E3 is just around the corner and it continues to be one of the most important video games events of the year. With mobile gaming continuing to grow and new faces entering (or about to enter) the home console domain, the need for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo to put a clear message in front of their consumers has never been more important. The world will be watching – but what will they say?
PlayStation 4
Since the reveal in February, Sony has enjoyed a relatively positive reaction to the PlayStation 4. Their focus on games and helping developers of all shapes and sizes has seen many of the more cynical elements of the gaming community reconsider the Japanese tech giant. However, much of the good will was initially built up because they were vague on some of the details of the system. What form of digital rights management will the PS4 utilise? What limits will be put on PSN content licences? What will the bloody thing look like!?
In order to keep this positive momentum going, Sony will need to ‘stick the landing’ next week. This does not necessarily mean they have to go out on stage, say ‘No DRM’, drop the mic and stroll away – they simply need to remove the vagaries they left behind in February.
Xbox One
Microsoft are in a much tougher situation – they are coming into the convention after weeks of mixed messages, which have left many with more questions than answers regarding their new system. The Xbox One was revealed a few months too late, when information needed to be more concrete in comparison to their main rival’s debut. This meant the while the PS4 was first in mentioning cloud streaming and instant-on game-play, the Xbone was left to talk about its ‘phone-home’ online requirement and fees to play used games.
Unlike Sony’s platform, Microsoft do not now need to spend time on the system itself. While clearer information needs to be expressed about how precisely their used game fees will work and what happens when the ‘phone-home’ request fails, they can at least spend the majority of their time on the 15 exclusive games they promised last month. As long as some of those titles are not Kinect games, the Xbox One may yet come out of E3 on top.
Wii U
With the last few months’ sales figures for the Wii U being so abysmal, Nintendo’s decision to forego having a press conference at E3 is all the more perplexing. Instead, they have decided to spend their money on the show floor and at select Best Buy stores across the US of A – two places I, and the majority of the gaming public, will not be.
One of Nintendo’s greatest strengths is its catalogue of first-party franchises. No other platform allows you to play Mario, Zelda or Metroid titles. With the number of console exclusives between the Xbox One and the PS4 dwindling and the pieces of hardware themselves becoming homogenised, the Wii U has an opportunity to become a true alternative. Before that can happen though, they need to bring the games and that should have been where the E3 press conference came in.
PlayStation Vita
The general consensus on the Vita seems to be that it is a great piece of hardware but with a limited supply of games. There are ports aplenty and a handful of exclusives but an overly-high price point and the absence of a ‘killer app’ is taking its toll on the system. With Sony’s need to focus on the next-generation, there is a chance that the Vita may fall by the wayside.
Some of the more recent news regarding the console is encouraging. Sony have been strongly courting indie developers, and not only for the PS4. This week’s launch of Limbo on the Vita is one of many ported titles on the way, including Hotline Miami and Flower. The recent announcement that the PS4 will support remote play on all of its games (except those that make use of the Eye camera) is another boon for the handheld. Vita owners can only hope this trend of good news continues at E3.
Each console has plenty to gain from this year’s convention but a lot more to lose. With Android consoles dropping left and right and Valve’s Steam box on the horizon, far more than ‘winning E3’ is at stake. Thankfully, all of this added competition will benefit one group in particular – gamers.
