Official E3 Talkback

[The Dark Knight]

This is the week every video game fan has been eagerly awaiting. This is the week that video game sites across the internet start overflowing with screenshots, hands-on previews, and more video game information than any other time of the year. A recent price war has already kicked the show into high gear, and it can only get better. E3 is here.

Before you post I ask that you follow 2 simple rules:

Rule #1
No system wars.

Rule # 2
All game screenshots must be thumbnailed or linked to for those who have slow connections. No images larger than 300 pixels by 300 pixels.

Now that we got that out of the way, since E3 hasn't officially started yet, what games are you going to be looking for?

My picks:
Console
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (PS2)

How awesome does this game look?

Other games to watch for:
Terminator: Dawn of Fate (X-Box, also on PS2)
Daredevil (PS2)
Superman: Shadow of Apokolips (PS2)
Batman: Dark Tomorrow (GC, also on X-Box and PS2)
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (X-Box, also on GC and PS2)

For a comprehensive list of all console games known to be at E3 click here.

PC
Impossible Creatures

I don't know about you, but playing an RTS with lobster/whales is 100 times cooler than playing with tanks and soldiers. If they include online play then this could be one of the best games of the year.

Other games to watch for:
Ghost Master
City of Heroes
PlanetSide

For a comprehensive list of all PC games known to be at E3 click here.

Every day I'll post a summary of the events of the show for those who don't have the time to look through all the updates game sites will be having. Until then, let the speculation begin.

[Mr. Obsession]

Until now I could never figure it out. But now I know exactly what my life has been missing: lobster-whales!



If only I could go to E3... if only...

[The Dark Knight]

I'm glad you enjoy the lobster/whales as much as I do.

Am I the only one who's disappointed that Lionhead Studios seems to be completely absent from the show on both PC and console fronts? I was really hoping I would get to see something from their new games.

[Lightwave]

i have been waiting for this week for a LONG time.im gonna go one day.

[Evil Dr. Reef]

*Gasp*
Is E3 actually OPEN TO THE PUBLIC this year?

[Rei]

No it's still closed unfortunetly but a couple people always sneak in somehow.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

How ? Man, next year I'm starting a website( or joining the staff of one) so maybe I can get in as part of the press.

[The Dark Knight]

Console
I can't help but find it ironic that, in the midst of all this new information, the news that had everyone talking today was what many had expected to happen anyway. If you haven't already heard:
GC is now $149!

What I found more interestng was the Xbox online plan finally taking shape. Microsoft plans to spend $1 billion to set up the Xbox Live Netowrk which is set to launch 12 weeks before Christmas. Microsoft is pretty ambitious in their statement that they plan to release one game every week after the launch of the network until Christmas, but if they can pull it off then it seems that the Xbox may be the best online system of the three. What convinces me most is the fact that the cost for the network is actually pretty reasonable, especially in comparison to what Sony and Nintendo seem like they'll offer. The cost will be $10 per month or a yearly fee of $50. Any thoughts?

Enter the Matrix
Previously called "The Matrix Reloaded", the new game based on the Matrix movies will now be on PS2, Xbox, GC, and PC with no exclusivity restrictions. The game was originally going to have a 6 month time period where it would only be available on the Xbox, but, most likely due to the fact that the developer was bought by Infogrames, the deal seems to have fallen through. The game is set to be released May of 2003 along with the movie.

The Sims
Some of you may be sick of hearing about this game,and some of you may not be able to get enough of it, but, considering the fact that it's the best selling PC game of all time, it shouldn't really come as a shock that it's coming to the PS2. But don't expect the same game you've been playing on the computer. Click on the link to find out why. It looks interesting, but I don't know if it will acheive the greatness that the PC version has.

Devil May Cry 2
What a surprise!!! I think everyone expected a sequel to Devil May Cry. There was only one question on every gamers mind: when? Expect it to hit the PS2 by the end of this year.

Resident Evil 0

I think it speaks for itself.

Other news:
Sammy Studios

Other games:
Star Wars Galaxies (PS2 and Xbox)
Endgame (PS2)
Total Immersion Racing (PS2 and Xbox)
Knight Rider (PC, PS2, Xbox, GC, and GBA)
Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (PS2 and Xbox)
Breath of Fire (PS2)
Disney's Tarzan: Return to the Jungle (GBA)
Godzilla: Destroy all Monster Melee (GC)
Lamborghini games (PS2, Xbox, and GC)
Burnout 2: Point of Impact (PS2, Xbox, and GC)
Andy McNab: Team SAS (Xbox)
Freedom: The Battle for Liberty Island (PC, PS2, and Xbox)
Midtown Madness 3 (Xbox)
NBA Inside Drive 2003 (Xbox)
Whacked! (Xbox)
MechAssault (Xbox)
Kakuto Chojin (Xbox)
Sneakers (Xbox)
Quantum Redshift (Xbox)
Kung Fu Chaos (Xbox)
Brute Force (Xbox)
NFL Fever 2003 (Xbox)
Crimson Skies (Xbox)
Twin Caliber (PS2)
Twin Caliber (Xbox)
Furious Karting (Xbox)

I'll post my thoughts on the PC games as well as some more on the console side of E3 tomorrow when I have more time.

[Zorakfan]

I'm going next year, so hehe.

Anyway, Impossible creatures, (Formerly the adventures of Rex Sigma) is going to KICK ASS. As for this year, I'm hoping more light will be shed on FF11.

[Rei]

Personally I think PS2 has the best online plans. Going up in August all you need to do is pay the initial $40 for the adapter, get a game and go on. Another thing is PS2 supports broadband and 56k while X-Box is broadband only which will make a dent in online sales since only about 40% of people have broadband. Still though there's no telling what can happen once things get up and running.

Anyways some games I'm looking foward to are

SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals
Devil May Cry 2
Breath of Fire
Final Fantasy XI
Robotech
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Xenosaga
Maximo 2

[The Dark Knight]

Originally posted by Rei
Personally I think PS2 has the best online plans. Going up in August all you need to do is pay the initial $40 for the adapter, get a game and go on.

Actually, Sony is letting publishers take care of their own online games. Basically, this means that if you want to play Final Fantasy 11 and Resident Evil Online you could end up paying $10 a month to both Square and Capcom, which is double what the Xbox is charging for play of all online games (not taking into account the cheaper yearly fee). Don't expect games from Sony to be free either.

[Mr. Obsession]

It looks like Working Designs has gone back and reconsidered their decision not to bring Growlanser II to the US. Well not only have they made a 180 decision here they're also bringing over III. Strategic RPG goodness for everyone!

Now if they'll only announce bringing over the original PSX Growlanser I'd be really thrilled, considering it's part one of the story and all. I smell another "Arc the Lad"-esque collection in the (not so) near future.


WOO!



EDIT: And Breath of Fire V is a PS2 exclusive.

[Joe Wagner]

WOW! Daredevil looks like it's going to be an incredible game. I guess I should eventually pick up a system to play it on though huh?

-Joe!