e3-2009
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"Mole" says UMD-less PSP-Go! is on for E3, slimmer PS3 to follow
Ready for this? No, seriously -- are you strapped in? The same reliable "mole" that enabled ArsTechnica to correctly call the Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 bundle and the new Halo 3 / Fable 2 bundle (among other items) has come forward with convincing evidence that a UMD-less PSP is indeed on the table for an E3 launch. Truthfully, we'd be more shocked if Sony didn't announce such a product, with the download-only release of Patapon 2 being a telltale sign that something was up. We're told that the so-called PSP-Go! will be debuting in LA next week, but that a slimmer, trimmer PlayStation 3 likely won't. The reason? Sony's waiting for its current stock of PS3 consoles to dwindle, after which it intends to refill channel partners with the physically fit edition that we peeked just over a week ago. We'll be live at the expo to give the low-down on this as it happens, but suffice it to say, buying a bulky PS3 over the next few months will likely morph into a regrettable decision.
Splitfish Dual SFX Evolution and Frag Pro PS3 controllers announced, debut set for E3
While still one-half away from a good "show and tell" game, Splitfish has announced (with no pics, unfortunately) the Dual SFX Evolution and Dual SFX Frag Pro controllers, part of the Frevolution X series and coming this Fall for the PlayStation 3. For the first person shooter crowd, the Frag Pro is slated to be the successor to the mouse-and-nunchuk combo originally released in 2007 (pictured), with a new dual wireless system to clear up some cord clutter. As for the Evolution, according to the presser it'll swap out the mouse for a right-handed motion / analog joystick. We're a bit lacking in the imagery department right, but we'll be getting some eyes (and hopefully hands) on the peripherals when E3 rolls around early next month. Update: Looks like Splitfish called us on a bluff we didn't realize we had and pointed us to pics of the Evolution (above) and Frag Pro (after the break). [Via Joystiq]
Analyst expects just about every E3 rumor to come true
If Macquarie Research analyst David Gibson's soothsaying proves accurate, then our E3 prediction Bingo cards are going to be huge winners -- if, you know, they were actually worth prizes or anything. See, Gibson recently put his keen analytical skills to work in order to foresee the revelations that will drop during the Big Three's conferences at E3 next week. We think there are a few crowd pleasers in his divination.Gibson expects Microsoft's conference to focus mostly on the heavily rumored Xbox 360 motion controller, and the software that will launch in conjunction with the new peripheral. Sony's conference will supposedly also be hardware-centric, revealing a $399, slim PS3 model and the UMD-less, touch screen-equipped PSP Go!. His Nintendo predictions are the most shocking of all -- in addition to a large focus on Wii Fit Plus, Gibson expects the reveal of new Zelda and Mario titles. We'll believe it when we see it -- and we'll see it in like, six days.
SplitFish unveils new PS3 controller series at E3 '09
SplitFish Gameware, best known for its oddly-shaped controller peripheral and not its cruelty to aquatic life, will be showing off its "Frevoution X System" line of PS3 controllers at E3 next week. Both the "Dual SFX Evolution" and "Dual SFX Frag Pro" will be available for playtest at the expo.Expect the Frag Pro to be an upgraded version of SF's older FragFX controller, which is excellent for shooters thanks to its PC mouse-like design. The Frag Pro features an all-new "dual wireless system," and left-grip "Six-Axis" control. Both frag-ing controllers should be available by this fall... when all the shooters come out.
Gaikai and OnLive both a no-show at E3 Expo 2009
We heard about two competing gaming services at GDC 2009 that could revolutionize the video game industry, if the technology announced can live up to its claims: OnLive and Gaikai. Both services aim to stream game content to users while the graphics crunching is handled on company servers, thereby eliminating the escalating hardware barriers to playing the latest and greatest titles -- a home user's low-end machine would be able to run high-end games. Gaikai head David Perry (of Acclaim) has said that the company's "Streaming Worlds" technology is suited to handle MMOs, and has specifically stated that World of Warcraft and EVE Online can already be streamed to browsers. When we heard about these companies at GDC we were hoping to hear more a bit later in the year, but it seems that neither OnLive nor Gaikai will be at the E3 Expo 2009. Gaikai cites patent filings as the reason they've had to pull out from E3 while OnLive states that their service doesn't fit in with the 'retail-orientation' of E3. We'll keep an eye on both companies as time goes on, though at this point only Gaikai has announced that they plan to stream MMOs.
Nintendo's E3 '09 Conference: Let's play bingo!
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