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Clash of the Consoles: a sneak peek!
Here's a sneak peek of the monumental face-off we're going to be experiencing firsthand here at E3 soon. Of course there is still a lot of work to do before Wednesday, as you can see. But so far, so good!
Engadget & Joystiq's live coverage of Sony's PlayStation 3 E3 event
Still waiting in line. We are still making our way over, stay tuned ...4:36 - The line is moving. According to EuroGamer, Hideo Kojima is "stuck in the queue." Should have something for ya soon ...4:42 - We are sitting down, getting ready to go.4:49 - Everyone's still filing into Stage 15 on the Sony backlot. Everyone's expectant and the mood is generally upbeat. The house lights are on full, so it'll still be a few minutes before anything official starts. In the background, Sony's been playing some hardcore gangsta rap: we note this because Nintendo would never, ever play that music. The rap song (which we failed to identify) was followed by Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean." The music is eclectic, we're hoping the games line up is similarly so.
E3: PS3 launch details
Sony just announced PS3 launch details as follows from the conference floor: "Today we're pleased to announce the global PS3 launch details. We will make PS3 available via a two-configuration plan. One with a 60GB HD. And the other with a 20GB hard drive. Japan's date: Nov. 11. In Japan 59,800 Yen. The 60GB PS3 will have an open price which retailers will set. In North America [to launch Nov 17]: 20GB for $499, 60GB for $599. Europe has 20GB for 499 Euro, 60GB for 599 Euro. 2 million to ship worldwide during the launch window. 4 million by end of calendar year 2006. By March 31, 2007 they'll have shipped 6 million worldwide."
The real PlayStation 3 controller revealed
Sony just revealed the final controller for the PlayStation 3 during their E3 keynote (which we're live-blogging here). What does it look like? Short answer: an awful lot like the PlayStation 2's existing Dual Shock. There is one addition. The PS3's new controller contains some additional Wii-esque functionality without any sensors needed. Did Sony just gank Nintendo's secret weapon? Looks like it.Specs include: X-Y-Z, pitch, roll, yaw, and lateral motion detection Bluetooth and wireless controls It's lighter than the PS2 controller
New Alliance race: WoW rumours start early [update 2]
A source close to the E3 show floor has helped confirm our suspicions that the new Alliance race, as featured in World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade expansion, will be revealed at the show. The information we got was vague, but encouraging: Looking at a video on the show floor, the new Alliance race is ugly with grayish skin, and glowing eyes similar to the Forsaken. Its chin has two things like tentacles hanging down, one on either side, and it's humanoid and human-size. There's also a huge picture of Antonidas nearby. This seems to rule out a lot of contenders, though there isn't an obvious race that springs to mind from this loose description. It could be the Eredar, the Broken or, at a stretch, Forgotten Ones -- possibly even oddly rendered Draenei. As for what Antonidas is doing there, we'll find out more on Wednesday when E3 opens. [Update 1 - added The Broken as a possibility, thanks RaptorJedi] [Update 2 - Our informer writes, Having researched this further I am certain that the race is the Broken, the Draenei faction that remain in Outland.]
Hands-on with God of War II
IGN got an early hands-on preview of God of War II, and they're lovin' what Sony's Santa Monica studio has come up with so far.Without revealing too much of the sequel's plot, our hairless hero now sports some new magical attacks and context-sensitive finishing moves. Needless to say, prominent Greek mythological figures will also be showing up to keep Kratos company, and there will certainly be a lot of flashy slashing-first-ask-questions-later kind of action to fill the hours.For more spoilers on "an early section of the sequel," simply follow the image link above or Read link below, where you can find a few more details on the new power-up system and annoying enemy combatants (otherwise known as smarter fodder for your sharper blades). A practical explanation goes into the reasons for keeping things on the PS2 rather than the PS3, and hopefully less frustrating puzzles are revealed as well. More will likely be revealed at Sony's big E3 press conference today.See also: New God of War 2 director speaks God of War's Jaffe inspired by Britney vs. Christina God of War 2 GDC video leaked online
Rumor: Wii to sell for $249? [update 2]
Some speculative Wii details have begun hitting internet forums. From the post: "I just picked up the EGM issue with Zelda on the cover that I spoke about in the Nintendo conference. There are new Zelda shots, looks GREAT... There's also pics of Monkey Ball, Tony Hawk, Rayman and Red Steel."Here's what else shows up in the thread: $249 Price tag [we've learned that this price may not be accurate.] Virtual Consoler (we knew this) 3d Controller (we knew this) ALWAYS online (console is always online, even when OFF) Built in speaker on the controller Less than a day, and we'll know for sure or not how much of the above is true.[Updates 1 and 2: added and adjusted a note hedging price accuracy in first bullet point.]
Lost Planet demo lost, but not for long
It looks like the Lost Planet demo was briefly available on XBLM a day earlier than scheduled and was then yanked: photographic proof above. It should be back tomorrow. Gamers who were lucky enough to grab it early, please report your impressions.
MS releases E3 content on XBLM
E3 content has started showing up on Xbox Live Marketplace, as promised. Here's what you can download so far ... High-Definition Trailers Showcasing: BattleStation: Midway Brother In Arms Hell's Highway Bullet Witch College Hoops Dance Dance Revolution Universe Dead Rising John Woo Presents Stranglehold NCAA Football 07 Rain Sonic the Hedgehog Test Drive Unlimited The Lord of the Rings: The Battle For Middle-Earth II Demos Showcasing: Test Drive Unlimited Top Spin 2 Movie Trailer Showcasing: Poseidon Gamer Pictures To Use: Adidas Promo Set X-3: The Movie Set... with more stuff on the way. Here's the official schedule. I'm gonna need a bigger hard drive.[Thanks, BrklynKid]
Final Fantasy XIII announced for PS3 [Update 1]
As we just reported, Final Fantasy XIII has been announced for the PlayStation 3 (and, so far, only for Sony's console) -- showing that Square Enix is still supporting Sony. According to Chris Kohler at Game|Life, the trailer "looks amazing. Female main character. Looked like prerendered video, except it was realtime. Dramatic action-packed battles with crazy camerawork."The title is being produced by Yoshinori Kitase (Final Fantasies 5-8 and 10, Chrono Trigger) and directed by Motomu Toriyama (FFX, X-2, and the Final Fantasy VII tech demo shown at last year's E3).As far as we know, this is a PlayStation 3 exclusive. While no love was shown for Microsoft, the Xbox 360 does have three RPGs on the way from Japanese developer MistWalker, formed by Final Fantasy veteran Hironobu Sakaguchi.Update: Gamespot reports that there are actually 3 different Final Fantasy XIII titles. The second title, featuring more spiky-haired madness, is also bound for PS3 and is directed by Advent Children's Tetsuya Nomura. The final game in the XIII trio is destined for mobile platforms.
E3: Square Enix conference
Chris Kohler at Game|Life is live blogging the Square Enix press conference. Here is what we know so far: Release dates, galore! Valkyrie Profile on PSP July 18, Valkyrie Profile 2 in September, Final Fantasy III and Rocket Slime in September, and ... Final Fantasy XII in October. Mobile games, galore! Dirge of Cerberus: Lost Episode coming this year, based on PS2 version. Also a remake of original Final Fantasy Adventure ("looks like a straight port with much nicer graphics") and new Mana title. Dragon Quest Swords for the Nintendo Wii ... ! Announced as launch title. Crisis Core trailer looking nice, but all cinematics - "Big WORK IN PROGRESS thing at the end." Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates -- 4-player action on Nintendo DS Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers for Wii. Final Fantasy XIII on PlayStation 3 -- no surprise, but still mega-exciting. "Looks amazing. Female protagonist. Dramatic battles with amazing cinematic presentation." Also, Final Fantasy XIII on mobile: "It's a multiplayer RPG." Excited? We are.
The calm before the E3 storm
If things have seemed a little quiet for the past 48 hours, it's because the sleep deprived 360Fanboy staff is ensconsed at the El Barrio Inn in downtown LA preparing for Joystiq's insane yet witty marathon coverage of E3 week (starting with Sony's keynote in just a couple hours). All 360-related stuff will be cross-posted to this site, but you should repeatedly check Joystiq's E3 page for the most up-to-the-minute commentary from Chris Grant and yours truly. Don't worry about us. The wifi here in the hood is loco, but we have plenty of Ultimate Sausage Sandwiches, easily purchased through two-inch thick glass at the Jack in the Box down the street. It's the semi-calm before the storm.
Last call: E3 predictions
We've got just hours to go until Sony's E3 media briefing at 7pm est tonight. Nintendo will follow tomorrow morning, after which Microsoft will take the stage to round out the news onslaught. So what do you expect will happen with the big three, pc games, and portable gaming? What do you think the most memorable moment of the event will be?
Nintendo's E3 booth in the making
We tried to get on the expo floor this afternoon, but security is tight. We even thought about risking our media passes to rush the floor and try to catch a glimpse of a new trailer or whatnot. We decided against it, so this image via WiiGamer will have to do.[Thanks, Paul]
Preview of new Guitar Hero II co-op mode
In case you missed it on Friday, IGN posted a pre-E3 hands-on preview of Guitar Hero II's new co-op mode. It's a departure from the first game's multiplayer mode in that the two players have to depend on each other a lot more to pass each song and thereby make beautiful music together.While the old multiplayer option will still be around in the sequel, the new mode mixes distinct lead guitar and bass or rhythm parts where each player affects the other in various ways, whether by failing if either performance slips (as in DDR), sharing the same Rock Meter (with mistakes from either player resetting the score multiplier), and needing to both go vertical at the same time to activate the shared Star Power. Thankfully, different difficulty levels can be assigned to each player.The Joystiq team out in L.A. will probably find something to do until they get their sweaty paws on a guitar controller or two on the E3 show floor (maybe one of those wacky press conferences will help pass the time), but we're sure the wait to try the latest build of this rockin' series will be worth it. The seven songs available at E3 are listed below.[Thanks, murph]
E3: The Gears of War mural, day 2
While picking up our badge holders at the Convention Center, we stopped by The Gears of War mural to take a look at its progress, approximately 23 hours after we visited him yesterday.
Rogue building boasts PlayStation symbols?
From our luxurious blogger pad here at the Ramada in sunny California, a mysterious building located some two miles from the convention center begs to be noticed. Being the rowdy, desperate gamers that we are, how could this NOT get some attention? Dated design scheme or mystifying viral ad campaign? We know the chances are null, but through this video game blogger's lense, it looks like Sony's iconic control scheme. We'll keep our eyes posted for more found gaming as E3 mania takes over LA. [Ed's note: "Whatever it is I think I see... becomes a Tootsie Roll to me."]
E3: All your news under one roof
Looking forward to E3? This year's E3 is going to be one to remember, but the sheer amount of news coming out of the show extends beyond the world of WoW. Courtesy of the Joystiq E3 team, we bring you one source for all your information: http://e3-2006.joystiq.comKeep your eyes glued to that page -- as well as your favourite World of Warcraft blog, WoW Insider, of course! -- to stay on top of the manic mayhem that is the Electronic Enterainment Expo 2006.
Joystiq's E3 everything page
We're pleased to announce the availability of our E3 2006 page: e3-2006.joystiq.com Our team of bloggers will be posting all E3 content to e3-2006.joystiq.com, providing readers with a one-stop page for keeping up with all of the latest news, views, opinions and gaming goodness from across the Joystiq network. In addition to a sizable Joystiq team, we've shipped in a gaggle of bloggers from NintendoWiiFanboy, Xbox360Fanboy, DSFanboy, PS3Fanboy too. All of their content will also appear on this page. [Image credit: Scott Johnson, creator of game comic ExtraLife.]
E3: Desperate times call for desperate measures
This is what happens when you have 12 bloggers in a crappy hotel with no conference room. Pulling out all the stops!
