Tomorrow the E3 press conferences begin, even if the show isn’t until Tuesday. You probably know this, it’s not like it’s a well kept secret or anything. Even if you’d missed the exact dates, you’ve probably noticed the seemingly unending stream of pre-E3 trailers, announcements, leaks and general snippets of news over the last few weeks.
The ramp up to the show seems to have been in full effect this year, no-one’s being shy. Here’s the thing though, if you’re going to start building hype and excitement for E3 you best have something to show you me, you best be able to blow me away. That’s why I’d like to urge anyone who’s showing anything at E3 to do one simple thing: Think Big.
[drop]It is, of course, far too late for anyone to change their plans in response to this article, and anyway the consensus seems to be that this year’s E3 is going to be a little restrained on Sony and Microsoft’s consoles, although Nintendo may well bring something new and exciting to the table with the Wii U. Regardless of that I make this plea, this cry of desperation: Think Big.Show me something amazing, something I could never have imagined before, something no-one even suspects you’ve been working on. Don’t hold back something because you’re not quite sure how it will work this year, don’t worry that it’s not the shiniest or most consumer friendly demo in the world yet. Remember the very first demo for what would become PlayStation Move?
By any measure that was not the traditional E3 demo, in fact it was perfectly clear that it was their internal tech demo brought onto the biggest stage in the gaming industry. No-one cared, the tech itself was absolutely astonishing.
I want to be wowed and shocked, I want to stare in disbelief and be left picking my jaw up off the floor. Yes, I want to see Halo 4 and God of War: Ascension and the next Gears of War game, I’d be a fool if I wasn’t at least a little excited by those, but I want to see something new as well, something that I can fall in love with in a second. I want, more than anything, to be left scrabbling for words to describe what I’ve just seen, to have to pause and collect myself before it can be discussed.
There are certainly games that have left me with this feeling in recent years, last year’s Tomb Raider demo was a moment that really stands out for me. Too often though the feeling when a press conference ends is one of being distinctly underwhelmed, of having seen a few things that excited but being let down overall.
[drop2]I don’t want that feeling, no-one wants that. So one again I implore you games industry, Think Big. Consider what you have that can blow consumers and press away, really spend time and think about how you can astonish and bewilder your audience.That’s how to engage us, that’s how to have us clamouring for your product. If you want to announce new media partners then that’s fine (please let me watch NBA games easily), it’s something that will interest many and probably draw you in some new users. It’s not going to excite anyone though, it’s not really going to have anyone shouting from the rooftops about what you have to sell.
I know I’m asking for a lot but it’s what you need to do. Give your audience a reason to care, give them something that can get excited about, something that can have them nearly jumping out of their seats and they’ll sell if for you.
So please, for the love of all that is good and great about gaming, heed my call: Think Big.
Jakster123x
It’s easy to say and i think every developer wans to blow the audience away, but originality is difficult these days, especially with publishers who are only interested in multi million selling games which rely on the same tropes that people are used to.
I’m with you though, i want to be blown away and see something which astounds me.
stage1
Unfortunately, after reading the article, I think you’ve set yourself up for a massive disappointment.
If there’s one thing I’ve learn about E3 it’s go in with no expectations at all. Then when everything is shown it feels great.
hazelam
it’s kind of disheartening when you sit through a whole presentation, and your first reaction at the end is, “is that all?”
when you want to get on the nearest forum and discuss what you just saw, that’s a good conference.
i want to see something new, be it new tech or a new game.
wgiven how many games have been revealed in the weeks leading up to e3, the big three must have something up their sleeves.
but please, don’t make it vapourware or something we’re going to have to wait years for.
the Last Guardian, Milo, Agent or Final Fantasy vs XIII spring to mind.
i was thinking of mentioning the vitality sensor, but i don’t think anybody was actually waiting for that. ^_^
Lymmusic
There’s rumours that ff vs13 is now ff15.. Which would make sense.. Due for ps3 and wii u…
hazelam
yeah i saw that story.
it would mean separating it from the XIII storyline, but i’ve seen very little that actually connects them so far, apart from a couple of monsters, and in this series that’s not uncommon anyway.
so long as they don’t have to rework the story to fit the change thereby delaying the game even longer i don’t mind.
hell, they can call it a grilled cheese sandwich for all i care, just so long as they finish it and let me play it.
Lymmusic
Agreed. The only thing really linking them before was the engine and the plot may have revolved around crystals to some extent. Has so much potential.
Deathbrin
Final Fantasy versus Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
KeRaSh
I think FFXV would be a fitting title. I never really understood why they went the Versus route. So many Final Fantasy games revolve around crystals and according to the Fabula Nova Chrystalis wiki page even Square Enix doesn’t really know what the connection between the games is:
“According to Square Enix, the only connection is a “vague crystal theme”.”
Lymmusic
Judging by the e3 offers on psn store i expect nothing any more exciting than bioshock infinite, castlevania 2, tomb raider, just cause 3, resi 6, borderlands 2 and kain and lynch 3…
hazelam
surely you mean just cause 4.
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2012/05/21/square-enix-register-just-cause-4-domains/
^_^
Lymmusic
Nice
Just got a 90 day plus sub just in case
TSBonyman
I’ll be made up if they show Toriko alive and well. Other than that, i’m just going to sit back and enjoy every moment.