Before E3 even started the new Xbox 360 was spinning its
wheels and leaving a haze of smoke that was quickly blown
away by Sony's announcement of the technical details of
the new PlayStation 3 which had most people muttering "wow".
Then the new Nintendo model -- sleek and small and finally
able to be at least a bit player in the convergence game.
The end game, of course, brings in the games developers and
publishers and it will be interesting to see how it all
pans out.
E3 is not just about three companies of course. There is a
huge number of other people concerned and they churn out
press releases during these few days like there's no tomorrow
and like there's people actually reading them, which there are
because you never know what little gems might be there amidst
the hysterical hyperbole.
Here are some, including those of the show itself ...
E3 the wordÕs premiere interactive trade event and the most important
dates in the industry's year More than 1,000 computer and video games
and related products will make their debut at the 11th annual Electronic
Entertainment Expo 2005 (E3) May 18-20, according to exhibitor survey
data released today by the show's owner, the Entertainment Software
Association (ESA). The show, which is completely sold out, will host
more than 400 of the world's leading interactive entertainment companies
in more than 540,000 net square feet of exhibit space at the Los Angeles
Convention Center (LACC). The trade-only show is the premiere product
launching pad for the global interactive entertainment industry. The E3
exhibitor survey results also show that consumers will not have to wait
long to buy the products previewed at the event, as more than 4,000 (81
percent) of all products shown will be available on store shelves this
holiday season. While consumers cannot attend E3 2005, they can visit
the show virtually through E3 Insider
www.e3insider.com
Overall, more than 5,000
products will be shown at E3 2005. The nearly 300 exhibitors who
participated in the survey were asked to provide details of what they
consider to be their top-tern products at the event. According to survey
respondents, top-ten titles at E3 2005 will fall into the following
categories:Action/Adventure games (19 percent); Role Playing games (13
percent); Sports/Driving/Racing games (11 percent); Child/Family games
(6 percent); Strategy games (5 percent); Simulation games (4 percent);
Educational/Edutainment games (3 percent); Arcade games (3 percent);
Other games (4 percent).
This is the start of the HD Era, according to J Allard and Bill Gates.
Although the phenomenon has yet to reach Europe to any significant
degree, high definition televisions are - it's claimed - becoming a de
facto part of living room audio-visual systems across North America and
the Far East. Xbox - and even PlayStation 2 - already support HDTV to a
limited degree, but for Xbox 360, Microsoft has committed to supporting
even the top-end HD resolutions in all software. This is unlikely to be
a unique feature for Xbox 360 - expect both the next-generation
PlayStation and Nintendo's Revolution to supply an equal level of
support for HDTV - but according to Microsoft, it's a very significant
step for home entertainment, and one which will not only bump up the
resolution, but will change the way that consumers perceive games. Every
game will now support custom soundtracks, according to Allard. Many will
support the ability to grab new content off the revamped Xbox Live
service, be that new character models and levels, new weapons, new parts
to modify your car in a racing game, or any one of a host of other
micro-components that allow the player to shape their game experience to
their own tastes.
Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of games
for mobile phones exhibits an eclectic mix of genres that range from
sports to action/adventure to casual games. "This year's line-up really
demonstrates the depth and diversity of our talent," said Michel
Guillemot, President, Gameloft. "This will be an opportunity for us to
showcase the best in mobile games and provide consumers a glimpse in
what's to come for 2005." NCsoft Europe (NC-E) is headquartered in
Brighton, England and is part of Korea-based NCsoft Corporation, the
world's leading developer and publisher of online games. NCsoft's games
represent the company's varied offering of massively multiplayer online
(MMO) game titles. NCsoft CEO Tack Jin Kim said, "NCsoft will showcase a
very diverse lineup of blockbuster online entertainment products at E3
this year, which solidifies our commitment to leadership in the global
MMO industry."
Online computer game publisher is showing blockbuster
product line, featuring Auto Assault, City of Villains, Guild Wars and
Tabula Rasa. THQ will showcase titles aimed at core gamers for
Microsoft's next-generation Xbox(R) video game system on the show floor
and will be demonstrating several Windows PC exclusive titles including
Company of Heroes and Titan Quest. In addition to these
never-before-seen core gaming titles, THQ will be featuring three other
highly acclaimed original properties, including Juiced, Destroy All
Humans and the sequel to its critically acclaimed franchise Full
Spectrum Warrior. THQ will also present its current generation system
product portfolio geared at the mass market, one of the most expansive
in the industry, including Disney Presents a Pixar film The Incredibles:
Rise of the Underminer, Tak(TM): The Great Juju Challenge, SpongeBob
SquarePants(TM): Lights, Camera, PANTS!, Scooby-Doo!(TM) Unmasked and
Bratz(TM): Rock Angelz.
www.gogamer.com the premiere online gaming retailer
specializing in PC games and the original creator of the 48 Hour
Madness(TM) specials will be showcasing the high-end VirtualGT Pro-PC
Race Car Simulator, the precision head-tracking game controller
TrackIR(TM), and PC game controllers from Razor, Saitek, Flexiglow(TM)
and MonsterGecko. GoGamer.com, owned by CompuExpert/Game-Xpert, Inc., is
the fastest-growing online gaming retailer and price-cut leader of
software, hardware and gaming accessories for the PC, Mac, and popular
video game systems: Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, and Nintendo's
GameCube and GameBoy. "PC and video gaming is more sophisticated than
ever and gamers are wanting a more immersive and realistic gaming
experience, which is why we have expanded our product offerings to meet
this demand," says Ammar Adra, president of GoGamer.com. "At this year's
E3, we are showcasing a couple of virtual gaming products that provide
gamers with the most realistic experience possible. At our booth,
attendees can test drive the VirtualGT, an adrenaline boosting racing
simulator that's as close as you can get to the real thing, and the
innovative TrackIR 3 Pro(TM) with Vector Expansion(TM), which
automatically tracks a gamer's natural head movement and translates it
to the virtual game environment on screen. These virtual products are
sure to impress."
Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) announced its robust line-up of videogame
titles EA's 2005/2006 roster of EA SPORTS(TM) and EA(TM) branded games
for the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, the PlayStation(R)2
computer entertainment system, PSP(TM) handheld entertainment system,
Nintendo GameCube(TM), Nintendo DS(TM), PC and mobile phones. EA brings
to the show its broadest array of titles in the company's 23-year
history. The preeminent EA SPORTS line-up is complimented by a stunning
array of new games from highly-acclaimed EA franchises including: Need
For Speed(TM), The Sims(TM), Battlefield and Burnout(TM). Will Wright's
highly-anticipated next project, SPORE(TM), also will be at the show by
appointment only. The Godfather(TM), James Bond 007(TM): From Russia
With Love(TM), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(TM), Batman
Begins(TM) and Marvel Nemesis(TM): Rise of the Imperfects(TM) round out
EA's line-up of action/adventure titles, making it the strongest line-up
of world-famous licensed entertainment properties. "What EA is bringing
to E3 this year is a culmination of years of innovation, creativity and
dedication to making games that consumers want to play," said Don
Mattrick, EA's President of worldwide studios. "The games we have in
development across platforms are unprecedented, especially when
complimented by our next generation offering -- EA's line-up truly is a
gamer's dream come true."
About E3 E3 is the world's premiere trade show
for computer and video games and related products. The show, now in its
eleventh year, is owned by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA),
the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public
affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video
game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet.
For more information, please visit www.e3expo.com or
www.theesa.com
"The more than one thousand
products debuting at E3 2005 are examples of the innovation and
creativity that will drive industry growth in the coming year," said
Douglas Lowenstein, president of the ESA, the trade association that
represents U.S. computer and video game publishers and owns E3.
WD Unveils Simple-to-Use Network Hard Drive at E3 Expo WD's
NetCenter(TM) Network Drive Lets Users Easily Centralize and Share Data
and Print From Any PC and Macintosh(R) Computer on the Network
LOS ANGELES, May 18 /-- Western Digital Corp.
introduced its NetCenter(TM) network hard drives for small office and
home users. NetCenter network drives are the newest addition to the WD
Essential(TM) external hard drive product family. WD's NetCenter
network drives will be available next month (June 2005) in capacities
ranging from 160 to 320 GB and are perfect for small office and home
users who want to centralize and share their digital files and/or
connect and share up to two printers on a computer network. With WD's
NetCenter network drives, users can also create private,
password-protected folders; back up files from any computer on the
network; access files anytime from any computer on the network, even
when all other computers are powered off; and connect additional
external hard drives to increase storage capacity for multiple
computers on the network. WD's NetCenter network drives also allow for
real-time duplication of data.
NetCenter network drives feature: -- WD Caviar(R) SE 7,200 RPM hard
drive inside for fast, quiet and cool operation without a fan --
10/100Base-T Ethernet connection -- Common Internet File System (CIFS)
for platform-independent file sharing -- Two hot-swappable USB host
ports -- WD EasyLink utility to set up NetCenter as a local drive on
any computer on the network -- NetCenter Manager software to easily
view system status, share folders and printers, set up mirroring for
real-time duplication of disk data, create and resize volumes --
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) client for automatic
assignment of TCP/IP addresses -- Automatic power management when the
NetCenter hard drive is idle -- Kensington(R) security slot
Suggested retail pricing is $399 USD for WD's NetCenter network drive
with 320 GB capacity (model WDXE3200JBN). To mark the introduction of
WD's NetCenter network drives, customers who pre-order a NetCenter
network drive 320 GB capacity from WD's online store
(www.westerndigital.com/e3) by May 31, 2005, will receive $30 off and
free standard shipping.
A demonstration may be viewed on the company's Web site at
www.westerndigital.com/e3
.
Brut Racing Funny Car Driver Ron Capps Helps Promote NHRA
Championship Drag Racing at E3 Expo LOS ANGELES, May 17
-- ValuSoft, a division of THQ Inc.
announces that Ron Capps and his Brut Dodge
Stratus Funny Car from Don Schumacher Racing will blast into the Los
Angeles Convention Center May 18 during the 2005 E3 Expo to help
introduce ValuSoft's NHRA Championship Drag Racing. The game, which is
rated "E" for Everyone, is being developed for the PlayStation(R) 2
computer entertainment system.
Vivendi Universal Games and 50 Cent Pull Back the Kevlar to Reveal
50 Cent: Bulletproof at E3 Expo 2005 Eminem and Dr. Dre Join the Cast
as the Characters 'McVicar' and 'Grizz' in 50 Cent's Upcoming Video
Game
LOS ANGELES, May 18 Vivendi Universal Games ("VU
Games") and 50 Cent today debuted 50 Cent(R): Bulletproof(TM) at the
Electronic Entertainment Expo ("E3"), the game industry's largest
global event, May 18-20, 2005. In his videogame debut, 50 Cent, the
multi-platinum global hip-hop sensation, is the star of 50 Cent:
Bulletproof, an explosive new game coming this fall to PlayStation(R) 2
computer entertainment system, Xbox(R) video game system from
Microsoft, and PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R) Portable) entertainment system
in 2006. 50 Cent: Bulletproof will feature an unprecedented lineup of
the hottest recording artists in the music industry today, including 50
Cent and G Unit's Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck, as well as
Eminem and Dr. Dre, who will be making their interactive debuts as the
characters "McVicar" and "Grizz." 50 Cent: Bulletproof will feature new
songs from 50 Cent recorded exclusively for the game, music from Get
Rich or Die Tryin', The Massacre and 50 Cent and G Unit music videos.
In addition, the game will offer a sound studio mode in which gamers
can mix and match new original freestyles by 50 Cent with new beats
straight from the G Unit camp. Now with the release of The Massacre,
easily the most anticipated album of 2005, 50 Cent will continue his
dominance of the hip-hop world and beyond.
Qntum3D Demonstrates America's Army on Expedition at E3 Show
Attendees Can Don Quantum3D Immersive Man-Wearable Embedded Training
Platform To Experience Expedition First Hand LOS ANGELES, May 18
/PRNewswire/ -- Quantum3D(R), Inc., a leading provider of COTS,
open-architecture, realtime visual computing solutions for the Visual
and Sensor Simulation Training (VSST) and Embedded Visual Computing
(EVC) markets is demonstrating the America's Army(TM) video game at the
Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) on Expedition(TM), the Quantum3D
wireless, immersive, self-contained, man-wearable, open-architecture
COTS platform that provides deployed troops with embedded training,
simulation, and mission rehearsal capabilities. Expedition units are on
demonstration in the US Army booth South Hall # 1608 and at the South
Hall entrance. Announced in February of this year, Expedition is based
on technology developed by Quantum3D subsidiary CG2 and Quantum3D for
the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) for
the RDECOM Distributed Advanced Graphics Generator and Embedded
Rehearsal System (DAGGERS) Program. Expedition integrates the latest in
binocular OLED helmet mounted display (HMD) technology with a
correlated three degree-of-freedom head/body/weapon motion tracker
system, a M4A1 training weapon with Quantum3D patent-pending wireless
weapon input controller, Quantum3D THERMITE(TM) Tactical Visual
Computer and load-bearing vest with accessories to provide a compact,
man-worn embedded training system complete with surround sound and
voice command, weapon-mounted synthetic environment scene and motion
control, and IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN for coordinated squad-level
interaction. Expedition is compatible with Windows(R) XP, IEEE 802.11,
Open GL(R) 1.3, DirectX(R) and most game- based applications as well as
other training and simulation industry standards. Web site:
www.quantum3d.com/
GameFREQ Comic Book Creator Launched by Planetwide Games at E3
Self-publishing software allows players to create customized comic
books of actual "RYL: Path of the Emperor" gameplay.
LOS ANGELES, May
18 Planetwide Games www.ryl.net/
announced today that it has
launched GameFREQ Comic Book Creator, a patent pending self-publishing
software product that allows video game players to create customized
Comic Books of their actual Gameplay, according to Planetwide Games
President, Kevin Donovan. GameFREQ Comic Book Creator will be made
available to the video games industry for other video game titles.
"RYL: Path of the Emperor" is the first MMORPG to offer a $1,000,000
Grand Prize to the winner of a Player vs. Player Skill-Based
Tournament. The "RYL" qualifying tournament will start July 1, 2005 and
will end April 30, 2006, culminating in a "RYL: Path of the Emperor"
Final Tournament event to be broadcast live and to take place in
conjunction with the E3 Video Game Expo in May 2006. Interested players
can view more details about the tournament rules and regulations at
www.ryl.net/"
"RYL: Path of the Emperor" is a persistent universe or role-playing
game (RPG). "RYL" players start off at Level 1, with minimal skills and
abilities, but over time they gain experience points, through
achievement, which allows them to advance to Level 2, and beyond. As
"RYL" players advance to each level they discover new and stronger
skills, which assist them in their ability to try and survive during
all encompassing battles against powerful monsters. In the game,
players can choose from 20 character classes and assume the role of a
Warrior, Cleric, Mage, and Assassin and then explore the many exotic
locations within boundless miles of terrain and virtual real estate. In
"RYL: Path of the Emperor," players meet other players in a diverse
real time environment where thousands of players simultaneously compete
and take part in specific quests and missions, fight monsters and other
players, battle in Guild vs. Guild duels, buy, sell and trade virtual
merchandise, build fortresses and even raise their own virtual Dragon.
Lastly, "RYL" players have the chance to receive the ultimate gaming
reward; to become the actual Emperor of "RYL," Rule over the Land and
win $1,000,000. Some of the many innovative features of "RYL: Path of
the Emperor" include:
All that dragon stuff makes you thristy. Until next time ...
Mstation Games Review
Mon, 30 May 2005
-- True Player vs. Player (PVP) Action
-- Guild vs. Guild Battles
-- Customized Character Creation
-- Hundreds of Quests
-- Compelling and Intuitive Combat System
-- Innovative, Customizable "Skill System"
-- Upgradeable and Limitless Armor and Weapons System
-- Build Fortresses
-- Raise a Virtual Dragon for Battle
-- Create Flying Siege Gliders
-- Commandeer Battering Rams
-- Persistent Universe
-- Thousands of Miles of Treacherous and Exotic Terrain
-- Virtual Real Estate Ownership
-- Become the Emperor and Rule the Land
