As the PS3 GPU is not completed (or most likely the Rev GPU for that matter) Sony and Nintendo will either be showing concept work (i.e. rendered "game" footage) or "examples" of what the system "can do" on emulation hardware.
It always works that way. Not a big deal. But I have to agree with Johnny in that I fully expect certain game journalists (insert usual suspects), who cater to the 14yo demographic, to pronounce such such media as the "death" of the other competitors.
Being the first to release has pros and cons, and unless MS shows a pretty awesome hand (Halo 3 trailer, fully playable PD 0, next gen Madden, next gen racer, etc...) and really shows WHY consumers should get an X2, Nin and Sony could steal a lot of thunder.
Since MS has been pretty quiet on X2, and so far they have only "talked" it is time for them to show. X2 has my interest, but I am like a lot of consumers--prove to me all the talk is resulting in quality software.
Anyhow, I see E3 going down like this:
Sony: Major focus on PSP. PS3 behind closed doors, name and 2006 launch date anounced. Only video loops showed to the public, no playable games. Basic specs announced, more info to come in "fall of 2005". A prototype is shown of the design and of a revised controller, but nothing is finalized. PS3 will have wireless, USB, Ethernet, a camera, microphone, and a HD all standard. But again PSP will be the focus, just enough of PS3 will be shown to distract gamers and get them excited about 2006 because, "2005 is too soon". Sony allows 3rd parties to carry the day for the PS2 release lineup until the PS3 hits... which is not all bad because PS2 has a lot of support. Overall strong showing, but nothing ground breaking. Sony is happy to confirm their status as market leader and does nothing to take away from this view.
Nintendo: NDS & LoZ rule Nintendos booth. Nintendo focuses on how they are recruiting more developers for their handheld. BIG talk about their wireless plans. "In the past we have been the first to dabble in online [see: S. Famcom horse racing in Japan]. Until now we have not seen it as a profitable venture or providing what gamers really want... until now". Focus on NDS wireless plans and how it will interact with the Revolution. Revs "revolutionary" aspects are not shown, only small teasers of some games, notably Mario128. And then LoZ... and lots of LoZ. LoZ everywhere. Nintendo announces 20M GCN sold world wide and with the help of blockbuster titles like LoZ that they plan to match total N64 console sales (~32-34M) by the end of 2006. Nintendo has a great show, as usual, but the spotty lineup hurts. Nintendo also shows very little about what to expect in the summer or in winter/spring/summer 2006. With the lid still tight on Revolution, E3 2005 is more about lightly wetting our mouths and talking up Nintendo's success than about the future... which they promise will be in full force next year.
MS: MS spills the beans. While X2 wows the press and casual gamers while hardcore "l3371" forums across the globe stick their noses in the air and say, "Only 3 processors? PS3 has 9! Sony pnwed MS!!!111" Xbox will have a 550MHz ATi GPU with ~11MB of eDRAM, a tricore IBM CPU at 3.2GHz, 12x DVD, and 256MB of shared ram. X2 will NOT be backwards compatible. MS focuses on a "total system" approach and emphasizes their software and the tools they are providing developers to make better games. To prove it they show stunning (by console standards) trailers of Halo 3 and a Forza sequal. PC gamers stick their noses up in the air. MS then shows PD0, and while it looks like a great trailer audiances become estatic when they realize it is live game footage. MS plays down the lack of HDD as a standard, but focuses on flash memory and the HDD addon for TiVo like functions and micro transactions. After the wave of excitement wears off people ask, "Is that it? Is that all the games for X2?" Typical of launches, X2 is slated to have 5 launch titles and 18 titles released by the end of 2005, with over 100 games slated for the end of 2006. MS also shows a great version of Conker's and no one really notices because they are all to busy playing PD0.
Yes, I made all of that up. Basically I am expecting E3 to be memorable, but I see Sony/Nintendo not spreading themselves to thin and instead focusing on their 2005 console games and their portable platforms. I see MS showing some really neat stuff, but 1) high end PC games and 2) the Sony/Nin videos take a bit of the wind of their real games. A couple X2 games wow, but for the most part it is more evolutionary. The Xbox scene is pretty quiet. MS will have the HW of the show and tie for best game (PD0 with LoZ). Current MS console owners will be excited about what X2 offers in Live! and new features, and hard core gamers are excited about Halo 3, for the most part they make very little ground based on a small release lineup. MS promises that 2006 will be a huge year with the 100+ game library... but the fact a lot of developers are aiming for 2006 is pretty clear. The "Halo 3 -- 2006" video is the difference between an impressive and unimpressive E3 debut for X2.
Ps- I am going to be totally wrong, just watch
