Recap of Sony’s E3 2011 Press Conference
Note: The following thoughts are of Jay Wheelers and are not the overall opinion of Push-Start.
It is finally that time of year again; E3. It’s like Christmas for hardcore gamers right now, and despite the time for us in the UK (1:00am), the night is still early to witness some of the most exciting news and announcements we are likely to see all year. Xbox 360 has already had their moment today, and now, it is Sony’s turn. Here are the highlights of the Sony Press Conference played out in Los Angeles, which was scheduled for 5:00pm.
The anticipation of the Sony conference is exacerbated by the briefing being delayed by almost twenty minutes, due to ‘crowd control’. All I’m thinking to myself is “get sat down now!” Although with that said, Sony has a lot to deliver, and will definitely be worth the wait.
The PlayStation logo comes up on the main screen, amongst blue waves, and so it begins; with a big screen intro of a swirling NGP, PlayStation move, and a montage of upcoming games. It all looks pretty damn impressive, my only issue at the moment is; how on earth is Sony is going to squeeze all of this into ninety minutes? The NGP being the first to ogle at on-screen gives the impression that this year’s E3 will be particularly focused on the successor of the PlayStation Portable, as well as everything PS3. Games featured in the montage include The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Uncharted 3, and… The Green Lantern? Ok then.
Jack Tretton of SCEA is the first to hit the stage. He welcomes everyone to the Sony conference, before immediately addressing the PSN outage, which saw the network completely offline for almost an entire month since the middle of April. He sent out a light-hearted “you’re welcome” to all asteemed members of the press who dwelled in the controversy that burdened Sony this year. Tretton continued with saying a serious thank you to all third-party developers and retailers across the world for their support during the difficult time. However, he particularly wanted to address the customers, who he branded as “the life blood of the PlayStation”. He says that apologies go out to all of those for any distress caused by the outage of PSN.
Negativities aside, Tretton stated that since the return of the PSN, there has been a 90% increase over the original amount of activity seen before the outage of the network, insinuating that there is still a lot of dedication and passion for PS3. And that, along with what the briefing has on offer will hope to convince others that PlayStation is stronger than ever.
Tretton soon after makes the announcement that Sony has now developed a partnership with Cinemanow, resulting in a service, which will be available later in the year on the PlayStation 3. Tretton also hinted at more partnerships expected in the future.
The first game of the briefing is introduced, which is, yes… you guessed it; Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception. Co-presidents of Naughty Dog, Evan Wella and Christophe Balestra, come to the stage to show off some real time gameplay of Drake in action. Kicking off the demo on a boat in the middle of a storm, the games looks just as good as expected, if not better. Walking indoors established a stealthy sneak into an elegant hall guarded by baddies. Running back outside into the storm shows the incredible attention to details in both texture and real time lighting, making the environment as realistic as you’d want it to be. Drake continues to stealth kill his way through the corridors, down to the lower levels, where it becomes more dark and eerie, only means that it’s ready kick-off. Classical platforming is also demonstrated, before a cut-scene where Drake is ambushed, and all hell breaks loose as a shoot-out ensues, which sees the boats interior wounded by a detonated grenade, resulting in the boat flipping onto its side. Now more platforming is demonstrated as an intense race against time begins to get out of the flooding ship, together with the same cinematic footage that you would expect from an epic game like Uncharted. Left at a cliffhanger, the games title appears, followed by a huge round of applause from the audience.
It is announced soon after that the multiplayer beta will begin on June 28th. Uncharted 3 hits stores in November. The presentation of U3 is finished with a trailer completely in 3D. And let me assure you, it’s the best looking thing in 3D since James Cameron’s Avatar, if not better.
Insomniac games is next on stage, with Marcus Smith showing off real time gameplay of another PS3 exclusive, Resistance 3. He gives a quick synopsis moving on with the actual demonstration, also in glorious 3D.
We are introduced to what literally looks like hell on earth. Ships smash to the ground, drones flood the skies, allies on fire and screaming for help, and chimera are gunning for you, hell-bent on your demise. Explosions left right and centre show some pretty intense gun fights and all your favorite iconic Resistance weapons are all there, including the Auger and the Revolver with explosive rounds. We are then thrown into what looks like a run up to a pretty big boss fight; sprinting through the remains of a building, escaping the clutches of chimera infantry and a huge chimera-like creature, towering over everything else in the level. It looks a lot bleaker and darker than other Resistance games, but remains to have the same hard-hitting action that Resistance has a niche for.
Soon after the demonstration; the Resistance 3 sharpshooter bundle is announced, which includes; PlayStation move controllers, the PlayStation Eye, a copy of Resistance 3 and the PlayStation sharpshooter. The bundle will be available from Resistance 3’s retail release date, which is September 2011.
This is then followed by a big announcement for pretty much every PlayStation fan out there. As Tretton happily reveals that both God of War titles that were exclusive to the PlayStation Portable, Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta, will both be bundled as PS3 ports, entitled God of War: Origins, which can be enjoyed in stereoscopic HD. ICO and Shadow of Colossus were also mentioned and will be available later this year. Tretton states that it is these games, as well as many others, mixed with the power of Blu-ray that makes PlayStation the “ultimate solution for 3D”.
Keeping with the theme of 3D and bundle packs; Tretton mentioned how difficult it can be for some to afford a decent 3D television and glasses. And have therefore announced a PlayStation-certified 24-inch 3D television, which will be available this fall. One major thing that makes this 3D monitor worthy of gamers attention is unique technology, where split-screen looks like separate screens, when using 3D compatible glasses. It honestly has to be seen to be beleived.
Playstation 3D glasses will also be available separately this fall for $69.99.
If you like the sound of all of this, then you will be happy to know that there is a bundle for all of this 3D goodness too, which includes; the 24-inch 3D monitor, the glasses, a HDMI cable, AND a copy of Resistance 3, all for $499.
Now with 3D out of the way, the next category on PlayStations mind is PlayStation Move. Tretton expresses his deep enthusiasm for PS move, after revealing that 8.8 million units have been shifted off retail shelves. And the first game to reveal brand-new move compatibility in an upcoming title is NBA 2K12, presented by 2K’s Chris Snyder and Erick Boenishck. Titled “NBA on the move”, the demonstrate real time use of the move controllers to allow players to pass the ball to fellow athletes as well as maneuvering through the court. Instant impressions show that this is graphically impressive, delivering a truly simulated basketball experience. Movement of athletes and the people in the environment are astonishingly life-like. But, if you think that’s not enough to persuade you the truly-realistic vibe that NBA 2K12 possesses; LA Lakers Coby Brian arrives onto the stage to have a quick game himself. Although having a pretty poor attempt at the game, he comes out of it saying “it looks too real… so realistic it’s frightening”. If a NBA superstar like Coby Brian can be convinced to think so, I’m pretty sure we’ll all have to agree.
October 4th is the announced release date for NBA 2K12.
The next highlight of the E3 Sony conference is PS3 exclusive, Infamous 2, introduced with a brand new story trailer, showing off some pretty epic gameplay footage, and some pretty crazy and outlandish enemies to face. Infamous 2 will be released on June 10th in the UK. It is also detailed that PlayStation Move will be implemented into the game, by creating your own online missions, where move controls can be used.
A brand new Starhawk trailer is then shown. Revealing a battlefield that is so big, it expands to the far reaches of space, even as the main character narrates; “the universe is a dangerous place”. Starhawk is set for a 2012 release.
Terry goes on to mention an iconic PlayStation franchise, which has sold more than 4 million copies since its first installment. A trailer then appears, revealing Sly Cooper himself. The newly announced Sly Cooper: Thieves in time is revealed and is set for a 2012. Gameplay footage will arrive in due course, as it will be revealed later during the E3 convention.
Another exciting PS3 exclusive makes its mark, titled Dust 514, a sci-fi FPS/MMO from the publishers behind EVE online. Details include that Dust 514 will have a dedicated home space, PlayStation Move compatibility, as well as the exciting concept of console gaming being directly connected to a PC MMO, meaning that both PS3 and PC gamers can join, or go against each other in intense online battles.
A trailer of Dust 514 follows, which shows the player in first-person-view in a drop ship dumped onto a explosive battlefield, and within minutes, gunned down in an overwhelming assault. Certainly, in regards to the visuals and art direction has the universal vibe of EVE online. A close beta is expected for Dust 514 in the fall of 2011.
Bioshock Infinite comes next with a trailer. And by god it is just so pretty. It seems much bigger and frightening than the previous games, with what seems to be giant flying Big Daddies, rocket launching blimps, intense aerial combat, and of course, more and more Splicers.
Ken Levine, creative director of Irrational games comes after the footage talking about Bioshock Infinite. He expressed that he previously showed skepticism about PlayStation move, until a phone-call from Sony, saying that they want to persuade him to be a believer. After playing with the move, they realized opportunities of they can use the technology, and have therefore implemented move to the game.
Ken brings with him the NGP (Next-Generation-Portable), talking about a game that has been up in the air for a few years, and said it’s the perfect home for. Could this mean a Bioshock game on the NGP? I’d put my money on it.
Alongside the announcement of a brand new Star trek game, which will be available next year, an announcement was also made that Star Trek is another game that is added to the ever long list of titles that will have move compatibility. And for you big Trekkies out there, there will be a PlayStation move peripheral of the Star Trek phaser. Cool? Damn right that is cool.
Kazuo Hirai is next to make a public appearance, to talk about… you guessed it; the NGP. However, its official title will now be the PlayStation Vita. Why? Well, Kaz explains that Vita means life, and the intention of the PlayStation Vita is to blur the lines between entertainment and your way of life, due to augmented reality, courtesy of its cutting-edge technology. Social networking and on location gaming will also be crucial to the PlayStation Vita, as Kaz quotes that it “delivers a unique social experience”, with features including voice chat, despite what game you and your friends play, and where you are, thanks to 3G and Wi-Fi. Other specifics will arrive in the near future.
Scott Rohde of SCEA turns up and continues to talk about the work on PS Vita, boasting of the advanced technology that people on the show floor will be able to have a go on later on in the convention.
Uncharted makes another return in this briefing with a real time demonstration of Uncharted: Golden Abyss. And I’ve got to be honest with you; the graphics literally look no different to any Uncharted title on the PS3. Processing power shows the same dynamic real time shadows and visuals that you expect from any upper-standard PS3 title. But the visuals are not the only highlights here; there are multiple ways of playing the game too. The screen can be used as a virtual button to climb walls and melee enemies. Duel analogue sticks and buttons for standard use of controls can also be used in both combat and platforming gameplay. Motion control can be used to swing from ledge to ledge too. Combat controls for typical Uncharted gameplay is still here, with duel stick controls and snappy cover mechanics. Touch screen can also be used to enhance the combat, such as switching weapons. These multiple uses of controls are not only unique to the Uncharted series, but are unique to any other gaming device, something that gives a creative edge to playing a truly remarkable PS3 exclusive.
Other demonstrations of titles upcoming for the PS Vita included Ruin, an action-based RPG, Modnation Racers, and Little Big Planet.
Wipeout 2048 was also mentioned, particularly for its ‘cross-play functionality’. This new feature will allow online competitive gameplay between both Vita and PS3 gamers. More titles are expected to have the same feature in due course.
Street Fighter X Tekken is the next big title to be introduced, with a brand new trailer. The first announcement is that there will be a PS Vita version of the title.
But the biggest shocker is that the main protagonist of PS3 exclusive, Infamous, will also get in on the action. A brief amount of gameplay shows off Cole’s skill, which sees him blending in very well in regards to the unique art direction and his use electrical superpowers, complimenting the vicious hand-to-hand combat.
Kaz makes one final stand on the stage announcing what is arguably the biggest announcement of the Sony Press conference; the release and price of the PlayStation Vita.
Holiday season of 2011 will be the launch date of the PS Vita, and it will be available in two different models; one with Wi-Fi and 3G connection, and the other model with just Wi-Fi. The Wifi only version will be available at $249, where as the model with both 3G and Wi-Fi will retail at $299. If you ask me, that the PS Vita is reasonably priced, considering that this is a pretty advanced piece of equipment. So it can be agreed that this is a pretty sweet spot price-wise.
The Sony conference closes with these reassuring words from Jack Tretton:
“The best is yet to come”.
Conclusion:
Starting off the Sony conference by mentioning the PSN outage was a predictable move by those in the briefing. But it was delivered very sincerely, and proves that despite the catastrophe that Sony and its customers had to endure; Sony is determined to not allow their name to be dragged through the mud by the selfish and self-righteous hackers/cowards that call themselves “freedom-fighters”. Ahem, sorry, got a bit carried away there.
My greatest fears for the conference came to fruition when I noticed that huge titles such as Uncharted 3, Bioshock Infinite and Resistance 3 were pretty thinned out, literally only given minutes to talk about each title, despite the fact that they deserve so much more air-time. However, this can be forgiven, as Sony had a lot of ground to cover, particularly in only ninety-minutes. Excluding the announcement of a new Sly Cooper game, God of War: Origins, and Cole being a playable character on Street Fighter X Tekken, there were no major shockers at this year’s conference. However, with that said, everything that we have seen is very, very exciting for all PlayStation gamers, particularly those who wish to make more use of their PlayStation move controller and newly purchased 3D televisions.
My biggest disappointment is the absence of titles from the conference, including; Batman: Arkham City, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and Metal Gear Solid: Rising… Seriously!? Not only that, but I can imagine that everyone is asking the same thing: So, is there gonna be a God of War 4 or not? We’ll just have to wait and see.
It is safe to say that this year was PlayStation Vita’s year to shine at E3, and its rightfully so. With the long-list of features and relentless power that it projects, not to mention the already announced titles on the way, it’s a safe-bet as the future king of portable gaming for the hardcore gamer. Everyone should be itching to put their deposit down for the PS Vita, ready for the holiday season. And if E3 did not prove that to you; then you don’t have a soul.
Overall, not many surprise announcements, but once more, Sony has delivered the goods that makes us proud to own a PS3. Here’s to E3 2012. Only 365 days to go, can’t wait.