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E3 Opinion: Because It's Cool To Complain...

Posted by Derrick Sanskrit
Totally Possible Things The Big Three Could Have Done To Make Me Happy With Their E3 Conferences:

Sony: Without a doubt, the one PS3 game that people are most excited about is LittleBigPlanet, and its use for a fiscal presentation in Sony's Conference was charming and delightful. Wouldn't it have been great if they'd done just a little more? Picture this: The lights go down on stage, and up on screen we see a recreation of the stage built out of popsicle sticks and yarn. Sackboy, in Jack's choice of Boston Celtics garb, walks in, lip-syncing perfectly with Tretton's voice (via PlaystationEye, which they've announced will be a feature of the game) and welcoming other Sackboys dressed as if from Resistance 2, Ratchet & Clank, and DC Universe Online, each lip-synched to their own guest as the cardboard frame behind them cycles through string-suspended images of each of those games. Totally possible based on what we've seen so far. For that matter, if LittleBigPlanet can easily utilize photographs, graphics and music from your hard drive, odds are good you can also paste videos onto little styrofoam movie screens.  Just a couple of presentations in that alternate arena, then snap back out to reality. Would have made one hell of an impression without slighting any of the games involved. LittleBigPlanet should be to all Sony presentations from now on what Keynote is to all Apple presentations.


Nintendo: Rhythm games are popular right now, irreverent mini-game collections are the biggest sellers on Wii right now, the DS is the only gaming platform outselling the Wii, and Nintendo is just sitting on a game that perfectly ties all of that together, a game that they actually had playable at their booth! Just talk about Rhythm Heaven, Nintendo! No, it probably wouldn't have won over most of the crowd that was upset by the lack of a true "hardcore" title on display, but it definitely would have attracted a lot of positive attention to a buzzworthy game that may very well be ignored in the marketplace. Why bother showing WiiSports Resort, a game guaranteed to sell like Pabst Blue Ribbon at a college bar? With the insane design team from WarioWare and maliciously addictive rhythm gameplay, Rhythm Heaven may very well have stolen the show, if only given the opportunity.




Microsoft: While they arguably had the most crowd-pleasing conference of the big three, there were two things that would have made me giddy with Microsoft's show. First, more details on Lips! I know its just a karaoke game, but it stole my heart! I need more! Second – and this one's stretching a bit – confirming that long-rumored motion controller, preferably with a trailer/demo of an HD Boom Blox. Man, that would've been sweet!

Related articles:
So I Hear Folks Are Upset With Nintendo...
Penny Arcade Sums Up E3
E3 Day Two: Spin, Malaise, Sony's Clothes, and Nintendo's True Disruption
E3 Day One: Microsoft, Sony, Final Fantasy, and For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ain't No Party Like A Motion-Control Party!
Make The Music With Your Games, Kids!
SCEE Playstation Day 2K8 Roundup: Killzone 2, Home, LittleBigPlanet Dated


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    John Constantine, our superhero, was raised by birds and then attended Penn State University. He is currently working on a novel about a fictional city that exists only in his mind. John has an astonishingly extensive knowledge of Scientology. Ultimately he would like to learn how to effectively use his brain. He continues to keep Wu-Tang's secret to himself.

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