Stupid Inter-webs -_-

[OmniStalgic]

MS's press conference sucked, no question about it, still, it was a good showcase for third party titles. These are games you can play on X360. Why isn't that exciting Because we've already analyzed and pondered over trailers for months now of games like RE6, TR reboot, and even got teased for Gears before the showing. So, would the conference have sucked it everything was held back and being shown at E3? I think not...proof? Halo4
I gave the Sony MS and Nintendo conferences B C- C respectively, but I would likely amend all three of the scores to higher grades after seeing what was on the show floor. MS would certainly receive the smallest boost however. For my personal taste, even if titles like Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell and Tomb Raider were all revealed at E3, I simply know how all those games will play already, whereas the opposite occurred with titles like Beyond, whose gameplay remained a mystery until an official hands on. I crave new, fresh experiences, and MS, even after the show, just wouldn't have impressed me much with there lineup. The focus on Smart glass, Kinect, and the overall lack of different content left an overly ordinary feeling from the MS conference and show floor. The Xbox division stood out in my mind, as a company focused on succeeding, with a gaming passion all but lost with there first massively successful platform. perhaps they would have moved to a C+ after seeing more of Halo 4, Gears, and an interesting indy title called Dust, but overall not a console I will likely have interest in, despite it's online software and OS superiority.Both Sony and Nintendo however, showed they are clearly dedicated to gaming.

Though Nintendo didn't impress much with Wii-U graphically, as a gamer, it's hard not to like Nintendo Land's offerings. A group of 12 mini-games shipping with the platform (seriously who still offers a value like this?) all of which take advantage and showcase the Wii-U controller. These experiences aren't going to jaw drop, but getting families, mothers and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, family and friends etc..., to sit down and play video-games together? I think it will do really well in accomplishing just that. The challenge level looks varied across the titles as well, with some more approachable to casual/non-gamer audiences, and others clearly needing skill to complete with high scores. I just found this to be a fresh experience, something we would all embrace if it was released as a PSN/XBLA title. Simply because it is what Nintendo has decided to showcase should not take merit away from it. Along with Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Bros. U, Scribblenauts: Unlimited, and Rayman Legends, there's a lot of genuinely fresh, new experiences in that lineup that don't follow the "auto-pilot" mode we've seen in so many of the big 3rd party debuts--splinter Cell looking to be almost on rails at times. Would we have like to see that Zelda demo running in real-time? I certainly would have. But, if you are like me, and can still enjoy a good Wii game despite it's outdated graphics, I think this "upgrade" is a no brainer. It's taking everything about Wii, and bringing it into HD, along with a new controller and experience. Wii is proof itself that hardware isn't what makes a system, and I think Wii-U deserves recognition for being bold, trying new ideas, and most importantly advancing the industry with new gameplay experiences. Rayman Legends truly looks like a fantastic way for 5 people to play a video game.

There's a reason why I will discuss Sony last. Not only having the best conference of the "big 3" but a major push towards original titles across PSN/Vita that has me pretty excited. Sony's World Wide Studios vastness is also showing consumers, why Playstation is a great place to game. 2 new IP's as the consoles enter there "last years of life". Another new handheld in spite of Nintendo's steady dominance, and a general push towards fresh original games. Sony really didn't showcase Vita, but on the showroom floor, there was many interesting titles. Soul Sacrifice, FroBisher Says, Vikings, New Little King's Story, Snap Shot, along with newly released or upcoming titles like Gravity Rush, Sound Shapes, and LBP vita. These smaller, more gameplay focused titles, coupled with Sony's PSN offering, (Unfinished Swan, Papa & Yo, Closure,) and first party showings (Beyond, TLOU, Battle Royale, LBPK, GOWA, Sly4) made there conference and showroom floor feel unique and full of fresh content. The best part, Sony actually has great 3rd party relationships and all those Splinter Cell/Tomb Raider blowouts will not be missed on PS3, while Sony internal studios gets to focus on newer experiences. While not quite as bold, or iconic as Nintendo, I think Sony is still at the forefront of the industry, at least, in there philosophy and approach. PS3 has comeback from one of the worst launches and first years ever, and has truly established itself IMO, as THE gamer's platform, and, once again, the best of the three this generation. When Xbox Live so harshly outclasses PSN in interface, and polish, I think that's truly a testament to the gaming experiences on Sony's platform. An industry without Sony, will not be a good one.

So screw the interwebs, and crazy forum fans, if everyone would stop leaking everything days/hours before the show starts perhaps there would be more surprises. But even when they aren't, just take a look past the PR presentations, and on-stage demos. The games have always been there, and always will be the reason this industry is special.

So forum, was E3 as disappointing to you even after 3rd party conferences and showroom floor demos?

[frosty]

A group of 12 mini-games shipping with the platform (seriously who still offers a value like this?)

*looks at all the minigames in home, as well as all the free software on PSN*

um....

[solidsnakejej]

Wii U's lineup is disappointing,

Along with Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Bros. U, Scribblenauts: Unlimited, and Rayman Legends, there's a lot of genuinely fresh, new experiences in that lineup

genuinely fresh and sequels don't usually go together. and it's more like 12 tech-demos made into a "game".

Show floor was amazing for Sony don't know what new on the 360 except for halo and GeoW and 3rd party.

[Otacon305]

I don't even do the required reading for my college classes. You think I'm gonna read all that?

[OmniStalgic]

I don't even do the required reading for my college classes. You think I'm gonna read all that?

a little bit here, a little bit there...if the conversation gets interesting enough, you'll read it'-)

@solidsnakejej ; Pikmin hasn't been released in what 6 years? Scribblenauts is home only to DS if I'm not mistaken, which means a ton of people didn't play it, Rayman once again, is a different take on a amazing platform game, 5 player Wii-U controller is different enough to be fresh IMO, perhaps not yours. And I genuinely thought many of those smaller titles in Nintendo Land looked really fun. I truly do wish it was released on PSN/Xbla, I doubt the backlash would be this severe. Cheesy? yes, generic looking? yes, but honestly, most, if not all of it looked really fun multi-player experiences.

I don't get the comparison to Home @frosty ; Nintendo Land should be considered "Free" as well since it ships with Wii-U.