Sony’s E3 2012 Press Conference Summary. All The Announcements, Trailers And Details Here!
Starting with a montage of upcoming Playstation 3 titles ranging from Dead or Alive 5 to Far Cry 3, Sony was all about the games this year at E3. Showing a collection of impressive PS3 and Vita titles, there was certainly lots for the Sony fan to enjoy at the Press Conference.
Jack Tretton (President and CEO of SCEA) began by stating that Sony has the most passionate and dedicated fans in the world, mentioning that people were lining up since 4pm the previous day to get in. E3 2012 is the Superbowl of gaming, everything is graded and judged, every announcement scrutinised, what was said, how it was said, it’s all important, and a lot to put on his shoulders. If you’ve got Home on your console, you can even check out their virtual booth right now. Mentioning that Playstation has heroes like Nathan Drake, Cole MacGrath and Solid Snake, the real heroes are the gamers who never stop playing.
He went on to discuss his time working with Kaz Hirai (President and CEO of Sony), talking about his commitment to both gaming and heritage. Kaz helped to build the connected world of Playstation, with said world expanding and growing for every need through collective creativity, passion and breakthrough experiences, all of which he’s excited to show us later in the conference.
Coming out of the gate with an entirely new exclusive PS3 title, David Cage (Heavy Rain) presented Beyond: Two Souls – Full article with more details -. Quantic Dream’s new project takes digital actors to the next level with even more stunning graphics and emotional gameplay than their previous project. Ellen Page is taking the title role as Jodie Holmes, and you’ll control both her both physically and spiritually. The game asks questions about death and what lies beyond, relating to hopes, fears, doubts about the unknown. The character has always felt a link with an entity around herself, something between our world and the other side. The game will take place over 15 years of her life, and you’ll see her grow and evolve, as well as go through both sad and happy times with her. A cut-scene was then shown, and it’s here that the leap in facial animation is visible. Taking place near the beginning of the game, Jodie has been found and brought into a police station, where the police officer is trying to find out who she is, as she appears to be lost and uncommunicative. After hinting at some telekinetic powers, a SWAT team is seen entering the building looking for her. A trailer was then shown, showcasing lots of action-packed sequences, more so than Heavy Rain. It’s set to be unlike anything you’ve played before, an emotional and mature title with unique and breathtaking moments to remember. David Cage left the stage stating that ‘If you make the right decisions, maybe you’ll find what lies beyond”
Jack Tretton returned to discuss the fact that even though the PS3 is in its sixth year on the market, the games continue to showcase stunning graphics, storylines and huge action, alongside iconic characters such as Jodie who provide depth and emotion. The Michael TV spot has become a YouTube hit, and had more than 10 million views in the first week.
Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale once again introduced us to Kratos, Sweet Tooth, Fat Princess, Sly Cooper, Mael Radec and Parappa, though at the end of the presentation both Nathan Drake and a Big Daddy were confirmed to feature in the title. It was also announced that the game is heading to the Vita, complete with Cross-play of both gameplay and save files. The stage-demo showed a four player match (two Vita, two PS3 players) in the Ratchet & Clank Metropolis level. The action was fast, frantic, and indeed very Smash Bros. looking. The focus is all about powering up to use the super powers, with different abilities based on how much of the bar is filled. Many weapons both ranged and mêlée were on show, and it looked to be a lot of fun. It will launch later this year.
Along the lines of the cross-play gameplay feature in the aforementioned title, LBP 2 will be receiving DLC to add the ability to use a Vita as a controller for the title, and will utilise both the front and rear touch for new gameplay possibilities. New story, costumes, stickers, decorations and objects will also be included.
Jack Tretton continued by stating that 80% of PS3’s and Vita’s are connected to the Internet, and more than 1500 titles are currently available to download via the PSN service. Next year is set to be bigger and better next year, and that PSN has become home to indie titles through the Pub Fund. Tretton mentioned that Journey has become the best selling title of all time on the service, and also showcased Unfinished Swan and Papa & Yo. More than 200 games will come to the PSN in the next twelve months.
He continued to discuss that since the launch of Playstation Plus two years ago, a huge amount of content has been available to subscribers. Tretton mentioned how features such as cloud saves and auto-updates improve the experience for gamers, and that 63 PS3 titles have been made available via the system, alongside $1000’s of discounts. Tomorrow is set to be the biggest update ever for the service, with games such as Just Cause 2, Infamous 2, LBP 2 and Saints Row 2 will be available for free, with more rotating in as the month goes by. Everyone at the conference also received a free 1 year subscription to the service. More than 60 new titles are heading to the Vita, with specific mention made to Guacamelee and When Viking Attack. PS1 classics were announced to heading to Vita soon such as Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy VII.
Tretton then discussed that the SEN (Sony Entertainment Network) is growing every day, and is home to more services than any other platform through TV, Movies and Sports, with specific mentions made to Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus and MLB TV. He announced that Vita is to get YouTube, Hulu Plus and Crackle soon.
A slide for Call Of Duty Black Ops Declassified for the Vita was shown, but no screenshots or trailer were showcased. Activision is aiming for it to be a AAA multiplayer experience thanks to the Vita’s controls and seamless online functionality. It will arrive this holiday alongside the console version.
Assassin’s Creed 3 Liberation was announced for the Vita, complete with a trailer. It looks to maintain the same atmosphere and gameplay from AC3 complete with climbing and combat, all while using touch controls and both cameras. You’ll be able to unlock items in the PS3 title by linking the titles together including a new multiplayer character and single player upgrades. It will also be the first AC title to feature a female assassin in the lead role, and there will be a hardware bundle containing a white Vita, the title and a memory card.
Another Assassin’s Creed 3 gameplay demo was then shown, – Full article with more details – highlighting ship combat on the open seas. It’s a new addition to the series, and looked fantastic, as you’re given control over both navigation and cannons. Mid-way through the demo the weather changed for the worst, and as the sea kicked up and the rain came down, it really showed how much work they’re putting into the latest title. AC3 will also be featured in a new PS3 hardware bundle alongside exclusive DLC.
Far Cry 3 made another appearance, although this time showcased and announced a new four player co-op multiplayer mode for the title. While the PS3 game will be receiving exclusive DLC, the mode will be available for all systems. A gameplay demo showcased team work and lots of action on lush islands, featuring a mission about placing bombs on a bridge, and even though it is being developed by a different team at Ubisoft (Ubisoft Massive), it still looked just as frantic as the core single player, albeit less stealthy. Far Cry 3 is set to introduce a new brand of insanity, and will also include a level editor.
Moving onto the Playstation Move, Tretton discussed how upcoming titles such as Bioshock Infinite, Dust 514 and Sports Champion 2 will bring new addictive gameplay experiences to their motion control device. It’s all about choice, with the Move games being additive, rather than required.
Andrew House (President and CEO of SCE) then took the stage to announce the Wonderbook platform, and went on to discuss the first title Book Of Spells. – Full article with more details – He discussed that the Playstation platform is all about innovative and transformative experiences, and this time they’re hard at work on transforming the oldest interface in the world of the book into a new gameplay experience. Using augmented reality technology in conjunction with both the Playstation Eye and the Playstation Move, Wonderbook will bring books to life, where you’ll be able to explore and influence the story. It’ll use a physical book with markers in, and will provide a new range of experiences through both educational and entertainment properties, and through working with a diverse range of authors, everything from Atlas’s to Walking With Dinosaurs will make an appearance on the platform. Moonbot Studios is currently at work on a title called Digs Night Crawler, a film noir adventure game. The showcased title s Book Of Spells comes from the world of Harry Potter (part of the Pottermore universe), and it will explore the history and origins of the spells and world of Harry Potter, as they work directly with JK Rowling. It will feature new and exclusive writing as spells come to life thanks to the Playstation Move becoming your wand. You’ll be able to read and learn the secrets of wizardry and spell casting, complete with poems, pictures, stories and even dragons. It will launch this holiday
The Playstation Suite has been renamed Playstation Mobile, and Sony will be working with HTC to create new Playstation certified phones. The service aims to deliver the best possible gaming experiences on mobile phones and tablets.
Tretton returned to discuss that at Playstation they are always thinking about the future as times are changing, they are committing themselves to delight gamers by providing accessible and innovative experiences.
God Of War Ascension then took to the stage to showcase a gameplay demo. The series has sold over 21 million units, and what’s on show is just a small slice, so expect to see more videos over the next few days from their booth. The demo started by stating that Kratos had ‘Paid the Price for Wild Ambition’, and what followed showcased a single player segment at a sea port complete with hacking, slashing, dicing, and a rather nasty finisher to a poor elephant enemy. New elements including reversing time on the environment meant that they are looking to expand on the possible gameplay scenarios, and you’ll be able to play it March 12th 2013
Sony finished off their press conference with the spectacular looking The Last of Us. – Full article with more details – The demo showed the close relationship of the characters both in exploring the environment and the combat situations. Bullets are scarce, and the combat is very different from their Uncharted series, offering up brutal kills and intense encounters, even if there’s only a handful of enemies. Ellie showed her ability by throwing a brick at an enemy before Joel finished him off, and a crafting interface was shown where you’ll be able to make such objects as a Molotov to even the odds.
Tretton returned to finish the conference, stating that Playstation continues to the epicentre of gaming, and they have one wish, for us to keep playing and to keep driving them. The journey has been fun, but the best is yet to come.
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