Entelligence: The aftermath of E3
By Michael Gartenberg 
posted June 19th 2010 6:01PM
posted June 19th 2010 6:01PM
Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.
Microsoft: The folks in Redmond led the way with an intro launch party featuring a custom performance from Cirque de Soleil. That was just to warm things up -- when it came to actual announcements, Microsoft took a two-tiered approach. On one hand it's building on the success of long established titles like Gears of War, Fable and of course, Halo. On the other it's taking the time to re-boot the Xbox 360 with Kinect, which brings controller-free gaming to the platform, as well as adding voice and gesture controls. I think Kinect is a major leap forward in the gaming experience that will appeal to both mainstream and casual gamers. With a streamlined new Xbox 360 and an impressive set of launch titles debuting alongside, Kinect is more akin to a console launch than a peripheral. Overall, I'd say Microsoft is in the lead post-E3 and very well positioned for holiday.
Nintendo: Nintendo is taking a much different approach than it did last year -- the focus is all on games, with no mention of Wii Fit or any other odd peripherals. Wii titles like a new version of Zelda and an exclusive Mickey Mouse game looked pretty good, although the Wii experience is starting to feel dated. Instead of adding new tech to the platform, Nintendo's spending a lot of time with familiar franchises and updated some old N64 classics, like Goldeneye. It's a strategy that's worked well in the past, but it's starting to feel repetitive. Zelda? Mario? We've been there and done that.
On the mobile front, the DS is getting an upgrade to 3D -- and no glasses are required. The 3DS looks like a nice differentiated device but it's not clear to me that 3D isn't gimmick, and Nintendo wisely lets you dial down the 3D effect or even turn it off. The initial titles look good, and Kid Icarus and Starfox (yep, another SNES classic) both especially look like fun. However, no word was given on cost or release. A lot will depend on how well Nintendo gets this out the door and if the 3DS is available for holiday 2010. Overall, I'd say Nintendo walked out of E3 in second place.
3D is impressive, but it requires new games, uncomfortable and expensive glasses and a new TV set to make it all work. |
Sony: Sony led off with the familiar tagline "it only does everything" tagline, and unfortunately, it's starting to feel like the PS3 is a jack of all trades and master of none. Sony's biggest PS3 push centered around 3D, which is impressive, but it requires new games, uncomfortable and expensive glasses and a new TV set to make it all work -- adding cost and hassle that seem to outweigh the benefits.
Sony's also getting big into motion control with the PlayStation Move, which is good effort but also costly. Start at $100 for the main controller with the Eye camera and Sports Champions, then add in $30 for a secondary controller. That's $130 for just one player, and for that you get an overall experience that's smooth but not better than what we've seen with the Wii. Sony is also looking to integrate motion control into controller based games, which might be a good way to leverage existing franchises but could also be the worst of both worlds from an experience standpoint. We'll have to see.
Sony also launched Playstation Plus, a premium online service that Sony will introduce after spending years telling us it didn't believe in charging for a premium online service. The good news is that Playstation Network's free online service won't go away, but for $50 a year, gamers can get discounts on games, free content, early demos etc. It doesn't seem like a great value but we'll see how it fares. From my point of view, Sony's running third with a lot of technology, services and titles but not a whole lot of actual fun. Instead of focus, Sony seems all over the place with different strategies -- it feels like the company is throwing a lot against the wall to see what sticks.
Bottom line? It was a pretty impressive E3, arguably the most interesting show we've seen in years. Gamers have some really nice choices ahead of them, and all three major players have a chance to gain some ground over the holidays and pick up some new users. But there's a wildcard here -- Apple's recently made some big moves into gaming with their iOS platform, which has taken mobile game marketshare from both Sony and Nintendo. Will iOS make it to the TV screen on a new Apple TV, and if it does games come with it? The gaming market might change dramatically if that happens.
Michael Gartenberg is a partner at Altimeter Group. His weblog can be found at gartenblog.net. Contact him at gartenberg AT gmail DOT com. Views expressed here are his own.
I don't understand your methodology, Michael, so I'll arbitrarily sum up how everyone else saw the entire event by posting this image I found elsewhere on the internet.
http://imgur.com/V9N8c.png
I wish SEGA was still making consoles.
I'll elaborate on this by linking to Konami's bizarre conference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh0uSMbXDOc
I don't see how anyone could've done a presentation as marvelous as his while being as stoned as he was at the time.
I'm excited for Twisted Metal and Killzone 3.. confused why neither were mentioned in this review.
I don't like the whole motion control/camera thing that these guys are pedaling. I think it takes a lot away from the game because you can't do as much with a motion controller as a standard one. And as awesome as 3D is, we don't have the panels for it yet.
Two issues I have are price and storage space. I can't believe games are $60, there are so many games I want but I'll be waiting to get them at $40 or less. I honestly can't justify spending that much for a game. As for storage space, I feel bad for developers trying to make games for XBOX and PS3. You can fit so much more data on a blu-ray so it seems like some serious issues are going to come up.
@Bryant
This kid is an idiot...
@Bryant
How would Microsoft get an F?
@icstars989
I'm confused. Which kid? The guy who put together the (entirely accurate) chart or Tak Fujii of Konami?
@SiXiam
Well I'm guessing this chart was made from the perspective of a gamer. Given how much stuff Microsoft put out that pertained more to casual gaming and the in-home fitness market rather than hardcore gaming, I can personally understand why Microsoft got an F here.
It feels like Kinect is a gimmick (yes, I've used it. It's well-done, but I don't see much of any potential for it beyond controlling a UI and doing very body-centric activities).
Personally, nothing made me say "wow" this year. All of them get a "C" rating at most. If compared to last year, maybe lower. Only thing that got my slightly excited (keep in mind I'm pro Xbox) was Goldeneye on the Wii. Just the memories of that game, it was quite the surprise and I had no idea they were going to drop that.
A huge let down was Zelda... like wow... graphics look like ass. They better make sure that gameplay is on point because the tech demo on stage was horrible.
Twisted Metal was a surprise from Sony, never saw that coming either. I still need to see more to make any type of decision on the game but I'd really hope they would go back and look at part 1 and 2 and realize what made it fun.
Microsoft Kinect was okay I guess. I wish there was a way to get the voice command functions without dropping $150+.
@Bryant The only thing is, Michael isn't a Nintendo fanboy like it seems every other person on the internet is. I believe Nintendo had a great E3 this year mainly with the 3DS but whether that performs as well as Nintendo predicts is another story.
And Sony? B+? Which blind person worked that out? They joined the motion controller era after last years E3 when Microsoft showed off Natal so it seems like they were playing catch up before the products were even announced. And 3D PS3 games seems like a bit of a non-existent sales point, it's like saying 'Yay, we have something that you don't have! But hardly anyone will actually use it for at least a year.'
@TurboTalon Why feel bad for PS3? it is blu ray!!!... It's xbox that's screwed with the crappy outdated DVD drives... Microsoft should have upgraded the new xbox with a DVD/blu Ray combo drive.
@Plazmic Flame
They did to this gen's Zelda what they did to Windwaker: they made it look more like art. I'm not a fan, but the graphics were pretty decent.
@MJYates
It's actually a B-.
@Bryant Had the Konami guy never been to California? you know? extreeemmeee California??
@MJYates
sony had a great E3
E3 is a bout GAMES
sony had a shit ton of great games!
nintendo did too
Microsoft had shit for games
Zune, kinect are good but not what E3 is about
@MJYates If everyone is a Nintendo fanboy then nobody is.
@DefPoet Um E3 is actually about electronics in general not games focused as you seem to believe of course gaming is a huge part of it but E3 = electronic entertainment expo so as you see any type of electronic entertainment whether its showcasing hardware actual games or anything related even stuff like a new PMP
@blizz419 * electronic entertainment in general
@Bryant
Yes, that report card pretty much nails it.
@Bryant
Agreed on the card
Engadget you are so wrong, yes Kinect is great tech, but their presentation and game lineup are completely underwhelming.
Nintendo 3DS on the otherhand provides glasses free 3D with a KILLER lineup no other console had done before.
Sony was quite fair they had neat announcements like Portal and Twisted metal.
And then you think bloody Dance Central is better than Kid Icarus?
@commenter7 Agreed, even ignoring the 3D side of things, the line up for Nintendos portables looks epic - I've never been sold on the Wii, it's the sort of console that only one in four people needs to buy and it gets lugged to gaming parties as something to do when everyone's too tired to play everything else.
Microsoft and Sony are looking a bit long in the tooth with this generation. I'd much rather they focussed on getting some great new IP out rather than slimming down the 360 two years too late and forcing all this motion sensing stuff on us.
Which brings me round to my main point, where's the PC loving, folks? It's not all about the big 3. Personally, I think Valve came out of this awfully well ;)
@blizz419
Since 1997 theory stuff showed at E3 has been about gaming
@DefPoet
Fail auto correct fail
Lastly, Nintendo let me down the most. I seriously hate their game release philosophy. They have so much IP but fail to focus on capitalizing on them.
They finally make a Kid Icarus game but it's for the DS?? Where's the Wii version?
They release Starfox 64 for the DS... where's the Wii version??
Super Smash Brothers Brawl is 2 years old now... where's a new game?? Are we going to get a new Smash Brothers on the NEXT Nintendo console??
Given Nintendo has made lots of profit from their consoles, they should have tons of money for production of games. Stop being conservative and get this damn ball rolling.
@Bryant
here's a comic to sum it up
http://art.penny-arcade.com/photos/903426984_Tg2it-L.jpg
@Bryant
Konami : WTF
LOL!
@SiXiam Microsoft got an F because they got murdered by both Sony and Nintendo with respect to games. We got the revised 360 console that they should have been selling for 2 years now, and then a smorgasbord of Kinect shovelware. Not to mention the fact that the Kinect name sucks and they tried to hype it while refusing to actually talk price. Like I said, they got murdered by both Ninty and Sony -- Ninty has a new Zelda and Kid Icarus 3D (awesome) along with an actually innovative glasses-free 3D console... Sony has GT5, Killzone 3 in 3D and Twisted Metal 3 and the actually impressive Move controller... and Microsoft gave us Kinectimals. Kinectimals.
@Plazmic Flame
I for 1 want a portable smash bros and I think that the 3DS is perfect for it. I always see 3D films and stuff as simply 2 separate layers, characters and background, with no real in between depth. While I hope the 3DS will prove to be better than that I think smash bros would be the good for it if it is just that kind of 3D as that's how the levels are with the characters at the front.
@Bryant I agree with the chart pic. I thought Nintendo's presentation was the best. And FYI, they still make zeldas & marios because they have a huge fan base
@Bryant
i dont get it, how is the PS3 move no better than the Wii? I mean, outta the box, isn't the Move equivalent to the Wii Motion plus? Check. Out of the box, isn't the PS3 HD? Check. Is there a WiiHD? No. So if PS3+Move is essentially a WiiHD, how on earth is this not better than the standard shitty looking Wii?
@simbadogg
Simple: Move is more money (PS3 + Move) for functionality which has already been well-developed for the Wii.
1) If you have a Wii and a PS3, there's no point in getting Move for any fitness games because you already have a Wii, and there's no incentive to get it for FPSes because you already know how bad the scheme is for most of them on the Wii (even with MotionPlus).
2) If you only have a PS3, maybe this is a suitable upgrade for you, so might as well.
3) If you only have a Wii, why go out and get the PS3 as well as Move? You already have the functionality you need for the reasons you want.
4) If you have neither but want something that's motion-based, why would you go out and get a brand-new, untested platform when you could get one that has already been developed?
There's only 1 out of 4 conditions here in which buying Move might be preferable. That's not the best business case for most people.
@Bryant
I love how people think they know everything even though they weren't there.
Just giving MS an F makes this chart worthless and fanboyish.
Ok I could see gamers (myself included) just not wanting to move and hating Kinect... but an F? Really?
I'm actually excited to see where Kinect goes and what devs do with it. People are acting like you can't use a controller with it. Who says? Devs can do what they want. Imagine a game using the standard controller, but there could be special applications where you use your hands to manipulate something like a HUD or a puzzle.
It's like a lot gamers don't have that imagination and wonder anymore.
@erac3rx my point exactly and I'm not a PS3 or Nintendo fan boy I got them all. this dude Michael Gartenberg seems to be a Xbox 360 Fanboy. I mean I love Microsoft but gaming without a controller or anything at that is not going to cut it for hardcore and midcore gamers. along with the same freaking titles again and again with dying titles. don't get me wrong but yeah I love halo but ODST killed it for me and Reach seems the same to man. but a new gears of war seems to me like there milking a good game to nothing the last fable was trash and I'm sure a few of you all will agree with me here on that. but with all this said nothing amazing or WOWing came from Microsoft at E3 this yeah. the way I see it even with the same console without any changes and bring new titles to the Wii is still great. you can't tell me no matter non next gen Wii games look once you start playing you can't stop even if it's a game you told yourself you would never play. then bring the 3DS into game was a 45 Caliber bullet shooting Nintendo into first place. all new titles and some remakes bring 3d into the game is just sweet candy added to the
gaming world. even though some titles are remakes how many gamers out there find themselves looking for emulators to replay that great game that was made 4yrs ago. the point is saying that Nintendo is remaking old games with upgraded graphics as if they don't got nothing up their sleeves is just a cop out. and then Turing down the 3d effect is great how many ppl go to the movies and watch flicks in 3D it gives you a headache or hurts your eyes. I think it's great that you can turn off the 3D when needed. remember Nintendo aims for everyone I'm sure my mom can't play a 3D game for 4hrs without and headache, I say Nintendo has gets a E+ :) putting then in 1st places hands down. as for Sony I think Playstation plus is great. if I'm not mistaking Xbox charges more than 50bucks a year. why not give players and PS3 owns a sweet snack. as for Playstation move I have had the chance to play with this thing a few times and it is extremely accurate and there's something to hold and the Wii feel with more accuracy with next gen graphics with the games you love think about it next gen COD with Playstation move or Microsoft kinect with nothing it your hands to feel or get that thrill of holding a replica gun or anything at that you decide. and if you have a friend that gets the move try it then tell me what you think. then GT5 and other titles where shown at E3 amazing. Sony has away with detailed graphics in their PS3 titles that seem to blow away other console titles year after year. then the whole 3D glasses unless Microsoft and Nintendo make their own TV with build in 3D technology like the 3DS then tilt your TV to active the 3D there all in the same boat so that remake was pointless sry. Sony in my eyes gets a A putting them in 2nd place and
Microsoft gets a D for bring the same titles and reshowing kinect again
a year later at E3 with nothing new to the field but a smaller console.
that's my thoughts I'm not starting any fights but its logic and in plain sight. hit me up
@TurboTalon I don't understand how he didn't mention GT5 which will actually move consoles for Sony. I'm willing to beat GT5 will move more hardware than the MOVE itself will. The MOVE much like Kinect (what's with MS and all the K branded stuff?).
I am not the only person that had not purchased a PS3 because GT didn't launch with the console and I've had more than a few chances to buy one. I wanted GT5, that was going to be my first purchase, why buy a console for a game that's not released yet?
way to ease apple into this..
@samisax Apple is the king of cellphone games, that's why it doesn't go to E3. The day it shows up there, we can say it has bigger aspirations than that.
@samisax Yes, somehow some way they managed it. Not really relevant to an e3 post.
@samisax
seriously, we don't need an apple mention in every article.
if apple had shown up and did something then whatever but just sticking it there with no actual context or content. that's just PLAIN BAD JOURNALISM.
I didn't read the article, I thought you were joking.
Seriously Engadget? I am disappoint.
@everyone above
This article mentioned all the big figures in gaming. Apple is a "presence" (though small in comparison) in gaming so its perfectly reasonable to consider what affect they might have on the market. Stop being so immature, bad journalism would be if they didn't look at all sides.
@tobsmonster2
Heavily disagree. Apple don't make games.
Gonna be a good summer no matter what console you own!
He still has an intro,shame.
@BMORE88
The intro should be "Entelligence is a column written by the Engadget staff, whose work is butchered and thrown together and eventually plagiarized under the name of a man who likes bagels, coffee, and huffing about Apple."
I agree with this article. I got a chance to play with Kinect and it really is the next big thing in videogames. It's going to be a HUGE seller this holiday.
I don't see how anyone can Say Nintendo wasn't first.
Microsoft had bland military shooters, and multiplats.
Also lolkinect.
Nintendo just wowed everyone with game after game.
Sony was just bleh, Twisted Metal is nice though.
Also Kevin Butler is amazing,
@Bearpowers
This guy is a journalist and not a gamer
Nintendo = 1st place due to StarFox and 3DS
Sony = 2nd place due to having things gamers actually are about kick ass GAMES!
Microsoft = Dead last due to a inability to play traditional games with kinect and no really good games outside of FPS's
@Bearpowers
Nintendo announces game after game, brings working games to demo rather than prerendered movies, busts out a new console and still has so many games to announce that they have to cut to their webcast because they've run out of time.
Sony tries to sell us $3000 TVs, Coca Cola, talks shit about the competition then drones on and on with meaningless marketing drivel.
Microsoft pulls down its pants and sprays diarrhoea all over the attendees.
@DefPoet
Agreed, microsoft is dead last.
@archkron
Sony and Microsoft's were both shit.
Sony was slightly better because Twisted Metal though.
Yea I would have to agree with him completely regarding the irrational moves that Sony is making. I as far as no one else that I associate myself with is interedsted in 3D as of late, but only time will tell. Im a hardcore sony fan (But have all 3 systems) and I was hoping this year they would announce new hardware (psp2) but to no avail. The company seems so.....confused. I dont know Sony, I just dont know.