E3 2011: The big schedule
The big week is almost upon us, folks: E3 2011. And if this week is any indication of days to come, we'll have a constant flow of news mainlined directly from Los Angeles to your think meat. With that in mind, there are a handful of focal points throughout the week that will assuredly strike you as high priority, and as such, we thought a roadmap guiding you to those particular moments -- whether you're in Shibuya, or Queens, or anywhere else for that matter -- would be of particular use.
After the break you'll find just that: a guide to the biggest presentations of E3 2011. We'll of course be on the ground in LA, keeping you as up to date as our brains and hands will allow. Wondering where to find it all? For E3 specific coverage, head to Joystiq's E3 Hub for all things E-triple.
Sunday, June 5, 2011:
We arrive in Los Angeles at various points throughout the day, and thankfully won't be attending any official events (unlike last year's Kinect du Soleil shenanigans). This should give you plenty of time to plot out the next week, as things get especially busy starting on ...
Monday, June 6, 2011:
-Microsoft 10:00AM-11:00AM PT, 1:00PM-2:00PM ET -- Play Bingo alongside the liveblog!
As usual, Microsoft will be the first to hold an official press conference at E3. What will be revealed therein? We've got some ideas, but certainly not a clear view. We'll be sitting in the audience, though, bingo card in hand, liveblogging the entire event. Join us!
-EA 12:30 pM - 2:30 PM PT, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM ET
Next up on Monday, still before the show officially starts, is Electronic Arts. In years past, this is where EA trots out the heads of its biggest studios -- think: BioWare, DICE, EA Sports -- to both hype upcoming, announced titles, and to drop some major news bombs. Like all the press conferences, we'll have a liveblog rolling so you're abreast of what's going.
-Ubisoft 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM PT, 5:30 PM - 8:00PM ET
We are sure to hear more about several rumored Ubisoft items at the French company's annual presser. Potential Kinect functionality in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, for starters. And how about our old friend I Am Alive? Well ... are you?
-Sony 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM PT, 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM ET -- Play Bingo alongside the liveblog!
Finishing up Monday, Sony's moved its usual Tuesday event to Monday evening, and added some extra time as well. A five hour (!!) marathon press conference, said to feature not just the usual presentation but also a concert and a lengthy hands-on for attendees with the NGP, is the longest we've ever heard one of these things going. Speaking of NGP, perhaps Sony will finally come clean with the whole "PlayStation Vita" thing? And what about our man Kevvy B?! Our liveblog of Monday evening's event will be the best place to find news (and Kevvy) as it happens.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011:
-Nintendo 7:15AM PT - 10:15AM PT, 10:15AM ET - 1:15PM ET -- Play Bingo alongside the liveblog!
Likely the star of this year's E3, Nintendo's press conference will finally take the veil off of the much rumored "Project Cafe," the company's followup to the Nintendo Wii. We're also sure to see a flood of new 3DS information -- including news on the Tanooki Suit-themed 3DS Mario title, of course.
-Show floor opens @ 12:00PM PT, 3:00PM ET
The show floor finally opens, and we begin pushing out previews alongside the flood of news. Interested in keeping our savory previews away from the sweet, sweet news? Head to our Preview Page for all the latest previews of E3 2011's games. We've already got a handful from pre-E3 Judge's events!
-Nintendo roundtable, number one @ 5:30PM PT - 7:30PM PT, 8:30PM ET - 10:30PM ET
Every year Nintendo holds a roundtable, and our very own JC Fletcher gets to sit down and listen to a potentially mind-blowing/potentially not-so-thrilling presentation by Nintendo execs about various subjects. Perhaps some major news will be revealed, perhaps Nintendo will detail the technical specifications of the new console's controller. Either way, if something important does go down, you'll wanna be around soon after to find out.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011:
-The Catchup Begins!
As the morning of Wednesday lessens the load of press conferences (and their subsequent liveblogs), we'll be catching up on our previews/news and heading out to play some games/interview folks/etc. This is an especially good time to check the past evening's posts for stuff you might've missed -- the news comes fast and constant during E3, folks!
-Nintendo roundtable, number two @ 5:30PM PT - 7:30PM PT, 8:30PM ET - 10:30PM ET
Rather than one silly ol' roundtable, Nintendo's holding two this year. JC will once again be taking the reins and getting the skinny. It's going to be another late night for you East Coasters!
-Sonic Party 6:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT, 9:00PM ET - 1:00AM ET
To be honest, this is mostly on here to remind Senior Editor Ludwig Kietzmann where he's going to be on Wednesday night. Go get 'em, Luddy!
Thursday, June 9, 2011:
Our final day at E3 gives us a chance to finally check out a thing or two that each of us is interested in. Last year, most of us used a bit of spare time to get hands-on with the 3DS. This year? Well, we'll see if Nintendo lets us play Project Cafe, presumably. And hey, apparently Battlefield 3 is gonna be there?
We'll also, of course, be keeping the stream of news and previews and interviews and other E3 madness coming full force as the show closes up on Thursday afternoon at 5:00PM PT -- and assuredly well past Thursday into the next week.
Friday, June 10, 2011:
Beyond our exciting E3 2011 Reader Meetup, Friday is another day to catch up, say our goodbyes, and start counting the days 'til the next E3. For now, though, we prepare.
[Image credits: Robert Scoble, Mike Licht, and Jim3535]
