E3, is an annual trade show for the computer and video games industry presented by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). It is used by many video game developers to show off their upcoming games and game-related hardware. Split-Screen presents a round up of what transpired in the E3 2008. This is day 1 of 3.
Do we really need E3?
It renamed itself the “E3 Media and Business Summit,” slashed the guest list, ditched the booth babes, expensive parties, D-list celebs and glitzy demonstrations. Attendance dwindled from the more than 80,000 people packing the convention center to a fraction of that — about 5,000 people this year.
With so few attendees, no big announcements and not much buzz, it begs the question: Is E3 going the way of the dinosaur? Or perhaps, going the way of the more recently extinct Comdex?
(Go to msnbc.msn.com to read the full story)
E3: Microsoft unveils family-friendly videogames line-up
These include a karaoke game for the Xbox 360 console, and a new online gaming area in which players can compete against one another in virtual quiz shows.
Don Mattrick, senior vice president of interactive media at Microsoft, stressed the importance of appealing to a wide audience of all ages and interests. “Today, our industry belongs to everyone,” he said.
Lips, a game in which players use wireless microphones to sing along in time with the music, will appeal to a young, mostly female user base…
(Go to telegraph.co.uk for the full story)
EA At E3: Rock Band 2 Details, 84 Track Setlist Revealed
When it comes to music rhythm games like Rock Band 2, the titles live and die by the setlist. Then again Harmonix and MTV Games have gotten around that issue by constantly, and consistently, providing downloadable songs for the first game. And come Fall you’ll be able to get those same tracks to work on Rock Band 2. Not only that, but the downloadable song train will continue on stronger than ever. But let’s get to the new game and Harmonix has in store for fans…
(Go to cinemablend.com for the full story)
E3: EA Partners to publish id’s RAGE
The deal was unveiled via an appearance by John Carmack at the conference, as well as a brief video package.
While few details about the post-apocalyptic title were forthcoming at the conference, a press release issued by EA following the event stated that the game would be described in more detail at Quakecon. Quakecon is scheduled for July 31 to August 2.
(Go to computerandvideogames.com for the full story)
EA announces ‘Sims 3,’ relationship with ‘Quake’ maker id, at E3
It wouldn’t be E3 without Electronic Arts, the world’s-largest video game publisher, weighing in with the best of its forthcoming lineup.
And that’s just what happened Monday afternoon at the Orpheum theater downtown here: a boisterously loud, demo-heavy presentation of the cream of EA’s 2008 and some of its 2009 lineup.
Topping the list–from this reporter’s perspective, at least–is Spore, which is planned for a September 7 release.
(Go to news.cnet.com for the full story)
E3 2008: Nintendo Surprises with Wii MotionPlus
Plug a little accessory the size of a memory card into the tail of your Wii remote and Nintendo says you can have dramatically better motion control. According to Nintendo’s pre-E3 press splash, the Wii MotionPlus attaches to the end of your Wii Remote and, in conjunction with the accelerometer and sensor bar, lets the system keep better track of your arm’s position.
(Go to blogs.pcworld.com/gameon for the full story)
Microsoft unveils Netflix deal at E3 (updated re Apple TV)
As usual, Engadget’s Ryan Block has blogged the Micrososft press conference at the E3 games trade show in as Angeles. Peter Molyneux from Lionhead says “Fable II is finished!” Cliff Bleszinski demos Gears of War 2. Square Enix says Final Fantasy XIII is coming to Xbox. NBC Universal has started supplying video (Heroes etc) via Xbox Live, plus Netflix will stream more than 10,000 movies to Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers at no additional cost. In other words, it’s just like Roku’s Netflix Player but you don’t have to spend $100 on a Roku. Microsoft has a press release about the deal. (Also, our Gamesblog has much more detail, but didn’t when I posted.)
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