And while we're on the subject, be sure to check out Joystiq's interview with ESA president and CEO Mike Gallagher right here.
Posts with tag e3
E3 tries to make a comeback in 2009
E3 2009 will take place June 2-4 next year, at the LA Convention Center. It won't be open to the public or anything, but the list of people who can attend will be less restrictive than the previous two years, says the ESA. They'll be opening the doors to all "international and US-based media, analysts, retailers, developers and business partners." So, attendance will increase and this move should hopefully help E3 get back to what it used to be: loud, smelly, and oh-so-fun!
And while we're on the subject, be sure to check out Joystiq's interview with ESA president and CEO Mike Gallagher right here.
And while we're on the subject, be sure to check out Joystiq's interview with ESA president and CEO Mike Gallagher right here.
Rumor: Old E3 to return?
60,000 gamers crammed together in one sweaty convention center. Women in skimpy outfits, paraded like pieces of meat. A gigantic, deafening, cacophonous din.
Yep, the old-style E3 really was glorious. But in all seriousness, it seems as though most of the internet would kill for a return to the old format. Whether it's because of the muted reception to this year's horribly empty E3 Media and Business Summit, or simply a hangover from Nintendo's ill-received press conference, the majority of fans want E3 to return to being the spectacle it once was. Significant industry figures seem to agree.
And now, it might just happen. Kotaku claims that the idea of returning to the E3 of yesteryear and opening the doors to the public has been officially proposed, and is currently being discussed by the ESA board, the folks who organize the event. Maybe the "old E3" won't just be a story we tell our grandchildren, decades from now.
Games Convention coming to North America
Following up a very successful year in Leipzig, Germany, it looks like those of us in North America can look forward to the Games Convention in the future. CEO Wolfgang Marzin has announced that they're now planning on bringing the show to North America, likely looking to pick up the slack left in the wake of E3 practically going the way of the dodo.
"The concept is flexible and the network of the global games industry permits us to be active at different locations," said Marzin. "After the Southeast Asian Games Convention, we are now focusing on the North American market." With a record 203,000 attendees this year, it seems like an easy decision to bring the show to one of the largest gaming markets in the world.
"The concept is flexible and the network of the global games industry permits us to be active at different locations," said Marzin. "After the Southeast Asian Games Convention, we are now focusing on the North American market." With a record 203,000 attendees this year, it seems like an easy decision to bring the show to one of the largest gaming markets in the world.
Pachter: Nintendo hasn't abandoned core gamers
If you were disappointed with Nintendo's E3 showing, then odds are you have a lot of like-minded folks to agree with you. A majority of the industry feels that Nintendo's showing at E3 wasn't really, uh ... good. If you're not looking for real games, then you were probably happy with Wii Music.Pachter thinks that Nintendo hasn't abandoned the core gamers. He went on to say that "some hardcore gamers were critical of Nintendo's failure to announce new Mario and Zelda games at the show... we think that Nintendo focused upon building upon its formidable lead with the mass market, and do not consider the lack of major hard core game announcements to be an abandonment of its core." Interesting, but what do you all think? Did Nintendo abandon the core gamer or is the hope for a new Zelda and Mario game sometime in the future proof that they haven't forgotten about those core folk?
Wii Warm Up: Still Fit?

Riccitiello: 'I hate E3 like this'
Another day, another E3 complaint. Yesterday, Alain Corre of Ubisoft commented on the size and location of this year's E3, wanting it bigger and better. Today, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello joined the party, outright stating "I hate E3 like this." Hate is such an ugly word. Dislike?Ubisoft's Laurent Detoc also jumped into the fray. Instead of taking a subtle approach, he laid it out straight and said "E3 this year is terrible. The world used to come to E3. Now it's like a pipe-fitters show in the basement." There is a debate on whether E3 should be a show for the world or an exclusive media-only event, and the difference between the two is massive. This year, only 5,000 media representatives attended, where in the past 60,000 eager gamers would cover the show floor.
With EA (and Ubisoft) having the resources to put on a bigger display than pretty much anyone in the world, it's no wonder they want as much room and as big an audience as physically possible. Again, what are your thoughts on this? Are you happy to be bombarded with
[Via Gamesindustry.biz]
Ubisoft: E3 timing 'not appropriate'
Speaking to Gamesindustry.biz, Ubisoft's Alain Corre said that the location and timing of this year's E3 was "not appropriate" for the event -- he wants it earlier (as in, back in May) and bigger. Basically, back the way it was, where Ubisoft could get a spot on the massive show floor and put on a glorious gaming spectacle. The overemphasis on glitz and glamour is pretty much why they ditched the old format in the first place.Corre doesn't delve into specifics about what exactly the show should be, beyond being bigger and earlier. However, he does mention the lack of retail presence, which publishers would use to establish plans for the remainder of the year. According to Corre, having the event in July digs too deep into the year, and holiday plans can't be made as effectively. However, there still needs to be "reasonable limits as to noise, attendees or whatever."
What do you think? Has E3 settled into a nice groove this year, or do you wish the "funfair" atmosphere made a return in some form?
E308: Glorious Mega Man 9 boxart
Ultrasound graphics synthesis! 8-bit fidelity engine!
We have always been of the opinion that even downloadable games should have boxart. Capcom agreed, putting together this mix of the original Mega Man game's North American packaging and Mega Man 2's PAL cover. The resulting Mega Man 9 art showed up at the publisher's E3 booth on what looked like an iron-on transfer shirt.
Unfortunately, only a few of the shirts were made for internal staff, and Capcom doesn't intend to give any away. At least we have this photo (taken by 1UP's Jeremy Parish)! Check out that huge M on his belt!
E308: Naruto believes in this new trailer
If all-out battle royales are your thing, you might want to check out the above trailer for Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2. It seems to meld the finesse of a fighting game with the brutality of a brawler, and evidently does a pretty good job of it. Hopefully, the key to winning battles won't just be spamming the Shadow Clone Jutsu over and over again -- we are looking for a nice, balanced fighting experience.
If you look closely, you'll be able to see a few on-screen indicators of particular Wiimote movements in combat. Gone are the days of pushing complex sequences of buttons rapidly to execute attacks -- fighting games have evolved somewhat to recognize fluid movements as a valid form of control. It works -- believe it.
If you look closely, you'll be able to see a few on-screen indicators of particular Wiimote movements in combat. Gone are the days of pushing complex sequences of buttons rapidly to execute attacks -- fighting games have evolved somewhat to recognize fluid movements as a valid form of control. It works -- believe it.
E308: Giant LEGO Batman questions everything you ever believed in
There's something incredibly unsettling about a giant Batman (and Robin), made out of LEGO, designed to promote a LEGO Batman game. First LEGO, then Batman, then Batman as LEGO, then Batman in a LEGO game, then a giant LEGO Batman made out of LEGO ... as we said -- it's unsettling.
The Joystiq team at E3 happened upon these giant plastic surprises while checking out the Warner Interactive booth. We're no strangers to bizarre LEGO creations, but these structures defy all conventional logic and will probably create a rip in the space-time continuum. In short, we want them. Badly.
The Joystiq team at E3 happened upon these giant plastic surprises while checking out the Warner Interactive booth. We're no strangers to bizarre LEGO creations, but these structures defy all conventional logic and will probably create a rip in the space-time continuum. In short, we want them. Badly.
Wii Warm Up: Give us your three cents about E3
You've read the drunken ramblings of the Fanboy team as they stumbled through the revelations of the Nintendo press conference. Now it's time to have your say, and let us know just how impressive the lineup of presentations was. Is Cammie a decent enough public speaker with the whole world watching? Will Wii Music stink out concert halls worldwide, or receive a standing ovation? Is Iwata cooler than you? Absolutely.
Go on, Nintendo can take your punishment. If you hated it, let fly with reasons why. If you loved it, gush about your favorite game (aside from the default selection of Animal Crossing). All in all, was E3 2008 a success or a blunder for Nintendo? You decide.
Go on, Nintendo can take your punishment. If you hated it, let fly with reasons why. If you loved it, gush about your favorite game (aside from the default selection of Animal Crossing). All in all, was E3 2008 a success or a blunder for Nintendo? You decide.
E308: Goosebumps: HorrorLand steals E3
Never mind Wii Music or Wii Sports Resort -- as we hinted earlier, Goosebumps: HorrorLand is the real star of this year's E3 Media and Business Summit.
Nintendo might not have mentioned this innovative title during the company's press conference today, but we have a feeling that this was the twinkle in president Satoru Iwata's eye when he mentioned a big paradigm shift in the global game market. Yes, a paradigm shift towards more Goosebumps games.
Just when you thought you had put R.L. Stine's
The graphics aren't impressing anyone -- it almost looks like the duct-tape holding the system's two GameCubes together came loose -- but there are shooter segments, carnival-themed minigames, and, uh, portions where you run on a log with a swamp monster. Mark our words, when you slide this game's disc into your Wii, you will say, "Wow!"
E308: WiiSpeak brings yet another power brick to the table?

At least one thing is certain: the thing has enough cable to wrap around Nintendo HQ many times over.
E308: Ghostbusters busting ghosts, faces
Ghostbusters could be good, but the antics of Slimer and the gang might not make a smooth video-gamerial transition. If you watch the above trailer, peruse the new gallery and your head doesn't explode, there's a chance for success in an otherwise disappointing scenario.
While "cartoonish" graphics might not be everyone's cup of tea, Red Fly still stood up to defend the game, with fun a priority. Realistically, that should be the goal for all games, but somehow adding the word "party" when describing a Wii title actually results in negative fun levels.
While "cartoonish" graphics might not be everyone's cup of tea, Red Fly still stood up to defend the game, with fun a priority. Realistically, that should be the goal for all games, but somehow adding the word "party" when describing a Wii title actually results in negative fun levels.
[Via press release]
E308: Kid Icarus flies away from the show
After confirming Kid Icarus for the Wii, Matt Cassassminasiissanisina from IGN has made a wee comment that's sure to disappoint gamers around the globe: "Uh-oh. Looks like we're going to have to wait a little longer than E3 to see the kid fly again. Not too long, though, hopefully." Well, at least we won't waste our time during the Nintendo press conference hoping and praying for a Kid Icarus showing. Instead, we can focus on filling up the remaining spaces on our lovely E3 Bingo cards.


















