E3 2010 Countdown - What Are You Hoping to See?

The Game Room
21

A little off topic; What the hell is Nintendo going to do when they release their new console? It will probably come along before MS and Sony come out with something new, and now that their systems are ‘upgrading’ to motion control… upgraded graphics alone wont be enough for Wii 2. What’s stopping me, (I only own Nintendo products), from just buying a PS3 with Move? I mean they already have a full library of games I can play. They would need another ‘gimmick’ to really get the attention of gamers. Move is already more advanced than the Wii Remote.

I just wonder how Nintendo will keep up the momentum, now that the Wii’s really looking dated and gamers like me are getting a little bored with the lack of power it provides.

22

They keep all their hot properties close and when things look bad…new Zelda! New Starfox! New Metroid! New Earthbound! And then we all become their whores again.

Ocarina of Time gave Ninty enough cred with me to last for another couple console incarnations. Although I wish someone would tell Miyamoto to stop calling it in until retirement.

23

They’ll win on pricing and casuals, just like they did before. The Wii always looked dated and the games always looked terrible. That kept the price low and profits high. They sold all of their consoles to women who didn’t care. Now they have momentum in that market and they won’t lose it until they burn their audience, so they’re fine for the next generation at least.

The Microsoft presentation was terrible with a few mitigating announcements. The Harmonix dance game for Natal looked all right and the new Xbox “shipping today at the same price” is a nice thing to hear. It made me think about buying one for a few minutes. It was pretty funny when this 4-year-old asian girl started demoing the Nintendogs knockoff and was a better presenter than everyone before. That ESPN thing is pretty slick too, if you’re American.

The EA presentation was pretty good, but I only caught the last hour so maybe it wasn’t all good. Madden is getting easier. That’s good. One step closer to the return of Midway-style sports games. No Battlefield 3. Goodbye my sweetheart, Hello Vietnam. I need to get Bad Company 2 from the Steam sale today. Sims 3 on consoles. Woo? Crytek went all cliffyB. Then it actually was cliffyB. I liked how he talked about how nice it was to work on a franchise and new world, but everything looks exactly like Unreal Tournament still… just desaturated. Hadouken Jedi! I guess every MMO needs a caster class.

Ubisoft presentation was just terrible. It’s climatic ending pretty much summed it up.

24

After some “hardcore game” droughts with the Wii, (remember, that’s all I own), I’m getting a little frustrated with Nintendo. This will be a good year for them, but I don’t have a short term memory.

Why would casuals want to upgrade though?

On topic; What stream is the best to watch? Last year I had two on my screen. Gametrailer with the sound up, and IGN, that I watched because it had better quality, but was a bit delayed. Anyone find one was particularly better than the other last night? I don’t get G4, will it air on Spike TV, (I just see CSI scheduled)? I know Nintendo’s own web site will stream it.

I guess in short, how will YOU be watching?

25

IGN’s stream here: http://www.youtube.com/e3

Nintendo is live.

26

So what we have is;

Wii:
Zelda (next year:()
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Metroid Other M
Epic Mickey
Mario Sports Mix
Wii Party
Just Dance 2
GoldenEye

DS:
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

3DS:
3D movies (From Disney, Warner Bros. and Dreamworks)
Kid Icarus
(Talked about games for the system)
Nintendogs. And Cats
DJ Hero
Metal Gear Solid
Resident Evil

Not a bad show, but I wish Zelda were coming this year. It still looks great. Not a big Metroid fan, but it looks good as well. I hope Epic Mickey is out by the end of the year. It looks great. 3DS looks great, but I want to know more about it. is there a multi-touch screen? What about the “rumble” in the stylus?

27

Quick, what are today’s winning lottery tickets?

Congratulations on the call.

28

Wow! I’ve never been right on a blind call like that before. Very cool!

29

Blind call? Nice - I thought you knew something.

30

It’s probably a little of both. There have been so many Kid Icarus rumors over the years (including involving the eventual developer, Project Sora) that somebody had to get it right sometime.

But man, that 3DS lineup is… dare I say it… epic.

And Sony is screwed in the handheld world unless they announce a PSP2 today.

31

Rock Band 3. Keyboards, and ‘Pro’ instruments that are actually real instruments and you’re playing the real parts. The new pro guitar is just a Fender Squier Strat with sensors to detect which frets the strings are contacting.

That’s very exciting to me. I’ve played guitar on and off for years, but never with enough intensity to get really good at it. But I play Rock Band almost every night. If I can switch in a real guitar now and build up my skills and have fun doing it, I’m in heaven.

And Keyboards! I took piano lessons years ago, but again, practicing scales and playing “Lightly Row” is really boring. Rock Band 3 promises to make learning real instruments fun. I can hardly wait.

32

Maybe, but the set list released so far is a big disappointment. I’m hoping the rest of it will redeem that.

33

The 3DS is really interesting and the few first impressions I’ve read seem to be very positive. The question I have is how they’ll be able to integrate the touch controls on the lower screen with the 3D visuals on the upper screen. Maybe there will be less use of the touch controls on the 3DS, and more use of the traditional controls, which would be fine by me. There have been DS games that work well, but also a few (Prince of Persia, Zelda), where they are poor or at least unnecessary.

34

Are you kidding? “Bohemian Rhapsody” alone makes this a day-one buy for me.

Other than RB3, the one thing I’ve been really excited for has been Portal 2. My wish is granted.

Here’s a cam-vid showing some of the new gameplay. Looks incredible (and just hearing GLaDOS again is giving me chills)!

35

:eek: whoa, is this coming to Wii? Have prices been released? Release date?

36

More info and hopefully game play and screen shots for Shogun II. Maybe some additional information about Diablo III, and maybe something on the Fallout MMO (if it’s even a reality). Same with Civ V.

-XT

37

Yeah, but that’s it! A whole lotta nothing after that. I’d rather just DLC that in return for a handful of decent songs in the RB3 setlist.

38

It is coming to the Wii. Sometime in the fall. Here’s the prices for the Pro instruments:

·Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard Controller – Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 / Wii

Designed for use exclusively with Rock Band 3, the Wireless Keyboard Controller has been crafted to resemble classic professional keyboards and is playable on a secure flat surface or while strapped over the player’s shoulder. Empowering gamers to take their enjoyment of rhythm music gaming to the next level, the Wireless Keyboard Controller also functions as a MIDI keyboard, boasting a two-octave (C3 to C5) range and non-weighted, velocity-sensitive key bed allowing gamers to take full advantage of the Rock Band Pro mode. The MIDI output connector provides compatibility with MIDI software sequencers and hardware devices while standard console-specific gaming controller buttons deliver seamless console integration and the Wireless Keyboard Controller can also be used to play the lead guitar or bass parts of the game. An optional Keyboard Stand will be sold separately and is expected to be available alongside the launch of Rock Band 3.

MSRP: $79.99

·Rock Band 3 Game & Wireless Keyboard Controller Bundle

Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 / Wii

Ideal for gamers who wish to enjoy the holiday seasons hottest music title and latest instrument together, the bundle includes both the Rock Band 3 game and Wireless Keyboard Controller, representing a convenient and excellent value purchase for music fans everywhere.

MSRP: $129.99

·Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar Controller

Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 / Wii

Introducing a new level of realism to the rhythm music genre, the Wireless Fender Mustang PRO-GuitarController is designed for use exclusively with Rock Band 3, allowing gamers to accurately replicate a real guitar when playing Rock Band Pro mode in the game. Featuring 17 frets along a button-based neck, the Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar includes a 6-string strumming area which allows for discrete picking of each string and a touch-sensitive string box which allows players to mute or ‘cut-off’ notes when pressed. In addition, the Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar operates as a fully functional MIDI guitar, with the MIDI output connector providing compatibility with MIDI software sequencers and hardware devices while standard console-specific gaming controller buttons deliver seamless console integration and navigation of the game menus. The Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar allows for left or right handed use and can also be used to play either lead or bass parts of the game in Rock Band Pro and standard game modes.

MSRP: $149.99

·Rock Band 3 Wireless PRO-Cymbals Expansion Kit – Universal

Compatible with all wireless Rock Band drum kits, the Wireless PRO-Cymbals Expansion Kit features three newly designed Rock Band 3 cymbals which have been re-engineered for quiet operation. Fully supporting the Rock Band Pro mode where the cymbals represent Hi-Hat, Crash and Ride, the cymbals can also be used in standard game modes for all Rock Band software. Improved from the Rock BandTM 2 cymbals, the new PRO-Cymbals boast quieter sound with noise-dampening rubber covering the full surface area of the cymbal. The PRO-Cymbals also feature enhanced responsiveness, essential when playing in Rock Band Pro mode. In addition, the redesigned Rock Band 3 cymbals now permanently rest at a pre-defined 10° angle, better positioned for accurate play. The PRO-Cymbals are also available as part of the Rock Band 3 Wireless Drum and Cymbal Kit (sold separately).

MSRP: $39.99

· Rock Band 3 MIDI PRO-Adapter – Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 / Wii

Designed for use exclusively with Rock Band 3, theMIDI PRO-Adapter allows musicians to use their real MIDI keyboards or MIDI drum sets to play Rock Band 3. Plugging directly into the console via USB, the MIDI PRO-Adapter works as an interface between the console and MIDI instrument, converting the MIDI messages into console controller data which the game translates into on screen action. The MIDI PRO-Adapter features a velocity sensitive adjustment for MIDI drums designed to reduce cross-talk during play. A full D-Pad and standard gaming controller buttons are located on the PRO-Adapter to deliver seamless console integration and navigation of the game menus. Ships with a removable clip, allowing MIDI PRO-Adapter to be attached to a belt, or rest on a table top or similar flat surface.

MSRP: $39.99

39

Thanks, JB. This is pretty exciting. I think Rock Band has finally become what a lot of people thought Guitar Hero was when it debuted.

40

One other instrument was missed, and it’s the most exciting one: The Fender Squier Strat:

When using this guitar, Rock Band 3’s guitar alley displays a form of tablature that accurately notates the song for guitar. Basically, you’ll still see notes coming at you, but the note will have a number on it telling you which fret to press. The six note lane now represents strings instead of five buttons. The chord letter is shown beside a bar showing you fret positions if you’re supposed to strum a chord.

For example, if you saw:



   ---------------------
   |    |    |    |    |
G  3    2    |    |    3
   |    |    |    |    |
   ---------------------

You would play a ‘G’ chord when that note line hits the beat line by pressing the 3rd fret of the first string, the second fret of the second string, and the third fret of the 6th string and strumming.

To me, it looks like standard guitar tablature, except running vertically instead of left to right. You should be able to play any song whatsoever this way, note-perfect.

What remains to be seen is how hard it is. Learning guitar is not easy. It takes dexterity, finger strength and other physical skills as well as knowledge. Reading tablature in real time could be much, much more difficult than reading standard Rock Band notation. If the learning curve is too steep, it might not be much fun. But I suspect Harmonix has it tested pretty well, and their gameplay designers are extremely good.

This game could actually revolutionize music instruction and bring it to the masses. If it makes real music learning fun and accessible, it will be a great thing that will transcend just gaming.