E3 2009: What shit will hit the fan?

E3: The Electronic Entertainment Gaming Expo

Some will tell you it's about breaking new ground in gaming, changing the face of the video game scene in ways that we haven't yet seen.

The truthful ones will tell you how it boils down to playing kick ass games and getting drunk off cheap vodka slimes.

This has been a convention of many firsts. In 1995, Sega secretly shipped copies of it's newest system, Sega Saturn, out before it even announced pricing that it had been released. A year later came the announcement of the Nintendo 64. Typically, if you're going to rattle the cage; E3's your time to do it.

E3 2009, what should we expect?

Microsoft

Microsoft really is in a crunch right now. Its upcoming release schedule is brimming with third-party titles and a handful of exclusives. Sure, games like Halo: ODST and the eventual launch of Primetime with 1 VS. 100 sound fun, but those are stale, we know those are coming and many have already placed their pre-orders for ODST

Microsoft’s position is one where they need to unveil whatever else is coming this Christmas, and beyond. If you have a 360, right now you probably don't know what's going to be keeping you glued to the box past 2010. I personally think in terms of this winter, we should expect to see Forza Motorsport 3 join ODST

If you're betting big bucks however, look for a Motion-sensing camera. Similar to the Eye-toy, this camera would sense your movements that would correspond with your movements within the game. The potential of this is huge if Microsoft can nail delivering amazing visuals with tight responsive gameplay. Rumours of this have been circulating for sometime, but look for a full confirmation on June 1st at the Microsoft E3 press briefing.

There have also been slight rumblings of a sequel to Crackdown and a Gears of War 3 Announcement, but none of those are for sure.

Personally, If Alan Wake is finally playable you can count on many people (Me included) leaving in shock. This game has been in development hell for years and even to see it running would be an accomplishment for the Max Payne developer.

GTA IV fans should also be excited for what will more than likely be an announcement for a second Add-on DLC pack for the game. If it doesn't freeze or crash the game, call it mission accomplished.

Lionhead also probably has something up their sleeve. Expect Peter Molyeneux to tease something "we've never seen before". I have never seen an elephant suffering from a hernia Mr. Molyneux, maybe I've discovered your secret!

I secretly think Microsoft will allow for full Xbox 360 Game downloads. It's doable in a sense. Plus digital distribution is becoming more popular everyday. To be able to download Fable II, GTA IV, or Halo 3 without
having to deal with the egotistical fat blob at EB Games, you'd find the real convenience and ease of use. If they can get this right, it would work great.

And finally...Big throw away guess...Metal Gear Solid 4 will come to 360. Won't happen, but men can dream.

Nintendo

Nintendo really can't do worst than last year; their dismal performance left the hardcore wondering where the Triforce was. No Zelda, No Mario, and No Samus!? Casual games can only get you so far Nintendo.

Should we expect to see the Triforce at E3? Yeah. Nintendo would be incredibly stupid to leave the hardcore in the dust. Yes, Wii Sports sells incredibly well but that doesn't mean that should be the focus of the console.

Expect a new Pokémon. Those games like the Swine Flu just keep spreading and spreading. I'd actually give kudos to Nintendo if they extended the powerhouse series to the Wii. I don't see this happening but consider that my throw away guess.

Side scrollers would be nice. If the DSi or Wii can have classic-style side scrollers of Metroid or Super Mario then consider me on board. Donkey Kong would be a godsend. Donkey Kong needs a good classic game in light of his recent horrible bongo bashing titles.

Expect to see more on The Conduit. Nintendo is pushing this as a First-person shooter to compete with the Halo's and the Killzone's

Finally, Wii Motion Plus announce date. It needs to come, and it will come.

Sony

Sony’s E3 showing can be predicted as: Meh. Sony was so exciting last year, I don't expect much from them this year.

Expect God of War III. The epic console seller will get lot of show time. We saw it a year ago and it looked phenomenal. Expect to see a showcase of a level, or even an announcement of a release date; the latter being very optimistic.

A new PSP is a no-brainer. The handheld is slowly dying on the market. With even the PS2 outselling the handheld; not very impressive at all. The new PSP will probably give away with UMD's. Considering how the handheld is...well...portable, you should be able to download games like no one's business.

Sony announced a lot last year. So expect them to just elaborate on things. Which isn't bad, just don't expect many surprises. Aside from God of War III having online co-op...You heard it here first!

Kojima has been teasing a new title for sometime. Expect a showing at E3. This could be Metal Gear Solid 4 for 360. But I doubt it, I'm going with MGS 5, with a focus on Raiden. Series side star to Solid Snake (RIP)

What Else?

Capcom has two secret titles in the works. I'm secretly hoping one is a 3D Mega man ala Legends but being more action oriented.

Here, is the list on CONFIRMED TITLES if you don't see a game on there. It's not that it won't be there, E3 is all about surprises you know!

2K Games
Bioshock 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Borderlands (PC, PS3, X360)
Mafia II (PC, PS3, X360)


2K Sports
The Bigs 2 (X360)


Activision
Blur (PC, PS3, X360)
DJ Hero (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360)
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, X360)
Modern Warfare 2 (PC, PS3, X360)


Atlus
Class of Heroes (PSP)
Droplitz (PC, PS3, X360)
Knights in the Nightmare (DS)
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor (DS)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (PSP)
Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament (PSP)


Capcom
Bionic Commando (PC)
Dark Void (PC, PS3, X360)
Dead Rising 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Fate/Unlimited Codes (PSP)
Lost Planet 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (PS3, X360)
Mega Man Star Force 3: Black Ace (DS)
Mega Man Star Force 3: Red Joker (DS)
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP)
Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil (Wii)
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)
Spyborgs (Wii)
Street Fighter IV (PC)
Street Fighter IV (MadCatz Fight Pad Bundle) (PC)
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars (Wii)


City Interactive
I Love Beauty: Hollywood Makeover (DS)
Logic Machines (DS)
Redneck Chicken Riot (Wii)
Sushi Academy (DS)


CompuExpert
Rise of Flight (PC)


Crave Entertainment
Monster Mayhem: Build and Battle (DS, Wii)
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection (PS3, X360)


Deck 13
Strain (tba)


Disney Interactive Studios
Hannah Montana: Rock Out the Show (PSP)
Spectrobes: Origins (Wii)
Split/Second (PC, PS3, X360)
Toy Story Mania (Wii)
Wizards of Waverly Place (DS)


DreamCatcher Interactive
Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders (DS)
Arcania (PC, X360)
Prank Your Neighbor (DS)
Spellforce Faith in Destiny (PC)
The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft (Wii)
The Legend of Kay (DS)
Yoga (Wii)


Eidos Interactive
Batman: Arkham Asylum (PC, PS3, X360)
Batman: Arkham Asylum (Collector's Edition) (PC, PS3, X360)
Just Cause 2 (PC, PS3, X360)


Electronic Arts
Army of Two: The 40th Day (PS3, PSP, X360)
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Brütal Legend (PS3, X360)
Dante's Inferno (PS3, PSP, X360)
Dragon Age: Origins (PC, X360, PS3)
Grand Slam Tennis (Wii)
Madden NFL 10 (PS3, PSP, Wii, X360)
Mass Effect 2 (PC, X360)
NCAA Football 10 (PS3, PSP, Wii, X360)
NHL 10 (PC, PS3, X360)
Need for Speed Nitro (Wii)
Need for Speed Shift (PC, PS3, X360)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (PS3, PSP, Wii, X360)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (Wii MotionPlus Bundle) (Wii)


Ignition Entertainment
Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii)
Nostalgia (DS)
The King of Fighters XII (PS3, X360)


JoWood Productions
Painkiller: Resurrection (PC)


Just Flight
757 Captain (PC)
Air Hauler (PC)
Traffic X (PC)
Warbirds of WWII (PC)
World Airports 3: North America (PC)


K2 Network Incorporated
OurWorld (PC)
Taikodom (PC)
Victory: The Age of Racing (PC)


KOEI
Monster Racers (DS)
Warriors Orochi 2 (PSP)


Konami
Kojima Productions Project [untitled] (tba)


MTV Games
The Beatles: Rock Band (PS3, Wii, X360)


Majesco
A Boy and His Blob (Wii)
Flip's Twisted World (Wii)
Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010 (Wii)
Jillian Michaels' Pocket Trainer 2010 (DS)
My Hero: Astronaut (DS)
Our House: Party (Wii)
Pizza Boy (Wii)


Namco Bandai
Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (PSP)


No Publisher Announced
City Life DS (DS)
Scrabble Interactive: 2009 Edition (DS, Wii)
So Blonde (DS, Wii)


Paradox Interactive
East India Company (PC)
Hearts of Iron III (PC)
Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim (PC)
Mount & Blade: Warband (PC)


Perfect World Entertainment
Ether Saga Online (PC)
Perfect World (PC)


Realtime Worlds
APB (PC, X360)


SEGA
Aliens vs. Predator (PC, PS3, X360)
Alpha Protocol (PC, PS3, X360)
Bayonetta (PS3, X360)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (DS, Wii)
Planet 51 (DS, PS3, Wii, X360)
The Conduit (Wii)
The Conduit (Limited Edition) (Wii)
Vancouver 2010: The Official Videogame of the Winter Olympic Games (PC, PS3, X360)


Sony Computer Entertainment
Fat Princess (PS3)
God of War III (PS3)
Heavy Rain (PS3)
Infamous (PS3)
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (PS2, PSP)
MAG (PS3)
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (PS2, PSP)
Pain! Sore Spots (PS3)
PixelJunk 1-4 (PS3)
PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe (PSP)
Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time (PS3)
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 (PSP)
Singstar: Queen (PS2, PS3)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
White Knight Chronicles (PS3)


Sony Online Entertainment
DC Universe Online (PC, PS3)
Free Realms (PC)
Kung Fu Hustle (PC)
Legends of Norrath (PC)
PoxNora (PC)
The Agency (PC, PS3)


SouthPeak Games
Fast Food Panic (DS, Wii)
My Baby 2 (DS)
Section 8 (PC, X360)
Sled Shred (Wii)


THQ
All Star Cheer Squad 2 (Wii)
Cars: Race-O-Rama (tba)
Darksiders (PS3, X360)
MX vs. ATV Reflex (DS, PS3, PSP, X360)
Marvel Super Hero Squad (DS, PS2, PSP, Wii)
Red Faction: Guerrilla (PC, PS3, X360)
SpongeBob's Truth or Square (DS, PSP, Wii, X360)
UFC 2009 Undisputed (PS3, X360)


Teyon
101 Minigolf World (DS)
Ball Fighter (DS)
Forsaken Patrol (PC, PS3, X360)
Hubert the Teddy Bear: Holiday Island (PC, Wii)
My Fitness (PC)
Robot Rescue (DS)


Trion World Network
Heroes of Telara (PC)


Ubisoft
Imagine: Family Doctor (DS)


UserJoy Technologies
Adventure Generation Online (PC)
Kingdom Heroes 2 (PC)
Project Heroes (PC)


Vogster Entertainment
CrimeCraft (PC)
Robocalypse: Beaver Defense (Wii)
Unbound Saga (PSP)


Warner Bros. Interactive
LEGO Rock Band (DS, PS3, X360)
The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest (tba)


Xseed Games
JU-ON: The Grudge (Wii)

Good Luck, and make sure to tune back onto my blog for results of Microsoft’s E3 Press Conference June 1st.