but neither companies had a show booth.


I could hardly be less excited for all the games showcased for release at and around the launch of Xbox 360's Kinect (formerly known as Project Natal). All family-friendly, one-note games with simple and colorful graphics.
I just love how everything demo'd is a near-perfect representation of the players own movements. I'm almost willing to bet money that the actual experience won't be nearly as responsive/accurate or immediate. It'll still be wonky, I'm almost sure of it.

This current day focus on online/multiplayer and motion activated/controller-less controls with Xbox 360's Kinect, not to mention music based games (Rock Band 3), and just this overall emphasis on casual gaming has really sidetracked core gaming and slowed it's momentum.
In regards to controller free gaming, I just don't see it replacing the controller. I like a controller's tangible aspect. Do we really want to do ten times the work and have a fraction of the actions available? How long do you think you could hold out your hands gripping an invisible steering wheel? Great if you're into 5 minute increments of play, not so great otherwise. Perhaps a day will come where everyone using a controller to game will be considered "old school", but we ain't close to there yet.

More of the same. Halo Reach, Gears Of War 3, Fable III (by the overrated as a game creator Peter Molyneux), and the Call Of Duty franchise exclusive to the Xbox 360 through 2012, starting with Call Of Duty: Black Ops, so they can release Call Of Duty sequels until we're all blue in the face.


The new Xbox 360 with a 250gb hard drive for $299?
Great, but what'd be even better is if they comped every existing 360 owner with a 250gb hard drive for their years of patronage and for suffering through the Red Ring Of Death!
Having vents on top of the console might cause trouble for some, particularly those who like to stack things on top of their 360, or those who had purchased the HD-DVD player and still use it to play DVDs (like I do) and place it on top.


There isn't much for the Wii I'm interested in other than the usual first-party games, Metroid: Other M and The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword which is slated for 2011.
I enjoyed the Metroid Prime series, but I'm thankful they're trying something new with the series. Metroid: Other M looks alright, but honestly kinda looks like it should be a $15 DLC game, and if it were on any other console it probably would be.

Somewhat disappointed that Nintendo changed direction from their initially planned "realistic graphics" with a more adult approach, over to simple and colorful graphics fused with cell-shading ala Wind Waker. They're going back to basics instead of going forward, and I didn't think they'd reached the ceiling just yet.
Also let down that they're reviving Kid Icarus, Pilotwings and Star Fox (remake of Star Fox 64) on Nintendo's 3DS, rather than giving them the fully realized Wii titles which they deserve.


For the PS3, I'm looking foward to The Last Guardian by Team Ico, who created the amazing ICO and Shadow Of The Colossus for the PS2. The Last Guardian was there, but no additional information was presented about the game.

Gran Turismo 5 is finally coming November 2 2010 after being in development for four years.
After such a long development cycle, even photo realistic graphics won't be enough to set a fire in my pants. The tracks in the GT games have always been rather boring and repetitive, and to progress in the game you're forced to race them over and over and over again.
I picked up GT4 for ten bucks at a clearance sale two years ago and have barely played it since.