The Guessing Game: Sony's E3 showing

by Jared Rea { Jun 25th 2007 at 9:30AM }

When coupled in the same sentence, the words "Sony" and "E3" will forever resonate memories of their legendary 2006 press conference. A year has passed and while Sony has managed to shake off the giant enemy crabs, their PlayStation 3 is being trampled by larger entities: the competition. With a management shake-up and a few promising titles, it's time for Sony to come out swinging.

Last time on the guessing game, we said that Nintendo could have the most to lose coming out of E3 and you asked, "Well, who has the most to gain?" The answer is Sony, because, let's face it, the only way from here is up. Phil Harrison's GDC presentation ushered forth a feeling that change was in the air and that it was still, obviously, too early to count Sony out in the new arms race.

What's in store for Sony's presentation this year? Mum is the word but that hasn't stopped any and everyone from taking a few, well educated stabs in the dark. Will Metal Gear Solid 4 remain an exclusive? Will Sony open their conference with "Momma Said Knock You Out?" Saddle up, dear readers. It's time to venture forth towards rumorville.

A Newly Designed PlayStation Portable
Time after time after time again we've heard about the PSP going back to the drawing board. It's getting to the point where we wish that Sony would just get it over with! The PSP's number one fanboy, Andrew Yoon, is choosing to be difficult and says "It's much too soon after the price drop and recent promotional campaign." Beyond difficult is Lord Kyle Orland as deep within the recesses of his sepulcher of agony he howled, "It will have an 120GB hard drive, a slot for DVDs, CompactFlash cards and 3.5" floppy disks. Oh, and a cheese grater!"
Likelihood: In Andrew we trust -- it's still much too soon for a new PSP.

A Price Cut for the PlayStation 3
Former Sony chairman Ken Kutaragi once said that the PlayStation 3 is for consumers to think to themselves, "I will work more hours to buy one." So what will happen now that proud papa and the the discipline bunch are out of the gang? As a lover of tight pants and interpretive dance, Ludwig Kietzmann snapped his fingers and crooned, "It would do Sony a world of good, but I reckon they'll try to ride the $599 wave for at least one more holiday season. They like money, you know." Being his good-time pal, Justin McElroy backed up Ludwig during his solo, chirping, "To announce a price cut would be an admission of defeat."
Likelihood: If anything, Tokyo Game Show would be a much more likely time for a price drop.

A Playable Build of Killzone 2
Andrew, only after promising to play nice, returned to report that "we're going to see a lot of software. A playable Killzone 2 is a certainty." A fanboy of the PS3 variety, Colin Torretta agreed that there will be "extensive coverage, sure ... but not sure of the playable kind though." Offering up the most poignant view of E3 ever, Ludwig toweled off and mused, "I would be surprised if Killzone 2 wasn't playable -- almost as surprised as I'd be if it looked identical to 2005's prerendered fib. Therefore, I expect to not be surprised at all... which I find somewhat surprising."
Likelihood: Regardless, expect to be surprised in some way, shape or form.

80GB PlayStation 3 Announced for America
Sure, you can swap out your original PlayStation 3 hard drive with anything you'd like, lickety split, but that didn't stop Sony from launching it in Korea! Microsoft already proved this to be a successful strategy with their Xbox 360 Elite, so why not Sony? Jem Alexander from PS3 Fanboy was so offended by the very notion of it that he kicked his puppy, shouting "No 80Gig in America. Ever! So definitely no mention of it during the show!" With a phobia of being kicked, Justin cowered in the corner whimpering, "I don't understand the point of this system." Meanwhile, whilst clutching his fabled moon sapphires, Kyle Orland whispered into the very heart of darkness itself, "Yes. In fact there will be a new model every year ... Gotta catch 'em all!"
Likelihood: We have a better chance of Phil Harrison giving birth on stage than this happening.

A New SixAxis Controller, Complete with Rumble
Unsure whether this specific of information comes form the hive mind of Sony itself or GameFaqs.com, Collin stated quite boldly that, "Sixaxis with rumble will be announced, with a Fall to Winter launch. Expect 10-15 hour battery life." After tasting his kool-aid for anything funny, Ludwig did his best to fit in, mumbling something like, "Sure, why not? Sony and Immersion are talking to each other again, and it certainly wouldn't be the first time a console manufacturer released a new primary controller. In Microsoft's case, however, we wanted less, not more."
Likelihood: It sounds like a winner and please, do drink the kool-aid on your way out. It's delicious!

God of War III Announced
"God of War III won't be featured during E3" Jem told us through double-paned glass. She gripped the two-way phone nervously and stammered, "It's not coming for a while yet. Not until after Chains of Olympus, at least." After our 15 minutes were up, Andrew, not willing to cough up his bail, shrugged his shoulders and agreed. "I think Chains of Olympus is coming out to hold people over until God of War III is in any presentable form."
Likelihood: Regardless, David Jaffe will have our legs broke before we get to report it. No, David! That's where our pants live!

Something, Anything, Metal Gear Solid or Final Fantasy XIII
Stating the obvious, Ludwig says there will be "More trailers, more exclusivity confirmation and more painful release dates than you can possibly imagine." Practically tripping over himself to fortify the hive, Colin blurted out, "Final Fantasy XIII and MGS4 will stay PS3 exclusive! Expect at least one additional major title to announce exclusivity to the PS3."

The most realistic of the bunch, Justin McElroy fiddled with tarot cards and lottery tickets to reveal the future: "MGS4 will have a playable demo. They need that right now. Final Fantasy XIII will be represented by a video sequence that will include (1) an orchestral arrangement, (2) scantily clad women, a lady boy and (3) a tear that looks like a crystal. If the crystal shatters at some point, expect six more months of winter."

Kyle Orland merely looked on, chanting below his breath, ".metsys ynoS-non a no pu wohs ot meht fo eno tcepxE"
Likelihood: Playable Metal Gear Solid 4 for some, Final Fantasy XIII trailers for others.

Tags: e32007, guessinggame, themoonsoforland

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jsn @ Jun 25th 2007 9:41AM

What could they announce that would be really big? The only thing I can think of would be a price drop and that's NOT going to happen.

The only other thing would be dredging up some old game property to remake it NEXT-GEN! ugh..

A redesigned PSP or a controller that has what it should have had to begin with is not big news to me either.

Jake @ Jun 25th 2007 9:42AM

I think they will focus on what we already know about, hyping up the big holiday season. There will be some MGS4 and FFXIII tease action, but I don't think we'll get a playable demo. Maybe. I hope they show more of Drake, Lair, and Heavenly. They all have potential, but I've seen so little gameplay I don't even really know how they play.

With Drake, they talk about how big it is and how much puzzles it has, then show some ultra generic "shoot the guy standing there in the open not moving about 20 times so he dies" gameplay.

Lair they just keep showing amazingly cool pre-rendered stuff.

I can't remember the last Heavenly Sword update. I thought that was supposed to drop this year.

They'll talk about how awesome Home is. They'll maybe show another Little Big Planet teaser. Perhaps some Haze action if in fact it is delayed on other platforms until after X-mas.

It should be good in any case. I think all three console makers have some good stuff to report on.

sheppy @ Jun 25th 2007 9:44AM

Personally, I don't know how all these things are going to happen given the itty bitty space compnies have this year.

copa @ Jun 25th 2007 9:45AM

"Final Fantasy XIII and MGS4 will stay PS3 exclusive!"

Ain't gonna happen. Even Sony has admitted at this point that they're not negotiating from a position of strength, and can't afford these third-party exclusives.

They've got to price-cut below $500 and move a lot more units before they can even open the discussions on exclusivity.

sheppy @ Jun 25th 2007 9:45AM

Jake, Lair has been shown in playable form.

Blizz4l9 @ Jun 25th 2007 9:46AM

i don't expect a price drop yet though it would be beneficial but would be like admitting to being wrong i expect a price drop after this holiday season. I do expect Sony to announce that they will be releasing a new six axis with rumble but doubt there will be much of a difference in battery life because I'm sure they would include a better battery if they were wise though they haven't always been wise like you know announcing 4D games and insane frame rates what was it 140 fps or somethin silly when the human eye can't notice anything higher than what 120?

Trio @ Jun 25th 2007 9:48AM

!Oh man Killzone 2 that will be awesome..........

Jake @ Jun 25th 2007 9:48AM

sheppy, I know, but very little compared to prerendered. I still don't know much about what to expect.

sheppy @ Jun 25th 2007 9:55AM

"sheppy, I know, but very little compared to prerendered. I still don't know much about what to expect."

Well, flight controls are pretty much known. It's ground controls I'm worried about. And likewise, how much of a threat to you ground units are. Are they a legitimate concern or is your presence on the ground primarily a morale booster.

slickestjg @ Jun 25th 2007 10:04AM

Def expect one of them to show up on a non-Sony system, hopefully not FF though. MGS would be a welcomed addition to other platforms.

samfish @ Jun 25th 2007 10:06AM

I think Sony is going really come out on top from E3. They really kind of blew their entire wad between their Gamer's Day event and the GDC, if you ask me.

I'm sure there'll be some surprises, to be sure, but I doubt any of them will do much for Sony...unless it's a price drop.

Fuji @ Jun 25th 2007 10:08AM

"...a tear that looks like a crystal. If the crystal shatters at some point, expect six more months of winter."

Screw groundhogs day!

samfish @ Jun 25th 2007 10:09AM

"I think Sony is going really come out on top from E3. "

Err...I *DON'T* think.

It's too early to be thinking about anything other than Zelda's pubes, still.

nick @ Jun 25th 2007 10:14AM

The only announcement by Sony that would be significant would be a 'Major Price Drop'

hvnlysoldr @ Jun 25th 2007 10:15AM

Perhaps Snake in Brawl means more MGS being remade for Wii like Twin Snakes.

Crono @ Jun 25th 2007 10:21AM

I want to protest the use of the phrase "nowhere to go but up". Sony PS3 has certainly fallen on hard times, but it has by no means hit rock bottom. I agree that Sony has the most to gain, and will most likely pull themselves slightly out of the hole they've dug, but there is still a possibility, perhaps even a likelyhood, that they will say or do something to insult us all and end up in a worse shape than before.

Did any of that make sense?

Jeff @ Jun 25th 2007 10:29AM

"Off-topic: stop stealing pictures from 4chan."

Off-topic: shut up about 4chan. Nobody cares.

Richard Mitchell @ Jun 25th 2007 10:38AM

Okay, so now the Guessing Game has covered Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony. That just leaves Phantom Entertainment, right?

Jake @ Jun 25th 2007 10:45AM

sheppy,

Okay, I checked gametrailers and there is a 3 part developer walkthrough that does a decent job of showing some of what I wanted to see. People actually playing the game and not just short clips and pre-renders.

The game looks alright, imo. They were doing some pretty easy levels in the walkthrough, which made it look kind of lame, but I could see it being interesting if things got more hectic. I also thought the game seemed kind of slow. Not saying dragons should go super-sonic, but it should "feel" fast.

sheppy @ Jun 25th 2007 10:50AM

Don't know why they should "feel fast."

Realistically speaking, the larger a creature gets, on average, the slower it gets. Those huge wings have to keep a large amount of weight afloat. Honestly, I'd be disappointed if the dragon flight speed was suddenly in comparison to something like the F14s in Battlefield.

Also, keep in mind, unless you're right at ground level, you also look like you're going much slower than you are in any flight situation. Seriously, when was the last time you took a flight? Looking out the window, would you have guessed you were going 140-180MPH?

samfish @ Jun 25th 2007 11:04AM

"Don't know why they should "feel fast."

Because it would "feel boring" otherwise..!

jsn @ Jun 25th 2007 11:07AM

Sheppy:

It's a dragon and it should feel fast. If they can't make it feel fast, the game will be a bomb and rightfully so. It can be made to feel fast in a variety of ways without having to be close to the ground. When you put that dragon into a dive, you should feel like your face is going to come off. If they don't pull that off, then the dragons are just fancy set dressing for what could have been jet packs or bi-planes or any other generic flying combat machine.

Boss Tempo @ Jun 25th 2007 11:07AM

The only way Sony is going to "come out on top at E3" is if they set their booth up on the roof.

... Oh and drop the price.

If they come out cocky and act like nothing is wrong, it will be hilarious. If they come out like whipped puppy dogs and plead that Home is going to save them, that will be even funnier.

sheppy @ Jun 25th 2007 11:19AM

@jsn

Funny, Panzer Dragoon felt anything BUT fast.

And my statement still stands. Take a look at Rogue Leader. Unless you're skimming a surface of that game, it feels anything BUT fast. Frantic, yes. But without environment reference, all games feel slow in the flight genre.

chasegamez @ Jun 25th 2007 11:45AM

who care about an 80g i put in a 160g in my ps3

Stevo @ Jun 25th 2007 11:44AM

Killzone 3 and 4 announced w/ 'Real In-Game Gameplay Videos'...hehe. Seriously though, I'm sure we'll see lots of faux gameplay trailers for upcoming exclusive games and some news regarding updates to PSN.

deaftly @ Jun 25th 2007 12:16PM

when was the last time sony had a good press conference, e3 2005? and in the end everything turned out to be nothing but lies and cgi footage, i dont expect anything big at all, psp redesign and some mgs crap, maybe a controller with rumble but, who honestly cares anymore

sheppy @ Jun 25th 2007 12:18PM

"when was the last time sony had a good press conference, e3 2005?"

Game Developers Conference and Sony Gamers Day off the top of my head...

jason @ Jun 25th 2007 12:29PM

@Trio

The first Killzone sucked and the one for the PSP I never played but it didn't seem to be outstanding, so don't get your hopes up this game will awesome.

deaftly @ Jun 25th 2007 12:34PM

killzone for psp is actually pretty good and fun, good online also

Trio @ Jun 25th 2007 12:38PM

The first Killzone sucked and the one for the PSP I never played but it didn't seem to be outstanding, so don't get your hopes up this game will awesome.

Well i only hope they make the game similar to the 2005 trailer, if they done it the same way; Killzone 2 will Rock........

Quakeulf @ Jun 25th 2007 12:44PM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pJElsNaC6yQ&mode=related&search=

It's Ridge Racer. Riiiiiidge Raaaaceeeeeeeer!

Dustin @ Jun 25th 2007 1:01PM

I love these arguments like "dragons don't fly fast because they are big" or "thats what a dragon would look like if it were real"

I wasn't aware Liar was a simulator, you know considering there aren't real dragons. The game needs to be fun and therefore shouldn't have slow flying dragons because "that's how they would really fly". Besides, where did you read this scientific article on the projected flight speed of dragons if they existed? I know you are going to say that their size blah blah blah, but that has nothing to do with it. It would be like if Call of Duty had you get in the tank, slowly lumber through the battlefield to find a target. You find one and then have to stop, goto the loader, place a shell in, move to the gunner station, aim, fire, then run back to the driving seat and move. Suddenly an enemy soldier run up, so you again stop the tank and move over to the gun turret, aim and.. wait the guy moved to the other side so its back to the drivers seat as you slowly turn to find him, you spot him and quick you're up and into the gunner seat, aim and... damn moved again! back to the drivers seat to... you get the point.

Lair may be good and all of this might be useless debate (wait it already is...) but I think the argument of realism is a bit ridiculous, thats all I'm saying...

Tony @ Jun 25th 2007 1:07PM

If the only downer people here have about Lair is the 'speed of the dragons' then the devs are doing very well indeed.

David @ Jun 25th 2007 1:08PM

Sony will annouce that they are fucked and are dropping out of the video game bussiness.

mccomber @ Jun 25th 2007 1:19PM

You could use any number of animals that exist for reference to how a dragon would move. As Sheppy said, generally the larger an animal is, the slower it moves. It would take too much energy for a large creature to be able to move extremely fast, and it's caloric intake would become too great for it to be able to easily find enough food to survive.
Chances are in general flight it would be a powerful flyer, but not a fast one, but on the ground it would be somewhat clumsy and pretty slow . Probably like one of the larger birds of prey, it would be fairly agile in the air, and able to pick up a lot of speed when diving, but it's general travel speed wouldn't be that fast. Most of what I've seen from the game would "make sense" as far as how it would move. Besides, why would a ton of speed make the game more fun? It's not like you're riding a dragon trying to chase down a jet, everything will move at the same relative speed.

And yeah, I can't even believe I just wrote a paragraph defending why dragons would move slowly. I need more work to do today...

jsn @ Jun 25th 2007 1:26PM

Sheppy:

"And my statement still stands. Take a look at Rogue Leader. Unless you're skimming a surface of that game, it feels anything BUT fast. Frantic, yes. But without environment reference, all games feel slow in the flight genre."

Your examples don't really apply. It's not hard to put clouds, smoke and various other objects in the skyline to gave you a sense of speed. They figured that out in film decades ago. We've seen enough of dragons in movies over recent years to have some expectations and that isn't one of slow, plodding dinosaurs with wings. While they're not fast out of the gate, once they get going they're anything but slow.

If it feels slow, they failed at delivering on the promise their movies, screenshots and the entire concept built up for the game.

Dustin @ Jun 25th 2007 1:50PM

@37: Again I wasn't saying that a "real" dragon would move fast. I pretty much agree with what you said if a dragon was real, but they aren't so the game doesn't have to go by those rules is what I am saying.

Also I think a dragon going after modern jets would be one kickass game, heh.

rfom @ Jun 25th 2007 2:12PM

I am a bit puzzled by all the PS3 price cut calls. Of course good for customers. But why would Sony do it?
Think of it.
1. What PS3 is bothered about in 2007 is not sales but GAP in sales versus 360. And fact is, the 2 are selling equally poor.
2. The biggest threat to PS3, in terms of 360 widening the gap, is second half 2007. Thats when ALL the MS big-hitters are out (Halo3, Mass Effect, Forza 2, Splinter Cell 5).
3. However, this threat is low as long as prices remain the same - because, while the PS3 is expensive, SO IS THE 360! As long as 360 stays at 399, the PS3 is relatively safe.
3. So the best thing for SOny is - dont cut prices, because that would force MS to do the same, and then 360 sales will rise much much more than PS3.

If Sony can survive this year - it has a far greater number of op-notch exclusives in 2008 (the 360 has barely a few). ALso, by 2nd half 2008, Blu-ray may become popular and the cost of the PS3 may be down by at least 50% (The 360 dropped 40% in 1 year). Then slam down prices by USD200 - its still expensive, but with free multiplayer, blu-ray, big hard disc and most importantly great PS1/PS2 library it can then have a chance.

Jake @ Jun 25th 2007 2:25PM

sheppy,

I can't believe you are trying to argue against me that the dragon gameplay should "feel" fast. Like I said, I am not saying they should move super fast, but if you were riding on top of one, swooping around, I think it would "feel" fast.

Hell, a Peregrin Falcon can hit 150mph when diving, and it isn't even a super-powerful mythical beast. Dragons don't "have" to be really slow. I think it would be more fun if it moved faster. The gameplay I've seen just looks, slow, I guess.

Jake @ Jun 25th 2007 2:33PM

rfom,

I agree with you that Sony should wait until the 360 gets a price cut. Both companies can only sell so many until they get under $300.

I honestly don't think a $100 cut would do Sony that much good. There aren't that many people that wouldn't get one at $600, but will get one at $500. I honestly think there is a $300 magical price point that you need to at least get to.

As for 2008 Sony exclusives vs. the 360. I don't know if it is THAT lopsided. Remember, many people were saying the same thing last year. Tentative release schedules are, well, tentative. ;)

sheppy @ Jun 25th 2007 2:39PM

@Jake

"The gameplay I've seen just looks, slow, I guess."

Now this, I can agree with. However, from what I've seen, there has been no footage of dives aside from the trailer. Likewise, I don't think I've seen ground unit footage but I've seen them zoom over ground units. In fact, all the footage I've seen has been of flapping, a motion which applies a counterforce and unfortunately slows the thing in motion down. I'd like to see travel speeds during dives and glids. Likewise, I want to see how gameplay relates during the elaborate "dismounting" midair sequence.

STILL SO MUCH I NEED TO KNOW!

When does this one drop again? I know it will be a financial failure but I'm still excited.

jason @ Jun 25th 2007 2:48PM

@rfom

Here is a list of exclusives coming out in the next 1 or 2 years 360 has more then ps3

http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/06/17/console-exclusive-games-list-for-xbox-360-ps3-and-wii-as-of-june-2007.htm

Also 360 has sequels coming out probably in 2008 Fable 2, Banjo-Kazooie 3, Cry On, Halo Wars, maybe Ninja Gaiden 2, GTA IV exclusive content, maybe MGS4 port to 360, Forza 3, PGR4, Alan Wake, Too Human may get released in 2008, and what ever they announce at E3.

Chris @ Jun 25th 2007 3:19PM

A price cut is the onlything i can think of that would get me to buy a ps3. And not just $100. If the price droped down to 475ish and got a good list of games I would think about geting one. But I would need to think long and hard. I have 3 friends who own a ps3 and they spend alot more time at my house playing my 360 than at home playing the ps3.

oh boy... @ Jun 25th 2007 3:23PM

"Looking out the window, would you have guessed you were going 140-180MPH?"

No I would have guessed it actually flies much faster, and I am glad planes actually do, cause otherwise it would be a huge pain in the @ss everytime I have to fly back to europe... When was teh last time you were on a plane? Was is still a single prop machine? :P

FermitTheKrog @ Jun 25th 2007 3:35PM

My commodore 64 has more games than the PS3 and the Xbox 360 combined.

Jake @ Jun 25th 2007 3:39PM

sheppy,
Yeah, actually there could be some fun gameplay to be had there. Perhaps your dragon can only "fly" at 50-80 mph or something. But, you can get some altitude, then dive and glide, to go much faster for brief tims. In this way, you could perhaps get high in the air and escape or attack by diving and gliding around at high speed, but would then have to get back up to higher altitude. I don't know, could give more gameplay depth.

But this whole argument has missed my entire first point, and the reason I used damn quotations. The game doesn't have to technically have dragons going 300mph to be fast. It just has to "feel" fast. I don't know how to describe fast and hectic gameplay, but Lair has mostly looked kinda slow. And I have played flying games where your craft isn't moving that fast, but yet it does "feel" fast. I don't know how to explain it.

That really isn't a knock on the game, just pointing out how it doesn't work with my tastes perfectly. For example, I was super-stoked about Forza2, and do enjoy the game quite a bit, but the big (and only)disappointment for me is the "feel" of the speed. Even though you are going 160mph in an 8 second car, it just doesn't "feel" like you are going that fast.

I've spun out on a turn and been like "wtf I was barely moving", just to see the speedometer at 70mph while I'm taking an 80 degree turn. Yet, I'll take a turn in Dirt at like 35mph and it will feel like I am absolutely hauling ass.

It is okay for an exclusive for the system you absolutely love to have something wrong with it or something you disagree with. You don't automatically have to defend it against someone else, especially someone like me that is a wii60 owner and borderline 360 fanboy.