This E3 was most definitely the final E3 that focuses on this gen one hundred percent; next year I will not be surprised when Microsoft and Sony announce their new consoles. They may not have a release date or price point for them, much like Wii U last year, but new consoles will be present. Evidence for this was really apparent in the amount of sequels and spin offs announced, bar a couple of new IPs.
I also believe none of the Big 3 ‘won’ E3 this year. That honour firmly belongs to Ubisoft. They had an incredibly strong line up of titles including Rayman Legends, Splinter Cell: Blacklist Assassin’s Creed III, Far Cry 3, ZombiU and, of course, Watch Dogs. Couple that with an actual charismatic presenter in Aisha Tyler and Ubisoft gave fans what they wanted; games.
However, I’m quite intrigued by Microsoft’s Smart Glass tech. It’s going to get a lot of comparisons to Wii U, probably rightfully so, but the tech, if developed correctly could really add more immersion for players.
As an avid player, my game of E3 firmly goes to Watch Dogs. Open world, stealth action coupled with hacking and using technology to your advantage. This is GTA and Assassin’s Creed, mixed with Deus Ex, three of the greatest franchises of all time.
If that gameplay video is anything to go by then we are in for a treat when it finally releases. Plus, I really want to see how the multiplayer fits into this. If you didn’t see this bit, at the end of the trailer at the Ubisoft conference, the game switch seamlessly to multiplayer from singleplayer, with the objective to protect Aidan Pearce, Watch Dogs’ protagonist.
Disappointment goes to Sony and the lack of focus on the Vita. I don’t have a Vita yet, but I will probably get one. It’s only because I write about games that I’ve been able to really find out what’s coming for the Vita. However, the vast majority of the gaming public won’t know what new titles are launching on Vita, bar ACIII: Liberation.
Sony should have been pushing the Vita for all it’s worth, but it’s like they’ve forgotten it even exists. If Sony’s not careful they’ll have another PSP on their hands, a device which began as a promising bit of kit but was quickly forgotten.
I was disappointed that there were no consoles announced this year. I’d given up anyway up until the absence of platforms confirmed on stage when Ubisoft showed Watch Dogs, which I was almost convinced they were waiting on Sony’s conference to include a big PS4 reveal. I was disappointed, naturally.
That’s the running theme with much of E3 this year, Microsoft’s conference was abysmal, EA’s wasn’t much better and Nintendo’s was oddly disappointing considering they were showing off their new hardware. The two best conferences were Sony and Ubisoft, with the latter vastly outperforming the rest. Sony redeemed the time spent on Wonderbook by showing some great games, especially Beyond.
Ubisoft? Yeah, they knocked it out of the park with one of the best conferences I’ve ever seen. Other than the typical music performance by Flo Rida’ (which was pretty good in comparison to Usher’s atrocity at Microsoft’s conference), it was gameplay after gameplay. The continued to astound with Assassin’s Creed 3, Rayman Legends and the suddenly essential Far Cry 3. After all was said and done, they moved onto a game announcement – one that nobody knew about – and announced it with lengthy gameplay that looked amazing. Just perfect. I never thought I’d say it, but Ubisoft “win” E3 this year.
My game of E3 2012 has to be Beyond: Two Souls, mainly because Heavy Rain was pretty excellent, bar the moronic twist towards the end that pulled me out completely. I’ve always preferred supernatural and magic than crime noir.
E3, as a whole, didn’t live up to last year’s show, which in turn didn’t live up to the great 2010 showing. Microsoft were once again poor, EA disappointing, Ubisoft were on par, Sony didn’t have anything big and Nintendo’s wasn’t anything spectacular. There were hardly any big surprises, except from Watch Dogs and perhaps Wonderbook, but it was nice seeing more of The Last of Us and David Cage unveiling Beyond was great. I can’t wait to see more of Rayman Legends, it looks to be a Wii U exclusive so it has me very interested in the console. Splinter Cell and Far Cry, too, are looking really good.
I don’t think I’m in a minority when I say that my game of E3 was, of course, Watch Dogs from Ubisoft. This wasn’t my favourite just because it looked so great, though, it’s because it came out of nowhere and genuinely stunned me along with most of the audience. I’m not a huge fan of online gaming, but I’m really excited to see how Watch Dogs’ multiplayer is integrated into the gameplay, seamlessly. I can’t wait to see how this game shapes up!
However, there were a lot of disappointments – where were the rest of the Vita games and, well, new games in general. I’ve already talked about the lack of surprises and how that disappointed me very much, so that, along with the lack of big announcements left me underwhelmed.
XisTG
Just when 2D platforming was making a big comeback with Rayman, they go exclusive. I hope they reconsider :/
damoxuk
Most likely won’t be a full exclusive but more timed exclusive.
Omac_brother
Yes. This. Rayman Origins was brilliant. Cant believe they would shorten the audience for their next title.
TSBonyman
For me, it was all about the games and i’m excited for a lot of great up and coming games, too many to mention but the next 12 months looks set to deliver some awesome gaming experiences. Although, with the noticeably grittier tone displayed in many of the games i may have to dip into Flower quite often to restore harmony.. ;)
I remain unconvinced of the merits of a second screen when playing a game on tv but it’ll possibly be handy for some non-gaming elements. I’ll watch with interest to see what develops but i don’t see myself yearning for those features for my own gaming.
LTG Davey
Highlights:- Far Cry 3, Watch_Dogs, Rayman Legends, ZombiU, Tomb Raider, Last of Us, Pikmin 3
Disappointments:- Microsoft’s conference, Lack of Vita focus, Splinter Cell (looks good, just the wrong direction for me), Lack of Wii-U price tag (After their e3 showing I really want one but it’s hard to budget until I know the final price)
damoxuk
Good Points of E3 – Last of Us, Beyond, Watch Dogs, Assassins creed 3 Vita, Halo 4
Bad Points – Lack of Vita Focus, to much talking about Services (microsoft) rather than games, Wonderbook who cares games is E3, Wii-U – pretty much boring as always. But i’m not interested in First party nintendo stuff.
2013 I think will be the killer E3 – And one which Wii-U will be forgotten about immediately.
Forrest_01
“Wonderbook who cares games is E3”
Not to be argumentative, but E3 is an entertainment expo.
damoxuk
Ah but your response indicates an argumentative stance :)
But yes it is an Entertainment Expo but lets face it Games are what people check E3 for.
bigbaldwolf
Soul Sacrifice, Assassins Creed Vita and Watch Dogs all look very good. I was disappointed with how little Sony hyped the Vita but with all the games coming out over the next 12 months and PS1 classics being available soon, I’m very happy
cam_manutd
Good points: Watch Dogs, PS+ Free games, Xbox Smartglass, The Last Of Us, Beyond and Assassin’s Creed 3.
Bad Points: Lack of Vita coverage, Xbox kinect voice commands, Wreckateer, Nintendo+Microsoft Keynotes, Dead Space 3 co-op, Black Ops 2, Halo 4, Wonderbook, Battlefield 3 premium.
Best moment: The roar when Jack Tretton announced everyone would receive a years free PS+in the audience. Think that was as upbeat as it got this year :/
Tuffcub
The best bit was not having to stay up till 4am to cover the Sony conference it and going shopping in New York instead :)
Roynaldo
Best bits? All i read is moaning! :D
Personally i enjoyed it and it kinda put a spark back into my recently lack lustre hobby of gaming. Everything Ubisoft showed, yup everything, was brilliant. Most of Sonys too.
Looking forward to the next 12-18 months of gaming now :)
bunimomike
Same here. There’s so much moaning going on. E3 will barely ever cater for to all of us but I feel like we’re resembling spoiled children when it comes to “E3 sucks because” comments or the like. It was great. It’s always great. Sure, certain conferences screw things up but that’s always the way. You take the good, you forget the bad and you get on with gaming. Sheesh! Not rocket science, eh? :)