V.R.
- When people are reticent to wear high vis vests when they cycle, because they think they look dorky, you won't get them wearing a VR headset for more than a couple of times.
- If you're not into tech or games, it's difficult to see VR as more than an expensive gimmick and gimmicks never survive for long.
- Comfort and practicality. I really cannot see anyone spending an evening gaming or watching a 3 hour movie without wanting to take the headset off at some point - if only to reach out for a drink. And if you have to remove the headset every time you want to see what your hands and feet are doing, people will soon stop putting it on to begin with.
A.R.
Back in 2009, when Microsoft and Sony thought they were losing the console war to the Nintendo Wii, with its motion controls, Sony basically copied the Wii-mote design, then innovated on it with their Move controller. Microsoft, on the other hand, did something different with Kinect (or Project Natal as it was known then), by removing the controller altogether. They are doing the same thing with now, with their augmented reality glasses, HoloLens, rather than simply coming out with their on VR headset. And just as with Project Natal, their presentation included a video that ever so slightly completely exaggerated the facts. By all accounts the HoloLens shows potential, but is no where near the vision Microsoft presented in their promotions.
As for HoloLen's future, see my comments on VR, although at least you won't have to take it off to go check Facebook.
New games for the new consoles
Despite PAX, TGS, Gamescom, Nottingham's own Game City and all the other games expos there are around the world, E3 is still the one most gamers look to for the first teasers for upcoming games. With the PS4 and Xbon One now being 18 months old, this E3 looked set to be the first one where these consoles explode, just as the PS3, 360 and Wii did in 2007. So, what have gamers got to look forward to this holiday season and early next year? Err... erm... how does more remakes, rehashes and sequels sound?
A lot of the gaming press has talked about how this was the greatest E3 for years, but given the last lot of consoles lasted 8 years, that's not really saying very much. Microsoft announced a collection of 30 Rare games, which is an impressive figure for one collection. Called Rare Replay, it covers the whole gamut of Rare's mighty back catalogue, from recent hits like Viva Pinata and Banjo Kazooie Nuts & Bolts to 8-bit classics like Atic Atac and Sabrewulf (both of which I loved when I was a nipper). The collection also includes games that previously only appeared on Nintendo platforms, such as Jet Force Gemini and Blast Corps from the N64 and even Solar Jet Man and RC Pro Am from the NES. Would I buy it? Probably, but that doesn't excuse the fact this is in lieu of anything new from Rare.
Microsoft also announced a feature I thought should have been included from the Xbox One's launch: Xbox 360 backwards compatibility and judging by the reactions on social media, people were clearly pleased with this move. I think this is indicative of the way gaming has changed over the last 8 years; as more and more people build up digital libraries, they expect to be able to access that library for years to come, even beyond the life of the console for which those games were originally released. I think this attitude change is supported by other digital libraries, such as people's iTunes collections. The fact the Xbox One and Xbox 360 have totally different hardware is not something the average punter understands. Add in the intangible nature of digital media and you get expectations of longevity that did not exist back when the previous generation launched. For me, I bought loads of Pinball FX tables and loads of arcade ports, which I would like to continue playing, so I'm hoping Microsoft make good on this feature and don't simply support the big AAA games like Halo, Gears of War and Mass Effect.
Continuing this theme, Sony blew everybody away by revealing a Final Fantasy VII remake was finally coming, although it looks more like a re-imagining than a simple graphical refresh. As someone who has played most of the Final Fantasy's since VII, I can't say it's my favourite, but I understand the love there is for this game. People also lost their minds when Sony showed The Last Guardian — again. This a game that had me chomping at the bit for a PS3 back in 2009, but its development apparently goes all the way back to 2007. With a release date of 2016, this game is going to have to be phenomenal to live up to its near-decade of work and its predecessors on the PS2, Shadow of the Colossus and Ico. To me, it did not look any different to the game Sony showed in 2009, but I'm still glad it isn't as dead as we all thought a few years ago.
The game Sony (sort of) announced that had people most excited was Shenmue III. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, it's worth noting Sony are not making this game or even publishing it until it can stand on its own two feet via a Kickstarter campaign. If Yu Suzuki and his team can raise $2,000,000, Sony will pitch in, otherwise, this game is going nowhere. It's an interesting approach, but one that seems indicative of the cautious and slow-paced nature of this generation.
For many, the Wii U is already dead. The gamepad appears to have been received with either derision or confusion, depending on how much of a gamer you are. I still talk to people who bought Wiis and say they aren't interested in the gamepad, not understanding it's a whole new console that plays nothing like its forebear. Likewise, even hardcore gamers seem to think the Wii U uses motion controls, when in fact only a handful of launch games use that mechanic. Personally, I love it, but I recognise I'm in the minority. In fact, just 3 years after it debuted , the Wii U's 3rd party support has dwindled to just a few titles from Ubisoft, Activision and Disney. EA don't even both making FIFA or John Madden for the Wii U anymore. And with Nintendo already tentatively announcing their next platform, the NX, it appears the Wii U is already on the way out. And I think this is a real shame, because this is genuinely my favourite Nintendo console, offering everything the Wii had, plus lots of backward compatibility and some great exclusives (Mario Kart 8 is stunning). Anyway, there are not many games coming to either the Wii U or the 3DS, but what there is includes:
Continuing this theme, Sony blew everybody away by revealing a Final Fantasy VII remake was finally coming, although it looks more like a re-imagining than a simple graphical refresh. As someone who has played most of the Final Fantasy's since VII, I can't say it's my favourite, but I understand the love there is for this game. People also lost their minds when Sony showed The Last Guardian — again. This a game that had me chomping at the bit for a PS3 back in 2009, but its development apparently goes all the way back to 2007. With a release date of 2016, this game is going to have to be phenomenal to live up to its near-decade of work and its predecessors on the PS2, Shadow of the Colossus and Ico. To me, it did not look any different to the game Sony showed in 2009, but I'm still glad it isn't as dead as we all thought a few years ago.
The game Sony (sort of) announced that had people most excited was Shenmue III. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, it's worth noting Sony are not making this game or even publishing it until it can stand on its own two feet via a Kickstarter campaign. If Yu Suzuki and his team can raise $2,000,000, Sony will pitch in, otherwise, this game is going nowhere. It's an interesting approach, but one that seems indicative of the cautious and slow-paced nature of this generation.
For many, the Wii U is already dead. The gamepad appears to have been received with either derision or confusion, depending on how much of a gamer you are. I still talk to people who bought Wiis and say they aren't interested in the gamepad, not understanding it's a whole new console that plays nothing like its forebear. Likewise, even hardcore gamers seem to think the Wii U uses motion controls, when in fact only a handful of launch games use that mechanic. Personally, I love it, but I recognise I'm in the minority. In fact, just 3 years after it debuted , the Wii U's 3rd party support has dwindled to just a few titles from Ubisoft, Activision and Disney. EA don't even both making FIFA or John Madden for the Wii U anymore. And with Nintendo already tentatively announcing their next platform, the NX, it appears the Wii U is already on the way out. And I think this is a real shame, because this is genuinely my favourite Nintendo console, offering everything the Wii had, plus lots of backward compatibility and some great exclusives (Mario Kart 8 is stunning). Anyway, there are not many games coming to either the Wii U or the 3DS, but what there is includes:
- Super Mario Maker (Wii U)
Finally, a chance to make your own 2D retro platformer. - Star Fox Zero (Wii U)
The first new Star Fox game since the GameCube. - Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash (Wii U)
But sadly, no Wii U golf. - Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U)
Looks set to be another excellent, sprawling JRPG. - Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
Continuing to prove will not be getting any more good Metroid games. - Legend of Zelda: Tri-Force Heroes (3DS)
Three Swords? - Yoshi's Wooly World (Wii U)
My wife's birthday present is sorted. - A bunch of indie games no one will buy.
In summary
Call me a cranky old man, but I actually think this has been an incredibly disappointing E3. There is so little content coming for the Xbox One and PS4, you'll have to buy both just to keep you going until the next E3 and the Wii U continues to be one of the biggest missed opportunities in Nintendo's history. I've already expressed my concerns about VR and the best way to summarise it would be to compare it to 3D movies in the cinema. I've seen about four 3D movies and I liked it, but if I didn't see any more I wouldn't be worried.
