If there was a theme to this year’s
Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, it would be: Unkempt Hair & Awful Goatees.
This doesn’t improve much upon last year’s theme: Asian Businessmen a Little Too Distracted by Droves of Booth Babes.
Another E3 has come and gone, and for one week out of the year, the City of Angels sees more pasty and portly bodies in one space than a nutritionist at a Fat Camp. Geeks of all shapes and sizes (but mostly round) descend on the LA Convention Center to get a glimpse at the near-future of games and gaming.
It’s living irony: men who wouldn’t know what to say to a woman even if Cyrano, himself, were standing by their sides are surrounded by models in the skimpiest of attire trying desperately to look enthused about video games. These fine specimens of the male species form long lines for the chance to have a photo opportunity with a real, live girl!
And if the ladies aren’t drawing your attention away from the games, the spectacle of booth entertainment is.
Whether a superstar, like Mr. Tony Hawk, shows up for an impromptu autograph session, or a cabaret of dancers take to the stage to strut their stuff- every company tries desperately to attract one’s attention away from a competitor’s games, and towards their own.
I actually saw a battle of the bands take place between two vendor’s performers- one attempting to freestyle rap above the metal guitar of the other’s, while still competing with the block-rockin’ beats of the DJ next door. It’s no wonder that everyone walks away from E3 with sore throats and no hearing.
Under the piles of swag handed out in the forms of flip books, posters, pins, and stampede-inducing t-shirts, there are actual games to be played. Three days, 400 venders, and over 5000 products to sample- that’s enough to overwhelm even the most hardcore of fanboys.
This year was arguably the most important E3 in the past five. It was the puffing of chests that came in the form of next generation console announcements from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo that caught everyone’s attention and had journalists, like myself, pressing for more information- when are they coming out? How powerful are they? And most importantly, how much will it cost?
As is typical in E3 fashion, only the most bare-bones information was released: Microsoft’s “Xbox 360” will be out by this holiday season (bet on November), Sony’s “PlayStation 3” by Spring 2006, and Nintendo’s “Revolution” by… well, sometime in 2006.
Most accessible was the “360,” which not only had a wealth of technical information on hand, but also had some playable games. The same could not be said for the Big X’s competitors- the PS3 only showed pre-rendered game footage behind closed doors, which may or may not have been actually using the PS3’s graphic processors. The Revolution casing was only briefly seen at Nintendo’s press conference, with no gameplay footage at all.
All three companies are poised to break out beyond the high level of geekdom that is associated with gaming. Tapping the casual market is a key component of success in all three companies business plans. Microsoft may have the edge over the other companies with their enormously successful “Xbox Live” service built into every 360 released and revised to accommodate the casual gamer, as well as the hardcores. The free level of 360 “Live” service will include the ability to voice and video chat with friends at any time, regardless of whether you are playing the same game, different games, or even watching different movies. Customizable faceplates, free casual games like checkers, and a retro-styled choice of arcade hits means that this might be Microsoft’s big push integrate the internet and gaming into everyone’s household.
And with a far sexier box than either the PS3 or the Revolution, I’m going on record right now to state that I predict the Xbox 360 will become the Ipod of the video gaming world.
Nintendo promises to finally get on board with online access in their next generation. Reportedly, the Revolution will have the ability to download and play every Nintendo game that has been released in the past twenty years- since the time of the original NES. New Mario and Zelda titles, of course, are promised as well.
Not wanting to harsh anyone’s vibe, and leaving journalists to speculate wildly, no price points were announced for any of the systems- safe to say that you should start saving that laundry money now.
As far as games go, the highlight of the show was certainly Nintendo’s “Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.” Displayed behind closed doors and in rooms made to look like an enchanted forest and dank dungeon, fans waited for up to three hours in line to catch a glimpse at four playable scenes. After the near-riot Nintendo had on its hands when it released the last “Zelda” with a cel-shaded Saturday morning cartoon look, the Big N went with a more realistic look- taking the beloved franchise into more of a “Lord of the Rings” fantasy world. “Zelda” will definitely become one of the best selling games this winter season, and most likely the best selling Gamecube title of all time.
Movie-based licenses were all the rage this year, with pixilated versions of “Scarface,” “The Godfather,” “Jaws,” “Taxi Driver,” and “James Bond: From Russia with Love” playable on the floor. Comic books followed suit with new games featuring the Hulk, Fantastic Four, X-men, and Batman. “Ultimate Spider-man,” a new open-world title based on the popular comic book series, won fantastic fan praise with its cel-shaded visuals and comic book paneled transitions. Plus the ability to play as both Spidey and arch-villain Venom sweetened the deal.
All in all, many games felt like a “been there, done that” affair. After a while everything looks the same. I even thought, during a screening of a new World War II game, “I swear I’ve played this before”- I mean, how many times can we invade Normandy the same way?
The need to innovate is high, and thankfully some companies delivered by changing up some of their most beloved franchises. Rather than release another action platformer in the “Jak & Daxter” or “Rachet & Clank” series, Sony pitched a change-up with “Jak X,” a combat racing game developed from the best racing bits in the “Jak” series; Daxter finally gets his own self-titled game on the PSP; and “Rachet: Deadlocked” fires several thousand rounds in an arena-shooter setting.
Nintendo, always known for its innovation, came out with two titles in particular that are sure to reach out to even the non-gamers. “Odama” is, for all intents and purposes, a pinball game set on the battlefield in feudal Japan that involves the Odama- a rolling weapon used to penetrate the enemy stronghold. In addition to keeping the Odama ball in play and bouncing off of numerous environmental barriers, players will have to command a squadron of soldiers (via voice commands) to advance into enemy territory and overtake the encampment.
“Nintendogs,” a puppy simulator and DS title, will feed players inner Tamagotchi. Utilizing the DS’s touch screen, microphone, and dual screens, players will be able to raise and care for any number of absolute adorable puppies. Feeding, playing fetch, and rubbing its belly are just a few of the ways you’ll develop a bond with this polygonal pup who’ll never grow old. Like a real dog, it learns your voice commands by a process of conditioning. Want to teach a dog to respond to German, like Bay Area dog owners? Go ahead. But keep in mind this is a puppy, and may be a little fickle to respond to your commands if you’re not loving enough to him.
Yes, E3 certainly had something for everyone this year, whether it was the old standbys (another Tony Hawk game?) or the new kids on the block. The problem with E3, though, is that more than any other year, it felt very crowded. I’m always willing to bump into the sweaty arms of some gamer who’s walk through the Convention Center is the most exercise he’ll see all year, but this year I felt more like an Odama than ever, ping-ponging off of bodies to get to the games.
And this is supposed to be a closed, industry-only event. E3’s meant for developers to showcase their goods next to other developers, for retailers to be wooed by publishers with sweet talk and swag so they’ll buy the games next winter, and for the media to cover all of the glitz and glamour. Sure, some “normal” people get invited to create a grassroots buzz about the future of gaming, but this year it felt like the “normals” overpowered the “insiders,” making this industry trade show feel more like a fan convention to rival the San Diego Comic Con.
The proverbial last straw for me was when I witnessed a Jedi and a Boba Fett walk by me in their home-made costumes. These were not booth babes, and they certainly weren’t media or businesspeople.
Although it’s great that more people are becoming interested in gaming, E3 is less served by keeping its three day schedule and allowing the teaming masses in. It discourages retailers from having meaningful discussions with companies when they have to scream over the noise in order to be heard, and it discourages the media from making appointments to see new titles or to garner inside information when they have to swim upstream to see anything.
The show would be better served by turning the booth exhibitions into a four day event- having two days reserved only for retailers, insiders, and media, and two days to fling the doors wide open for anyone who wants to pay to get in. The business deals can be made with solid media coverage, and the true heart of the industry- the fans, get to have their cut of the action. Everyone Wins.
That is, except for the poor PR folk who’ll be sure to contract laryngitis by having to spend one more day shouting marketing catch phrases for all to hear.
