e3 2012
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PSA: Nintendo 3DS XL now available in US, AC adapter included
That Japan-exclusive Pikachu clamshell might be slightly out of reach for US buyers, but starting today they can pick up a regular 3DS XL to the tune of $200. The oversized Nintendo handheld surpasses its predecessor in just about every category, shining through our review gauntlet with more battery life, a more comfortable grip and a more luxurious screen. On top of the usual fare, US buyers will also receive a power adapter, a necessary accessory that was oddly left out of the Japanese and European releases. Oh, and if you're looking for something new to play on that shiny hardware, New Super Mario Bros. 2 hits the US eShop today as well.
Massively Exclusive: RaiderZ boss fight video
With RaiderZ's closed beta rapidly approaching, it's not a half-bad idea to see the game in action before deciding to make the leap into it or not. Massively has obtained footage of a boss fight that shows a group of players taking on a mighty stone golem that's being piloted by a rather cute goblin. RaiderZ will go into closed beta on August 8th, and Perfect World wants to remind players that those who sign up for the beta will get a chance to win tickets to the sold-out PAX later this month. Senior Producer Mark Hill hopes that the company can build on the foundation it's already set for the game: "Players who already got a chance to try RaiderZ during the Alpha Test phase can also look forward to striving towards a new level cap of 30, exploring the Makot Village, and much more." You can watch the boss fight video after the cut!%Gallery-161571%
E3 commits to Los Angeles through 2015
The Electronic Entertainment Expo will be gracing the good citizens of Los Angeles for at least three more years. The ESA announced that a deal was made between the city and the trade show to continue operating in L.A. through 2015. This is news because for a while it looked as though E3 would be moving its location away from the city that's hosted the show for 16 out of 18 years. The possible move concerned a renovation of the L.A. Convention Center and the nearby construction of a new Farmers Field stadium. However, the city has promised that it will schedule construction between the 2013 and 2014 shows so that E3 would not be disrupted. When the renovations are complete, the new hall will boast even more space for future shows. Considering just how much MMO news occurs at this show, we're happy to know that it has a home for the time being. E3 is the largest conference that L.A. has every year; it brings in $40 million to the city. 2013's E3 is scheduled for June 11th through 13th.
Project Holodeck and Oculus Rift hope to kickstart every gamers' VR dream for $500 (video)
Star Trek: The Next Generation may be coming to your living rooms soon courtesy of some hot new Blu-ray pressing, but one of the most compelling pieces of the technology shown on that series still remains elusive: the holodeck. Don't get down, sunshine, because we might soon be making our first, tentative steps into a virtual courtesy of Project Holodeck. It's underway at USC's School of Cinematic Arts as well as the Viterbi School of Engineering and starts out with a pair of Project Oculus glasses. These glasses, which were shown off at E3 by none other than John Carmack, cram a 1,280 x 800 display into a pair of glasses that present a wide, truly immersive field of view. Pair that with a PlayStation Move for head tracking and a Razer Hydra controller and you have the beginnings of a proper virtual reality environment.An early concept of what the complete system might feel like can be found after the break, a couple of people acting out a sequence from Skies of Arcadia, which could be called a spiritual inspiration for the first game designed for Project Holodeck: Wild Skies. In it, two people "pilot a massive airship through a exotic world of floating islands" -- though whether they look as kawaii as their Dreamcast predecessors remains to be seen. When you might actually get your hands on the system is also unknown, but one piece of the puzzle, the Oculus Rift glasses, are said to be hitting Kickstarter any day now -- for an anticipated price of just $500. Bat'leth and copy of Workin' out with Worf not included.
Perfect World shows off Neverwinter E3 recap video
If you missed last month's E3 (or our coverage of it), you missed some interesting stuff about Cryptic's upcoming Neverwinter MMO. Yesterday, Cryptic and Perfect World released a video diary from the event that shows off attendees having fun with the game, and more importantly, footage of the game itself. Neverwinter's E3 booth featured a playable alpha demo for the general public as well as a closed-door dungeon demo for members of the gaming press. You can see it all in the new video, and you'll get a good long look at the game's take on action combat. See you after the cut!
Creep through Metro: Last Light's 13-minute gameplay demo
When we visited THQ's E3 2012 private meeting rooms, small-ish areas were cordoned off for intimate engagements with each of the publisher's games: Metro: Last Light, Company of Heroes 2, and Darksiders 2. Rather than seeing the games on the dance club-esque show floor, THQ employees slowly and calmly lead attendees through demos, which certainly helped me to get a better grasp on the finer nuances of each game.I mention this because the Last Light gameplay seen above is what THQ showed during E3, and it was super creepy. Do yourself a favor and snag some headphones, turn out the lights, and watch this alone.
RaiderZ announces closed beta date, PAX trip giveaway
Are you starting to grow bored with summer? Do you wish there were something new to check out? Perfect World has the answer to summer duldrums, as its action-MMO RaiderZ is finally going into closed beta on August 8th. The new testing phase will raise the level cap to 30, add the Makot Village, and see numerous beta events. If getting into the beta isn't reward enough, Perfect World is also hosting a PAX Prime giveaway for testers. Anyone who registers for the closed beta will get a chance to win an "all-inclusive" trip for two to the sold-out PAX game show on August 31st. In the meanwhile, you can brush up on your RaiderZ knowledge by reading our impressions from E3 and PAX East. [Source: Perfect World press release]
PlanetSide 2 beta coming 'within the next month'
Could it be true? A beta announcement? It could, and it is! That's right PlanetSide 2 fans -- your itchy trigger fingers will finally get some relief sometime "within the next month." Granted it's not an exact date, but the end is finally in sight. Sound too good to be true? Well the news comes straight from the mouth of Executive Producer Josh Hackney in the debut episode of Command Center, Sony Online Entertainment's new developer diary series for the latest and greatest on all things PlanetSide 2. You can hear it for yourself after the cut. As if the promise of the impending beta wasn't enough, the 21 minute video offers more juicy tidbits. Hackney goes on to assure that veteran PlanetSide players will get into to the beta first through high-priority access. Then hosts Matt Higby, Creative Director, and Tramell Isaac, Senior Art Director, talk about upcoming events, the infiltrator class, costumes, and E3. They end the show by displaying fan art.
The Last of Us tops E3 Game Critics Awards
Of the games shown at E3, The Last of Us has been named the best of them, according to the Game Critics Awards, the honors given to games by a shadowy secret cabal of attending journalists. Naughty Dog's survival game earned "Best of Show," "Best Original Game," "Best Console Game," and "Best Action/Adventure Game," along with a "Special Commendation for Sound."There were a few awards that went to other games, surprisingly. Among the other big winners were the Wii U for Best Hardware, Dance Central 3 for Best Social/Casual Game and Best Motion Simulation Game, and Sound Shapes for Best Handheld/Mobile Game.
Full PlanetSide 2 E3 theater details customization and player tools
Those who weren't at E3 to get a hands-on experience with PlanetSide 2 now have the opportunity to watch the same theater presentation attendees were treated to. For just over seven minutes, developer Brian Bosch gives viewers a run-down of PS2's factions, classes, and vehicles while demonstrating the in-depth customization for gear and vehicles. The video ends with a look at the tools Sony Online Entertainment is offering players to keep connected with the game even when logged out. The player website will allow players to check and compare their stats and performance; it will have also a separate planet status tab giving a real-time view of activities on a player's home server. Still worried about being out of touch? Brian states that on the way are mobile uplink apps that will mirror most of the website's functions as well as allow players to hook into the voice program in-game and talk with friends. Enjoy the full video (and check out the coordinating squad zebra uniforms) after the break.
E3 2012: Dragon Eternity's cross-platform warfare and weddings
Harken back, o reader, to ye olden days of E3 2012, if thou canst recall, as a great and powerful force of dragons has arrived among us. OK, so E3 wasn't that long ago (although it often feels like it), but something dragon-like has certainly surfaced: During the expo, I saw an impressive demo of Dragon Eternity, a cross-platform fantasy MMO from Game Insight, and as of this morning, the embargo on all the details of that demo has finally lifted. Hit the break and I'll tell you all about it!
Nintendo announces $199 3DS XL with 4.88-inch top screen, available August 19th
Folks holding their breath for a "3DS Lite" might want to exhale -- Nintendo has decided to go a different route. Company head honcho Satoru Iwata revealed the 3DS LL this evening on Nintendo Direct, featuring a 4.88-inch and 4.18-inch top and bottom screens, respectively. The new hardware adds over an inch to the current 3DS' display, and ships with a 4GB SD card, to boot. The oversized handheld doesn't adopt the Circle Pad Pro's second analog input, however, retaining just a single thumbpad on the console's port side. Japanese gamers will be able to pick up a 3DS LL in white, as well as in two-tone red / black or silver / white on July 28th for ¥18,900 (about $235). In the US, of course, the handheld will be rebranded as the 3DS XL, just like its predecessor's supersized variant, hitting Yankee shores (in red and blue, no less) on August 19th for $200. %Gallery-158888%
A tactical discussion with XCOM: Enemy Unknown producer, Garth DeAngelis
A lot of things have changed since the original X-COM was released in 1994. Strategy games have gotten much grander, with higher production values and streamlined mechanics. Now, XCOM: Enemy Unknown has to tow the line between modern sensibilities and the expectations of series fans. We've already talked about our experience with the game at E3, but I caught up with Firaxis producer Garth DeAngelis to learn more about the differences between the original X-COM and it's upcoming revival. Specifically, I want to know what has changed, what has stayed the same, and what is entirely new.%Gallery-157398%
Leon assassinates the president in this Resident Evil 6 gameplay clip
Now before you get all upset, relax – the president is a zombie and totally deserves that bullet between the eyes in the above gameplay clip for Resident Evil 6, the first of two videos that highlight the entirety of Leon's portion of the Resident Evil 6 E3 demo.If the idea of posthumous presidential assassination makes you cringe, hop past the break to see Leon shooting less prestigious zombies.
Halo 4, Dishonored and The Last of Us top Game Critics Awards nominations
The nominees of the E3 2012 Game Critics Awards have been announced. Nominees for best of show include Dishonored, Halo 4, The Last of Us, Tomb Raider and Assassin's Creed 3. The games to receive the most nominations overall were Halo 4, The Last of Us and Dishonored, which each racked up four nominations. Meanwhile, the publisher to walk away with the most nominations was Sony Computer Entertainment at 12 nods, with Microsoft, Nintendo and EA tied in second place with eight each.The nominees were voted on by various publications across print and the web, including our personal favorite: Joystiq. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 26.You can see a full breakdown of nominations – sorted by category, genre and platform – on the Game Critics Awards website. Take in some more detailed stats – including platform and publisher nominations, and the number of nominations per game – right here.
Epic Mickey 3DS and the power of creation
While Epic Mickey 2 continues to mine Disney film history for its subject matter, Dreamrift Entertainment's Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion aims squarely at video game nostalgia, bringing back the Castle of Illusion from the classic Sega Genesis game, along with its villain, Mizrabel. It refreshes the vintage setting (and its attendant slow-paced platforming) with new designs and new touchscreen tricks.The Castle of Illusion has fallen into Epic Mickey's "Wasteland," Dreamrift creative director Peter Ong explained to me during a meeting at E3. "Mickey's quest actually takes place in the Castle of Illusion in this game, but at the same time it's situated in Wasteland, so you'll see characters familiar to Epic Mickey and Wasteland such as Oswald being involved in Mickey's quest," Ong said.
Enjoy 20 minutes of necromorph dismemberin' in Dead Space 3
You got a bit of a taste earlier this month of Dead Space 3's co-opified gameplay, but those paltry seven minutes hardly hold a candle to the 20-ish minutes of producer-narrated gameplay EA released recently. Take a gander above (and maybe bring a parka)!
God of War: Ascension E3 demo pits Kratos against the animal collective
Well, okay, maybe not that Animal Collective, but this God of War: Ascension walkthrough from Sony's E3 press conference does predominantly pit Kratos against a cadre of half-man, half-animal manimals. The demo also showcases Kratos' newly acquired reconstructive abilities, as well as the quick-time events we've all come to expect from the series.As far as creature design is concerned, we have to admit that we're pretty enthused by what we see here -- we're quite partial to the elephant man, ourselves. No, not that Elephant Man.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance DLC planned, could be new playable character and mission
Platinum Games may give players a chance to put down Raiden's sword in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Around the 2:48 mark in the Game Trailers E3 interview above, Platinum producer Yuji Korekado (through his translator) suggests the possibility of other playable characters.Specifically, Korekado mentions DLC, which he confirms the studio is planning for post-launch. "Right now we don't have any plans for online competitive play; however, we do have some plans for download content for after the release of the game, that will maybe let you play as a different character or experience different types of missions." We sincerely hope the character is Old Snake and the mission is to do some skateboarding.
Inside the mind of Ron Gilbert
Sega's booth was as loud and vibrant as the rest at E3 2012, humming with the frantic energy of a beehive that had just been kicked. Lacking a quiet corner, it was in the middle of Sega's bustling booth that I struck up an impromptu conversation with legendary adventure game designer Ron Gilbert.I told the Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion designer that I wanted to get inside his head, to find out where he gleans his inspiration from when starting new projects."You don't want to be in this head," Gilbert promised.%Gallery-156063%
