E3 2012

[hisak]

Nintendo's teasing on the new Wii U Facebook page:

Even though this will probably be the first generation since the gamecube (I guess that's only 2), that I won't be a first day adopter. Probably will wait on the Wii U (God I hope they change the name) until the first price drop.

The name's final. What price are you hoping for with the system. I feel like $300 is my limit right now, but it's possible that I could be convinced otherwise next week.

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

"Soon" probably doesn't mean sooner than the conference. Oh well.

In other news, they won't be showing the rumoured Metroid/Star Fox fusion. Good. Sounded a bit too silly. Just hope Retro do show something next week.

[GamePunk429]

The name's final. What price are you hoping for with the system. I feel like $300 is my limit right now, but it's possible that I could be convinced otherwise next week.

I honestly don't really care what it costs, it's not about the cost it's more about necessity. I honestly don't really game that much anymore (maybe a couple hours a week). So I have a huge backlog of games I want to play that I don't see the need to buy a new system until at least playing those.

I would imagine that the console will cost $300 though.

[hisak]

Ubisoft just announced a Pokémon-esque Rabbids game for the 3DS, to be released this November.

Players must battle it out across several different worlds, capturing over 100 Rabbids to complete their collection.

Interactive mini games feature, utilising the 3D and Augmented Reality functionality of the Nintendo 3DS. Rabbids will surge from the floor, fly around and even battle it out atop the kitchen table.

Multiple game modes are included, such as a solo campaign and multiplayer battles, and, for the first time in franchise history, Rabbids Rumble will introduce an accessible and hilarious turn-based combat system.

Players will be able to challenge their friends to intense battles mixing tactics with the Rabbid’s classic wackiness. Each Rabbid comes prepared with hilarious combat abilities and can be trained to become stronger for battles.

Gets a "hmm" from me. I never got a sense of how well Rabbids Go Home sold, but I don't have anything against the brand continuing, especially now that proper Rayman games are back.

I would imagine that the console will cost $300 though.

It could be $350. Those controllers can't be cheap to make.

EDIT:

In (potentially) more exciting news, Dead Space 3 has been confirmed for the show. It will be shown at EA's press conference on Monday.

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

3DS Lite coming soon? I don't think the 3DS is all that bulky to begin with. Could just be a coincidence, but I'm not a big fan of those. Not long to go now...

[hisak]

Start the train rolling.

[hisak]

And Nintendo's pre-E3 steam is a wrap. Announcements!

- The Wii U controller is now the Wii U GamePad. It has clickable sticks and can function as a TV remote. Iwata also mentioned its NFC functionality.

- Wii U Pro Controller announced, basically a wireless Classic Controller Pro for those who don't always want to use the GamePad.

- The "Miiverse" was introduced. The Wii U's main menu shows Miis of friends and strangers who play the same games as you gathered around the game that they're currently playing. People can also ask for game tips, share screenshots, and send each other messages in-game.

[Sheldon Cooper PhD]

Basic Thoughts on Wii U Gamepad:

Looks great, really digging the idea behind it. The thumbsticks no longer resemble the 3DS so that is a HUGE plus in my book. Also the size, Im much more at ease over it. Overall, if everything goes right there are nearly endless possibilities for the controller. At this point the Wii U is looking like a must purchase but I'll hold off until I see the final software next week and hear pricing details. However, I shall not be using this to control my TV. Just saying.

Miiverse: Good idea, but its been done on a smaller scale already by Microsoft on XBL. And I hate it there. Just stop forcing Mii's down our throats.

[JordAnime]

It's always great to hear Mr. Iwata ramble on in english for 30 minutes. 

Anyways, yay, E3...honestly it totally snuck up on me, I thought it was going to be in the middle of June, then I turn around and see that Nintendo's conference is this Tuesday, which I get to watch live for the first time in a couple of years!  So yes, all very exciting, I'm also interested to see what M$ and Sony have up their sleeves, and I'm interested particularly in Resident Evil 6 hoping that won't suck. 

Did anyone else find the whole Pre-E3 Nintendo Direct thing kinda weird?  I mean it seemed like they were making kind of a large deal out of some things that could have been discussed at the press conference, I think it's just kind of part of a concerted effort to dominate the news of this E3, getting people's attention before their conference, then going last at the actual conference, then getting the biggest lines on the show floor as per usual. 

So the improvements to the Wii U pad all seem good to me, and the Wii U Pro controller looks awesome, I always wanted the Gamecube controller to have a love child with the Xbox 360 controller and this seems about it...and I even kind of like the placement of the analog sticks.  I imagine this will be the controller to use when playing classic games, or being the second, third or fourth player in Mario Kart or Smash Bros.  But it's also nice to hear that if you want, you can use a Wii Remote and Nunchuck or Classic Controller Pro.  Crazy! 

As for the Miiverse, I actually like the looks of this a lot more than Xbox Live and the avatars.  Mainly because the Miis were the source material for virtual game avatars and the service will be free and pretty ubiquitous.  I always felt that Xbox live was pretty unwholesome and corporate feeling.  Like the whole thing was a scheme to get me to buy more Xbox points or something.  Still I'll wait to see how it pans out. 

Also, that little demo video with the guy and his action figure was embarrassing...like Cammie Dunaway embarrassing, only it wasn't in the actual presser so I'll let it slide.

Still a lot of unanswered questions about the platform, can there be 2 Wii U Game Pads used at once?  What kind of memory will it have?  What are the specs?  Still a lot to wait for. 

Also I hope they don't forget about the 3DS, it's by far my favorite Nintendo handheld so I really hope it gets some love this year

[hisak]

Did anyone else find the whole Pre-E3 Nintendo Direct thing kinda weird?  I mean it seemed like they were making kind of a large deal out of some things that could have been discussed at the press conference, I think it's just kind of part of a concerted effort to dominate the news of this E3, getting people's attention before their conference, then going last at the actual conference, then getting the biggest lines on the show floor as per usual.

It seemed like Iwata was suggesting that the entire conference tomorrow will be focused on Wii U games. Whether that means there's actually an hour's worth of reveals in store or just a bunch of demos is anyone's guess.

Microsoft's in a few hours. Hopefully I'll be able to stop by for it.

[Sheldon Cooper PhD]

Last Minute Pre E3 opinions:

All of the Big 3 need an impressive showing here. Sony needs some serious Vita damage control, plus I think we can all agree Playstation Move isnt doing shit. Nintendo obviously needs to really show off the power of Wii U and get 'hardcore' gamers excited again. But Microsoft, per usual, is the one that cannot afford to have a bad show. As an Xbox fanboy speaking we need something other than stupid Kinnect games and Halo/Gears of War/DLC 30 days early announcements. Get me excited please. (Although I am excited for both of those, just saying).

Black Ops II - I've been mum about it so far but here it goes: No thanks. I swore I was done with COD after MW2, Infact I only picked up MW3 for Campaign and it's lackluster ending. I honestly hope that the "new ideas" they're injecting into the franchise help it crash and burn so that maybe we can have a few years without a new COD. Honestly, I would LOVE a game that is as fun as COD4 was when it debuted, but we all know how Activision is.

Assassins Creed III - See above opinion on Black Ops II

Surprises I'm hoping for:

- New Metroid title announced for either Wii U OR 3DS. Honestly, if they put that bad boy on the 3DS I will be buying one finally.

- Nintendo's "Last minute surprise" to be a new Smash Bros. announced for Wii U's launch.

- Rainbow Six: Patriots to feature heavily in Microsoft's Press Conference with one of those Bullshit "Exclusive DLC" announcements. No complaints here as we have yet to actually see any gameplay footage.

- Diablo III console port announcement by either Sony or Microsoft. Or my secret desire: Nintendo. Just think about some of the possibilities with that Gamepad for a moment.

- Doom 4. 'Nuff said.

- Something having to do with the Quake series. Let's be honest: Quake 4 blew. Horribly. Not sure if that killed id software's hopes for another game but lets get something Quake 3 style going.

- Elder Scrolls Online - Let's see some actual gameplay here people.

[hupla]

Microsoft happened and Hisak asked me to post about so here is a summary

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VejlMi8XB5c" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VejlMi8XB5c</a>

[JordAnime]

Video games?  What are those, don't you know that Xbox is a multimedia hub designed to interact with your smart phone and tablet so you can use it to watch Netflix via Skype on your Windows 8 computer all controlled with voice sync for Kinect.

[hisak]

Okay, so I spent the ENTIRE Microsoft press conference downloading Windows Updates so that my school would let me back on the internet. But it sounds like I didn't miss much. Lol at ending with Call of Duty.

Oh well, I'm here for the EA conference.

[hupla]

Oh halo 4 looked like Metroid Prime fyi

[Sheldon Cooper PhD]

Microsoft Conference was... The exact opposite of what they needed. Seriously.

Internet Explorer coming to XBL? If it doesnt work on the computer it wont work there.

Nobody gives two shits about Kinnect. Or Dance Central. Or Black Ops.

Okay, I died laughing that they ended the Press Conference with Black Ops and the "exclusive DLC"

But Halo 4 and RE6 look like a hell of a good time. I will say that much.

[hisak]

Yeah, I don't think I'm going to end up watching Microsoft's conference. Halo 4 looks neat. Mostly because of what hupla mentioned, I suppose, but still.

[hisak]

Nintendo's Wednesday night conference is entirely focused on 3DS games. Looks like tomorrow's going to be all Wii U.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-DpRcxK_N8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-DpRcxK_N8</a>

[hupla]

I hit my twitter limit so i need to post here like a savage but UBi won E3

[hisak]

Good job on Ubi for getting rid of the bad taste EA left in my mouth. Watch Dogs looks crazy good. :o

Shame about the Killer Freaks name change (ZombiU wtf), but it could still maybe be good.

I heard chatter on Twitter about Rayman Legends being a Wii U exclusive but I haven't heard anything else since.