Gaming News

The Best of E3 2010

By H. B. Duran (Angel Thanatos)

Each year, the video game industry comes together to unveil their latest creations at the Electronic Entertainment Expo: E3. 2010 was a great year for technological advances and the competition was fierce as Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft all tried to one up one another. From June 15-17^th, the Los Angeles Convention Center was brimming with developers, fans and members of the press from all over the world; all hoping to get some hands-on time with the next big games and consoles.

Here are some of the best and most talked about announcements!

Project Natal is Now “Kinect”

You ARE the controller.

Last year, Stephen Spielberg helped promote a console that could not only see you, but read your facial expressions, tone of voice and even make its own decisions! With the help of Cirque de Soleil, Microsoft’s press conference unveiled the latest version of what they hope will be a breakthrough gaming console for the whole family. Most of the games featured during their press conference were brightly colored, sports-based or non-violent; even the actors “demonstrating” these games were meant to be mother, daughter, father, son, etc. During a behind-the-scenes VIP party, I asked one developer about the name change. He indicated that “Natal” was a code name and working title, named after the inventor’s hometown. Once they started integrating voice chat, videos, etc. the name “Kinect” just seemed more appropriate.

Some notable games for the Kinect:

Kinectimals: Much like “Milo,” the interactive boy from the Project Natal reveal, gamers can speak to and control the actions of an animal on-screen. Thus far, all the animals consist of baby big cats such as lions, tigers and a snow leopard. Hold your hands up to the screen and you can “pet” your new friend. An adorable game.

Kinect Adventures: A wild adventure starring you – as in your XBox Avatar, and anyone else that wants to jump in! Say you’re racing down a river on a raft. Your friend can literally leap into frame and join in without missing a beat.

Dance Central: This MTV game was a hit at E3 and I actually saw more people lining up to play Dance Central than Rock Band 3! High heels didn’t stop GirlGamer.com Community Director Emily Zimmer and I from busting a move with the Microsoft gang, either. It’s definitely going to be my new workout regimen!

PlayStation Move “Changes Everything”

…or so the giant posters said all over the convention center. What is basically a “one up” on the Nintendo Wii, Sony introduced a two-controller system that allows you to virtually control things like a rifle, golf club, bow and arrow, etc.

Sony hopes to reach a wider audience with the Move; family-friendly moms and first-person-shooters alike. Whereas the Nintendo Wii was considered the most tame and interactive console on the market, Sony has stepped up to the virtual plate with pastel-colored controllers of their own.

Nintendo Goes 3D

The Japanese gaming gods have come a long way since Super Mario Brothers, and while Sony and Microsoft catch up to the motion control market, Nintendo introduced the first 3D console; the 3DS.

No glasses necessary! As usual, Nintendo is pushing the technological envelope with a screen that actually projects a 3D image that can be seen from multiple angles and without the aid of goofy-looking eyewear.

Some games announced for the 3DS include:

Carnival Games 3DS
Kingdom Hearts 3D
Mario Kart 3DS
Animal Crossing 3DS
Paper Mario 3DS

They may be boldly going forward, but Nintendo always pays tribute to its roots. For example, old-school gamers will be happy to know that Legend of Zelda is back with Skyward Sword; coming soon for the Wii. Also, girl power returns with Metroid: Other M.

Nintendo has also teamed up with Disney for Epic Mickey – animators were on site drawing classic characters for the audience and setting the tone for a game that hope will be, well, epic.

Other Notable Announcements and Demos:

Ice T joins the cast of Gears of War 3
Silent Hill (8) changes course with a new developer and Hellraiser composer, Daniel Licht
Mortal Kombat is back, with even more brutal finishing moves!
Control a million troops at once with Konami’s Ninety-Nine Nights II
Forcetek introduces a set of exoskeleton arm controllers (that actually work!)

Lara Croft goes co-op for the 1^st time in Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
EA’s Bulletstorm and Dead Space 2 receive praise and multiple awards (and not just because Bulletstorm sold us hamburgers!)
Bear Grylls gets his own video game called, yup – Man vs. Wild
Glee fans rejoice as Konami presents Karaoke Revolution: Glee
Castlevania gets some crazy-good graphics with Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Origin introduces the first 3D laptop
Action is abound with Lucas Arts’ Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II