150°

Is E3 Losing Its Luster?

VG Republic Writes: It seems as though everyone wants off the boat right now, the E3 boat that is. The trade show that has been the largest consumer video game show in the U.S. for the last decade and has only grown in popularity with the inclusion of the average gamer being allowed access to the show; web-streams allow those, that can’t attend, at home to still enjoy the action. However, over the last year the once mecca for showing off the latest in gaming seems to be losing its luster just a bit. While there will be the usual suspects at the show, some of the larger companies such as Nintendo are choosing to scale back their delivery to a more intimate booth showing than taking the large stage and joining the likes of Microsoft and Sony. Not only that, via Twitter, Doug Lombardi a Valve software employee got confirmation from the parent company that they would not be attending E3 at all this year. What is going on around here? A few years back companies were leaping at the opportunity to jump on stage to show off what they had done, but now it seems as though people are jumping off and to other avenues to bring forth their latest creations. Why is E3 losing the luster it once had?

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vgrepublic.com
cl19834009d ago

It's all about diminishing returns. Its silly to spend hundred of thousands or millions if your business can't substantially re coop those funds.

VirtualKatz4009d ago

You are 100% right CL that is exactly what companies are thinking about, how to maximize the all mighty dollar!

jimbobwahey4009d ago

Or alternatively the only reason that Nintendo and Valve aren't holding conferences is because they have nothing to show.

E3 isn't losing its luster at all, it's just that certain companies don't have anything to show and so they're saving themselves the embarrassment.

fairyblaster4009d ago

lol . would this article even be if Nintendo hadn't abandoned E3 like they did?

KyRo4009d ago

After this year, everything will be usual business at E3. You can't really blame Sony or MS for holding their own events this year to show what their next consoles are capable of before E3. I highly doubt Sony or MS will host their events annually from now on. They just need to get their foot out the door and start generating that buzz then hit us with details we weren't told about at their E3 conference.

Me personally, I'm looking more forward to E3 this year than ever.

Wenis4009d ago

As long as theres booth babes the LUSTer will never be lost

THEMIGHTYDOOVDE4008d ago

@jimbobwahey Spoken like a true fanboy.

Maximum negativity, minimum evidence!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4008d ago
Minato-Namikaze4009d ago

Companies skip E3 every year, why are people making this out to be a big thing?

Hicken4009d ago

The ONLY reason is because Nintendo is skipping out on having a big presser. Somehow, that's supposed to overshadow the unveiling of their competition's next gen consoles.

Honestly, I'm a little disappointed that they're passing up on that, but I imagine it's because they just don't have enough to show off. And as one of the big three, that's a little worrying. I hope they're working to rectify that shortcoming, as I want more than three games to play for Wii U.

showtimefolks4009d ago

So just because Nintendo isn't there it's not longer E3? Or the fun of E3?

Sony will show off its system
Show new PSN
PSN plus
Bunch of games
Many new relationships with publishers for either exclusive DLC or with developers over exclusive games
Than there is the whol indie scene which Sony showed off at Their last event
Pricing,release date and launch games

Sow software got its with possibly price cut
Maybe a price cut for PS3 and ensure everyone that ps3 will be supported for a while

Ms shows of next Xbox
Pricing,release date
MS likes to make huge splashes so maybe some big developer or publisher on stage to show a muti platform game
New xblive experience possibly cutting price or offering free to play online?(I seriously doubt it)
Games
Games
Games
Smart glass
Kinect 2
And bunch of media related apps

Talk about xbox360 getting support for a while and cutting the price, this I have to see to believe since original Xbox was taken off the shelf pretty quick after new box

GTA5
Agent
Next kingdom heart
FF13 versus
Last guardian
Watch dogs
ND new game
Possibly a new Forza
A proper Fable

Than all the so called new IP's that these publishers have been holding back because t doesn't make sense to release new IP's later in the gen when Sony is doing just that along with capcom with remember me and watch dogs

Show us the games

If anything this will be one of the most excited E3's in recent memory

Nintendo has said they hav a lot to show so lets see I will see it to believe it. Show me games for wiiu which are coming in 2013, don't tell me about TBA or coming in 2014 meaning fall 2014

IMO Nintendo is making a huge mistake, wiiu will be a forgotten device with ps4 and next Xbox so IMO Nintendo should have been at E3 and should have tried to make huge splashes but I guess not. Instead of trying to compete with ms or Sony they are skipping and than they wonder why wiiu was outsold by Vita in Japan few weeks back

ThatCanadianGuy5144009d ago

I wish it was just pure gameplay trailers and gameplay footage of new games, back to back.

Leave the dancing guys in blue ponchos out of it please.
And no 30 minute wonderbook demos either..

AngelicIceDiamond4009d ago (Edited 4009d ago )

I agree but with all the investors and none gaming press active. Sony and MS feel the need to impress them as well as of course gamers.

E3 of 2012 was easily my least favorite E3. Not only was the big 3 lackluster but all the other big players decided to skip the event.

Heres hoping E3 of this year is mind blowing.

EDIT: @Jakeman

Right ACIII was a good showing along with Watch Dogs, Halo and Last of Us. There were some high moments but it seemed there were no surprises.

AC was already announced Sony announced The Last Of Us. Halo was announced in 2011. Watchdogs was the biggest surprise for me.

You mention last years E3 was very "2004 esqe" I didn't see that conference was it that bad?

JakemanPS319944009d ago

last year had some great demo with watch_dogs, last of us, and assassin creed 3 but for the most part very 2004 esqe in the announcement and excitment level. most likely this year will be more 2005.

cl19834009d ago

The real question is if Nintendo can get better buzz from yelling on the gaming floor then a theater stage.

JakemanPS319944009d ago

if memory serves me correctly not bad per se but just very predictable with the most anticipated not even on the show floor (gta san andreas).

JakemanPS319944009d ago

yah i notice you will alawys have those embarrassing press conference moments but imo it dont deter from the whole experience. My favorite time of the year!

MadLad4009d ago

Being that many big names aren't even attending this year, yes. At least for this year it has lost its luster.

Dunpeal4009d ago

yeah seems like each year for the past years developers have gotten less bold and E3 has just been pretty meh

arbitor3654009d ago (Edited 4009d ago )

the sony and microsoft conferences will be awesome and will probably be viewed by more people than any e3 press conferences in the last 3 or more years

so no. E3 this year is going to at its best.

JakemanPS319944009d ago

i dont agree. i still think E3 is great expo! I mean last years was okay but i think thats mainly because of this year with the PS4 and NextBox. e3 will be around as long we have video games..... unless you guys wanna go back to the CES style

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130°

70 percent of devs unsure of live-service games sustainability

With so many games fighting for players' attention and interest losing out over time, time sink games are at risk of eventually losing steam.

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gamedeveloper.com
thorstein1d 9h ago

It was worrisome to begin with.

It's a niche genre with only a handful of hits that can stand the test of time.

Cacabunga12h ago

I like the sound of that!! I will for sure never support these gaas games.
Sony must be shocked at gamer's reaction, making them cancel a few of these and hopefully go back to the good heavy hitters they had us used to..
now bring on that PSPro reveal and show us some SP 1st party awesomeness.

CrimsonWing691d 8h ago

What’s to be unsure of!? Look at the ratio of success to failure!

DarXyde15h ago

It's pretty ridiculous.

Imagine having a breadth of data at your disposal to see the statistically low success rate of these games, only to be laser focused on the exceptional case studies.

shinoff21831d 7h ago

Yes. Stop all the live service bs.

jznrpg1d 6h ago

Only a few will catch on. You need a perfect storm to be successful in GaaS and a bit of luck on top of that. But a potential cash cow will keep them trying and some will go out of business because of it.

MIDGETonSTILTS171d 6h ago

Helldivers 2 manages just fine…

Keep production costs low… don’t just make custscenes until the mechanics and enemies are perfected first.

Make so much content that you can drip extra content for years, and the game already feels complete without them.

Most importantly: make weapons, enemies, levels, and mechanics that will stand the test of 1000 hours. This might require more devs embracing procedurally generated leveled, which I think separates Helldivers 2 from Destiny’s repetitiveness.

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60°

The Battle Pass Is The Worst Thing To Happen To Modern Gaming

Nameer from eXputer: "Some exceptions aside, I don't think the battle pass is a net positive for gaming with how they're implemented in most live service titles."

got_dam1d 10h ago

Battle passes AND meta gaming both.

DivineHand1251d 9h ago (Edited 1d 9h ago )

I like the way Helldivers 2 does battle passes. It allows you to make purchases on each level of the battle pass and gives you the option of choosing which item to unlock first. The more purchases you make using medals the further you progress. There is no timer and you can earn medals towards purchasing stuff via personal orders and Major orders.

I haven't played much live service games that have battle passes but I remember some games that have battle passes where you progress through it linearly using an exp system. What makes it really bad is that the battle pass will have like 50 or more levels with the cooler stuff being closer to the end. They also have an in-game shop that sells exp boosters so you can reach the end of the pass before it refreshes. Everyone ilse will have to grind their way through.

lucian2291d 8h ago

battle pass in fortnite is perfect; buy one and it buys the rest for every other season as it gives you more money than the first cost. so 8.50 and season ends with you getting 13.00, it pays for the next and you have some pocket change to save up for cash shop. All of which is optional

470°

PS5 Pro specs leak video taken down by Sony

Sony is taking actions as video by Moore’s Law is Dead, has been issued with a copyright claim.

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videogameschronicle.com
andy852d ago

And people say it's all fake because Sony haven't said anything 😂 conveniently forget the PS4 Pro was only announced 2 months before release.

BeHunted2d ago

It's fake. There's no factual evidence other than his own made up specs.

Hereandthere2d ago

What were the specks Sony was afraid of showing?

Shikoku2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Digital foundry put a video out saying what he leaked was exactly what they also knew about the PS5 PRO. So no it's not just stuff he made up

Babadook72d ago (Edited 2d ago )

If it’s fake what copyright does MLID infringe upon?

😂

andy852d ago

Aye because they'd go to the effort of copyright claiming it if it didn't exist 🙃😂 you'd have to be a special kind to be thinking its not a thing by now

Cacabunga1d 23h ago

They need to reveal it with uncharted killzone or a heavy hitter like this

Ironmike1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

U mean the specs that we'll established digital foundry which said these are the actual specs published a video on 2 weeks ago I mean they are only one of most trusted sites for tech information but they just made up a video for the sake of it

Christopher1d 9h ago

I would love for it all to be fake, but lots of people are saying they've seen/heard the same thing. But, man, we 100% don't need mid-gen upgrades when we're failing hard to optimize current hardware.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 1d 9h ago
Seraphim1d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

if I recall Sony lowered sales expectations for PS5 earlier this year. if that is the case we won't hear anything about a Pro until next year or shortly before/when it's dropping. After all, if the Pro was dropping this year/fiscal year they wouldn't have lowered expectations.

As for squashing rumors. Yeah, shit like this prevents potential buyers from adopting now, just like slim rumors in the past. It only makes sense to keep things under wraps from a business perspective. Despite living in a technological age of unfettered access to information we don't need to know whats going on behind closed doors be that at Sony, Nintendo, MS, or amongst any development studios. When the steak is done we shall feast.

JackBNimble1d 4h ago

By the time games are actually made to take advantage of the pro spec's the ps6 will be released or close to it.

jznrpg2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Just announce it already! I want to preorder one asap. But in reality they don’t want to lessen PS5 sales until Pro is ready to launch so I understand the business part of it. September is probably when they announce it with an early November launch like the PS4 Pro

Ironmike1d 23h ago

Pro won't lessen sales sames ps4 pro never and the ps4 pro was more relevant at the time cos move to 4k this not needed

RaidenBlack1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

Yea, my brother got his PS4 (coz of a good deal) after the PS4 Pro's release.

darthv721d 13h ago

^^same here. I got a base 4 for only $100 off a guy who bought the Pro. then a few months later I found a guy on craigslist selling a pro for $100 because it was left behind by his former roommate who moved out. That was the beginning of my obsession to buy up the different variants of the PS4 that were released.

As of now I am really only missing the 500m one and the gold slim but otherwise I have pretty much all the other retail ones. https://consolevariations.c...

BoneMagnus1d 11h ago

@darth - Nice collection!

crazyCoconuts1d 6h ago

Anyone with 4K that appreciates 60fps is gonna disagree about it not being needed.
DLSS is a god send for Nvidia, and there's been nothing like it for AMD...yet ...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 6h ago
DeadlyFire1d 11h ago

They will announce it around E3 timeframe about May-June whenever they do a showcase for the year.

neutralgamer19922d ago

Just announce it this thing will sell well

Ironmike1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

I don't think it will pll still haven't seen the potential of ps5 yet

Cacabunga1d 9h ago

agreed, but it might sell if they announce some 1st party games to lead the way. if people see the difference with the base version they can move on. for my sake I am still gaming mainly on PS4 (still not finished with RDR2 due to lack of gaming time). I have a huge backlog on PS5 I am hoping to get into.

mark3214uk1d 18h ago

why? game makers havnt even come close to maxing out current spec yet, were getting al lthese new TFlops and game maker are making crappy remakes not worthy of the ps3

Minute Man 7211d 13h ago

The guts of the 5 and X are 5 years old

fr0sty1d 7h ago

People keep saying that, yet we still have games running at near HD resolutions, 30fps, and ray tracing features turned off.

PRIMORDUS2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I would take that video and upload a torrent of it, fuck that copyright bullshit. If your going to do something that has a chance of being taken down, make a torrent first share it. Then Sony or any other company is helpless and you can laugh in their faces, taunting them to try to take it down 🤣

LoveSpuds1d 17h ago

With kind of analysis and advice, you could be a lawyer for Trump!🤣

tronyx121d 17h ago

As much as the PS4 Pro didn't represent a major % in the playerbase, announcing a 'better' model will hinder sales from the 'base' model. They are right, business-wise.

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