Early next month, the annual E3 expo starts in Los Angeles and it's a frantic time where big-name game publishers peddle their upcoming blockbuster titles for the next year and smaller companies compete for a piece of the gaming pie.
E3 is always a time for speculation and rumour, when pundits try to predict what will be the biggest gaming trend in the next 12 months and which hardware manufacturer will win the war.
Well, as far as I know, the only one of the big three console makers - Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo - is showing off new hardware: Nintendo with its Wii-U and what I've been hearing over the past few weeks has piqued my interest. I think I read somewhere that Randy Pitchford, of Gearbox, stated that the Wii-U version of Aliens: Colonial Marines will be the best of the bunch.
Microsoft and Sony remain quiet as to whether they'll announce any new hardware - and I don't think they will. Personally, I think Sony wants to get the Vita bedded in a bit more (it's not doing too well at the moment) so it won't want to divert attention from that, and Microsoft, I'm not sure: I was sure they would have announced a new console soon but perhaps they want to focus on Kinect at the moment. I guess we'll know next week.
E3, though, is all about the games and while there's no Bioshock Infinite on show this year (it's been pushed back to 2013) or glimpse of GTAIV (Rockstar isn't even having a presence this year), perhaps of the upcoming games the one I'm most excited about is The Last of Us from Naughty Dog, the developer that made the Uncharted series. Known for its storytelling and deep characterisation, The Last of Us tells the story of a teenage girl and a hardened survivor making their way through a post-apocalyptic world.
I'm certainly learning more about Aliens: Colonial Maries as I've long been a fan of the Alien movies, and I'm actually intrigued to see where 343 Industries is taking the Master Chief in Halo 4. I'm sure it'll be a bit of the familiar mixed with the new.
I'm keen to see what Ubisoft has this year, especially more of Assassin's Creed 3 (Ubisoft will live-stream its press conference over YouTube at 10am NZ time, June 5) and for the first time you'll be able to watch the Xbox pre-show press conference over Xbox Live. I'm sure Sony, Nintendo and other major companies will live-stream their pre-show conferences.
What about you, though? Are you intrigued by any games being shown at E3 this year or do you feel that the trade show is becoming less relevant these days?
Please note: There won't be a blog on Friday as I'm heading to Sydney today for a Samsung press event and won't be back in New Zealand until Friday afternoon. Have a good weekend and happy gaming!
Stuff you might also find interesting: Game Junkie is on Twitter and you can email him here. He'll even answer your emails, not get some smart robot to do it. You can also hear him on Kiwi FM every Tuesday chatting about video games with Glenn Williams, and, if that isn't enough, he has another gaming blog here. It's updated at least once a week.
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I guess the most exciting thing I'm excited about is what we don't know already, they tend to have a few surprises in stock don't they?
Anyway Id like for them to stream the event in NZ on xbox, but I doubt this will be available anywhere apart from the US etc.
Struggling to touch my xbox after Diablo3...
Definitely amped to hear more about The Last of Us. Naughty Dog are the masters at cinematic gameplay, and this one looks like its going to be a cracker!
Looking forward to Nintendo's glorious return to gaming supremecy! Usher in glorious utopia for humanity!
Is it just me or does The Last of Us look exactly like a grittier Enslaved? Not that I'm complaining - Enslaved was awesome. For me I'd like to see some gameplay footage of Halo 4, and I've been waiting a long time for a decent Aliens game, so how that turns out will be interesting.
I can't see either Sony or Microsoft announcing a new system this E3. I'm happy with that too be honest - still way too many great games to play on the current gen!
SimCity. Nothing else matters except that it not suck. Any more confirmation that it will not suck I will lap up without engaging my critical faculties for one second.
I can't even help it.
Games wise - it seems to be a bit weak this year. Last of Us, Borderlands 2, Far Cry 3 maybe Halo 4 but aside from that really weak.
I'm kinda out of love for Assassins Creed...maybe it's the whole US backstory.
Hopefully X-box360 will release better APPS for us but other than that...
It's difficult getting excited about any of the so-called big games coming out. It has been an a awesome year, so immense that I haven't even touched Skyrim yet. So even if there is nothing new coming out, I have plenty to occupy me!
Never having been a fan of CoD or Assasins Creed I don't care much for them. The only game that I'm interested to see is the Tomb Raider reboot. I know its not on everyone's list but I've always had a soft spot for Lara and her well-endowed chest since it was the first game I owned on the original Play Station.
There's no room in my life for WiiU, Kinect or Vita. I just want more RPGs for my PS3!
Its going to be great to see the Wii U in its final form! Ninty have kept such a tight lid on anything and everything to do with the Wii U. This years E3 is shaping up to be a good one, we are on the precipice of a new console cycle its time to say goodbye to the xbox 360, PS3, yes I will even miss the Wii. BTW I really hope Mr. Caffeine is back in some form with his classic sayings "YIIIIKKKKKEEESSSSSS!" "Tom Clancys Poop on your tooth paste"
@ Lumbus - I heard on the Major Nelson podcast that everyone will be able to view the Microsoft breifing on the Xbox. Also think it can be viewed on xbox.com with additional chat features, etc.
Looking forward to the WiiU flopping completely! I have an iPad for my weird ADD gaming moments. Otherwise I am happy to stick to my standard gaming process. Really not interested in gaming becoming more facebook/iPhone/wii like.....
Scary games scare the crap out of me
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