東西 | dongxi

The Electronic Entertainment Expo kicked off some of the hottest upcoming games at the Los Angeles Convention Center last week. So who were the big winners?

1. Sony: When it came down to the big three, Sony’s press conference comes out on top. Not only did it focus on games for the (hardcore) gamer audience, but their announcements were focused on the near future, compared to Nintendo’s slate of TBD game. While nothing came as much of a surprise, the PS Vita and schedule of triple-A games edges Sony as this year’s winner.

Wii U

2. Kinect: Microsoft’s press conference was all about their Kinect peripheral. Not only will games like Mass Effect 3 and Ghost Recon integrate gameplay with the motion/voice sensor, the Kinect is expanding into home use, including Bing search and live TV watching. Essentially Microsoft is looking to make the Xbox THE home entertainment system.

3. Super Mario 3DS: Best described as a hybrid of Suoer Mario Bros. 3 and Mario 64, this game returns to it’s roots that made the 8-bit games so great. A modified Tanooki suit returns along with a 2D-3D mix of gameplay.

4. Battlefield 3: While CoD made big waves at the Microsoft conference, little was seen on the show floor itself. EA’s Battlefield 3 offered games an alternative to the popular shooter franchise with impressive visuals and exciting gameplay.

5. Street Fighter X Tekken: If you’re a fighter fan, this game brings the classic “Street Fighter versus Tekken” argument back to the forefront. While the feel of the game replicates the feel of classic games, this game does offer tweaks that’ll keep both Street Fighter and Tekken fans on their toes.

Street Fighter X Tekken Booth

6. Batman: Arkham City: This game will have a lot to live up to, but it’s so far looking great. With a much larger and expanded world (or city) to explore, this next Batman sequel looks to build upon the various features that made Batman: Arkham Asylum such a hit.

7. Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster: While not the gamer’s game, this title is slated to be a big seller. The image of one’s child having fun  interacting with Elmo and Cookie Monster is enough to get many parents ready to run out for this game. Using the Kinect, kids are able to directly connect with the various mini-games and interations.

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster

8. Bioshock Infinite: Though still months away, the momentum continues to build for the next installment in the Bioshock franchise. Set in the aerial city of Columbia, you battle steampunk opponents while unraveling the mystery of this floating dystopia.

9. Tomb Raider: Gone are the jagged polygons. Taking cues from Uncharted, this game will be much darker, grittier, and realistic than previous installments. In an extended trailer, Lara was chained and strapped in a mysterious cave, only to fall onto a sharp spike as she attempted her escape. It definitely looked painful. Fortunately, This game, however, looks far more like pure fun instead.

10. Playstation Vita: Despite doubts in the future of handheld dedicated gaming systems, Sony’s Playstation Vita does hold promise. Sony seems to get most of it right this time: crisp screen, dual analog controls, promising gaming lineup (Uncharted, Little Big Planet, Street Fighter X Tekken), fair price of $250, and even region-free support. It’s definitely going to pose a big challenge to the Nintendo 3DS. While the introduction of smartphones and tablets have challenged dedicated handheld gaming platforms, the Vita may just have what it takes to be a winner among the hardcore gaming market.

PS Vita Booth

While Nintendo has now confirmed the development of a next-gen, post-Wii platform (code named “Project Cafe”), not much is actually known. There are plenty of rumors though, varying with anonymous sources claiming HD graphics, backwards compatibility, and even a system more powerful the Xbox 360 and PS3. A playable build will be available at E3 – until then, we can only speculate.

Project Cafe Mock by IGN

Still, does Nintendo have what it takes to hold its place in the console wars? It may take some drastic shifting in strategy. Here are some strategies Nintendo needs to take to win things back.

Focus Less on Casual, Back to Hardcore: While there’s no debate on the success of the Wii (and DS), Nintendo has also pigeoned themselves into a difficult situation. Casual gamers were a relatively untapped market that Nintendo capitalized on, blowing away expectations and critics when the Wii first came out. However, these same casual gamers have now moved on to other platforms, finding very little need for loyalty to any one source of entertainment. Cheaper alternatives such as Facebook, Zynga, and smartphone games (Angry Birds) have stolen the spotlight. Microsoft as well has been chipping away at Nintendo’s base of family gamers with additions like the Kinect. While expanding out to the casual market can help increase revenues, it can’t be done at the cost of the hardcore gamers. At the end, it’s the latter that will be much more brand-loyal and stable as consumers.

Graphics Matter: Graphics doesn’t have to come at the cost of gameplay quality – take Uncharted 2, Crysis, and Batman: Arkham Asylum for example. Truth is, graphics and power do matter. Consumers have demonstrated this with their wallets. In addition, the Wii lost out to many of the top selling (third party) games. Aside from the top franchises like Guitar Hero or Madden, developers often didn’t have the resources to make a Wii-specific version. Likewise for consumers, it’s hard to argue in paying an additional $40-$60 for a lower powered version of the same game found on a PS3 or XBOX 360 (e.g Madden, Call of Duty, etc.).

Uncharted 2 for the PS3 - Pretty and fun!

Less Gimmicks, More Gameplay: Nintendo products have been primarily focused on gimmicks. Perhaps it’s that they can’t compete on the graphics or power front against companies like Microsoft and Sony. The DS did find popularity with the double screen – it was something new and different that was worth playing. The Wii followed up with motion controls. Now we have the 3DS with 3D. Still, even the Wii’s motion control has lost its appeal, especially with the Kinect. Don’t get me wrong, innovation is incredibly important, but it’s important to focus on ways to enhance the gameplay experience, rather than capitalize on a trend or find a way to sell additional hardware. Yes, the Wii made quite the splash, but today it’s most likely collecting dust on a shelf, taken out only for group events and parties (the modern day board game).

Third Party Support: What’s saved Nintendo thus far is their library of franchises and IPs. From Mario to Zelda, gamers are willing to dish out money just to play the latest iteration of these games. Yet, it’s also been this narrow focus that has shunned away third party developers that have found little to no support with Nintendo. Since the 8 and 16-bit era, new franchises and IPs have taken hold of the gaming community. Titles like Call of Duty have claimed top rankings in units sold – it’s important for Nintendo to make their next console a gaming device that extends past their own branded titles. You can only milk the Mario Kart and Smash Bros. franchise for so long before it gets old.

Nintendo's going to need full support (and better looking games).

More Than Just Gaming: Nintendo was firm to establish that the Wii was to be a pure gaming system, but today’s system has to be more than just that. Even Nintendo eventually took in Netflix. In this day in age, no man (or system) can be an island. Users want a way to consume content on their devices, whether it be video, music, photos, etc. If Nintendo really wants to stir things up, it needs to find deals with partners like Hulu, Pandora, Apple iTunes, Twitter, and Facebook (for starters). The idea is to keep the device on as long as possible. People are lazy and that extra step of swapping TV inputs can make a drastic difference in capturing that market share. Word of caution though – these integrations have to be done well. Even today, PS3 supposed Facebook “integration” is nothing short of a bad joke.

Fix Multiplayer: Online gaming has never been as popular as it is now. First things, Nintendo’s friend code system has to go. It was overly complicated and amazingly annoying to input. Friends lists, cross game chats, avatars, and support for online games will be crucial for the next round in gaming. Multiplayer also locks people into specific consoles. As Sony discovered, coming late to the market (with the PS3) cost them several new consumers that went Xbox, as their friends were already buying games on that platform. Multiplayer done right can lead to a snowballing network effect to increase market share.

Multiplayer needs and overhaul in the next system.

This next era will be an incredibly vital point in Nintendo’s history. This could be the make or break year for Nintendo. If it fails to (re-)capture gamers, we may end up with Mario games on Playstation and Xbox (just like another popular 90s icon known for its speed and blue colors). Can Nintendo make it? Perhaps. It’s not too late… yet. Will it? Only time will tell.

It’s official. Earlier this week, Nintendo announced that their new 3DS portable system will release on March 27 (US) for $249.

The successor to the highly popular Nintendo DS (and subsequent iterations), the Nintendo 3DS boasts their glasses-free 3D capabilities. How does it work? Long story short, with a smaller screen, the 3DS is able produce a 3D autostereoscopy effect. Since you’re most likely playing head-on, viewing angle isn’t as much of an issue and you don’t really have to worry about multiple people looking at the screen (as you would with TV). The 3D effect is option, however, as the system includes a slider to adjust the 3D effect.

Aside from 3D, the 3DS also offers several improvements including an analog stick, expandable SD storage, an accelerometer, and gyroscope. The menu system has been revamped, allowing for multitasking (switching out of games to apps) and easy access to the various programs in the system. There’s a 3D camera that allows you to take 3D pictures. Nintendo has also signed a deal with several studios to offer 3D movies.

A strong lineup of titles have been announced including Super Street Fighter 4, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries, Madden NFL 3DS, and the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. While we do see a few original games including Kid Icarus: Uprising, several titles are 3D adaptations of pre-existing games.

Source: Nintendo

The 3DS doesn’t come in cheap. It’s the most expensive Nintendo portable console thus far. The original Game Boy ($80) adjusted for inflation would still come in at around $158 according to Kotaku. Games are ranging in the $30-$40 range as evidenced by early listings on Gamestop and Amazon. While there are a some pre-loaded apps and offerings of cheaper games via Virtual Console, it’s still a hefty price tag. The Wii amd 4GB XBOX 360 cost less.

To add to the bad news, the 3DS will be region-locked. While most users won’t feel a difference, it’s a disappointment for fans of Japanese games and imports. Another big disappointment is its battery life. The initial DS listed 6-10 hours battery life (with the subsequent iterations all ranging from 9-19 hours), the 3DS is only expected to have 3-5 hours for 3D games, 5-8 for standard games. It’s definitely limits the portability of the system.

The 3DS is expected to sell well. Still, there seems to be enough limitations and concerns for me to hold off, maybe even ’til the first revamp of the system (which is expected in about 2 years given Nintendo’s track pattern). Between expensive games (many of which I already own), the iffiness about 3D (having tried it, I found it  fun but am hesitant about spending long times with it), and the short battery life, Nintendo will need to really show the value in the 3DS before I invest my dollars.

Following the Wii, both Sony and Microsoft have begun making their moves (no pun intended) into motion gaming. Though the two gaming giants have taken very different directions, ultimately gamers are still left wondering, is it worth it?

Let’s start with the basics. Sony with the “Move” takes a cue from the Wii, offering handheld devices that are tracked with the Playstation Eye (a camera connected to the PS3). The Move, however, offers much more precision and 1:1 movement tracking. No longer can one get away with a simple wrist flick for a tennis game. On the other side, Microsoft’s Kinect extension requires no additional peripherals aside from the camera mount. The camera itself has the ability to recognize faces as well as body moments. With the XBOX, the person IS the controller, where movements are tracked and translated into the game.

So which of the two should one get? It depends. Assuming one owns both systems, the Move and Kinect currently offer very different experiences.

Kinect BundleSource: Microsoft

For the hardcore gamer, the Move currently is the stronger contender. Though most gamers may already own a Wii, Sony’s point of differentiation is in the games. Whereas the Wii has been plagued with countless cheap party games, Sony has placed restrictions in attempts to ensure that the motion controls are not as gimmicky. Coupled with the PS3, hopes are high for A-level games to utilize the motion controls for a more in-depth experience. Upcoming titles such as Socom 4 have been announced, while older games, such as Resident Evil 5 and Heavy Rain have been updated to integrate with the Move. Until there is a radical shift in the way games are designed, complex games (including first person shooters) often require buttons and precision, which is much harder with the Kinect. While Sony has revamped what is now considered an old formula, the improvements look promising for those who are looking to game.

Playstation MoveSource: MTV

Kinect, on the other hand, has become the new Wii. Removing the controller entirely, the Kinect, like the Wii, is looking to get people off their couches and to turn their living rooms into exercise rooms, dance floors, and family game rooms. Microsoft’s strategy is geared much more at the casual market. With games like Dance Central and Kinectimals, the XBOX is now something for the mom, dad, and little sister. While this path includes the risk of turning the Kinect into another dust-collecting item on the self (like the Wii), Microsoft has taken steps to keep their product fresh. Like the PS3, the XBOX has become a media hub with services like Netflix and ESPN integrated into the console. With the Kinect, users can walk in and automatically be recognized and logged in (via the camera) and use their voice and hands to make their selections (No more wasted hours looking for the remote!). It’s definitely a revolutionary step that may lead the wave of change in our living rooms, as the iPhone has changed the way we use our phones. The Kinect is the way to go for those looking to get friends and family active and involved in the XBOX experience.

Microsoft KinectSource: Microsoft

Playstation Move BundleSource: Sony

Both devices offer exciting new experiences, although for very different audiences.  Of course, neither one comes cheap. The Move starts off with the $100 Move package, which bundles in the camera, one Move controller, and their version of Wii Sports. Each additional controller costs about $50 which can certainly add up. Kinect costs $150 but there are no additional costs. However, the Kinect requires approximately six to eight feet of space, which in a college dorm or urban apartment, may be hard to come by. Ultimately, while both look promising, it will be their catalog of games (and third party support) that will determine the success of these products. Unless there’s extra cash lying around or the immediate offerings are enough of a sell, it doesn’t hurt to wait a little longer to see how both products move (pun intended).

Despite Engadget’s backing of the supposed PlayStation Phone, Sony Company Entertainment Europe dismissed the claim as “definitely fake,” as reported by Destructoid. Originally the phone was reported to be running Android 3.0 (Gingerbread) with 512MB of RAM and 1GB of ROM with a screen size ranging from 3.7 – 4.1 inches.

Source: Engadget

Though the screenshots provided by Engadget seem quite real (and for all we know they very much could be), it does seem to lack a certain “PlayStation/Sony” style that we’ve come to expect. Would Sony really ditch the XMB in favor of a stock Android UI? Then again, this could be an early prototype in which case the specs and design are easily subject to change.

With increasingly pressure from the (gaming) success of Apple and the iPhone, it’s no surprise that Sony would look to integrate the PSP and their mobile devices. Even Nintendo has been feeling the heat of Apple with Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime stating that Apple is a bigger threat than Microsoft.

So what can we expect from a possible PlayStation phone? Here’s some top guesses:

1. No (official) physical media: between the failure of Sony’s UMD format and Apple’s success in the digital App Store, the PSPhone should no longer feel the same threat retailers had posed that the PSP faced. In fact, Sony has already begun to sell PSP games and minis via digital download. While there may be a microSD slot for the phone, PSPhone games most likely will be sold digitally.

2. PS3/PSP/PSP2 integration: The last thing Sony needs is further fragmentation of their products, especially in their PlayStation line. Though small, there is a fair amount of integration between the PSP and PS3, whether it’s using the handheld system as a controller or syncing game saves between the two platforms. Even Microsoft is looking to integrate XBOX Live into Windows Phone 7. If Sony wants to stay competitive, they’ll be sure to keep the PlayStation Phone connected to the PlayStation ecosystem.

3. 2011, earliest: It’s doubtful we’ll see this phone out within the year. While Sony may have the resources to slap something together, they’re more likely to take their time (perhaps to their detriment) in releasing an official product. However, with rumours of a possible PSP2 releasing in the coming year, will Sony really release two separate PlayStation portable devices?

4. Sony Marketplace – PSN Store – Android Store: If Sony truly is adopting the Android platform, we could very much expect a Sony-branded store that would sell not only games, but apps and add-ons to the phone. Amazon is already planning one; it won’t be that surprising if Sony follows suit.

5. Ridiculous Price: Time and time again, Sony manages to shock and amaze fans with their high prices. Don’t forget the PS3 released at $499 and the PSP-Go, despite being based on the dated PSP, still launched at $249. While we might see some subsidized price if tied to a carrier, this device will is likely to take a chunk out of the wallet.

Even if you’ve never played the previous iterations of the game, the game is rather easy to jump in and play. You start off with a lonely settler in an unexplored map. As you settle into your first city, you’ll have to make key decisions – Which technology to research? What to build in your city? Which direction to explore? – leading up to your ultimate decision: how would you like to win? Take over the world, construct a spaceship, be elected leader of the world (via the United Nations) or unlock the Utopia Project through culture and social enhancements.

You start the game with a group of settlers and an entire world to explore
Source: charon2112 (CivFanatics)

If you’re familiar with the Civ franchise, Civ 5 does rework a fair amount of the gameplay. One of the first observations is the move to hexes.  It’s a welcome change though, allowing for more flexibility in movement. Movement, however, is crucial in this game, as only one unit is allowed per tile. Now, wars must be fought strategically. Rather than sending a “stack of doom” (a mass of units), ranged units (catapults, archers, cannons) can be used to soften defenses before charging in with infantry and mounted units. City-states, which never extend past their one city (unless they conquer one in war), add some new drama to the mix. City-states, such as Seoul, Vienna, and Rio de Janiero, cannot “win” any victories, which is nice, since they’re no longer “competing” with you. Instead, these city-states help to add some political drama, as they align with you or your enemies. They can definitely serve as a thorn on your side, although I’ve had the pleasure of allying with them to use as a buffer in a game against the evil English who were nestled on the west coast.

Japanese Samurai
Source: Civ 5

Government is different as well. Instead of choosing between a number of government types (Monarchy, Republic, Communism, Democracy, etc.) as in past games, you’re given the choice of selecting social policies (grouped into various categories), which add certain benefits to your empire. Happiness is no longer localized to individual cities. Instead your entire empire has an overall happiness level, which is impacted by your total population, number of cities, luxuries, buildings, etc.

Will George be your ally or your enemy?
Source: Civ 5

The user interface (UI) has also been streamlined, taking cues from the console versions. Important events and actions now pop up as notifications on the side, allowing you to complete your actions first before addressing remaining issues in your empire. Most of the vital information is already displayed on screen and if your computer is up to par, can be displayed in stunning graphics and animation – rolling clouds in unexplored lands, crashing waves, wonders of the world slowly getting constructed before your very eyes. There’s also a strategic view, which trades in the aesthetics for simple yet useful icons representing units, resources, etc.; it almost feels like you’re playing a board game in this mode – it’s great if you’re running an older machine as slowdowns virtually disappear.

While you start out with a lonely settler, you'll have to expand your empire to stay on top
Source: ndawn (CivFanatics)

While Civilization 5 isn’t without its flaws and glitches, the game is constantly getting patched and updated. Another great things about the Civ series is the huge mod community. Fan sites such as CivFanatics and Apolyton.net host maps, scenarios, and mod packs – which can completely change the game (in rules, interface, style, etc.), allowing you to play entirely new games.If you’re into strategy games, history, or board games, Civilization 5 is definitely a game worth testing. Hosted on Steam, you can also download a demo of the game to test things out. The full retail game is $49.99, available on PC (via Steam). A fair word of warning, you may find yourself up at 3 in the morning telling yourself “just one more turn!”

Do you have what it takes to lead your people through the test of time?

Pictures of the third and last day of E3!

With the main press conferences all said and done, gamers were out at full force hitting the floors across the Los Angeles Convention Center. The line for Nintendo’s 3DS wrapped several times around the Nintendo booth; hundreds waited on line for other  games as well, including Assassin’s Creed, Mortal Kombat, Killzone 3, Marvel vs Capcom 3 and Microsoft’s Kinect.

Mortal Kombat, slated for 2011 was definitely a surprise hit; the game returns to its roots, with all the blood and gore you come to expect from a franchise that led the controversy in video game violence. The demo only listed a few characters, including Scorpion, Reptile, Kung Lao, Mileena, Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero and Stryker. A few of the stages available were beautiful re-imaginations of classic Mortal Kombat stages included the Pit and the Living Forest. The gameplay was great. The moves and character switching (for tag team matches) were smooth. Responding to feedback from fans, the game brings back the violence and gore. One nice detail was the deterioration of characters as they fought; by the time the match ends, your character is bruised and bloodied up. The game is slated for release from NetherRealm Studios / WBIE for the Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2011.

Sony’s new motion control, the Playstation Move, required far more effort than the Wii. Whereas one was able to get away with wrist flicks in Wii Sports Tennis, the Move requires actual full swings and moves, as the camera tracks movement 1:1. It’s not just the motion that’s need too however, for the fighting game, full powered, full speed swings are required as well. Swinging your arm lightly will just make your character flail his arms. Within two rounds, I was definitely working up a sweat. It was fun, though, as tiring as it was. The Move is slated for release in the U.S. on September 19th.

Here’s a few more pics from Day 2 at E3:

With E3 only a few days away, the LA Convention Center is prepped up with banners galore highlighting some of the big games to be shown this year.

Today’s Google homepage is a Pac-Man game, fully functional, with 256 levels, in celebration of 30 years with our favorite circular hero. Check it out!

*EDIT* If you “Insert Coin” a second time, it becomes a two-player game with Ms. Pacman! (I thought they were married… shouldn’t it be “Mrs.”?)

[Google Homepage]