Joystiq

Will Wright calls E3 a walking corpse

Kevin Kelly — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: E3, Business

The latest bandwagon that people seem to be hopping onto is the "Let's bash E3" express. We've had our own prognosticator proclaiming that the video game expo is past its prime, and now Will Wright is joining in by delivering a couple of swift kicks to the ribs. Then he backed over it a few times with his car before driving to his giant Scrooge McDuck pool of money and diving in.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, he calls the ailing conference "the walking dead" and says that the recently slenderized version of E3 from last month was "such an abrupt end to what was E3..." At least he could have bought it flowers or something while he was busy pronouncing it to be a living corpse. The nerve of some people.

We're just about to get some shuteye before launching into the crazy realm of PAX 2008, and we'll see if E3 does indeed look like a zombie in comparison. Maybe all it needs is a little makeup.

[Thanks, Jonah]

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Cammie: Nintendo 'disappointed' with E3 performance

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, E3

For Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive VP of sales and marketing, July's E3 media briefing was the perfect opportunity to cast a new spell. With most of Wii's casual ownership tuned out (c'mon, you think grandpop was glued to G4?), the press conference should have marked an effort to dazzle Nintendo's wavering "core." Allow the fans a whiff of another classic sequel, and all would have been right in their hearts. Instead, well ... you know what happened.

"I would say the message is we were disappointed with our performance at E3. There were titles like Wario which we think will be really fun titles that we should have showcased," Cammie recently admitted to VGChartz, adding, "We were excited that Mr. Miyamoto made the commitment that Pikmin is coming. It would have been nice if we could have said that on stage." Points for honesty?

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Nintendo sends Thank-You note to E3 attendees

Ross Miller — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:47:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, E3

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We received a nice letter from Nintendo of America today, thanking us for our attendance at their E3 2008 media briefing (we think the community has already sent their messages to NoA). At first, we were excited to have authentic signature from famous Nintendo executives Reggie Fils-Aime, Cammie Dunaway and Denise Kaigler (we like to collect them like pokemon).

Our excitement then quickly turned to utter disappointment (some would call that appropriate). As it turns out, every attendee got the same letter, complete with the same signatures in the exact same spots. After we discovered the names were stamped on, their eBay value immediately dropped from US $0.01 to three pieces of hair and a first-print of Daikatana.

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Joystiq hands-on: IndieCade games galore

Kevin Kelly — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arcade, Culture, Features, PC, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Online, Puzzle, Strategy, E3, Casual, Galleries

One of the things we made sure to do at E3 this year was to spend a significant amount of time with the IndieCade folks. Then we sat on that info long enough for some of these games to get picked up, have a successful release, come out with sequels, spawn movies, novels, comic books, become part of the general pop culture bloodstream, and then fade into nostalgia, and for that we apologize. Actually, I'll apologize, I did it.

But in all seriousness, a lot of the more fun and innovative stuff we saw at E3 wasn't actually being churned out by big studios and publishers, but being worked on by small groups with tiny budgets and just a love of gaming. Read on to find out all about the IndieCade games that we saw on display, and why you'll want to be playing them now.
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Variety judge disagrees with majority of E3 award winners, loves public drunkenness

Kevin Kelly — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Action, Adventure, RPGs, E3

Ben Fritz writes about video games for Variety and was one of the E3 judges this year -- and he's not too happy with this year's winners. He calls Mirror's Edge "gimmicky" and the Gears of War 2 improvements "minor." He was really pulling for Resistance 2, which he felt offered up a lot more than the original, and we'll admit that's a good point.

However, he really laments the fact that Fable 2 didn't win anything. He hated the original Fable, but thinks that "the human interactions, from multiple gay marriages to public drunkenness, seem really fun" in the sequel. He also admits that he didn't care for last year's Super Mario Galaxy and disliked Mass Effect. Which is probably why the second comment from Just A Guy is "You suck."

Update: Ben Fritz actually contacted us to let us know he didn't hate Super Mario Galaxy, he just "didn't lavish superlatives" on it. He goes on to tell us that the review he wrote of the game was "positive," but you can judge for yourself right here. With friends like that, who needs negative reviews? However, he did point out (and rightly so) that the headline implied that he doesn't like the E3 awards. In actuality, "I just personally disagree with the majority of the winners." Our bad, and we've fixed that.

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All our E3 2008 impressions are belong to you!

Ross Miller — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Features, PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, E3, Mobile

We thought it'd be best to start off the month of August by cleaning house and collecting all our E3 impressions from around the Joystiq Network into one easy-to-peruse guide. In case you missed anything (and there's a pretty good chance you did), check out all of our impressions from E3 2008.

Multiplatform

Age of Booty (E3 hands-on)
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway (E3 hands-on)
Dark Void (E3 hands-on)
Dead Space (E3 hands-on)
Fallout 3 (E3 hands-on)
Far Cry 2 (E3 hands-on)
Flock (E3 hands-on)
HAWX (E3 hands-on)
Left 4 Dead (E3 hands-on)
Mega Man 9 (E3 hands-on)
Mirror's Edge (E3 hands-on)
Neopets Puzzle Adventures (E3 hands-on)
Puzzle Quest Galactric (E3 hands-on)
Red Faction: Guerilla (E3 hands-on)
Resident Evil 5 (E3 hands-on)
Sonic Unleashed (E3 eyes-on)
Silent Hill: Homecoming (E3 hands-on)
Stormrise (E3 eyes-on: Stormrise)
This is Vegas (E3 impressions)
Tomb Raider Underworld (E3 hands-on)
Tom Clancy's EndWar (E3 hands-on)
Wheelman (E3 impressions)

Continue reading All our E3 2008 impressions are belong to you!

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The Joystiq E3 2008 Awards

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Features, PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Meta (about Joystiq), E3, Galleries

With the bleeps and bloops of our beloved games -- and we suppose Mega Man 9 was the only thing that sounded like that, really -- echoing through a cavernous and lifeless Los Angeles Convention Center, it was clear that this year's E3 was different. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. We still got to play some promising games, we still had to endure some rotten ideas and we still had to roll our eyes at corporate PR foibles. Thankfully, that's exactly what the Joystiq E3 2008 Awards are for.
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Pachter: Nintendo has not abandoned the core audience

Jason Dobson — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, E3, Business

Not everyone stumbled away from Nintendo's E3 presser feeling lightheaded and sick to their stomach. Some, like Wedbush Morgan soothsayer Michael Pachter, felt that the presentation was on point, offering an "even more positive view" of the company, while adding belief that Nintendo has not yet turned its back on the 'critically important' hardcore crowd.

"We think that Nintendo focused upon building upon its formidable lead with the mass market," notes Pachter, "and do not consider the lack of major hard core game announcements to be an abandonment of its core." Granted, this is a man who has the ear of investors and not necessarily gamers, and given that the analyst anticipates Nintendo to report revenue of more than $3.9 billion for 2009's fiscal first quarter, with an estimated $17.7 billion expected for the year, try to at least look surprised when his world views don't align perfectly with your own.

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Peter Moore calls E3 'soulless,' calls for public event

Jason Dobson — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:00:00 EST

Filed under: E3, Business

His face may be broken, but EA's Peter Moore likes to speak his mind, and what's on his mind lately is last week's E3, a gathering that he thinks can be fixed by opening it up to the public. Whoa, maybe all of that ink has gone to his brain, or has he already forgotten the madhouse that the annual used to be, when everyone and their brother seemed to find a way to roam the show's halls? Plus, isn't that what E for All is for, anyway?

Calling the event "soulless and lacking an epicenter," the former Microsoft exec suggests that organizers "invite the community" to the show, adding that given enough planning, letting gamers experience E3 first hand will help companies create better games and forge new ideas. Of course, it would likely be too crowded for any of the attending press to get any work done, but that's beside the point. Right, Pete?

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Molyneux: 'I feel sorry for Denis Dyack'

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, E3

Fable frontman Peter Molyneux has raised his metaphorical fist of solidarity, showing support for fellow game designer and Too Human trumpeter Denis Dyack. "I feel sorry for Denis Dyack because you know, I think a few things were said wrong, there was that really unfortunate showing at E3 a few years ago," Molyneux told VideoGamer.com at E3 last week. "Everyone got on the bandwagon of saying things about Too Human. Now I've played it and, you know, it's a good game. It doesn't deserve a lot of that harsh criticism. But as soon as something starts it's very hard to turn the tide and pull it back again." Molyneux, of course, speaks from experience, having survived a similar "avalanche" of negative criticism after the first Fable game was released in 2004 and failed to meet expectations hyped by Molyneux himself.

While Molyneux doesn't offer any sage advice for braving the inevitable storm to come (you don't actually have "something" in your back pocket, do you Mr. Dyack?), might we suggest, sir, that you quietly step away from the computer and out into the open air. Take a deep breath. You'll be safe there. Remember, it's not the whole world that's judging you (just a teeny, tiny nugget of web real estate). And besides, just like your pal Peter, you've always got the sequel to make good on empty promises.

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The games that weren't there: Missing from E3

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, E3

Whether delayed by last-minute technical deficiencies or a newly discovered apathy towards overblown trade shows, several announced, expected or downright anticipated games managed to escape our studious glares and hastened notepad summaries at this year's E3. Dash through our punchy list of MIA attendees and let us know which ones had you tapping your wrist watch and asking, "Do you have any idea what time it is? We've been worried sick."
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ESA: E3 2009 'will occur'

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: E3, Business

Some will tell you they heard the solemn ringing of the death knell as it echoed through the barren halls of the LA Convention Center last week. Was this the final E3? ... This?

Nope. The Electronic Software Association has revealed its plans to organize at least one more E3 event, stopping short of actually detailing the who, where, when, and -- most pressing -- the why bother? "As we do every year, we're beginning the process of surveying exhibitors and attendees to determine potential changes to the Summit," an ESA representative told GameSpot. "Once this is completed and shared with the ESA's Board of Directors, we will make an announcement about the specifics of the 2009 E3 Media & Business Summit, which will occur."
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Joystiq E3 hands-on: Tomb Raider: Underworld

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, E3

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The room is stuffed with a handful of game journalists. It's dark. Drifting from the (very nice) speaker system are the sounds of ocean waves lapping against a boat. On screen, Lara Croft stands on the wooden deck wearing scuba gear. Thrifty girl that she is, it looks like Lara didn't want to spring for a wetsuit with legs in it. Apparently not worried by the deep cold of the ocean, she dives into the water. It's time for me to play Tomb Raider Underworld.
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Joystiq interview: Nintendo spins 'core' gamer appeal, more

Jason Dobson — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Interviews, E3, Business

E3's oddly intoxicating cocktail of libation and lack of sleep can often give those in attendance a unique perspective on the industry. However, as we wandered into Nintendo's coolly lit corner of the LA convention center, we were quickly reminded that this is an outfit with a perspective all of its own.

If the company's ambivalence during its own pre-E3 presser wasn't enough to convince us of Nintendo's indifference toward core gamers, our sit down during the show with Nintendo spokesman Charlie Scibetta proved that while the organization may preach that "hardcore" gamers play a critical role in Nintendo's strategy, its actions paint a different picture altogether.

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Joystiq E3 Hands-on: Novint's Falcon controller

Mike Schramm — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Action, Simulations, E3, Peripherals

You make your way down the hallway in City 17, and push open the door into the bright sunlight reflected off of concrete. A Combine soldier stands before you, so you life your semiautomatic weapon, and as you pull the trigger and fire, the gun recoils in your hand. Another Combine stands across the viaduct, and when he fires at you, you feel the bullet strike you from the left, so you turn, and feel the gun jump in your hand again as you take him out.

That's the ideal experience with Novint's Falcon controller. The controller itself is about an eight inch orb that sits on your table, with a three-inch sphere sitting on the end of three arms coming off of it -- like a Soviet satellite sticking out of the globe. The idea is that you push the little sphere around to move your cursor, and the three arms provide resistance against whatever you bump up against. We got to use the controller at E3, and the verdict is that while it does provide a nice experience, the costs might be a little overwhelming for most players. More after the jump.

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Joystiq E3 hands-on: Dead Space

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, E3

Survival plus horror. It's a pretty self-explanatory genre, albeit one that frequently produces thematically lopsided games that would rather have you yell "Eww!" than "Aiieee!" Running around with 43 different kinds of machine guns, a rocket launcher and an abundance of ammo is tremendous, limb-splattering fun (see: Resident Evil 4), but it's not scary.

When we say Dead Space is scary, don't take it to mean that EA Redwood Shores' ambitious, zero-g frightener shoves a stick in your hand and pushes you out an airlock. On the contrary, you're armed to the teeth and quite capable of defending yourself from everything with teeth thanks to an array of upgradeable weapons, including a shotgun, flamethrower and charge-up-in-the-nick-of-time beam rifle. Shooting isn't the problem -- it's knowing where to shoot. The face is usually a good place to start, though!
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Bethesda defends E3, says it needs to change

Jason Dobson — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, E3, Business

After returning to its old stomping grounds, last week's E3 was a bittersweet reminder of not only what the annual event used to be, but also what it had become, its once bustling halls now comparatively vacant as handfuls of press scurried past. Even so, while some continue to call the occurrence irrelevant, others, such as Bethesda marketing front man Pete Hines, believe that E3 remains an important event for the gaming industry.

"I'm a firm believer that we need an E3," Hines told TechRadar UK in a post-show interview. However, the exec qualified his statement, adding that "we just can't have it like this year." Hines instead feels that E3 needs to become an "improved version" of 2007's Santa Monica beach side trek, or even a more controlled version of previous years' media bazaar. It will be interesting to see where E3 goes from here; with the event being a few pounds short of a megaton, we couldn't shake the feeling that we were attending both a showcase and a wake.

[Thanks Adam]

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Nintendo: Hardcore gamers 'critically important to us'

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, E3, Business, Casual

"Absolutely the hard-core gamer crowd is critically important to us." Which would explain why so much of Nintendo's E3 press conference was taken up by spirited flailing, smiling soccer moms and the worst rendition of the Super Mario Bros. theme the world has ever been forced to endure.

But Nintendo hasn't forgotten about the mythical "hardcore" gamer crowd, Cammie Dunaway tells Wired. The executive VP of sales and marketing, who insists that she's a "genuinely smiley, nice person," explains that "the Zelda and Mario teams are hard at work," possibly on something that could rival the infinitely desirable Super Mario Sluggers. "And even Super Mario Sluggers, which is certainly an expanded audience title, but what core gamer doesn't love Mario and baseball and finding out which combination of characters are going to do what kind of crazy things in the field?" she ponders.

Dunaway also notes that Nintendo is committed to a variety of games, catering to casual players with titles like Cooking Navi, and exciting tougher crowds with the DS iteration of Grand Theft Auto. We mean, she must have seen it, right? "I have not looked at the product. Have you?" Well, no ... but we haven't been incorporating it into our sales pitch either.

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Joystiq E3 Q&A: Spore detailed

Ross Miller — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:30:00 EST

Filed under: Mac, PC, Simulations, E3

During our time at E3 last week, we were able to spend about an hour with a very patient Maxis Producer Thomas Vu, who guided us through a near-final build of Spore (the whole thing) and answered a barrage of questions. Here's what we gleaned from our play session, broken down into each phase:

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Joystiq E3 sticks-on: Ion premium drum set

Ross Miller — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:30:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, E3, Rhythm

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Last week, a handful of Joystiq crew got to make fools of themselves on the mini-stage before Harmonix's Rock Band Bash featuring The Who. Set up for us on stage was the new Ion premium drum set for RB2. Over the span of the night, we drummed through a handful of songs to get a feel for the set.

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