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New World: The Video Game Universe
After starting this World out with video games news, I've decided to shift the video game stuff over to my new World: The Video Game Universe. Over there, you can expect news, opinions, and updates on some of the bigger stories in video gaming. Please check it out and support it!
Soon this World will be back to its regularly scheduled programming, so stay tuned!
E3 Last Call
Another year, another E3 come and gone. Bit of a strange flavor to this one. Seems like the Big 3 (Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft) went different routes that they normally have been in the past few year, which turned out to be a big win for Nintendo.
Every since the launch of the Wii, Nintendo has been hyping the motion control and the party games. Nice way to promote the technology, but remember Wii Music? Total flop. This year, Nintendo employed the strategy of its competitors: hype the games. Without a doubt, fans have been upset over the lack of support for Wii games, particularly first party titles. Well this year Nintendo fixed that by leaps and bounds. New Zelda, Kid Icarus, Metroid, Kirby, Donkey Kong, and others round out one of the strongest lineups for any console in years. Even so, Nintendo still broke out some new hardware: the 3DS. This fantastic piece of technology can allow you to switch games from 2D to 3D...without glasses! Combined with 3D movies and the ability to take 3D pictures, Nintendo just tightened its grip on the handheld market. Expect a post on the 3DS very soon. I will admit, I was disappointed that there was no mention of any Wii HD, Wii online service, or Wii hard drive. Fingers crossed for next year!
Microsoft and Sony have pushed their games in recent years, but this year both took a nod from Nintendo and introduced motion control gaming. As far as I'm concerned, while both were blatantly ripping off Nintendo, Sony did a much better job. The XBOX Kinect is a great idea. Fantastic, in fact. However, what games is it getting? Party games. As in, "I have a Wii and Wii Sports, why do I want to buy the same games for the 360?" Will this hurt the 360? Probably not initially, as there are many consoles out there, and I'm sure people won't be able to resist. However, Microsoft is going to need to get out some quality games fast. Sony, for the first time since the PS2, seems to have a firm jump on this. Not only do they have 1:1 motion control, but they're getting hardcore games ready for it. For instance, Killzone 3, a huge upcoming title, will incorporate the Playstation Move technology. And to top it off, the PS3 will be the first console to play games in 3D! This is a huge win for Sony, and may be what the company had planned all along. Only time will tell.
That's all I have for now. Of course, there were so many more things at this year's E3 than I have mentioned here. What was your favorite?
E3: The Story So Far...
Well I did say I would write about video games, and it just so happens that the biggest video game event of the year is going on right now. Good place to start? I thought so...
Microsoft
So Project Natal has officially been renamed to Kinect. I like the idea behind this new little device, but something just feels odd about it (I'll rant in another post). Hopefully I'll pick it up when it launches in November, but I'm a little worried about the games. What has been announced is cool and all, but it just feels like Nintendo has already done the interactive type of party games. Guess we'll find out!
Nintendo
Ok, a disclaimer: I just read a review of Microsoft's keynote speech, but I actually followed Nintendo's live, so I have more to say about it. First off, the 3DS. Absolutely amazing. 3D without glasses? Yes, please. But also, Hollywood movies in 3D, 3D pictures, communication while in sleep mode, and a larger screen all come together to make this an impressive handheld to add to Nintendo's pedigree. And then the games: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (with beautiful graphics), Donkey Kong Returns, Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, Nintendogs +Cats, and Kid Icarus (!), just to name a few. This is a heck of a line up from the company that has gotten a lot of heat in the last few years for lack of first-party titles.
Update...
Sony
So, much like Microsoft, Sony focused on motion control with Sony Move. Interesting piece of hardware with great precision. They even beat out Microsoft on two fronts: earlier release date and better lineup of games. The PS3 has lagged behind the XBOX 360 and Wii simply because of its much higher price tag and early lack of games, but it's really catching up nicely. Along with the announcement of 3D games and an online service, Sony seems to be shaping up the console nicely!
Well that does it for the announcements from the Big 3, now it's on to the third party companies to impress us! I'll put some stuff up about that in the coming days, then post some wrap-up thoughts after E3 is over. Too bad this only comes once per year!
-Matt
Starting Over
I've had a profile on here for awhile, but ended up getting so busy with life that I neglected it. Well no more! I've officially hit the "reset" button, and now I'm going to make this space the best I can. I'm not really sure what I want this space to be about at the moment, but I might start off with general life, video games, technology, and whatever interests me. Please take a moment to introduce yourself! Thanks for stopping by, come back soon!
-Matt
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