Full FeedE3 2009: The flops, weaks spots and not-so-hots
E3 2009 was pretty successful. We saw some interesting games, a new PSP incarnation and quite a few extra peripherals. For the most part, a very productive couple of days.
But, there were a few stains upon an otherwise spotless event.
Yes, I’m talking about the flops.
The moments when those watching the keynotes, events or reports had to sit back and wonder what the companies could possibly be thinking. You look at the announcements and think, “You could do better!” or “Please sir, another morsel!”
Join Gamertell as we reviewing some of the lackluster moments of E3 2009.
- Vitality Sensor: I know Nintendo wants to be all health conscious, but I doubt the Vitality Sensor is the way to go. People know the next Powerglove or R.O.B. when they see it.
- Red Steel 2‘s required WiiMotionPlus: That’s a wonderful idea Ubisoft. The first Red Steel‘s been banished to bargain bins for years. Requiring the WiiMotionPlus peripheral to play the sequel is going to make that fly off shelves.
- PSPgo’s Price: A PSP-3000 bundle, which includes a game, UMD movie, memory stick and sometimes more is $199.99. A PSP-3000 alone is $169.99. Why would someone pay $50 or $100 more for a PSPgo? Should have followed Nintendo’s example, it priced the DSi only $40 higher than a DS lite.
- PS3 and PSP Announcements with No Information: I’m sure we’re all quite pleased to hear that Agent, Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines and Resident Evil Portable are in development, but companies should give us a little more than, “_____ will be out for the PS3 or PSP in 20XX.” At least show us a couple of screenshots. Sell it! Make us want the games!
- Microsoft’s Avatars’re Still Not Revolutionary: Microsoft’s Avatars still are little more than virtual representations of players, similar to Nintendo’s Miis. Even if Microsoft does have them competing in games like 1 vs. 100, it’s no big deal. Miis have been appearing in games for years. Perhaps it’s time to take a step forward and use them as a virtual business card to trade user information or share game settings/achievements. Maybe even let them carry a link to your Facebook or your Twitter name.
- Motion Control for All!: Let’s just banish controllers completely. Archaic devices. But why stop at the PS3 and Xbox 360? E3 2010: Bluetooth motion-control peripheral gloves for the PSPgo and DSiWare iSeeYou application that lets you use the camera to play every game. Stands to hold the PSPgo and DSi sold separately, of course.
- Wii Fit Plus: So, Nintendo’s basically re-releasing the same program, only with six new exercises and 15 new mini-games. Yes, I’m sure that’ll be worth the $49.99 Nintendo will charge for it.
- Learn to Keep a Secret!: I don’t think I’ve ever seen an E3 with so many leaks before. It’s like the official announcements were just a formality. There were so many leaks Sony thanked the press for bothering to show up.
So, what bugged you about E3 this year?
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At least the Power Glove and R.O.B. were pretty cool-looking, the Vitality Sensor looks like a piece of medical hardware. It was the biggest ‘Wut?’ moment when they debuted it at the conference and I still don’t see the point of it now. Perhaps those with greater imaginations can find a use for it. If they can make something great happen with it, kudos to them.
The PSPgo would be a fabulous idea if this had been what the handheld should’ve been in the first place. With the same pricing as when the first PSP was launched, I don’t think it will succeed with such a heavier price when it doesn’t offer much more than a redesign.
I thought Resident Evil Portable was a handheld version of the first game. It wasn’t until later that Capcom said it would be an all-new game that I had any idea what it truly was. Announcing all these titles was only meant to pad out their lineup, all three were guilty of this during this year’s E3. It just didn’t help that Sony didn’t really elaborate a little further like the other two did.
I don’t know what to think about the ‘leaps and bound’ taken with the big 3 with motion controls. Sure, they can be fun for a while, but I’m a seasoned gamer and still prefer the precision of analog sticks and multiple buttons. There’s talk about more games adopting this format of control, but my heart sinks to hear this. Right now, it’s a gimmicky addition to most games where very few actually build upon its strengths. Perhaps I’m too set in my ways, a little waggle is ok with regular controls, but relying too much on motion control tends to work against the game.
I wish they wouldn’t horde all the announcements into one week. I was kind of happy when E3 was toned down, but apparently many others were not as thrilled. It just feels that with so many announcements, that very few games get the coverage that would help get them some much-needed attention beyond the big name titles that everyone expects. :P
on June 11, 2009 at 01:12 PM - LINKVery true. You’d think the Vitality Sensor is something to test blood sugar or something. Perhaps it’ll be used with the Wii Fit Plus i?
I’m not so sure the PSP Go is what it should the PSP should have been originally. I know Wi-Fi and internet is widely accessible where I live and such, but I have friends who live in areas where it isn’t accessible or affordable for them. If it were within $40 of the original PSP price, I don’t think it’d be as much of an issue.
Very true. I didn’t call out Microsoft and Nintendo because their announcements had a bit more substance to them other than, “Here’s a logo! You’ll see it in 2010!”
I totally agree with you! Too much motion control can hurt a quality game title. Sometimes I have trouble playing Twilight Princess because of the motion control. It’d be good to see games encorporate standard control schemes as well.
It can be a bit daunting, with all the announcements at once. I like how some companies like Atlus, Xseed and such released preliminary announcements summarizing the games they’d be bringing to E3 the week before. It felt like it lightened the load and helped build up suspense.
on June 11, 2009 at 10:04 PM - LINKHa ha ha. This list is great!
For whatever reason, Project Natal didn’t provoke anything other than a “meh” from me. I’ll get Wii Fit Plus when it launches, but only because I don’t have the original yet.
on June 12, 2009 at 04:16 AM - LINKThanks. :D
That’s exactly how I felt when I heard about both Project Natal and the PS3 motion controls.
I think other people will do exactly what you’re doing with Wii Fit Plus - if they don’t already have it, they’ll get it. If they do, they’ll just pass it by.
on June 12, 2009 at 10:56 AM - LINK