The lights are on
Every year, E3 shapes perceptions about the current state of the industry and where it is going next. From the games on display to the initiatives being pushed by the console manufacturers, E3 gives gamers an opportunity to see upcoming trends. So, what did we learn this year? The following list outlines the dominant points we observed at the press conferences and on the show floor.
1. What Next Gen?The current generation of hardware is still producing some fantastic games, but a new wave of consoles is inevitable. You wouldn’t know it from listening to Sony and Microsoft, though. As expected, both companies refrained from making any major next-gen announcements – but the surprising part was that they made no hints, cryptic statements, or any other kind of comment that even acknowledged that new consoles (and accompanying games) are in development. Only a handful of potential next-gen games were on the show floor (like Star Wars 1313), but the developers weren’t confirming anything. It’s hard to get gamers excited for the future when you refuse to talk about the future.
2. Few SurprisesWe didn’t see many games at E3 that we hadn’t seen before. Maybe it’s because Internet sleuths leak all of the juicy info beforehand, or maybe it’s because the major series of this generation are churning out money too reliably. Whatever the case, the stunning announcements and jaw-dropping reveals of past years' conferences were largely absent. Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs and Sony’s Beyond: Two Souls were the only previously unknown high-profile titles. The rest of the big games for the next year feature a lot a familiar faces.
3. Strong ShowingsJust because companies didn’t have surprises doesn’t mean that their games weren’t impressive. We saw and played some fantastic demos from titles like Assassin’s Creed III, Halo 4, The Last of Us, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Borderlands 2, and Dead Space 3. They may not have the mysterious appeal of newly announced games, but these are the experiences that are going to define late 2012 and early 2013, and it looks like we’re in for a treat.
4. Forgotten 3DRemember how people couldn’t shut up about 3D? Well, they finally did. No one seemed to be touting 3D as an important or noteworthy feature in upcoming games. Even Sony, who has been one of the biggest proponents of the technology, stayed quiet about it. With any luck, this fad is on the way out.
5. Handheld NeglectOwners of the 3DS and Vita bought their handhelds with faith that Nintendo and Sony would eventually provide worthwhile software to justify the purchase. E3 was not reassuring for those gamers, who saw the portable systems sidelined and practically ignored. A few announcements and demos for titles like Paper Mario on 3DS and Call of Duty on Vita weren’t enough to fill handheld gamers with confidence for the upcoming software lineup. After the rocky launch and uneven game quality for both Vita and 3DS, E3 made it seem like Nintendo and Sony were already preparing to give up on their latest portable endeavors. Both companies need to do more to show their commitment to these devices.
Next: A look at MMOs, a new (old) weapon, and an indie actress
Email the author Joe Juba, or follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Game Informer.
i am glad to hear that sony hasnt paid any mind to the ps vita. so now i can keep all of my money for me.
The last part (#10) summed it up perfectly for me, when MS talked about the smart phone/tablet interface I simply surfed the internet during the downtime. When Wonderbook was shown I cringed for the people performing and attending because I could mute it at home but they had to suffer through. And Shootmania just had me asking "Dafuq?" the WHOLE time.
With bows and arrows in The Hunger Games, Hawkeye in The Avengers, and the upcoming Pixar flick Brave, the timing of game companies using bows and arrows couldn't be better. And personally, I'm still shooting arrows in playstation's Sports Champions using the Move!
Some many people made jokes about Tomb Raider being set during the Hunger Games it was actually kind of funny and true. Having a bow and arrow could be cool if the game actually makes the weapon serve a worthwhile function. Dark Souls in my opinion was a game that uses the bow and arrow correctly as that weapon was indispensable for me. #10 needs no explanation it was right on the money. The sad part is that if they had just shown a simple video demonstration (say five minutes) as a pose to a live one we probably we all would have probably walked away with a better understanding of the products and wouldn't have been so let down by them.
ALSO Assassins creed 3! Cant imagine how they forgot that one!!!
I think AC3 impressed me the most. Naval warfare & more. Even though the bow is a great idea in the new games coming out I'm more interested in Conner's rope blade weapon. I think I saw in the demo where he could throw it have the blade stick in an enemy & then jump off a tree leaving em hanging while he tore through everybody else. Interesting & exciting all @ the same time.
hHA
Microsoft sucked at the presentations, I'm mad that Sony ditched the Vita for the Dumber(Wonder) Book, wat the hell is a "Nintendo Land", and 1 more thing....girl wood....lol
Good top 10 GI! I wish there was some next-gen announcements. Maybe next year.
Here's another trend starting at E3, Nintendo not talking about the actual system for the second year in a row and just focusing on the controller.
Another trend I think you guys missed is iPhone and tablet support for online services. They showed a lot of that.
Good riddance to bad 3D.
Hey... I'm excited for the 3DS lineup. More than I care about the deluge of shooter sequels.
We need more bows and Ellen Page.
There's a reason no one is talking about 3D. Anyone born before 1980 remembers all too well that brief and ridiculous time when 3D was rearing it's ugly head in what seemed like every movie. The only problem? Watching 3D makes you feel dizzy and you have to wear ridiculous glasses. It's a fad like any other fad. Here today, gone tomorrow. Until someone makes the leap that marries 3D with some sort of crystal clear form of holographic technology, bringing real dimensionality to characters without the use of glasses, 3D will remain just a passing fancy. You can be sure it'll pop up again at some point. All those people that ran out and bought their 3D TV's can now be proud to be amongst that small but elite group of people that buy the latest and trendiest things before waiting to see their relevancy. Don't worry, you'll have company. There are the 8-Track folk, the Laserdisc owners, and a whole slew of other technologies that disappeared nearly as quickly as they surfaced. 3D keeps popping up from time to time, but no one has ever figured out a way to make it seamless and natural, without the use of annoying glasses. I'm sure some people don't mind sitting in their living room with those slick Risky Business shades, but the general public certainly doesn't. Goodbye 3D, see you in another 30 years.