Hodges and I just returned from Sony’s press conference, and I have to say, I was a little underwhelmed. They started off by throwing all the basic sales figures, attach rates and the other various business numbers at the crowd. Collective yawn. Jack Trenton rattled through the requisite PS2 statements including their commitment to the console until consumers stop supporting it (i.e. sending Sony cash). Another yawn. Then they showed some games. Sony themselves admitted that the PSP GO was the “worst kept secret of E3,” and the crowd chuckled – then, Gran Tursismo for PSP roared onto the screen. Wait, wasn’t that game first shown when the PSP originally launched? So, I guess they’re only a little late on that. They started off the PS3 showcase with Uncharted 2 : Among Thieves, which looked spectacular, then MAG (or Massive Action Game – still a horrible title) which showed definite promise. I’m just concerned that a game with 256 concurrent players all trying to achieve a single goal is a pipedream. It’s hard enough to get three other people in Halo or Call of Duty 4 to cooperate, much less 127 other distinct players all wanting to be the hero. It looks good – I’m just not sold.
Then, Hideo Kojima made his way to the stage to awkwardly introduce Metal Gear Solid : Peace Walker, a game chronicling the story of Big Boss’s creation of Outer Heaven. Although the game is slated for release on the PSP, it looks incredible. Not to mention the geekgasm I had when there were FOUR Big Bosses on the screen at one point – Les Enfant Terribles, I guess. Then, Jack announced that an all new Resident Evil game would be coming to the PSP as well (and I wept). A quick montage of PS3 games, and then second hour started.
Assassin’s Creed 2 was demoed, to much elation (including mine), then Final Fantasy XIII gameplay was shown, also to much merryment. Jack dropped a bomb when he announced that Final Fantasy XIV was also about to be shown and released in the next year. WHAT? Turns out it was just a sequel to Final Fantasy XI. Collective grumbling.
And, of course, we’ve come to the revealing of Sony’s motion controller. You know, I just won’t say anything other than, “Glorified Tech Demo,” and move on (check out the site tonight when I post some clips if you want to know more). The next domino to fall was ModNation Racers – a cutesy, Little Big Planet inspired cart racer. While the general aesthetic of the game was bland, the track creation tool looked really exciting.
Finally, Sony showed the (already leaked last week) trailer for Trico, which was officially named The Last Guardian, and ended the show with a short demo of God of War 3, which they informed us would be available for play on the show floor – so expect so impressions of that soon.
So, again, I’ll post some video tonight when we get back to the hotel. Until then, we’re off to play some games!
