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E3 2012: What to expect from Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo and others

E3 2012: What to expect from Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo and others

By KS Sandhya Iyer | Updated: 8 June 2012 13:32 IST

Highlights

As companies gear up to reveal their best creations, we look at what novice and amateur gamers are likely to witness at E3 this year.

With the world's biggest gaming event, Electronic Entertainment Expo, or simply E3, just around the corner, the web is abuzz with all sorts of rumours and speculations. As companies gear up to reveal their latest and greatest creations, we take a look at what novice and amateur gamers are likely to witness at E3 this year.

Microsoft
Microsoft disappointed Xbox fans when it announced that the next gen Xbox, codenamed Durango, will not be unveiled at this year's E3. However, reports around the web suggested that Microsoft's next gen console is being assembled at Flextronics at its Austin Texas branch. While some rumours suggest that E3 2013 may witness the next Xbox, others state that there might be more than one console. As far as games are concerned, folks at CVG had earlier reported that Lionhead is already working on an MMO-like RPG for the Xbox 720.

But the Windows giant is leaving no stone unturned to boost sales of its current gen Xbox 360. Recently, it had announced a $99 subscription based Xbox console bundle to lure gamers. It seems that the company is gradually drifting away from hardcore gamers to position the console in the casual segment.

Considering its E3, there will be new titles and gaming content to look forward to for the Xbox. Some of the more known games include Halo 4 and Forza: Horizon. There could also be announcements regarding exclusive DLC content for Call of Duty: Black Ops and a new Battlefield game as well.

Microsoft could also show off a couple of Kinect demos boasting exclusive features. One of them could be the Kinect Play Fit system, a direct competitor to the Wii Fit. The device will allow Xbox gamers to keep track of their exercising progress. A new music service codenamed 'Woodstock' could also be announced that will act as a Spotify substitute for the Xbox 360, Windows and Windows Phone with Facebook integration perhaps.

Internet Explorer integration into the Xbox 360 was a positive move for Microsoft but might require further Kinect integration. Microsoft's E3 Press Conference is likely to stay focussed on a dashboard update, improved interface and other multimedia possibilities.

Sony
Following in the footsteps of Microsoft, Sony is also unlikely to announce the PlayStation 4 at E3. Certain reports suggested that Sony is indeed working on its next generation console, codenamed Orbis, illustrations and sketches for which were first revealed on Kotaku. Orbis could well be Kinect-oriented as revealed in the sketches, which showed a wall mounted camera or motion controller and a linked smartphone. But nothing is official yet.

Reporting a record loss last year, Sony seems to be short on cash. Sales of the Vita haven't been impressive either. As far as gaming is concerned, word in the PR circles is that it will bring forth "twenty new gaming experiences".

An interesting announcement expected from Sony is its entry into the cloud space through partnership with either Gaikai or OnLive. The other big announcement that Sony fans are desperate to hear is the unveiling of The Last of Us by Naughty Dog, creators of the Uncharted series and the Jak and Daxter series. Rockstar is still working on a PS3 exclusive titled 'Agent' for about six years now. So we won't keep our fingers crossed on that one.

God of War Ascension, on the other hand is pretty certain to make an appearance. Also likely to feature is LittleBigPlanet Karting drawing inspirations from Nintendo's Mario Kart, which will be celbrating its 20th anniversary.

Heavy Rain developer Quantic Dream has always developed exclusive games for the PS3 and this year's going to be no different with Kara already teased at the Gamer's Developer Conference.

Talking of Vita titles, domain names for an unconfirmed Vita version of PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale has been registered one of them being battleroyalethevita.com. Certain franchises currently non-existent on the Vita that could debut at the event are: Resident Evil, Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty and Killzone. We could also possibly witness different coloured Vitas that Sony has been talking about every now and then. And if there is better cross platform integration with the PS3, there could teasers of what's expected from the PS4.

Nintendo
This is one company that should not be underestimated. Nintendo's big plan this year: launch of the Wii U. The big question - Will Nintendo be able to convince third party developers to hop on-board? The Wii U is already at par with current gen consoles when it comes to power under the hood. The main challenge for the company is to attract people in buying the console with its games line-up. Just a couple of days ago, images of the redesigned controller leaked online.

That's not all. Nintendo also teased three new launch titles on its Wii U Facebook page, keeping fans busy with guesses on what they'll be.

Does it indicate a possible hardware upgrade too? Before the Wii was officially launched it was codenamed 'Revolution'. The Wii U Fit and Wii U sports demoed at last year's E3 are likely announcements too.

Coming to games, Super Mario Bros. and Pikmin 3 will be shown off for the Wii U. Also expect to see Nintendo classics like Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong and Mario Kart in one avatar or another. These games have by far been the greatest attractions for Nintendo. While Darksider II and Batman Arkham City have been confirmed for the launch, other later releases include Tekken Wii U, Assassin's Creed 3, Castlevania: Lords of Sahdow, Ghost Recon Online, Ninja Gaiden 3, FIFA , F1 2012, Project Nova, Scribblenauts, Rayman Legends to name a few. We can also expect to see teasers of Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth from Ubisoft for both the Wii U and the Xbox Kinect which is due this fall.

There is still no official pricing and launch date for the console but we predict Nintendo fans will be treated with a christmas present.

The other announcement from Nintendo, if at all, could be a revamped design of the 3DS. It is highly unlikely, considering it's a bit early. Though 3DS sales gradually improved owing to a lower price and good quality games making way into the 3DS eShop, it still disappointed in terms of battery life and the absence of a second analog stick. So it's quite possible that the Wii U which comes with an in-built touchscreen controller for the console, overshadows the 3DS unless the latter has something extreme to attract developers and the public. There could be a possibility of cross play compatibility between the Wii U and the 3DS which could be interesting.

Games
Entering the PC domain, low profile publishers like wargaming.net, Paradox Interactive and Bohemia interactive are expected to launch PC only titles like World of Warplanes, War of the Roses and ARMA 3. Valve is the only big known PC supporter, which is apparently working on the concept of 'wearable computing' similar to Google glasses. The Half-Life creator is going to stay low and not announce anything new. What it will showcase is DOTA 2 and Counterstrike: Global Offensive along with its new 10 UI that will feature games and systems working on TV screens.

While Bishock Infinite will miss the show, first timers Zynga and Words With Friends will be making an appearance. We can hardly wait now with the clock ticking to the most exciting gaming event ready to put all rumours and speculations to rest. Watch out this space for our coverage of E3 2012.

Here's a list of some other games to be showcased at E3. Also check out our gallery for the 10 most anticipated games to be unveiled at E3 2012.

GTA V
Resident Evil 6
Starcraft: Heart of the Swarm
Batman: Arkham City 2
Rainbow Six Patriots, Super Mario Wii U
Dead Space 3
Dragon Age 3
Star Trek: The Game
Star Wars 1313
Medal of Honor
Need for Speed, Crysis 3
Far Cry 3, Metro: Last Light, Company of Heroes 2
Xcom: Enemy Unknown
Planetside 2
Borderlands 2
Beyond Good & Evil 2
Star Fox Wii U
Sim City
Shootmania
Lego Batman 2

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Further reading: Microsoft, Gaming, E3 2012, E3, Wii U, Sony, PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox 360

E3 2012: What to expect from Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo and others

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