Another year, another chaotic corporate p*ssing match known as E3. Where developers, publishers and manufacturers all decide to climb into the same building in LA and scream at the top of their voices that their product is the best. All the while the media scramble, like bums fighting over a dropped sausage roll, to update their blogs first with every bit of new information. It's a ridiculous cacophony of blood, sweat and tears... mostly sweat.
One other thing you can rely on being around at E3 is the legions of fans on the internet arguing over who 'won'. Well, last year I brought N4G a way of impartially measuring the performance of the big 3 manufacturers in order to get a fair answer to that moronic question. As it was somewhat of a success I have decided to bring it back again this year, lucky you.
So go take a look at the original draw-up of 'rules' for this 'experiment' here...
http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...
...and then take a look at the results from last year here...
http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...
Now I'll post the 'rules' here, which I'd like feedback on to improve please:
**** AAA is intended to mean big budget, non-motion controlled, disc-based game and not a reflection of the game’s final quality. For the purposes of eliminating opinion completely ‘casual’ will mean any game aimed at children or 100% motion controlled (I know that may not be completely accurate regarding some games but the line had to drawn somewhere, for science) ****
10 points for:
1. Announcing NEW hardware or revealing in reality i.e. not just a trailer/picture or specs (consoles, hand-helds, tablets and phones only)
5 points for:
1. Announcing a new, exclusive, core, AAA game
2. Announcing a new, exclusive, AAA IP (stacks with number 1)
3. Showing actual gameplay of any AAA game (not in a trailer)
4. Announcing the purchase of any game development studio
5. Announcing a console price drop
3 points for:
1. Announcing a new casual game
2. Showing a new trailer with actual gameplay in it. (game 'reels' do not count)
3. Obtaining 3rd party exclusive content (not timed)
4. Announcing new hardware but not showing it in reality (consoles, hand-helds, tablets and phones only)
5. Showing previously announced but unreleased hardware in reality.
6. Console re-design/new model
1 point for:
1. Timed exclusivity deals
2. Each new feature of an existing OS
3. New trailers without gameplay
4. New peripherals for existing hardware
-1 point for
1. Every E3 gaffe (see bottom of avatars shoe, giant enemy crab and interference)
2. Trotting out any mainstream celebrity
3. Talking about sales figures
A bonus 10 points will be awarded to the company that announces exclusivity of a Metal Gear, GTA or Final Fantasy game (not timed) and 5 points to MS if they get FFv13 on their system. However HD remakes of old titles will not be granted the bonus.
In the unlikely event that brand new hardware is revealed companies will receive, in addition to the initial 10 points:
+1 for release date before the end of the year
+1 for announcing price
+2 if price is below $350
-2 if price is above $500
+2 for launch window line-up of over 10 games
-2 for launch window line-up of under 5 games
+1 for backwards compatibility
* * * *
Remember these are (mostly) last years rules, which I have copy/pasted and I would like to fine tune them for this year so all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Well that about covers it, good luck to your chosen brand, i hope you win and get that cash prize...
...wait there's no cash prize? OK well I hope you get that trophy...
...wait there's no trophy? Remind me again why people argue over this?
Today, Destiny 2 developers hosted a livestream where they discussed in detail upcoming core game changes coming alongside The Edge of Fate expansion on July 15.
Hideo Kojima once again proves to be a singular creative force in the video game industry, crafting a sequel in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach that is not just essential for fans of the first game, but an essential experience for all gamers.
The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition has arrived for $399.99, but we wonder if it was really needed or just a simple cash-in.
We're talking about a limited edition item here, and by definition, those aren’t exactly 'needed'. But when you look at what’s included, the controller, the strap, and a few months of Game Pass, it actually turns out to be a surprisingly good deal.
What’s weird is that this is a VR headset branded with Xbox, a platform that doesn’t even support VR. And Xbox is part of Microsoft, a company that more or less walked away from all of its VR efforts. Yet somehow, this ends up being the best value available for a VR headset. If you're looking to get into VR, unless you're buying used, it’s hard to find anything that offers more for the price.
Nope, wasn't need, but It's another incentive to try GP, and retain increase or maintain subs.
It lends to the "Everything is an Xbox" marketing they have going on...if it has a screen, it's a Xbox.
I don't see the harm here, it's a limited item...shit MS and Sony have Sneaker deals as well, are those necessary? Nope, but if you like PS or Xbox, or are a collector of limited edition of stuff then, why not?
Almost every luxury item out on the market is not 'needed', but you can be sure that they will be bought by someone. If you have the money to spare and want to treat yourself, I say go for it. I'm sure there are many fans who would love this.
A new console should be worth ten points.
-1 if priced over $350
-1 if it has a stupid name (have you seen some of the "project" names?)
-1 if you have less than a dozen titles lined up for release within a month of launch.
+1 for backwards compatibility
+1 for msrp<$300
+1 if available worldwide by the end of the calendar year
/2 for every strobe light used during the unveiling.
So a $400 system with only six launch titles available and the name "adeptus" is unveiled with 9 strobes and comes out in September.
1/64 of a point.
Looking back on your previous years carrying forward the good name of science, I'd say you have your hands firmly place below the bunsen burner..
But remember, basic research is like shooting an arrow up into the air and painting a target where it lands.
E3 is an opinion thing, a winner can't be determined by numbers. System A might get a AAA game you're super excited for, and System B might get two AAA games you might consider buying. I think the best way to judge who won E3 is to have a bullet point summary of each conference and scale 1-10 how excited you are about each announcement, then tally up the points and whoever has the highest score wins. Still, I remember you making a similar blog around last E3 and I find your dedication to your scale admirable. Hope all your E3 hopes and dreams come true, peace.
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