NBrid

NBrid @ E3 2004: Propitious Predictions

Don't look now, but THE video game/geek fest is upon us. This annual event gives suffering Nintendo fans hope throughout the year, but now that it's here... Anyways, what can we expect? And how will we here at NBrid be bringing it to you?

This year we have... umm, hmm. I guess we don't have anyone attending E3 this year. Oh yeah, we never do. (Minus that guy who gave out our T-Shirts...) No big lose. E3 2004 crept up on me before I could make any plans (yeah, that's it). I just haven't been following the gaming scene as much lately (PSO3 is partially to blame). I looked around on a few sites, and there really doesn't seem to have been any huge news in recent days. Usually right before the event, a stream of hot topics comes out. Is that the sign of few surprises at this year's E3? Or the opposite, and all the big news will wait for E3 2004 to hit? We'll see over the next few days.

The one thing I have heard is that Sega supposedly has a "megaton" (or "Segaton") caliber announcement. I've seen guesses from a new console (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA) to becoming an exclusive Xbox developer (bloody unlikely) to a new PSO (maybe, but that's not "big"). Who knows. However, it has just come out that Sega will be publishing the thought to be cancelled Matrix Online. Could that be the big news? Again maybe (yet highly doubtful), but either way I don't know what to make of it. I don't think Sega has ever worked with a licensed game before (except for Sports games I guess). And we all know how they usually turn out (ever play the first Matrix game?). But what I really find odd is that Sega is just publishing Matrix Online, Warner Bros. is still developing it (hence why I have little hope it will be any good). We all know Sega hasn't been doing as well as they should be, but with Sammy now calling the shots at Sega, I'm worried. Maybe they are going to try the THQ route. Let's all hope not. Just give me Super Monkey Ball 3 already!

On the PlayStation 2 front, I'm not sure what's all planned. Of course we will see how far along "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" is. The next Grand Theft Auto will be there, GTA: San Andreas, but like Vice City, it's stil just based off GTA3. On that note, GT4 (Gran Turismo 4) should also be a big focus. And then of course we have the PSP: PlayStation Portable. Clearly that is what Sony is pushing. The challenger to the Game Boy empire will be unveiled for the first time at E3 2004. Last I heard it won't make it out in the US this year, but this is still a huge moment that will have a major impact on the industry this year, and maybe for years to come. The only real question is, what form will that impact take.

I think we all know what Xbox has going for it. Sure there's Fable, but like Shenmue and more pertinently, Black & White, I have a feeling this game won't live up to the hype, but I hope I'm wrong. The real game EVERYONE wants to see, and play, is Bungie's Halo 2; aka Game of the Show, aka Game of the Year. 'Nuff said. One thing to keep an eye on is sports games on Xbox. Not Microsoft's own XSN lineup because they have already stated they will not bring out new versions this year. So that leaves one to wonder, what will take its place? Will this open the door to bringing EA's sports games online on Xbox? And if Madden goes Live, expect other EA games to follow. And if EA does in fact go Live, Sony just lost one of it's biggest "pros".

I should point out before I go any further that there is a chance PS2 will see a price drop. A report out just says that since Xbox dropped to $150, it has outsold the PS2 and has become the best selling console. Seeing as how the $99 GameCube accomplished the same feat, Sony doesn't want to lose anymore ground.

Nintendo... sigh. We have known for awhile their focus will be on the Nintendo DS (which might get a new name at the show). This is either good or bad. I just don't know. Personally, I have no interest in it. But I also have no interest in the GBA, and look how well that sells. On the GameCube game front, I have little expectations. Wind Waker 2 might be good. "Mario 128" might not be there. Resident Evil 4 hopefully won't disappoint like 0. Same for Star Fox 2. The only game I really want to see is Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. But can Retro really do it again? With talks of "multiplayer", I'm afraid it will stray too far from what made the first Prime so great. We shall see. Last year's E3, no matter what some say, was a disappointment on Nintendo's front. And it showed over throughout the year. Who would of thought the only game I really enjoyed since then would be PSO3, a game I first laughed at. Which in of itself is sad. There have also been rumors that Shigeru Miyamoto might resign. It had to happen one day, but given Nintendo's precarious position, it CANNOT happen now. And I really don't see it happening now either.

Don't forget the 'other' consoles! The Phantom is being shown for the first time too at E3 2004. The latest news says the always-online (and only online) gaming system will be free to people who sign-up for their service for 2 years ($30/month). That sounds like a long time to commit to something so unknown. And I'm still not a fan of having to download any game I want to play. I like hard copies of everything.

Don't forget the non-console players! On the PC side we will see, yet again, Half-Life 2 and DOOM 3 (which should also be shown as a big game on Xbox). Maybe we'll actually get to play them this year too (and I don't mean at E3)!

Of course there will be plenty of other games not mentioned. Some big, some no one will care about, some surprises, some huge disappointments. I'm sure there will be some talk of next generation consoles (PS3, Xbox 2, "N5"), but don't expect much. At best we might get a better idea of when to expect them (late 2005? 2006?). This could be a very low key E3 since many are already gearing up for next year's next-gen fight, or it could be one of gigantic proportions with the PSP and/or DS blowing everyone away. Who knows yet. The closest thing to a sure thing is that Halo 2 will amaze all who dare enter.

So with that, enjoy the show and stay tuned! I'll keep myself, and maybe everyone else, informed of any doings ahappenin. If it is a bust, just wait till E3 2005 when the next-gen consoles are sure to be revealed.

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