Geek Tuesday: My Thoughts on E3 2012

Image Courtesy of Forbes Blog contributor, John Gaudiosi

Every year, the first week of June, marks the world’s largest gamer geek nerdgasm. It is the annual video game conference and show at the Los Angeles Convention center. It is the venue for all the computer and console gaming companies (from Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, to Ubisoft and EA) to attempt to wow the gaming crowd with their newest secret projects.

This year. Well, let’s just say, I was left a tad bit disappointed. First of all, I missed every single press release live webcast. But what I did manage to see left me listless. There were no real hard-core WOW moments that got my blood pumping and skin crawling.

I had been waiting to see more about Halo 4. I’ve been playing Halo since the first day. We got the xBox when it first came out and Halo was our very first game. And when xBox Live came out in Beta, we managed to secure a spot on their test panel and Halo was the game they used to test their Live option. We own every release of Halo since. So, Halo has a special place in our hearts.

Last year gave us the teaser trailer for Halo 4. We’ve been wondering how 343 Studios will handle the Halo story. Will they do it justice? Will they butcher it? I mean, it was Bungie’s baby, right? But damn, after watching the E3 2012 Live Action Trailer…

We’ve had bits and pieces of live action before (Birth of a Spartan), so this isn’t new. But it still hints at a full length movie. They scrapped the first one and used the set for District 9, saying it was too expensive to produce. I’m sure they would more than make up for it in sales when the fan boys and girls would go see it over and over again! It would probably be THE. BEST. live action game to movie movie ever made! But, that’s my opinion. 🙂

PS: Everyone loves Master Chief. Well, I like him and all. But I fawn over Cortana! I’m such a fangirl! They BETTER NOT kill her! I will be devastated!

So, yeah, I think this one is going to play well, and live up to the story. Here’s a link to the Official Gameplay video Microsoft released at E3 this year.

The only other game I am totally excited for, Ubisoft’s Assassins Creed 3. I started with this story a little late. I bought my Assassins Creed used, about a year and a half after its initial release. But once I played it, I was totally hooked. The gameplay was different from FPS. And I loved the challenges of stealing/killing without being seen or caught.

But, the thing that hooked me the most was the story! OMG! Amazing! Historical accuracy, mixed with fictional scenarios. It was like I was playing a book! I have an affinity for history. And, since I am a writer, I do love me a good story! I fell in love with Altair. Then, I helped birth Ezio Auditore da Firenze. He grew up, and I helped shape his character. I killed along side him. I became him.  I spent an entire lifetime with the man, helping to further his cause. And then, I watched him die.

But that’s only half the story. Desmond is in the here and now. He is the one controlling the memories. He is the one who will inevitably be the one to solve the puzzle. And you are him as well. Although we’ve finished both Altair and Ezio’s stories, there are still so many questions left unanswered. And now, Ubisoft will be transporting us into a part of the American Revolution we have never seen, through the eyes of Connor (and Desmond).

Ubisoft has been working on a new game engine for the last 3 years and will be releasing it with Assassins Creed 3. I so cannot wait! I still get chills watching this! (maybe I am weird, but I don’t care. I love the history, AND the story!)

Ubisoft also released a new assassin, a girl. Assassins Creed III: Liberation will only be released with the Playstation Vita. This makes me incredibly sad because I refuse to buy a system for only one game.

The only other announcement I found remotely fascinating was Microsoft’s Smartglass technology.

Microsoft has always been known to be behind in releasing new technology. In my opinion, they’ve been WAY TOO FAR behind. For example, their Zune and their Windows Phone came out so far after the iPod/iPhone that Apple  held the majority of popularity. When they finally came out with their versions, well, they couldn’t garner any support and quickly shelved it (at least the Zune. I am sure the Windows Phone won’t be far behind). I’m sad. I own 2. I like the Zune. I used to like my Windows Phone, before they made it so…just so blah. I went to Android when the latest Windows Phone OS became available.)

But maybe it’s because I am anti-Apple? I don’t know. My husband says that’s the reason. Who knows. I mean, we have an iPad. But I rarely use it. I’ve ported Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich OS on my HP Touchpad. 🙂 I think I have always had an aversion to mainstream hype. (I never did like the teenage heart throbs when I was younger either. Never understood all the hype!)

I am pleasantly surprised that Microsoft will now open up the xBox for iPads, iPhones, and Android devices through the free smartphone app (Smartglass). At least, they didn’t wait until 2 years from now. 🙂

So, are you a gamer? Did you watch the E3 coverage? What was your favorite?