Nintendo is always the wildcard when it comes to predicting E3 conferences. It either presents the world with something truly fantastic, or completely bores the world and its gran with sales spiel and weak announcements. This year, Nintendo could steal the whole show - it is preparing to unveil its next home console, codenamed Project Cafe, and anticipation is climbing by the day.
It’s almost pointless to speculate what this new console will do and what it’s capable of, because Nintendo always tends to throw a curveball with these things. Without a doubt, the most interesting thing about the company’s hardware has never been the amount of polygons it can churn - although reports are indicating it can give the PS3 and Xbox 360 a run for its money - but rather what their controllers have looked like.
Cafe will be no exception, with word that a traditional controller map will be combined with a touch-screen interface for added connectivity. Quite how it will be backwards compatible with Wii software - if Nintendo even wants to allow for that - will remain to be seen of course. We will expect a lengthy discussion on the philosophy behind the new input device, as well as a showcase of some games planned for launch in 2012. A new Mario game or tech demo, regardless of release date, will be a given.
There’ll also be an update on the 3DS and how that’s faring in global markets, although Nintendo will want to announce some major titles or features for the system in order to reverse the unexpected sales slowdown that it has experienced since its launch. With Nintendo’s blue ocean audience entranced with the DS with no reason to upgrade, we would expect to see a next-generation “Brain Training” style concept to try and get the wider public interested in the device.
Jack Tretton, Sony Computer Entertainment America’s boss dog, always has a charming way of brushing aside his company’s troubles with a few harmless quips here and there. Last year Sony had a problem keeping a lid on its planned announcements. This time, the tone will likely be a bit more serious as Sony will be entering E3 on the PlayStation hacking catastrophe. An update and reassurance to gamers regarding the service will probably be the first thing on the agenda.
Otherwise, the corporation has done a good job on avoiding massive leaks ahead of its E3 conference (although there is still time...) - but we can still get a good idea of what could be discussed. Top of the anticipation list is Sony’s second proper stab at the handheld market, the NGP. We hope that more detailed information on the device will be made available - final name, release date, launch games and price to be precise. It can’t really afford not to provide all of the above with Nintendo getting a headstart with the 3DS.
After all the apologising is all said and done, Sony will want to talk more about the positive moves its making with PlayStation Network, including the integration between other devices and mobile phones. It probably won’t go too much into detail here to focus on its pure gaming initiatives, but a little cross-promotion never did Sony any harm.
In terms of exclusive games, there’s little to ascertain in terms of surprises. Sony tends to come out of left-field when discussing new and returning IP. We do know that it will want to promote the hell out of The Last Guardian, Uncharted 3, Twisted Metal and Starhawk. Electronic Arts’ relationship with Sony last year may grow into a showcase of one or two big third party titles... we’re going to put 50p down for Mass Effect 3. What do you reckon?
What do you think each company will show? Have you got any high hopes? Tell us your thoughts in the forum and let’s have a chat about it!