SwordBreaker
05-15-2009, 11:52 PM
Man...for some reason it's kind of hard to know what's going to come out of E3 this year...in my case at least. Overall, I pretty much agree with the fact that the current economy will set the true goals this year. From E3's presentation itself to the big conferences and individual developer game showings, it's all going to be about now, just a few 'flashy' games, a lot more risk-taking and uniqueness in games regardless of the presentation, sequels to past and current franchises to maximize interest and sales, etc.
Aside from the new PSP, a possible 360 Slim, and new Wii colors, I don't think that there will be any hints on new consoles this year. Each one will focus on what they currently have with slight modifications and new peripherals. Also, I really think we'll see an influx of DLC and downloadable games focus this year from all three competitors. The Wii should really get on the DLC bandwagon 'cause quite frankly they're looking ridiculous compared to the other two...with the latest firmware revision, it's really easy for them to do so. I'll go out on a limb here and say that the Wii will have DLC content for games like Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart Wii. Also, things like more classic game support from all three competitors is a must, including massive PS1 games for America/UK and a handheld Virtual Console from Nintendo. Other download focuses will include 8/16-bit franchise revival sequels. Mega Man 9 and Bionic Commando were only the beginning. Capcom and Konami are going to go all crazy with this. We've already seen Turtles in Time and Contra Rebirth from Konami. Really looking forward to Nintendo joining the bandwagon with a sequel to Super Mario World or something.
As for games for our current-gen consoles, as I said before all three competitors will focus on upgrading their big franchises while not necessarily going big budget on them or other games. Which means I'm expecting a few new, unique IPs for each console served on the side of the big franchises...which will not be big budget. Additionally, whatever "big budget" game that'll be presented will either be something that has already been announced a year or so ago (Heavy Rain for Sony, Zelda/Mario for Wii) or uses existing engines developed for previous big budget games (Kojima's new game...it's a darn shame if they don't uses assets from MGS4).
When talking about our big three in an individual basis, I don't really see a lot of surprises up their sleeves in terms of games. Nintendo will most likely go all Bananas on their franchises, casual and hardcore alike. LOVE for a Donkey Kong Country game to appear out of the blue. The new Zelda for Wii is something I really wish they give more attention to, but Spirit Tracks will most likely steal that thunder. The only new big IPs or surprises we may get are Mr. Sakurai's new game, a new console Kirby game after a long hiatus, and a new Earthbound title.
Sony will show the hell out of Heavy Rain 'cause they have to at this point...other possible big games will include White Knight Chronicles, God of War 3, David Jaffe's new game, new Ratchet, and yet another new IP from Team ICO.
In Microsoft's case, we can only keep a big eye out for Rare. Really interested in a new Perfect Dark game for the 360 so I'm hoping that happens...and I'm expecting another one or two games off Rare this year 'cause they've been quiet as hell since Banjo. Of course, that Halo expansion will be one of their ace cards. The only "FFXIII-like surprise moment" I see from Microsoft this year is an enhanced port of MGS4 for the 360. Can't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when they announce that.
Speaking of ports, I think we'll see more third-party console exclusives being ported. Like MGS4, I'm expecting a Star Ocean 4 enhanced port for the PS3. Nintendo's going to go crazy with their New Play Control series and announce stuff like Zelda The Wind Waker getting an enhanced port.
As for third-parties, we're most likely going to see a lot of Wii exclusivity this year, while "big budget" games will be for the 360/PS3 simultaneously. Obviously, the big third party games are going to be pimped out in each of the three big conferences. Can't really think of stuff offhand aside from Dead Rising 2, Lost Planet 2, TMNT Wii, Murasama, Red Steel 2. So we may see some surprise announcements on this font. All I know is I'm really sure that the big N will pimp the hell out of that TMNT game since it's really like Smash Bros and it's exclusive.
Perhaps one of the biggest trenda that everyone will follow this year is "user-generated content" games ala LittleBigPlanet. Nintendo already launched the new WarioWare game in Japan which makes you create your own games...I'm expecting more from them. Sony will most likely focus on LBP DLC and Microsoft the same with Banjo DLC.
Handhelds will get their fair share of the games, too. We've already seen Sony going crazy with their PSP announcements, especially since that new PSP model will be released. Expect more from them. The DS will keep chugging those awesome games, including some sneak peaks on DSi-exclusive games.
It's going to be localization galore this year. I'm pretty sure I'm going to see some surprises in that font, including stuff from the big nuts: Atlus, NIS, XSEED, Square-Enix and most recently Ignition Entertainment. NIS has already gone batshit on us with their string of recent localization announcements. From Atlus, I'd like Lunar and Persona for PSP in English, please! In fact, where the hell is Gajinworks, a company announced YEARS ago after Working Design's demise? Could they be publishing Lunar? Also, news of Dragon Quest VI and IX for North America, please! Perhaps the biggest surprise will be from Capcom when they announce that Tsunoko (sp?) vs. Capcom for Wii will actually be released in English!
Finally, our big WTF moment...developers that are so quiet they're bound to appear in E3. Other than Rare, Team ICO and Retro Studios, my personal big question mark right now is Mistwalker. Are they still making games for Microsoft? Cry On was recently cancelled out of the blue so we really don't know what's going on with their exclusive Microsoft contract. So...will we see the likes of Blue Dragon 2 for the 360 from them, or was their a fallout of some sort with MS? Will we see these sequels on multiple platforms or a console other than the 360? After all, Blue Dragon has been released on the DS for some strange reason. Besides, most of Mistwalker's work these days has been for the DS. So...did they go small budget on us? Are they possibly developing for the Wii or something? I really think that their contract most likely ended on Lost Odyssey since Cry On was cancelled...perhaps the agreement was on three games and Blue Dragon 2 will take the place of Cry On or something. Perhaps another publisher has made a deal with Mistwalker's upcoming games.
Start predicting stuff, people!
Aside from the new PSP, a possible 360 Slim, and new Wii colors, I don't think that there will be any hints on new consoles this year. Each one will focus on what they currently have with slight modifications and new peripherals. Also, I really think we'll see an influx of DLC and downloadable games focus this year from all three competitors. The Wii should really get on the DLC bandwagon 'cause quite frankly they're looking ridiculous compared to the other two...with the latest firmware revision, it's really easy for them to do so. I'll go out on a limb here and say that the Wii will have DLC content for games like Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart Wii. Also, things like more classic game support from all three competitors is a must, including massive PS1 games for America/UK and a handheld Virtual Console from Nintendo. Other download focuses will include 8/16-bit franchise revival sequels. Mega Man 9 and Bionic Commando were only the beginning. Capcom and Konami are going to go all crazy with this. We've already seen Turtles in Time and Contra Rebirth from Konami. Really looking forward to Nintendo joining the bandwagon with a sequel to Super Mario World or something.
As for games for our current-gen consoles, as I said before all three competitors will focus on upgrading their big franchises while not necessarily going big budget on them or other games. Which means I'm expecting a few new, unique IPs for each console served on the side of the big franchises...which will not be big budget. Additionally, whatever "big budget" game that'll be presented will either be something that has already been announced a year or so ago (Heavy Rain for Sony, Zelda/Mario for Wii) or uses existing engines developed for previous big budget games (Kojima's new game...it's a darn shame if they don't uses assets from MGS4).
When talking about our big three in an individual basis, I don't really see a lot of surprises up their sleeves in terms of games. Nintendo will most likely go all Bananas on their franchises, casual and hardcore alike. LOVE for a Donkey Kong Country game to appear out of the blue. The new Zelda for Wii is something I really wish they give more attention to, but Spirit Tracks will most likely steal that thunder. The only new big IPs or surprises we may get are Mr. Sakurai's new game, a new console Kirby game after a long hiatus, and a new Earthbound title.
Sony will show the hell out of Heavy Rain 'cause they have to at this point...other possible big games will include White Knight Chronicles, God of War 3, David Jaffe's new game, new Ratchet, and yet another new IP from Team ICO.
In Microsoft's case, we can only keep a big eye out for Rare. Really interested in a new Perfect Dark game for the 360 so I'm hoping that happens...and I'm expecting another one or two games off Rare this year 'cause they've been quiet as hell since Banjo. Of course, that Halo expansion will be one of their ace cards. The only "FFXIII-like surprise moment" I see from Microsoft this year is an enhanced port of MGS4 for the 360. Can't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when they announce that.
Speaking of ports, I think we'll see more third-party console exclusives being ported. Like MGS4, I'm expecting a Star Ocean 4 enhanced port for the PS3. Nintendo's going to go crazy with their New Play Control series and announce stuff like Zelda The Wind Waker getting an enhanced port.
As for third-parties, we're most likely going to see a lot of Wii exclusivity this year, while "big budget" games will be for the 360/PS3 simultaneously. Obviously, the big third party games are going to be pimped out in each of the three big conferences. Can't really think of stuff offhand aside from Dead Rising 2, Lost Planet 2, TMNT Wii, Murasama, Red Steel 2. So we may see some surprise announcements on this font. All I know is I'm really sure that the big N will pimp the hell out of that TMNT game since it's really like Smash Bros and it's exclusive.
Perhaps one of the biggest trenda that everyone will follow this year is "user-generated content" games ala LittleBigPlanet. Nintendo already launched the new WarioWare game in Japan which makes you create your own games...I'm expecting more from them. Sony will most likely focus on LBP DLC and Microsoft the same with Banjo DLC.
Handhelds will get their fair share of the games, too. We've already seen Sony going crazy with their PSP announcements, especially since that new PSP model will be released. Expect more from them. The DS will keep chugging those awesome games, including some sneak peaks on DSi-exclusive games.
It's going to be localization galore this year. I'm pretty sure I'm going to see some surprises in that font, including stuff from the big nuts: Atlus, NIS, XSEED, Square-Enix and most recently Ignition Entertainment. NIS has already gone batshit on us with their string of recent localization announcements. From Atlus, I'd like Lunar and Persona for PSP in English, please! In fact, where the hell is Gajinworks, a company announced YEARS ago after Working Design's demise? Could they be publishing Lunar? Also, news of Dragon Quest VI and IX for North America, please! Perhaps the biggest surprise will be from Capcom when they announce that Tsunoko (sp?) vs. Capcom for Wii will actually be released in English!
Finally, our big WTF moment...developers that are so quiet they're bound to appear in E3. Other than Rare, Team ICO and Retro Studios, my personal big question mark right now is Mistwalker. Are they still making games for Microsoft? Cry On was recently cancelled out of the blue so we really don't know what's going on with their exclusive Microsoft contract. So...will we see the likes of Blue Dragon 2 for the 360 from them, or was their a fallout of some sort with MS? Will we see these sequels on multiple platforms or a console other than the 360? After all, Blue Dragon has been released on the DS for some strange reason. Besides, most of Mistwalker's work these days has been for the DS. So...did they go small budget on us? Are they possibly developing for the Wii or something? I really think that their contract most likely ended on Lost Odyssey since Cry On was cancelled...perhaps the agreement was on three games and Blue Dragon 2 will take the place of Cry On or something. Perhaps another publisher has made a deal with Mistwalker's upcoming games.
Start predicting stuff, people!