100°

E3 2014 round-up: Did Nintendo top Sony and Microsoft?

For every generation of video games console, fans arguing over which machine is best has often been the most popular game of all.

But never has a new wave of hardware got off to such an inauspicious start as the current one, with at least two of the new consoles being almost dead on arrival and the Xbox One forced to reinvent itself just months after it was released.

But nothing stays the same for long in the video games world and fortunes can change with a single new announcement – especially during E3 week.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles is the biggest video game trade show in the world, and Metro has been there all week long. As usual, it was the pre-E3 media briefings on Monday and Tuesday which saw the majority of the big announcements.

Neonridr3606d ago

All 3 did a great job. Lots of games showcased. And while 2014 isn't huge in terms of exclusives, 2015 is going to be the year of the gamer by the looks of it.

MNGamer-N3606d ago

I agree. Lots of games I want for each system. Let's hope though that 2015 means 2015, not "we need more time, June 2016."

Blu5in2wO40e3606d ago

Let's be perfectly honest, as long as Nintendo is a generation behind in terms of tech & does not receive (equal quality) 3rd party titles, then there will always be that missing gap with them.

Ninty only adds this (rather unnecessary) pressure on themselves to be unique & pump out great titles. However, I think Nintendo did succeed with their E3. As crazy as it will sound to some, Splatoon was the most intriguing title of the entire conference. Its the "breath of fresh air" title that can be very fun without any kiddy labels attached.

So I believe Nintendo achieved what it aimed to do since their philosophy w/ Wii: Not directly compete with Sony or M$, and to be a complementary console to those owners, or just to primarily satisfy the Ninty-only fanbase.

Yes Nintendo won, but can never actually beat Sony or MS since they are not in direct comp.

Reeze3606d ago

I agree that they won but I disagree that they aren't in the same competition. Nintendo is the BASE of the big 3. Just because they aren't another Sony clone (Clony?) doesn't mean they aren't in the same league. I'm glad Nintendo is around to offer games everyone can enjoy.

Blu5in2wO40e3606d ago

I agree Ninty is the base, but they don't act like it. How would Ninty be clones when they were two gens ahead of Sony, & controlled the 3rd party (Sega was good too)games. This is Nintendo's industry before the other big two, but until they start acting like it and bring competitive hardware to even receive proper 3rd party titles, no they are not in competition.

I am a Ninty fan first btw, just keeping it truthful.

Madock3606d ago (Edited 3606d ago )

i agree, in fact if i was Nintendo's CEO neither Sony nor Microsoft's PCs wld be in the console business by now..
I would direct some of my massive earnings to bring exclusive stuff to my console, b the place where players go for COD or Titanfall, as well as my own platformers and RPGs..
Nintendo want to appeal to kids so small price point and age restricted material but they don't understand that today's gamers and parents grew up playing Nintendo games themselves and willing to pay the difference in price for an all age console
I think this will happen with the next generation though if Nintendo fusion is true (too many leaks turned out to b true lately)

PS: before the fanboys kick in, take out all the 3rd party games that Sony bought into their press conference and let's see what they showed us...

Reeze3606d ago

They don't act like it? And by a Sony clone, I basically mean that Microsoft and Sony practically cater to the exact same audience. Nintendo brings fresh ideas and innovative fun to the table. In my honest opinion, I think it doesn't matter if you have third-party games OR first-party games as long as you have GAMES. There's no difference between what third parties and first parties can technically accomplish through developing games. If one company has 100 first-party games and no third-party, and another has 20 1st and 20 3rd, I would still value the first company over the second.

MSBAUSTX3606d ago

I want to fist state that I own a Wii U and have since launch. I love and support Nintendo. However, I am sick and dam tired of having to buy a PS4 and XB1 type consoles to play the greatest latest games when it comes to high end console graphics and resolution. Yes Nintendo makes entertaining games and wonderful games, but they need to have those PLUS the hard hitting/selling third party titeles. They tried with the Wii U at first with titles like, AC3, COD BO2, and Batman Arkham City. But because the system was going to be less powerful than the XB1 and PS4 were going to be, no one bought it. They are still my favorite because they try so hard to take care of the people who support them with their exclusives and wonderful value. But in the future they are going to need to be the innovators of high end gaming ALONG WITH their AAA titles, Like the N64 days. Regardless, Long Live Nintendo.

Blu5in2wO40e3606d ago (Edited 3606d ago )

Oh it matters alright. Ninty's job is to build their base as much as possible, then sell their 1st party titles (true money maker). This worked fantastic with Wii, evident of the obscene amount of $$$ they made of Kart and NSMBW. By virtually ignoring the 3rd party titles, you force fans to buy competing machines. For example, I'm going to buy the white PS4 destiny bundle, and will pick up Watch dogs, GTA V and Madden along with that. That $$$ could be going back into Ninty's pocket, had they designed an all around system.

So I don't understand why you'd have this stance, you always should compete...the uniqueness of a system must be the icing of the cake, NOT the primary focus. Either cover all your bases to give the best chance of success (proper power + unique interface), or hope for a miraculous walk off grand slam homerun (Wii + wii u).

Well said MSBAUSTX ^^^ !!!

MNGamer-N3606d ago

Could you imagine how boring it would have been if Nintendo also would have shown all of the same Madden, Battelfield, COD, FIFA etc games?

I'm glad Nintendo offers and focuses on something different. It's a good thing.

Sincere01213606d ago

BRAVO! Well Said. Comment of year! You hit the nail on the head. You speak sense.

DC7773606d ago

I have to agree and I am also planning on doing what Blu is going to do. E3 made me realize I don't really have a choice. I love Nintendo and the system but they have now confirmed themselves to be a part time system with me, when I feel like going old school, laying in bed and playing Mario or something on the gamepad.

There were a lot of jokes and hype at E3 from Nintendo but the reality is that they revealed nothing new (except a 5 year olds shooter) and delayed their best games.

I kept thinking that after a great tournament and all they would add some surprise at the end, like a Metroid, Mega Man, New Cool IP, Dragon Quest X in the west, HD Mario Sunshine, Gamecube VC, even Animal Crossing Wii U...nothing. Not even anything on improving Miiverse or anything system related.

All we got was a 3rd party game that nobody wanted because it looks ten years old and has one of the stupidest looking main characters I think I have ever seen in a game (Devil's Third).

So soon I'll have to pick up another white console to match my Wii U. Nintendo is great, but only about twice a year.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3606d ago
wonderfulmonkeyman3606d ago

You seem to be basing this whole idea off of the rather false statement that they don't do anything in regards to third party.

What you are ignoring, is that Nintendo is making incredible strides with indies, and that indies count as third party support.

And, if we're going with perfect honesty here, AAA third parties can't develop their way out of a paper bag on the Wii U as of late, whereas the indies?
Well, they're out-doing them on the Wii U.
They aren't purposefully delaying things to hold out for the other two system's interests, they aren't taking out content, they aren't doing half-hearted jobs at optimization, etc etc etc.

Indie games are, quite simply, better than AAA third party games on Wii U, because they don't lack in extra content or in the care put into their production.

To put it another way, if I were given a choice between Shovel Knight and The Witcher 3 on the Wii U?
I'd take Shovel Knight, because I know for a fact that the devs behind The Witcher 3 wouldn't do the Wii U version justice.
They'd skip content, they'd poorly optimize it, and in the end, everyone, even the people who bash Nintendo for not getting these games, would turn around and bash the Wii U version.

Nintendo can't win with AAA third parties. They're looked down on even when they DO get those kinds of games.[Deus Ex was a better experience on Wii U than on any other platform, but will you see anyone admitting it? Nope, they'll turn to sales and say it sucked.]

Indies are where Nintendo's third party future lies, for the Wii U at least.
That and a few select smaller third party studios like Platinum and Capcom.

Reeze3606d ago

Amazing comment. Bravo!

Yes, I would like to play Unity and some other third party games, but I am not made of cash. I can't go out and buy two systems and games to go with them. Because of this, I have to choose. Would I rather have all of Nintendo's amazing games or a couple of Ubisofy/Rockstar games plus an extra 200 dollar expense (not to mention hundreds on online services)? My vote (and money) goes to Nintendo

urwifeminder3606d ago

Have not caught any sony or Nintendo announcements I am sure the articles will roll in and let me know.

Godmars2903606d ago

no one can simply say that all companies did a decent enough job of it and leave it at that? One just has to win well above the others?

wonderfulmonkeyman3606d ago (Edited 3606d ago )

I find it funny that this kind of comment tends to be on the rise now that Nintendo's E3 has done better than the rest....

As to your question; yeah. There's always going to be a winner at E3, and it's going to change often.

That's not to say that the other two did not do a good job, though.

There's a distinct difference between saying "They didn't win" and "They sucked".

You don't have to win to do a good job, but there WILL be a winner every year.

xDHAV0K24x3606d ago

IMO, owning 2 of the 3 is perfect. If u can afford to go all out and own all of them, more power to u. No regrets! Microsoft/Nintendo since the sixth gen!

Show all comments (20)
140°

The 7 Best Souls-Like Games - Mastering the Challenge

The Souls-like genre remains popular, along with FromSoftware's classics there are many contenders. But which are the best Souls-like games?

toxic-inferno25d ago

Hmm... In my opinion, the 7 best are the 6 made by FromSoftware (DeS, DS1, DS2, DS3, BB and ER), then Lies of P. But each to their own.

kevco3325d ago

Still DS1? You don't feel it's been surpassed yet?

Demon's Souls has the remake of course, but DS1 has surely been outdated?

Smellsforfree25d ago

I think that the DS1 remake is better looking than DS2. The interior lighting matched with the low resolution textures in DS2 is very garish, IMO.

Besides graphics, what do you mean by DS1 being "outdated"? I'm someone who played through Elden Ring and just recently played through the DS series, and as far as gameplay went, there were all very similar.

Cacabunga25d ago

I haven’t played many but Bloodborne and NIOH1 are on top of my list.. had a blast with these 2

toxic-inferno24d ago

For world design and interconnectedness (that's a word, right?) DS1 is yet to be beaten.

290°

9 Years Later, Does Bloodborne Deserve All The Praise It Gets?

Saad from eXputer: "Almost a decade later, it's time to take the nostalgia goggles off and accept that Bloodborne has long been surpassed by its successors."

jznrpg26d ago (Edited 26d ago )

Yes, yes it does. It’s still a great game. Elden Ring isn’t better just different and a bit easier . I like that you have to be aggressive but smart in Bloodborne

thorstein26d ago

I literally replayed it recently and it's better than I remember. I think it's like going back to a beloved book and noticing things I hadn't before.

raWfodog26d ago (Edited 26d ago )

Yo! I was getting ready to reply with the exact same four words you started with lol. Yes, I think Bloodborne has withstood the test of time and remains a great game. That’s why all the fans are hoping for a sequel someday. Hoping that we can catch that magic again with a new storyline.

Leeroyw26d ago

Yes. Just replayed it a few days ago. My first Platinum. And yes. I rage quitted so many times and called it BS too when I started. It's tight. The combat is amazing and the lore is rich.

GamingSinceForever26d ago

Elden Ring was easier? I don’t know about that at all. I remember leveling up in Bloodborne and breezing through it. In Elden Ring no matter how powerful I got I was still catching a beat down from every boss.

thorstein26d ago

That's due to scaling enemies. I remember not doing Haligtree untill near the end and having enemies withstand almost a full blast from Azur's Glintstone Staff Comet Azure. My level was quite high.

Melee characters are not fun in that game, especially for the Elden Beast.

MeteorPanda26d ago

Considering l did a run 2 months ago? Yes.

Show all comments (54)
160°

Bloodborne's Potential Remaster Continues To Be Sony's Biggest Missed Opportunity

"Sony is missing out on a hugely profitable opportunity by ignoring fan demands for a Bloodborne remaster and PC port," says Ahmed from eXputer.

thorstein55d ago (Edited 55d ago )

Bloodborne came out on the PS4. It is owned by From Software. What missed opportunity? I am sure the people at From Software know what they are doing. Especially since they are hiring devs instead of laying them off.

Maybe do an article about that instead of writing a hit piece on them acting like they don't know how to run their business.

55d ago
-Foxtrot54d ago (Edited 54d ago )

To be fair Hidetaka Miyazaki said in an interview

“Unfortunately, and I’ve said this in other interviews, it’s not in my place to talk about Bloodborne specifically. We simply don’t own the IP at FromSoftware.”

So the ball kind of is in Sonys court, it feels like a missed opportunity because it’s something people really want and Sony just hasn’t really been bothered to get it off the ground. There was rumours it was at one point but it all went silent.

Cacabunga53d ago (Edited 53d ago )

Sony has been missing nothing but opportunities for a few years now.. since GOW release, it’s worrying silence we’ve been getting..

As for Bloodborne, imo it would be too soon to release it because PS4 game still looks phenomenal..

Bloodborne REMAKE I think will be PS6 launch title by Bluepoint. I truly hope so! 2 gens later we can get the same wow effect as Demons Souls.

Eonjay53d ago

He is right because it is Sonys IP but a little further back he also explained that they only work on one game at a time. This means that From must also be available. In other words it could already be in the pipeline. Ecen if that is the case, it's still up to Sony to reveal it when they are ready. As ever, I prefer not to hear about it until it's about 3 to 6 months from releasing.

CrashMania54d ago (Edited 54d ago )

'Bloodborne came out on the PS4. It is owned by From Software'

Actually Sony owns the IP, same with Demon's Souls. I think they'd prefer if From did the work on any future of both of those though, but if Sony wanted to they could have those off to anyone else to work on them, like the DS remake.

thorstein54d ago (Edited 54d ago )

Yeah. Thanks for the info.

But I still think that remasters should wait a generation. And Blue Point did Demon's Souls which was superb.

It can be a huge risk. And I think Hidetaka Miyazaki hinted that it would be a PS6 title. I don't he has no say in what happens, it's a partnership.

--Onilink--53d ago

To be honest, if there is a remake/remaster (not that it needs one) I would prefer someone else to handle it, like they did with Demon Souls

From many perspectives From Soft is an amazing developer, BUT, on a technical level they are far from impressive, both in terms of dated visuals (again, on a technical level, not art/design) and usually poor performance.

And what is the point of a remake/remaster if not to provide a visual and performance enhancement to a game that already nailed the rest?

Michiel198953d ago

@thorstein what huge risk? Part of one of the most well known ip's in gaming nowadays, there's not much risk there when it comes to a remake.

thorstein53d ago

@Michiel

I meant remasters in general are a huge risk, not Bloodborne.

Bloodborne isn't, but I think it's going to be on PS6, like how Demon's Souls went from PS3 to PS5.

Sorry for the confusion.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 53d ago
thesoftware73053d ago (Edited 53d ago )

Thorstein,

Wow, your post seems angry..relax it's an opinion.

And btw, it is on Sony, they have the exclusive right to the game, on top of that, they could have easily, at bare minimum, offered an official 60fps patch, with a few extras and charged people $10 to upgrade or $30-40 for new buyers.

I believe I saw an interview where , FromSoft said it was all up to Sony on a sequel and other dealing with the game.

A "hit peice", that serious huh?..relax lol.

thorstein53d ago (Edited 53d ago )

Wow you seem angry. I responded to crash 2 days ago about the remaster and who did it.

Why do you care what other people think in a moment about some journalism. Calm down, buddy, it's just my opinion. From 3 days ago.

Edit: I just went back through my comments and found 2 where I call out the author in the past month. Wow, I'm a rageaholic.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 53d ago
potatoseal54d ago (Edited 54d ago )

It will be a launch title on PS6 just like the remake of Demon's Souls for PS5 launch

OhReginald53d ago

Sony realizes people will flock to buy ps6s for a bloodborne remake. Easy money.

jznrpg53d ago (Edited 53d ago )

Rumored it’s slated for PS6 launch. Some say PS5 Pro. Who knows ?

P_Bomb53d ago

Highly requested, unfortunately neglected.

jznrpg26d ago

Some say we didn’t need TLOU2 remake but that was a PS4 game and now we need a BB remake but that was a PS4 game. We send mixed signals

Show all comments (23)