e3-2009
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Some Japanese companies not attending E3 over Swine Flu concerns
No, we can't believe we just wrote that headline either. And according to scattered reports (and a variety of phone calls we made this afternoon), it's the unfortunate truth: Some Japanese developers and producers are canceling their trips to E3 2009 due to Swine Flu worries. Capcom's Keiji Inafune and his game, Dead Rising 2, will both be missing. (This isn't the first time Inafune is canceling a trip.) Develop is also reporting that Square Enix and Koei will be canceling some employees' flights, with the Kingdom Hearts team and "an unspecified number of [Koei's] Japanese employees" taking the hit.We asked Tecmo if there would be a change in its lineup at E3, to which a company rep assured, "No. Our content is still scheduled to be there and everything on the show floor, if not by the staff that's scheduled to fly in from Japan, it'll be demonstrated by our own staff from the US office." Tecmo also said producers for its upcoming lineup are still scheduled to appear alongside their titles. "As of today, we've been told our producers will still be in attendance." Konami declined comment as of press time and the ESA (E3's governing body and financial supporter) has yet to respond to our inquiries. As it stands, it looks like we'll be waiting 'til PAX 2009 or even the Tokyo Game Show to get our hands on Dead Rising 2.
Demon's Souls getting US release, courtesy of Atlus
It may be a first-party title in Japan, but Demon's Souls is coming to America courtesy of Atlus. This "spiritual successor" to King's Field got a mixed response from Japanese critics: some loved the nostalgic gameplay, while others found the brutal difficulty a bit too oppressive.One of Demon's Souls greatest features is its online connectivity. Players will be able to leave hints for each other, "replay death scenes", cooperatively revive dead players, or invade other player's games to "wreak havoc." Hope your friends aren't jerks.Atlus plans on providing "updates" at E3 later this year, so stay tuned for more. Check out the Japanese trailer after the break.%Gallery-33504%[Thanks, David B.!]
OnLive won't be AtTending E3
Wünder product OnLive will not be shown at E3. The company's COO, Mike McGarvey, noted in a recent blog entry that E3 is a "retail-oriented conference, both for retail platforms and retail publishers, and OnLive is neither." McGarvey did confirm that the company will show "plenty" this year in preparation for its "external beta and launch." Oh, OnLive, you sound so magical. We want to believe, make us believers![Via BigDownload]
Craigslist shows E3 exhibitors need male models, little people to 'run amok'
Superannuation notes two recent Craigslist postings for E3 2009: One seeks a male promo model, while the other needs two little people to "run amok" outside the convention center. We know times aren't easy, so if you've got a hot body, the model pay is ... $200 a day?! Times are tough -- or is beauty cheap in LA? The model is expected to work seven hours for the three days of the show. A perfect cruising opportunity for gay models with a geek fetish.The two little people will be expected to be under 4' and "dress in costume and run amock [sic]." The pay is $80 an hour and they'll be expected to work six hours for four days.Totals: Hot male model: $600; Little People: $1,920.[Via Superannuation 1,2]Source -- Male Promo Models Needed [Craigslist]Source -- Little People Needed for Fun Event [Craigslist]
Here it is, Microsoft's E3 '09 press conference invite
click to see what's insideToday, upon checking the official Joystiq mailbox, we were pleasantly surprised to find that our Microsoft E3 2009 press conference invite was tucked inside, waiting patiently for its discovery. And like years past, we decided to share the invitation opening experience all while systematically comparing it to last year's rather fancy presentation. Remember, Microsoft takes the E3 stage on June 1st, but enough talk ... let's get opening.%Gallery-63723%
Global Agenda video contest winners announced
Last month, Hi-Rez Studios announced a special video contest where fans could create their own representation of a promotional video for Global Agenda. The results are now in, and they're happy to announce the winners for each category*. On their official blog, they've compiled a list of the winners, including a combined winner's playlist video, also available after the jump below. The maker of the "Best Overall" video receives a $200 gift certificate to Amazon.com, with all other listed winners receiving a gift certificate to the Global Agenda merchandise store.The folks at Hi-Rez have also announced today that they will be offering hands-on time with Global Agenda at E3 this year, as well as a chance to meet up with the developers themselves. They'll be located at the South Hall, Booth 2630. We look forward to seeing them again ourselves, and finding out the latest developments in Global Agenda as we approach the beta period, hopefully soon.*We highly recommend the winner of Most Humorous!
Strategize: The E3 2009 floor plans
Click here to embiggen Totally theoretical conversation: So, say you wanted to sneak into E3 2009 -- like Atari -- but need to diminish the chances of being kicked out by security. Well, one can always try to just bolt for the West or South Hall and get lost in the crowd. However, the smart money is on just going to the meeting rooms on the second floor. See, that's where all the magic is actually going on. All those behind-closed-door sessions with the games that may not be announced, shown or touched for a half year or more. Remember, it's all about cool confidence. If you look like you belong, nobody will ask questions. Pro tip: Suit up! Nobody questions the dude in the suit at these things.Of course, everything just mentioned is theory and none of it is condoned. Enjoy the maps. Plot carefully.[Via Dtoid]%Gallery-63716%
Realtime Worlds: APB at E3, first in-game screen released
(click to MMO-size) Looks like we'll be seeing more capri pants from All Points Bulletin developer Realtime Worlds in a few short weeks, as the company announced this morning its intentions to attend E3 2009. RTW community manager Chris 'Ulrich' Dye dropped the knowledge on APB fansite APB Evolved, along with the "first in-game screenshot" of APB (seen above), saying, "Yes, we WILL be at E3 this year and this will mark the start of lots more news, activities and information coming out about APB: All Points Bulletin."He also teases a bit of info on the game, noting that the screen provided is meant "to give you another look at the awesome character customizations that will make up a large part of APB," rather than just show you some more folks holdin' gats. Like you, we're stuck waiting for another two weeks to find out more. Thanks, Realtime Worlds!
All Points Bulletin announces E3 appearance
The normally quiet development team at Realtime Worlds, the creators of the upcoming GTA styled MMO All Points Bulletin has released a bold announcement regarding their game accompanied by an equally bold screenshot -- APB will be shown at E3 this year.In a statement made to fansite APB Evolved, Chris "Ulric" Dye has said that their showing at E3 will also mark a turning point in the game's media releases, as it will mark the start of a large release of news, activities, and information regarding APB. In addition, the above screenshot, the first of in-game footage, was released to APB Evolved to highlight the character customization features that will be included in the game. We're not that keen on shaved heads, but we certainly would like to wrap our hands around that shotgun. If this is just a taste of what APB has to offer their players, we can't wait to see more.
PS3 slim plot thickens: Engadget gets cease-and-desist
OK, OK, we're still unconvinced that there's anything to these slim PS3 rumors, even after we laid eyes on these pics of what was purportedly a thinner version of Sony's console. But, for what it's worth, you should know that a Chinese law firm has sent a cease-and-desist order to our sister site Engadget, the text of which you can find after the break.What we're betting on is that this "PS3" is actually a POPstation 3, and the Chinese firm in question has been retained by SoFunCo, which would really prefer it if Sony didn't see their new pet project. Or, maybe it's the brand new slim PS3 and we're going to look like dummies. We'll know for sure after E3, but, spoiler alert, it's the first one.
J Allard's 'Magic Wand' patent application for Microsoft puts Nintendo, sorcerers on notice
It's been awhile since we've heard from J Allard; the man who assumed responsibility for Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division (think: Zune and Xbox) in mid 2008 in an effort to unify the experience into a centralized package. Now Microsoft's CTO and CXO (that's, Chief eXperience Office) has co-signed a patent application for a "Magic Wand" first filed in November of 2007 and made public just a few days ago. The patent application reads very much like a Wiimote, hand-held controller,"The architecture can utilize one or more sensor from a collection of sensors to determine an orientation or gesture in connection with the wand, and can further issue an instruction to update a state of an environmental component based upon the orientation." It's worth remembering that Microsoft has been rumored to be working on such a controller since at least August 2007. Something they've apparently scrapped for a camera-based solution that will allow gamers to control the action with their bodies and hand-gestures without requiring a hand-held controller -- you know, if current rumors are true. How many days until Microsoft's June 1st E3 press conference again?[Via TechFlash]
CrimeCraft closed beta open for business
Let's be honest, if you're into Vogster's MMOFPS CrimeCraft enough that you applied for the beta, you probably already know that the closed beta started this past week. Here's the unfortunate part: If you weren't one of the fine folks accepted, you're not going to be hearing much about the game from those playing it in the beta. Big surprise, Vogster doesn't want those folks telling the whole world about its still in-development game and has handed over a hefty NDA (non-disclosure agreement) along with the keys to to its game. Luckily, as our sisters from another adoption agency at Big Download note, a closed forum on the CrimeCraft website allows for those in the beta to speak about the game to their heart's content. And of course we'll have plenty of juicy details for you when we get a hands-on with the game at E3 2009. Hey! That's only two weeks away![Via Big Download]
Capcom wants to take you to E3 (if you live in LA)
It seems like taking the common folk to E3 is all the rage these days. Now Capcom joins in the fun, offering to bring a lucky group of Capcom Unity members to the show and hosting a party just for them in the company's booth.Winners will be invited to the show on June 4 and will be able to spend plenty of time with Capcom's E3 showings -- including the likes of Lost Planet 2, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, Dark Void and more -- after which they can explore the entire show floor and even take part in an episode of the 1UP podcast. Strangely, the contest post fails to mention that winners will also get the chance to rub elbows with the Joysitq elite.There is one small caveat though: The contest is only open to Capcom Unity members who live in LA (or can be in the LA area). The post also asks entrants to note if they are Capcom Unity Card holders. We're not sure what that's all about. Fabulous rewards? Time-share schemes?Head over to Capcom Unity for more details.
Epic to show off new Unreal Engine 3 tech at E3
Epic has some new additions to its famous Unreal Engine 3 planned, adding to the host of new features shown at GDC this year. Though the company isn't spilling the beans on exactly what we can expect, some objects doing stuff in an environment is likely a safe bet. The news is seriously that there will be news later.Through a press release that just landed into our inbox, we can confirm that this new tech wil be on display for "prospective customers, evaluators, licensees, and members of its Integrated Partners Program" who would be interested in the PC, Xbox 360, and PS3-compatible engine. Sadly, we have no more details than that at this time.
E3 Games for Windows Live announcements? Not so much!
Do you like Games for Windows? Oh, you do? How about E3? Great! Now here's the rub: You can't have them together. According to our brothers from other mothers at Big Download, the GFW announcements at E3 2009 are going to be, well, non-existent. A Microsoft PR rep said that the company doesn't feel as though the game is aimed at PC gamers, but rather console-focused. And while Microsoft plans on holding a Windows 7 reception at E3 where a variety of PC games will be demoed using the new operating system, the press conference set to "completely transform how people think about home entertainment" (does that mean we'll pay someone else to think about it for us?) won't feature any new GFW newsplosions.
Mass Effect 2 video shows us the darker side of things
The second installment of BioWare's sci-fi action series finally gets more video love today, and this time it's not telling us that the main character is dead. Instead we notice ... well, we'll just let the above video, "Prelude to E3," speak for itself. Just please stop toying with our fragile emotions, already! We'll have hands-on Mass Effect 2 goodness from E3 soon, where we look forward to "killing someone a thousand times."%Gallery-45499%
Details on next GTA IV DLC 'coming soon'
With E3 2009 just a scant 17 days away, the hype machine has certainly started to build for quite a few game companies. And Rockstar Games is apparently no exception, teasing its upcoming GTAIV DLC via Twitter of all places. Stating as vaguely as possible, "Details on 2nd episode of GTAIV downloadable content coming soon," Rockstar has officially started the ball rolling on wild speculation. Though it's possible the company will bust out details on the next expansion to Liberty City pre-E3, we're not betting anyone's baby on it. But then really, who bets a baby? You monster!
Realtime Worlds teases APB appearance at E3
We've been hearing rumors of Crackdown developer Realtime Worlds' appearance in the upcoming Microsoft E3 Conference for a while now, though we've heard no confirmation of All Points Bulletin's involvement in the highly anticipated, green-hued showcase. However, Eurogamer recently got an intriguing response from Realtime after inquiring about the crime-filled MMO's MicroCon debut.Realtime Worlds boss Colin MacDonald responded to Eurogamer's query, saying, "I couldn't possibly comment at the moment," but went on to add, "if we happened to be going, I'm sure we would make it known before too much longer, and we'd certainly give Eurogamer a shout to try to meet up." Jeez, you guys. Get a room.
Beyond Good & Evil 2 likely skipping E3
According to UGO, it looks like Beyond Good & Evil 2: Pey'j and Jade's Bogus Journey (working title*) will not be appearing at E3. When booking E3 appointments, UGO was told by Ubisoft, "We're not doing any BG&E stuff at E3." Furthermore, Ubisoft even said not to expect a showing of the game during its press conference. So, there you go, don't expect any BG&E 2 news or hands-on sessions. Rest assured though, if we hear anything different when we touch down in LA, we'll be clawing our way to the front of the line for a chance to play. Not because we're dying to play it. No, we'll do it for you. [Via VG247] *By "working title" we mean "completely fabricated title."
Stride Gum ponying up 40,004 quarters for a Wiebe win
We've known for a good while now that Billy Mitchell's arch enemy, Steve Wiebe (our hero!), would be competing for another Donkey Kong world record at E3. What we didn't know was that Stride Gum would be investing $10,001 in quarters -- and a year's supply of "the world's longest lasting gum" -- if the star of King of Kong can accomplish the task.The official statement from Stride says, "Reward will be paid provided Wiebe successfully beats Billy Mitchell's current record of 1,050,200 during a single game of Donkey Kong at E3 2009." We'll be there, cheering him on and giving Walter Day high fives in the background. If we see a kill screen, we'll be sure to tell everyone that we possibly can within the immediate vicinity. Would you expect any less?
