My thoughts E3 2015 Pt:2

My thoughts on E3 2015 continued.

So now we will continue with some of the other shows that made up this E3, not all of them because frankly I could not watch everything that took place.

Nintendo

Oh Nintendo what the hell happened to you, I am going to be honest I could not even watch their event after Xenoblade Chronicles, it was just to painful for this guy. As with my previous part 1 impressions I will start with the good, then the bad this will be brief I assure you.

 Super Mario Maker looked bloody awesome, it is not a console seller but it like previous versions looks a ton of fun. The tie in with Skylanders is huge win for them, not my cup of tea or demographic it was aimed at but still a big deal. Starfox of course was a real focus and well let's be honest, people have wanted a new StarFox game for a long time so it is understandable why it was first. That's about it for me I am serious that event was a bloody mess and a bad joke. 

 Now I am far from the only person who could not watch the implosion that was Nintendo's event this year. Hundreds of Youtube Nintendo fans, Twitter and everything else exploded after the event and not in a good way, they were all saying the same thing " WTF was that " 

 For me the thought going through my mind was " This is akin to watching your BF since jr high, slowly drink themselves to death, and there is nothing you can do to stop them " Nintendo the company that once saved Video Gaming is now in a lot of gamers eyes and media and bloody joke.  

 You spent almost 25 mins of a slightly over 1hr event doing Muppet skits, and Starfox, seriously you think thats what people want to see. Nobody cares what the inspiration a particular Temple entrance had in the game, show the bloody game and move on. All other shows showed more games in 25 minutes then you managed in just over a hour, and if you don't think Wii U is dead you should now. 

 The majority of games they showed where for the 3DS, and what games where for the Wii U are not system sellers. A Starfox game that once again they insist on using Gimmick controls with the pad, give people a game with a proper pro controller, not perhaps patched in later. 

Okay you did not want to show or talk about NX I get it, but to not have the New Zelda game atleast show it even if a trailer, seriously? Also what the hell is with Zelda Tri-Force Heroes not having the ability to play as a female, and almost being proud of it. metroid Prime Federation Force and it is a 3DS game, did a single Metroid fan ask for that, what's that you say you hear your echo. Yeah it was the sound made by every Metroid fan that has been asking for ages to make a new proper Metroid game for the Wii U.

  What the hell was with showing a trailer that every word was is Japanese and the text this is E3 not Tokyo game Show. I won't even state how disinterested I am in that game, SMT game usually I am all bloody ears but that I could make no sense of, Vocaloid game, dance simulator, High school XD dating sim WTF?

  You really need to knock it out of the park next year at E3 with NX or get out of the home console business if you insist on Gimmicks and underpowered consoles. 3Ds is gold it really is despite most do not turn the 3D on, and guess what it has no gimmicks to it, just a great handheld system with a solid game library.  Loose the gimmicks and motion crap, tablet stuff, build a solid powerful console that at the very least matches current gen consoles, and a PROPER controller and you will be back in the game.

EA, Ubisoft, Square, etc

 Lets start with EA I am going to cut to the chase real quick and sum it up in one word. " SPORTS " sports and more F'ing sports. a 1hr 15 minute or so conference and over 40+ minutes was nothing but Hoop guy, Pele, and well more Sports. Look I love pele as much as anyone being 55 I remember him playing live here in North america, but really? 20 mins plus. EA spent about 11 mins of their entire show on Star Wars the game 90% of the people where there to see and be wow'd granted it was great to see but far to short. They spent almost as much time talking about a expansion to Old republic game, a game I will admit I did not see coming, but not what most tuned in for.

  Mirror's Edge was the other thing I myself tuned in for and was not dissapointed, Feb 23rd 2016 release date shown, gameplay captured in-engine I was happy. Mass Effect still no opinion on it, till I see proper extended live gameplay i don't care, even being a huge fan of the series we want GAMEPLAY. Oh an by the way EA saying you are introducing 3 new Ip's and they are Plants vs Zombies, another Need for Speed game is not new IP.  Overall I was not impressed this year by EA despite having a cpl of games I was looking forward to, 40+ mins of sports just turned me off completely.

 Now onto Ubisoft who I thought actually had a good show, well paced, I like Alisha be she really a gamer or not as some say, she has a lot of energy and keeps things moving which I like. There was a few things that caught me off guard and that was awesome. Lead off your show with a new South Park game, I did not see that coming and I think few did see it coming. Having Trey and Matt at the show another big + and was a great way to start the show, I also liked they acknowledged somewhat all the screw ups and fans complaints from last year.

 The Division some complained " It looks downgraded like watch Dogs did before it " Ya know what actually I will have something to say in part 3 on that most will not like it however. Trackmania a game a lot of PC gamers have enjoyed will finally make its way to consoles. I did not see that coming either, much like Ghost recon : Wildlands which I have to say intrigues me, not as much as Recore and Horizon: Zero Dawn but still. I won't get into the new AC game other then it has me intrigued  I will in part 3 though what stood out in it, other then that not a lot to mention other than " For Honor " which kind of reminds me of a Chivalry Clone just with better graphics. Expansion packs to  The Crew not surprising, the Trials Fusion one not into it, other than the Trials the game itself which I masochistically adore , so all in all I  thought Ubisoft did well.

 Now for Square Enix Oooooooohh my god where to start and not in a  good way unfortunately, I really have no idea what they were thinking my lord what a mess. I really felt bad for them in some ways because they really looked like a fish out of water, mostly because they are so much so a Japanese centric company, not because of the games they showed. They had decent franchises to show they own Deus Ex, Tomb Raider, Hitman, and Final Fantasy VII remake to name a few all of which they showed. 
 The problem was a lot of the speaking guests could not speak English, and their translator went missing on occasion. Also a lot of the ones they did have looked very uncomfortable, you could tell they were completely out of their element and had been forced to attend. A lot of the games they showed had already been shown the previous day at Sony's, Microsoft's, and Nintendo's" events so what was the purpose. This was really a un-needed presser it really was and made them look in the eyes of some as amateurs , but was not a good impression outside of the game trailers.

 So that is it for part 2 I don't want to make a 200 page post so will end it here for now. To all my American readers I wish a Happy and Safe 4th of July weekend.

As always : Play nice with each other, it's only a game.

David

My thoughts on E3 2015 Part one

My thoughts and remarks on E3 2015

So another E3 has come and gone and we are left with our own thoughts on what we got offered at this years show, and there is a lot to digest. It is for that reason I have not given my thoughts on the conferences, I really needed to go back and rewatch a few of them, some not so much. So who won E3 before I give my take on it some context is needed as to what each brought to the table. I am not going to cover every conference that was showcased, else this be a 200 page post, nor post every game. That need should you desire it can be easily served by just re-watching the conferences online yourself.

Microsoft's presentation.

 I have to say Microsoft did a really good.... lets call it what it was great job this year, I was impressed by it for many reasons. The pacing was fantastic it was game after game after game, it struck me during it can this really be the same company that laid a egg on the exact same stage 2 years earlier? Phil Spencer has really made his mark on the Xbox division, it's primary focus and it is the better for it, like I said hard to believe it's the same company. 

 What surprised me also was that Bonnie Ross opened the show, I know she is head of 343 but seriously, I would have thought they would have buried her in the background at the show. They try that at Gamescom and if she is not almost booed off the stage I will be surprised, E3 is not a show for consumers. Gamescom is more consumer/gamer focused, open to the public far more than E3. How she did not apologize for the massive screw-up that was the Halo MCC is beyond me, ya screw up that bad you need to apologize. 

 Another thing again like previous years what the hell is with the cars dropping from the ceiling, get rid of it pleaseeeeeeee!!!!. It serves no purpose, cost a fortune, a person does not buy a racing game because a car descends from the sky. A racing fan is going to buy forza well because they are a racing fan, a Pinto could drop from the ceiling and they would still buy the game. I will mention only briefly that creepy " World premiere" etc etc Voice over guy that preceded the games showing on screen, lose it. I also disliked the ambiguity that was displayed, is it console exclusive, is it also on PC, or just PC feature or game it was hard to tell. Console debut ( Sony was guilty of the same thing) is it on other consoles, on PC or handheld, I did not like that at all?

 Now for the good things, some downplayed it but I thought it was great, The " Rare collection" 30 classic xbox and xbox 360 games in one collection for $30.00 USD . I realize it is not for everyone but as a gamer in his late 50's it was great to see them bring them to a new generation of players. Tomb Raider looked bloody awesome, hate all ya want that it is first on Xbox but ya have to admit it looked awesome. I will wait like I did for the last Tomb raider game and get it on PC, but it looked great on Xbox One.  I also loved the fact that console gamers would get the chance to experience Fallout 4 with the same mods those on PC can use, yes it will come to PS4 at some point but was announced here.

 Cuphead a brand new console exclusive IP if I recall correctly is out next year, I have no idea what the game is about but damn it looked bloody brilliant. it was also a bit of a theme at their conference this year, a focus on Indie games unlike years past. ReCore was a game that just floored me, not sure I will buy a Xbox One to play it but was great to see it get a showcase being a unproven IP.  You can say they are just taking a page from "Sony's playbook" (one people ridicule them for by the way) and who cares, it is good for everyone, Microsoft sees that Indies are a big thing and was a welcome change in direction. 

 Phil spencer was true to his word that Windows 10 will be a integral part of Microsoft's new focus on gaming and Xbox integration, unlike it's TV, TV, TV., Sports, entertainment TV focus of 2 years ago.

 So thats about it for Microsoft, no way I could cover everything and keep the article reasonable, to summarize they did a great job and left me impressed.

Sony's presentation

 Sony this year was the year of heavy-hitters, and they started right out of the gate with it, I was bloody impressed however like I did with Microsoft I will start with the things I disliked about Sony's conference, fair is fair after all, so lets get this started with a disclaimer. 
 Outside of my PC, Playstation is my prefered gaming platform, I own the other platforms but those two are my prefered go-to platforms. . Much like at Microsoft's conference the ambiguity of the wording at the end of videos or the start. What the hell does Console premier mean???? seriously is it on xbox, is it on Vita, how about PC or 3ds? what the hell is that Console premiere bullshit supposed to mean? Only Nintendo did not use it of the 3 main showcases and that's only because all games on their platform are exclusive really being First party games. I am going to give to a example of what I mean bet ya thought Firewatch was exclusive to Playstation guess what it ain't, hell it even has a Linux version for PC not to mention Mac and Windows, but you would never know it from that trailer.

 That Fiasco that was Shenmue III kickstarter thing what the hell are you thinking it undermines the whole purpose of kickstarter. Yu Suzuki could have easily just sent out a tweet and it would have been covered to death, there was no need for that crap at a press conference,  You showcase what you are doing and have coming not promote something you may invest in. We now know they are invested in it) it is not " Their own thing" as Adam stated, flagrant lie if you ask me. It is a gaming showcase not the home shopping network, the game would be funded if you had never said a single word and you know it. Not to mention the fact the originals were not even playstation games they were on Dreamcast and the second also later on Xbox, sorry that just pissed me off that part of the show.

  TV, TV, TV did you not learn a single thing from Microsoft's implosion that was E3 2013... Nothing? Nobody cares about bloody TV, or any affiliations your building, GAMES, GAMES GAMES GAMES. You piledrived that into people's heads in 2013 and ripped Microsoft a new one, and rightfully so. Yet here we are 2 yrs in and you're doing the exact same bloody thing, STOP IT, same with PS now as it sits is of no interest to most people, I am not going to pay to play the games I already own. 
 The complete and utter lack of respect for the PS Vita floored me, I know it is not selling as expected, but that's their own fault. They marketed it poorly, over hyped it then a just over a yr later trash it saying " No 1st party games anymore." The disrespect that device got was quite frankly shocking, I know there is only so much time, but seriously you could not spare 10 mins for it, and lose the bloody tv talk?

 Now for the good stuff, I am going to start off with the one game that gave me Gamescom 2014 shivers (Hellblade, I love you Ninja Theory) and it is not what you think, it was Horizon; Zero Dawn. A brand new game from the same studio best known for the Killzone series so there's a lot of pedigree there and I was gobsmacked, while watching it unfold. Now for the 2 elephants in the room and you know what they are Final Fantasy VII remake not a remaster, and of course The Last Guardian, I still get goosebumps just typing this thinking of that night.

 Final Fantasy VII Remake a game Square Enix said they would never do, they had some conditions it could come to pass but basically where not even possible. You can not create lighting in the same bottle twice if that was their criteria. My how things have changed for Sony to have them debut this game at their conference over all others is a Massive win, remember Square Enix also hosted their own conference the next day. 
 Some people of course were shocked it was not a Playstation exclusive... really you know how much it would cost for that. I know the PS4 is doing damn well, but even the likes of a Microsoft could not afford to have that game as a console exclusive, it has that type of status.
 Going into that night people knew Square Enix had their own the next day and when that appeared on the screen during Sony's I actually broke out in tears. Not because it is a game I hold in the same reverence as others do, I actually think VIII is a better game and XII I did love Crisis Core though, but I cried tears of joy for all the people I know who have only dreamed of this. We have since learned there will be some liberties taken with the original games framework, but so long as the story is intact or closes issues, bring it on.

 The Last Guardian what can be said that has not been said a million times before, I will say it now I called the game Vaporware until that night, just view my google + comments over the past months.  No gameplay, no mention it is vaporware and be done with it, then that magical night happened I got what I wanted. I had a timeframe, I had in engine capture are real gameplay, not a sizzle reel as it is called in the industry. Sony gets a big thumbs up from me because they did not have to do this, they really didn't most had written this game off 3+ yrs ago not like it needed it to boost sales. Playstation 4 is dominating the market and selling faster then any console in History IIRC, last i looked it has over 70% market share in parts of continental Europe etc. So it is not that they had to make this a reality they are doing fine without it, so to me this was for the gamers. 

 They had showed it ages ago and we never forgot, but it appeared they had, and when they kept seeing us always ask about it they made the decision. We need to make this a reality no matter what it takes we owe it to the fans, and Sony has a STNG moment, "Make it so #1, Engage" and we saw the results. They are to be commended for this because it is not like they had to, they would have got a free pass if they had said look sorry we just can make it how we envisioned, it is cancelled, our eyes where bigger then our abilities.

To wrap up part one I will quick hit a few items, Destiny.... meh Landing COD as the new home is a major coup, I laughed my butt off watching Twitter and Facebook explode in the morning after the Microsoft conference, " WTF where is Call of Duty " so that was a a Kodak moment for Sony being the new home of COD. Dreams looked quirky as Media Molecule games usually are, not my cup of tea but was a new IP from a established studio with a great track record. I also felt so bad for Devolver Digital having to try follow Final Fantasy VII remake, I doubt few even saw that montage.

So thats it for part 1 I will post part two sometime over the weekend or early next week where I will get into Nintendo, and a synopsis of the other main players at the show. till then as I always do..

Be nice to each other, it's only a game 

Why no E3 reaction

I explained why on my Google + page which I post to daily you can read why Here
I will before week's end post my thoughts on who won etc, you maybe surprised, actually I know you will.

WATCH THE SONY PRESSER LIVE FROM E3

Watch it in Theatres in the USA and tickets are free like last year Canada live,

My thoughts on all the delayed games

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know 2015 is becoming 2014 again, The year of Hurry up and wait. As some may or maynot know they have just announced Tom Clancy's: The Division will not be coming till Spring 2016, see what I mean. Just for FYI here is a list of some of the games that have been delayed till 2016, and I am sure I am forgetting a bunch, I just choose the heavy hitters IMHO your list may differ and that's cool.

1. Ratchet and Clank: both the Game and the Movie.
2. Tom Clancy's: The Division. #Colin was right :)
3. Uncharted 4 (you just know Sony is pissed)
4. Dead Island 2
5. The new Zelda game on Wii U
6. Quantum Break (Xbox One exclusive)
7. The Walking Dead (Season 3)

Those are just a few off the top of my head, and you have to admit there is some big games in that list. Here is my thoughts on the delays, I will expand on just a cpl of them.

The Division: In all honesty I think this is a good thing, it allows more time to refine the gameplay, frame rate and or graphics. The main reason I think it is a good thing is it removes it from the Crazy Holiday season where most the massive regulars reside. Call of Duty, Fifa 16, NHL 16, NBA-2K16, Halo 5, Assassins Creed, Possible new Destiny DLC/Expansion announcement, 

 You get the picture it is one damn crowded place to be, and easy to get lost in the shuffle of them. I admit some of them should take at least a year or more off, or better yet just fade gracefully to black, but that's me

Uncharted 4: I can not imagine what scrambling is going on in side SCEE Worldwide, this is their marquee franchise, and a system seller. After that in-depth look at live gameplay at the Playstation Experience it pretty much put in most Sony/Uncharted fans minds this is coming Holiday 2015. 

 They are shooting now for Spring 2016 but I have my doubts, Naughty Dog has a history of doing multiple delays on releases. Now that has always payed off in the past, IIRC The Last of Us had its release date pushed back at least 3 times from when it was first announced.

Quantum Break: I don't know what to say when it comes to this one, we have seen almost nothing of it since it first appeared. That is what scares a lot of people this game was a premier game when the Xbox One was first revealed back in May 2013, it featured prominently there and at E3 2013. I admit they never said it would be a launch title, but how it was featured most figured at it would be out at least in 2015. We have heard pretty much Zilch out of Quantic Dream or Microsoft when it comes to it's current state.

 I know Microsoft has stated they will be premiering a New IP at E3 2016, I don't think it is this, my money is on Joe Montana being at the press conference and Joe Montana Football gets a release date.

 New Zelda on Wii U:
 I am not going to speak my thoughts on The new Zelda game for Wii U beying delayed, as it is not unusual for Nintendo to push a game back. In their defence though I will say this, when they do release a game even going back to the 80's the damn thing runs perfect 99% of the time.

 I believe this is because they made games back in the cartridge game era with no internet, your game had to work PERIOD. There is somethings that infuriate people when it comes to Nintendo, but one thing they can rarely if ever be chastised for is releasing FUBARED games.

In closing some games most are thinking are coming out this year, but I just don't see it.

No Mans Sky: Sorry the team is just to small and has to ambitious a vision for this to be out this holiday season they will show something more of the game though. I know Sony is hoping and Praying, and I hope I am wrong, I really do. But given the scope of the game, the size of the team I see spring 2016 written all over this.

Kingdom Hearts 3: It is Square Enix honestly this is released before 2017 I will be shocked, used to be a no brainer to buy a game from them, nowadays most times I avoid them like the plaque. I will just leave it at that and you have no idea how sad it makes me to have to say that.

The Last Guardian: My feelings are well known when it comes to this game on both Twitter and Google +. Until i see in engine gameplay not a cgi cutscene, and defined release date and listing on retailers this game is VAPOURWARE, nough said.

Quantum Break: I think ya get the gist of why I don't see it above.

I also am still not convinced Halo 5 drops this year either given how FUBAR'ED HALO THE MCC WAS AND STILL IS FOR MANY. I'll be honest I fear for those at 343 studios I really do, they screw this Halo game up I can see them closing. I mean they where trusted with the pinnacle of the Xbox Exclusives, Xbox Live and Xbox was created because of Halo, Xbox was built on Halo.
 No way Microsoft will tolerate another fiasco like the MCC was and still is for some, I can see this getting delayed till early like Jan 2016. I know they are promoting it madly and bundles and all, but believe me if there is a single light out of place Microsoft will delay the release.

So there you have it I have rambled enough, those are my thoughts on the delays and some prognostications on others. Feel free to leave your thoughts just remember!!!

As always be nice to each other

David

E3 Show times list is complete

So there is no Surprise Sony's conference will be after Microsofts this year again, with Microsoft saying they will be showing a New IP. I truly have no idea what Sony is going to counter with this E3 all their heavy hitters are delayed till 2016. My thoughts on that can be found Here It will be interesting to hear what others have to say on the matter.
Game Informer has updated their list. including the change in Square Enix conference so they don't go head to head with Nintendo. It is going to be a interesting week for sure, as Bethesda will be doing a conference which they rarely do (FALLOUT 4 ) please????? Also there is a 3hr or something long show dedicated to nothing but PC gaming, that is a must watch for me as well as the console makers ones.
Also just in case you missed it and what most expect Square Enix to show at their new time, check out Playstation Universe thoughts on it
As always be nice to each other.

What will Sony show at E3 2015 IGN-Game Scoop show

I have to say I am looking forward to  The Evil Within " and I am not a horror or survival fan for the most part. In all honesty I have no idea what they will show that is relevant to this year most of their heavy hitters are pushed into 2016. I still do not believe that No man's sky is coming this year, nor Hellblade. Last Guardian well till I see a actual release date it is Vapourware as far as I am concerned.
    IGN Roundtable discussion