Realm Media Networks - E3 2006

The ESA announces E3 will 'evolve' in 2007

Luke Wallace — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 14:40:22 -0700

The largest gaming event of the year will be much different next year, according to the Entertainment Software Association, the group that organizes the event. Unlike the "large trade show environment" that we've used to seen in previous years, it will be a "more intimate event focused on targeted, personalized meetings and activities." Further details of what specifically will be different are set to be announced in future months.

"The world of interactive entertainment has changed since E3Expo was created 12 years ago. At that time we were focused on establishing the industry and securing orders for the holiday season," said Douglas Lowenstein, President of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers and the owner of E3Expo. "Over the years, it has become clear that we need a more intimate program, including higher quality, more personal dialogue with the worldwide media, developers, retailers and other key industry audiences."

There are reports that this 'evolution' is being done because major publishers have decided to not attend the mega event that E3 has become, but there is no confirmation of this yet. Our photo galleries of E3 in 2005 and 2006 make it clear that most companies spend a lot of money to stand out from the crowd, but with every company doing so much, it's hard for anyone to truly look different. It's not hard to believe that exhibitors are frustrated with the end results: a huge amount of money and time spent on booths, swag, and staff, and hardly any mention on their new products by major media outlets.

The ESA hopes to retain any interest that still exists by giving developers and publishers more time to appeal to industry audiences, but this could be done without changing the entire event. A list of personal recommendations for improving E3 is available by following the "read more" link below.

E3 2006: Realm Media Networks Nintendo Video Booth Tour

Jeff Greeson — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:35:56 -0700

Realm Media Networks presents our first of several video features from E3 2006. First up, a walkthrough of Nintendo's booth, namely focusing on the Nintendo Wii. Enjoy!

Feature: A look at what "In Game Advertising" really means

Luke Wallace — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 07:31:55 -0700

To most people that play games, in game advertising evokes a bad feelings, Mario using Craftsman tools, Sonic using Dr. Scholl's to give him the endurance to complete a level. Whatever the mental image, most people are under the impression that in game advertising is bad. But is it really? I spent some of my time at E3 2006 talking to those who see the ads, and those that put the ads in the games gamers play. The impression I came away with was different than I expected...

Nintendo Wii named Best of Show by Game Critics Awards

Luke Wallace — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:52:38 -0700

The Game Critics Awards organization has given out their Best of E3 Awards, and Nintendo's Wii console has been named the Best of Show, being called "exciting and remarkable" by the 37 company organization. While no one who attended E3 can argue with the popularity of the new console, most of the game industry probably wasn't expecting such a great performance from the console known for it's lackluster specifications and unusual controller. After seeing and touching the new style of gameplay Nintendo is pushing, the "left turn" they made in gaming seems to be taking them down an alternative path to victory.

It's a good thing Nintendo got the name change of its next console out of the way before E3. With the shock of that announcement mostly over, the company proceeded to become the talk of the show (and possibly a fire hazard for the LA Convention Center) by inviting audiences to get their hands on an impressive lineup of fun and interesting software for the Wii...not to mention that wild controller.

Will Wright's new game Spore was given the honor of Best Original Game, the same award it received last year, in a conundrum that flexes both sides of the brain. Gears of War, which was previewed while at E3 by our network site Gears of War Realm, was given the awards for Best Console Game and Best Action Game.

A complete list of Awards and Winners is listed after the jump.

Solid Snake's Final Mission

Josh Lacey — Thu, 25 May 2006 10:15:13 -0700

The presentation of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots at this year's E3 further burgeoned interest in the wildly popular series, just as news of the previous installments in the Metal Gear Solid franchise have accomplished. Shown at the conference was an edited cut of the full fifteen minute trailer, and the full version can be found at the Kojima Productions E3 2006 site, delivering to fans a better impression of the scope of the game.

As has been revealed heretofore, we know that Solid Snake has reached a nearly geriatric state, as he displays an appurtenance of age with his grayed hair, and even is sporting a mustache. The trailer alludes to some contagion Snake has (perhaps the remnants of FOXDIE?) which is causing his body to rapidly degenerate, as we hear from a Naomi Hunter voiceover later in the trailer. Any who have followed the development of this game are also privy to the fact that the timeline here picks up some number of years forward from the end of Sons of Liberty, continuing with the saga of Solid and Liquid (now Liquid Ocelot) Snake. This belief is further substantiated as Snake mentions that "War has changed" since the "Manhattan Incident", an obvious reference to the Big Shell mission from Metal Gear Solid 2.

Indeed, it appears since the time of the Big Shell, war has succumbed to a paradigm shift, as "private military companies" of mercenaries now conduct war as something akin to a business transaction. The trailer displays a myriad of troops, tanks, and what appear to be metal gears lumbering through the streets of a war-torn city. As Snake narrates, we learn that Liquid Ocelet is at the head of a parent company for these organizations, and is striving to ensconce the idealized world originally envisioned by Big Boss, namely, "Outer Heaven".

Old Snake is then seen performing an austere salute at a grave stone (perhaps that of The Boss from Metal Gear Solid 3?), only to be interrupted by a helicopter harboring Octacon and Colonel Roy Campbell. They inform Snake that Liquid Ocelot is in the Middle East, and is controlling a vast network of soldiers with every intention of inciting an "insurrection".

The trailer then transitions to Snake, disguised under a cloak, making his way through the aforementioned city, only to be attacked by the new metal gears. These versions are smaller in stature than the Rays from Metal Gear Solid 2, and extremely adroit, as they are able to place their two legs at unnatural angles to scale walls and the sides of buildings. Snake attempts to attack one with his assault rifle, but his shots are utterly ineffective against the metal gear's armor. Another one soon joins in the fray, and it is only through his new stealth suit's ability to blend with his environment, that he is able to avoid further detection and consequently lose the interest of the marauding metal gears.

Also presented is a montage of the cast members that will be reprising their roles from previous Metal Gear Solid games, including Naomi Hunter, Colonel Campbell, Meryl Silverburgh, and the much maligned and often disparaged Raiden. Meryl even appears to be caught up in what she calls the new "Foxhound" unit, which based upon previous Metal Gear Solid history could represent a substantial impasse to Snake on his mission. Campbell, in his brief section, mentions that the Patriots, a surreptitious organization that supposedly pulls all the behind-the-scenes strings in the MGS universe, is somehow involved in Liquid's plot.

In the next scene, a visibly weary and emibittered Snake laments how "war has changed" and this will be his "final mission", as he must erase his genes (this would imply Liquid will need to be dealt with accordingly, as he possesses the same genes). He then loads a single round into the chamber of his pistol, and places the muzzle firmly in his mouth, in what is an apparent act of suicide. In orthodox teaser fashion, we as an audience are left with maws agape as the scene cuts away into a red screen, providing a segue into a title screen for the game.

And for any of you still belaboring the inclusion of Raiden in this game, I implore you to watch the last two minutes of the full trailer, and witness the transformation he has undergone since his last appearance. Raiden has taken up the mantle of the cyborg ninja, and all which that entails and implies, such as having the ability to effortlessly obliterate a cluster of metal gears via inhuman acrobatics.

In summary, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots has asserted itself in grand fashion, and instilled into the minds of gamers, just like the games that came before it, the incessant and insatiable need to purchase, and play this game.

Reconnaissance intel from The Sarge: E3 Edition

The Sarge — Wed, 24 May 2006 12:25:47 -0700

The Sarge drops some E3 impressions on you like a 10 ton napalm warhead. But instead of trudging through the sandy urban jungle fighting an unseen enemy, The Sarge fought his way through throngs of sweaty nerds and a maze of LCD screens to bring back his report on what games passes or fails the grade. Pay attention soldier! Because what The Sarge says may save your life, or at least $50.

Dirge of Cerberus (PS2)
This installment in the FFXII story line focuses on Vincent Valentine and his ability to blow the stuffing out of all who stand in his way, first and third person shooter style. The demo offered at E3 2006 was a quick tour (about 15 to 20 min of gamy play) and for time sake I mainly stuck to the game play elements as opposed to the story line. The controls, while not as refined as some shooters, were intuitive and easy to adjust to. When Valentine's limit break is used, he turns into a ferocious beast that throws fireballs and rips the enemy apart with his claws.

Dungeons & Dragons Online (PC)
The boys at Turbine have some great things in store for us DDO freaks. They will be releasing a new upgrade in the near future with more dungeons and a new race, Drow. Yes now all you chaotic good players can start a race of good Drow, like there aren’t enough already.

Solomon Says (PC), Dance Praise (PC)
Bill, a co-owner sold me on his company, Digital Praise. His company has begun to create the first actual non-biased Bible trivia game. I know that is hard to believe but it's true. The games need to be refined a bit but just you wait and Protestants, Jews, and Catholics will come a running to get the products that this company is offering.

America's Army CROW system (Real World)
While roaming the backroom halls of this convention center, I found something right up The Sarge's IED infested alley. In the Americas Army office I was able to demo the US Army’s CROW system which allows for a HMMWV gunner to remain in the relative safety of interior as opposed to the gunner’s turret through use of a screen, joystick, and a powerful motorized turret. The turret can be used with a .50 caliber machine gun and a MK19 40mm grenade machine gun as well as several other weapons systems. This former SSG - that's Staff Sergeant to you civilians - approves of the system for all our poor gunners out there who have had to put up with rain, sandstorms, IEDs, sniper fire, and being the number 1 target selection of the enemy. If you want to stop playing these sissy simulations, this will ease you in the transition from gamer to killing machine.

Bomberman 360 (Xbox 360)
This classic puzzle game will be well worth the buy when it starts to get on the discount self. Hours could be spent playing this game and that’s no lie. I may know a little something about avoiding bomb traps, but none of that experience ever came in handy in this game.

Pac-Man World Rally (PS2, Xbox)
Five words can some up this game: Mario Kart with Pac-man characters. This game is a good buy for people who love a good racing game and have conquered all that Mario Kart has to offer. I was given the dubious honor of playing the game in a relay contest at E3. The winner took home a gas-powered go kart, while the runner up won a cash prize. I was told we have video of this event, but the slackers at this website can't find the motivation to finish editing all of the footage from E3. Get to work or The Sarge will come after you!

Overall, E3 was a Geek-gasm of fun and excitement for the whole gaming community, from the fat RPGers to the hardcore FPS fans. Sony, let down. Nintendo, revolutionary. Square Enix, expected greatness.

Miyamoto encouraged by Sony's motion-sensing controller

Luke Wallace — Tue, 23 May 2006 10:41:19 -0700

In a recent interview at E3, Shigeru Miyamoto was asked about Sony's announcement of a motion-sensing controller. Although he doesn't feel it's a direct copy, he acknowledged that they are not paving new ground. He even likened the Playstation 3 controls to something much older than the Wii.

What they've done is just take your standard controller and add in this motion-sensing device that's similar to what we did back on the Game Boy Color many years ago. Maybe if they were to completely copy and go with a remote and a nunchuk and two motion sensors, I might be a little more concerned.

Mr. Miyamoto, the man behind the Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong franchises, is no stranger to innovation, but also addressed the fact some gamers may be reluctant to have to move so much to play games. He stated that the motions will not have to be as exaggerated as he has demonstrated. He simply prefers large movements when he's playing, as he thinks it's more fun.

While Nintendo may be flattered that Sony is copying a piece of their innovation, they have to remain focused on their goals, not on seeing how many people will follow them. So far, Microsoft has not announced any sort of motion-detecting controller, and they will probably not unless demand drives it. It's important for each console to push the gaming industry forward in it's own way, as the good ideas will invariably find their way into the entire market.

Lowdown with legend [edmontonsun.com]

Spy Hunter: Nowhere To Run allows plenty of places to run

Luke Wallace — Thu, 18 May 2006 18:34:22 -0700

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is becoming one of the major action heroes of our generation. He will be starring in a new movie based on the video game Spy Hunter, due out for release in 2007. But before that, a new game called Spy Hunter: Nowhere To Run will be released this fall. Midway had this title available in their booth at E3 last week, and I was able to spend a little time going through the first few levels.

The original Spy Hunter was a top-down vertical scroller that pitted you against the road. There were road hazards, various enemy cars, and even helicopters. The car would also turn into a boat to allow movement across water (in those days black meant road, blue meant water). But what made Spy Hunter truly unique was the arsenal at your disposal. Machine guns, missles, oil slicks, and smoke screens could be used to help you best your opponents.

All of these elements have been translated into the latest version of Spy Hunter, but new in this version is the ability to leave your car for some third-person shooter action. As 'The Rock' you will be expected to leave your car/boat to open passage ways and deal with the large number of baddies that don't attack you on the open road/sea.

The car and boat mechanics felt pretty solid, but I did have my share of missed ramps and turns. The boat handled much differently than the car, which was to be expected, but the transition between the two was a wonderful sight to behold. Once your car leaves land and is heading towards the water, the car transforms and is ready for action by the time you hit the waves. The transition back to land is just as smooth, as your momentum as a boat gives you enough forward movement to maintain most of your speed during the transition back to a car. In short, it's just plain cool.

The weapons while in your car are adequate, but there was no way to aim your guns without turning your car. However, there is the option of firing in 'Salvo Mode', which allows you to fire several guided missles at once. Once you enter Salvo Mode, time pauses and all available targets are given a circular target over them. To fire at a target, you must move your crosshair over the circle so it is highlighted, all within the given period of time. The time period is approximately 3 seconds, which means you will not be able to hit all them, at least not at first. Once the Salvo Mode time is up, time resumes and your vehicle launches guided missles at all the targets you were able to highlight.

The third-person shooter mode is incorporated directly into the missions, meaning there are not "driving levels" and then "shooter levels," you may have to go back and forth from driving to running several times in one level. In the mission I was playing, I had to leave the boat to find a way to open a passageway to continue on. Upon leaving the boat, I had to look at the controls for a couple minutes, as they were a little confusing for me. Moving and looking are controlled independently, meaning that you are not always looking in the direction you are running. With a little practice it became easier, but it wasn't completely obvious to me. The controls were also inverted vertically when I began playing, but reversing them back made it much more intuitive.

The combat system allows for punches along with shooting your weapon, in fact there are several types of punches. It's no Mortal Kombat, the most popular Midway series, but it did make the shooter aspects of the game feel like a serious part of development, and less the add-on bullet point I expected it to be.

After playing for 20 or 30 minutes, my car locked up while going full speed, and I was unable to turn it or fire any weapons. The sounds began to cut out, and eventually the enemies stopped chasing me. I went over the edge of a cliff, but instead of falling I just remained hovering as a car above the water. After a few more seconds of that, the screen slowly faded to black.

Oh right, this game's still in development.

Visit our Midway E3 gallery for pictures from Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run

Visit the official website for Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run

Nvidia, Sega, Square Enix, Ubisoft Booth Photos Online

Luke Wallace — Thu, 18 May 2006 06:38:07 -0700

Over 50 more photos have been added to our E3 2006 Booths section, now covering Nvidia, Sega, Square Enix, and Ubisoft. This brings our total to well over 200 pictures of the video game event of the year. We know photos can only show so much, so we are working on getting some video tours of the booths available soon.

And in case you're wondering, yes, that's Adam Sessler from G4. We've added a couple candid shots to the gallery that we snapped while he was on a break. Does eating Smarties make you smarter? Maybe Adam thinks so.

View the entire E3 2006 Booth Gallery

Microsoft, Sony, and more Nintendo Booth Photos

Luke Wallace — Sat, 13 May 2006 15:56:50 -0700

With E3 now over, many people must begin the job of getting pictures and video online, and we here at Realm Media are no different. It's exciting to discuss what we've seen among ourselves, but it's even better when we can share that information with all our site visitors.

We've recently updated our Nintendo Booth gallery with pictures from inside the Wii demo area, and added pictures taken from inside the Sony and Microsoft booths. Also, several pictures of New Super Mario Brothers have been added to a gallery containing all the screenshots from the Nintendo Press department.

Visit our entire E3 2006 Booth Gallery