PREDICTION CHECKLIST
Which of these fanciful and not-so-fanciful surprises can we expect at this year’s expo? Keep this checklist with you and play along.
NINTENDO
Tim Clark, Editor-in-Chief (Games), Future Publishing
DO… Eat at Mel’s Diner on Sunset as you’re coming back from a night of tipping G&T onto
the arid desert that is your insides. One of their burgers will restore life to you like that bit in Wrath of Khanwhen the Genesis machine mends the planet.
DON’T… Expect to get anything
out of a roundtable interview with a Japanese developer. By the time the first, ludicrously multi-part, barely coherent question from a Euro hack has been translated, you’ll be lucky to get a “we are very much hoping all users of the game enjoy it”.
DO…Try to ask smart, engaging questions. It’s 2011, people. Will it have DLC? Yawn, son, everything has DLC.
DON’T… Buy a T-shirt from Urban Outfitters. There will be at least two dozen other trailblazing style
hounds wearing it at the Microsoft conference. Sat in the same row as you. Like you’re a band together.
DO… Glare furiously at your rivals as you pass them on the concourse between the South and West Hall. You’re
not here to make new friends, soldier. You are here to kill.
DON’T… Bother with the Convention Center’s Wi-Fi. You’d have more chance sending back information by having an
ex-member of the CIA’s ‘remote viewing’ program follow you about.
DO… Make up rumours and then see who reports them. “Man, could you believe Hideo Kojima and Jack Tretton throwing down c-notes in the Body Shop
last night? Animals! That’s MGS5exclusivity sorted though…”
DON’T… Ask anyone if they’re ‘having a good show?’ I’d rather you just spat in my eye. The correct greeting is a wistful smile and a shake of the head,
followed by muttering the name of a software publisher of your choice sadly. DO… Buy me a gin and tonic.
Lisa Carter, Managing Editor, MCV
DO… Have two glasses of wine and one Nytol tablet, to get through the
horrific flight in economy. Enjoy the first ten minutes of a film and wake up at LAX/LHR.
DO… Remember the booth babes really don’t fancy you.
DO… Use the courtesy bus at your hotel if you want to avoid huge taxi expenses.
www.mcvuk.com
Jane Douglas, Section Editor, GameSpot UK
DO… Get your bearings early. Find your LACC hall
landmarks on day one, navigate from these. Hang a left at the T. Rex, etc.
DON’T… Encumber yourself by picking up too
many freebies. Think to yourself: how many tote bags and lanyards and oversized t- shirts, do I really need?
DO… Save your tired feet. Try to find the exhibitors
with the softest booth carpets and play only their games. Or wear comfortable shoes, I don’t know.
DO… Consider the 24-hour iHop on South Flower when
you are trapped downtown at 3am and also need pancakes.
New console features touch controller...................... Streaming game services..................................................... Actually decent online gaming service....................... Marioand/or Zeldafor Wii 2............................................. Yet more Pokémonfor any/all platforms................. More on 3DS line-up................................................................ 3DS/Wii 2 compatibility........................................................ Game/publisher exclusivity deals................................... Tenuous use of celebrities....................................................
MICROSOFT Loud, obnoxious CODdemo at opening.................... Another refinement of the 360 chassis.................... New SKU with a bigger hard drive................................. Cloud storage of saves and content............................. Streaming services.................................................................... Anti-Sony digs about XBLA security........................... HaloHD/XBLA remake.......................................................... Return of PGR/Grabbed by the Ghoulies/Blinx.. More about Kinect for PC.................................................... New, smaller form factor, cheaper Kinect................ Another hardware price cut................................................ Game/publisher exclusivity deals................................... Tenuous use of celebrities....................................................
SONY
PSN apology (5 min)................................................................. PSN apology (5 min+)............................................................. New PS3 SKU with bigger hard drive.......................... Console and/or Move price cut....................................... New Console/Move bundle................................................ NGP launch details.................................................................... Kevin Butler madness............................................................. More PS2 HD remakes.......................................................... Game/publisher exclusivity deals.................................. Tenuous use of celebrities....................................................
THIRD PARTIES Battlefield 3release date (day before COD)........... Battlefield 3release date (same as COD)................. Battlefield 3 release date (day after COD)............... Battlefield 3 release date (nowhere near COD) ... Grand Theft Auto Vannounced...................................... Old Republicrelease date (2011)..................................... Old Republic release date (2012 or beyond)........... Duke Nukemdelay.................................................................... Apple unveils games console.............................................
First time at E3? It can be a daunting experience and many will tell you that you won’t last the week, but fear not. James Batchelor has consulted with the UK games industry’s expo veterans to provide you with the definitive Dos and Don’ts of E3
Turn over for a look at some of highest and lowest points of E3s past
Afloorplan and exhibitor guide starts on page 38
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