Not heading to E3? Well, panic not – PlayStation are sponsoring a UK-based alternative (cleverly named EToo) in London running over the same timescale (June 10th until the 13th).
Developers, publishers and games there include New Star Games (with an unseen new build of New Star Soccer!), Hello Games (Joe Danger), Mediatonic (showing forthcoming title, Foul Play), Nyamyam Games (Tengami), Big Robot (Sir You Are Being Hunted), Simon Roth (Maia), Tom Francis (Gunpoint), Tiniest Shark (Redshirt), Alistair Aitcheson (Slamjet Stadium), Curves Studios and Projector Games (Fortress Craft).
Capcom will also be in attendance, according to a statement issued to TheSixthAxis, running playable demos of Lost Planet 3 and the new HD version of classic platformer Duck Tales. More mainstream publishers are to be announced.
PlayStation will obviously be there, with Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us, Rain and “some surprise extras” – mysterious – perhaps they’ll be games announced during Sony’s pre-E3 presser.
David Wilson, Head of PR for PlayStation UK said, “PlayStation is pretty excited about EToo. As well as giving attendees the chance to witness our E3 conference live, there’ll be loads of time to get hands on with a range of awesome games from the blockbuster, The Last Of Us, to the small but beautifully formed Rain.”
“This started off with me sulking on Twitter about not being able to go to E3,” says co-organiser Keith Stuart, the games commissioning editor at The Guardian. “Game developer Georg Backer replied and said we should do our own event. It probably should have ended there, but somehow it didn’t.”
“The next thing is, Jimmy Dance, the owner of Loading Bar in Soho, was offering to host it. It was sort of like one of those Hollywood musicals – ‘hey, let’s put a show on right here’. But with less dancing.”
The event will be centred around the Loading Bar in Soho if you fancy it. Sounds good, click here for more information on the event.
Tuffcub
Was walking to Peter about this last night, going to be going down to cover EToo as you’re all pissing off and leaving me by myself. Expect “Alternative” coverage.
Jones81
Tuffcub doing an ‘alternative commentary?
this could actualy be the highlight of the whole E3 period, sod the games lol
maccas09
He used to play for Barcelona didn’t he??
Here all week!
I’ll get my coat…
Kevatron400
I wouldn’t expect anything less from a Soho-based alternative E3 :)
Kevatron400
Hmm, that was intended as a reply to TC, above.
bunimomike
Lovely idea. Hope it doesn’t feel too token-gesture and lifeless. Will Tuffcub be dancing, in-sync, with anything Kris does wherever he’ll be? Perhaps Peter over in the US. Oh, Jesus, no. Ignore this post completely.
Tuffcub
There wil be cocktails. In soho. Dancing an almost certain.
TSBonyman
Nice, sounds like people in UK will get the opportunity to try some of the E3 reveal games.
Peter Chapman
This is a great idea, not just for London-based press or enthusiasts but for the smaller developers that can’t get over to E3 or afford those costly booths.
Kris Lipscombe
I believe there’s also Indie3, although that might be a press only event. Indie games in London town.
Redlac
Is it bad that I had to check to see if it wasn’t April 1st? Sounded a bit too good to be true. Well, I hope they pull it off, it’s a great idea.
The Lone Steven
Etoo sounds like a rubbish low budget shot in someone’s basement sequel to E.T. Tuffcub, did you have anything to do with that? :p
Surely they could have picked a much better name then Etoo. Even E3:UK would be better then Etoo. I’m guessing we are forcing/sending Tuffcub to cover all of the games due to him being based in London.
Tuffcub
E3 is copyrightandtradmarked. Etoo int.
double-o-dave
Yeah… They could have had R2 or D2.
Wardy-77-
R2D2 goes to Etoo..
Wardy-77-
Quick get an R2D2 costume Tuffcub ;D
double-o-dave
That would be a huge costume. He’d be better off getting in a tank & painting it white & then spraying a metallic chrome paint on the turret. Not forgetting the blue bits.
Wardy-77-
Isn’t R2D2 quite a bit smaller than a tank he was last time i saw him ;D
double-o-dave
Have you seen the size of TuffCub? TuffMegatherium would be more of a suited name.
Wardy-77-
Ah i get ya now Big lad eh ;)
gazzagb
Great idea, but is just for game journos? Would be great if it was like Playstation Access and anyone could go.
Dunks
Agreed. Seems like its for one and all.
JBoo
Sounds cool;) I am still gutted that the SONY E3 show will be at 2AM UK time tho :( It seems MS got the best time(as in US & UK times) at E3, YAWN, Zzzzzzzzzz