E3, gaming’s biggest annual trade show, has come and gone, producing some exciting revelations. The headline maker was what many see as the future of gaming - motion gaming.
Motion gaming, the inevitable advance from Nintendo Wii technology was given prime viewing by Microsoft as they unveiled their 'Kinect' hardware. Sony will compete with Microsoft with 'Playstation Move'. Both are set to be released at a similar time towards the end of the year.
I haven’t experienced them but you can’t help but be a bit sceptical. The Wii has enjoyed considerable success, though it does grow a bit tiresome after a while and the novelty wears off. That is one fear I have for these projects.
The question is whether Kinect and Move will prove to be just an add-on to the respective consoles or a lasting piece of technology that will dramatically alter future releases.
There will be plenty of titles available at the launches; no doubt plenty more details will emerge between now and then anyway. So while Microsoft and Sony move into the motion gaming market, Nintendo will focus on taking steps into handheld 3D gaming with the Nintendo 3DS.
The gaming giant claims it will produce 3D graphics without users having to wear the glasses that are usually needed for the effect. It will be compatible with both Nintendo DS and DSi games, as well as the release of several 3DS titles promised.
There were of course several exciting titles unveiled at the show. It is difficult to single out just a few but there are a few sequels and original titles to look forward to.
Additions to the Ghost Recon, Fall Out and Gran Turismo series’ look very promising.
Rage will enter the first-person shooter market in as a multi-platform release, while I hope to have more on Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood shortly.
It was great to see a sequel to Portal is on the horizon. Portal was a spectacular puzzle and action game that demonstrated the capabilities of the 360 and PS3 when they were new to the market.
It has taken years to develop and by all accounts the preview at E3 was spectacular, but unfortunately we will have to wait until the beginning of next year for its full release.
It promises to be another interesting year.
Rory Houston
