Who won E3 2013?

Posted on by Colin McMahon

Sony. I’m going to go into a breakdown in a second but seriously: Sony. This does not come from a fanboy, I have never owned a Sony console before. It should be pretty obvious from my previous posts that my personal favorite is Nintendo. However, of the three console manufacturers, Sony clearly had the best overall presentation. Does that mean Nintendo and Microsoft sucked: no. This has been a great E3 overall with many exciting announcements. Below are the highlights as well as my reasoning process in determining Sony as the winner.

The Good:

Microsoft highlighted their E3 presentation with what had been sorely lacking at the Xbox One reveal: games. A short list includes Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Destiny, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Thief and Watch Dogs. Microsoft’s best highlight went beyond just touting their upcoming game library. Without a doubt, the reason anyone is talking Xbox One right now (in a positive light anyway) is to discuss the console’s strong opening list of exclusives. In total, seventeen exclusives were unveiled for Microsoft’s next generation system. True, some games like Titanfall are only console exclusives (the game is also coming to the PC) but still that is a huge list for Microsoft to be proud of. If Xbox One can manage to hold onto these exclusives, they will have no trouble finding people to buy their system… if (talk more about this a little later).

Titanfall comes from the creators of Call of Duty, arguably the most influential game developers of the past ten years. The fact that it is skipping the PS4 is huge and not to be overlooked.
Titanfall comes from the creators of Call of Duty, arguably the most influential game developers of the past ten years. The fact that it is skipping the PS4 is huge and not to be overlooked.

Nintendo had no surprises for anyone this year. Their upcoming game library is heavy on the 1st party support and light on the 3rd party. Audiences were treated to first looks at Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Sonic Lost World, Bayonetta 2, and Super Smash Bros. What, I said it was predictable, I didn’t say it wasn’t good. Yes, Nintendo is still looking lousy with the third party support but they have survived on their own development teams ever since the Nintendo Gamecube. With a lower price tag than the other two systems and the most freedom (with regards to used games and no DRM) Nintendo is looking in good shape to finally fix their Wii U selling problem… you know, once the games are actually out.

Mega Man highlighted the first three newcomers to Super Smash Bros. If that doesn't make you want to own this game than I don't know what will.
Mega Man highlighted the first three newcomers to Super Smash Bros. If that doesn’t make you want to own this game than I don’t know what will.

The Bad:

I know I’m behind schedule with my next Special Address (focused on rape culture, misogyny and video games) but this needs to be mentioned. During Microsoft’s E3 press conference, the game, Killer Instinct was showcased. Now anyone who has ever seen a Microsoft press conference will know two things are bound to happen: there will be a new Call of Duty game showcased and every line of scripted dialogue that attempts to emulate actual video game lingo will be absolutely horrible. This year took the latter to a new height. It stopped being just horrible in terms of delivery, it became horrible in content. So here is what happened: one of the games’ developers invited a woman on stage to play. Here is the dialogue that transpired:

Man: “Come on you got to practice before you get on stage in front of millions of people.”

Woman: “I can’t even block correctly and you’re too fast.”

Man: “There we go. Just let it happen. It will be over soon.”

Woman: “You have a fight stick!”

Man: “One more. Wow you like those?”

Woman: “No I don’t like this.”

Okay… so I shouldn’t have to say much about why that was unacceptable. But crap like this is the reason I am writing my articles and why millions out there are also writing and educating and trying to make a change. It’s not okay. If you think: “ah, all in good fun” – yeah, it wasn’t meant maliciously but right now that doesn’t matter. Here’s an idea for this guy: how about you teach her to play next time beforehand. Or what – did he not want to get embarrassed by a woman in front of millions of people?

The presentation in question where the incident occurred. Note: this had absolutely nothing to do with Killer Instinct. Not a video game's fault that that guy is a jackass.
The presentation in question where the incident occurred. Note: this had absolutely nothing to do with Killer Instinct. Not a video game’s fault that that guy is a jackass.

Okay, last bad thing: no further plans from either Sony or Microsoft to support backwards comparability. Hope you enjoy your PS3 and 360 cause you’re not going to be able to get rid of them. This is the best argument for returning to the PC: every time they upgrade a computer, you don’t have to re-buy all of your old games. Seriously, why is Nintendo the only one supporting this?

Why Sony Won:

I didn’t talk about Sony’s press conference under the good. I would have except it would have made this section redundant. Yes, right now Microsoft is leading with overall video game content (their exclusives can’t be ignored). Sony doesn’t have much in the way of exclusive game content right now… but that doesn’t mean it won’t change. Here’s the thing about exclusives, they don’t always stay exclusive. Remember when Rayman Legends was a Wii U exclusive? That changed before the release. Why: because the Wii U isn’t selling well enough to warrant Ubisoft taking a profit loss to release a game exclusively for it. Game developers want to make money. That’s what drives everything. Right now the Xbox One has a lot of exclusives and some of those it can hold onto (the ones made by companies directly owned by Microsoft) but what about the other ones? They didn’t do a great job of it last generation. Remember Mass Effect? You can enjoy that on the PlayStation 3 now.

Point is, the Xbox One needs to be successful right out of the launch. If it isn’t, Microsoft may very well lose a lot of their “exclusives” to Sony. I should point out that it will be hard to beat PlayStation 4 at launch for two reasons: first off – MONEY! While the Xbox One will cost $500, the Sony PlayStation 4 will only cost $400 (and the Wii U currently costs $350 at maximum). This means the Xbox One will be the most expensive system this generation. Last generation the Sony PlayStation 3 was the highest costing and their launch was… not great.

Here’s the other reason:

Sony's K.O. punch of E3 2013.
Sony’s K.O. punch of E3 2013.

Microsoft has been vague (at best) on their conditions of used game restrictions, need for constant internet and DRM implications. Sony has not been. Furthermore, they have come out as the exact opposite in many of the areas the One has been most criticized for. This does not look good for Microsoft. Not good at all. While Nintendo has (wisely) bowed out of direct competition in favor of their own market, the PS4 and One are going head to head. Right now, there is no reason to own both (anyone who buys both should please send extra money to me, clearly you have it). So, as Optimus Prime once famously said: “One shall stand, one shall fall.”

I know, that was way too nerdy… I’ll stop now.

Sidenote: Project Spark seems to be the most intriguing game that no one is talking about. I recommend everyone go on youtube and check out the videos, it looks really cool!
Side note: Project Spark seems to be the most intriguing game that no one is talking about. I recommend everyone go on Youtube and check out the videos, it looks really cool!
Further side note: there is a new Battlefront game coming. Awesome.
Further side note: there is a new Battlefront game coming. Awesome.

Thoughts? Comments? Am I full of it or onto something? Let me know now in the feedback section of this article.

Marketing Method: Xbox One

Posted on by Colin McMahon

As of yesterday the stage is now set for the eighth generation of video game consoles. From Nintendo, the 3Ds and the Wii U. From Sony, the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation Vita. Now finally, during a press conference yesterday, Microsoft unveiled its newest home console: the Xbox One. The announcement and subsequent press conference have been the subject of the video game world for the past 24 hours. Namely: what does everyone think. What is the Xbox One? What games does it have? What about used games? Why is the third console called One? Do I need to use the new Kinect? For my part, I am going to do my best to cut through the hype and presentation to talk about what was said and, more importantly: why Microsoft said it. Every company has a plan and Microsoft has made their target goal apparent (just look at the name).

The brand new system pictured above. The new Kinect on top, then the console itself and finally the new controller design.
The brand new system pictured above. The new Kinect on top, then the console itself and finally the new controller design.

So let’s talk about that press conference. First thing’s first: the name. Microsoft announced its new console name after showcasing one desire above all others – they want the Xbox One to be the one system used for everything in your living room (as long as that everything doesn’t include playing Xbox 360 games). As long as you’re in the United States you can integrate the Xbox One with your television, allowing it essentially to replace your current network service (satellite and cable are going the way of the dodo) and, thanks to a new deal with the NFL, I believe you can watch football games in real time on it as well. That is, as long as you’re in the United States (Ammurrica!).

So does that mean you need a remote control? Of course not, that’s what the new Kinect (and controller) are for. The Kinect 2 (I think that’s its name at the moment) is always listening and will allow the Xbox One to be turned on a navigated by simple voice commands. Microsoft is marketing this as simple and streamlined and admittedly, it does sound so. However the idea of a camera/microphone device that is “always on” can be seen as unsettling and potentially invasive. Good news is that Microsoft promises security and privacy will be top priorities. This will ultimately boil down to an issue of consumer trust.

The new Kinect will allow for much more detailed and accurate body mapping. Again please keep in mind that this new and improved camera is always on.
The new Kinect will allow for much more detailed and accurate body mapping. Again please keep in mind that this new and improved camera is always on.

That being said, it is great to see Microsoft making an effort to streamline the TV experience for Americans in 2013. Their service does look weak, however, compared to Nintendo’s currently offered TVii service, which is essentially the same thing and currently available to families in the USA, Canada and Japan (Europe is expected to launch later this year). But anyway, this is not comparison time, this is marketing time.

Further proof for Microsoft’s plan to usurp current television providers came in the announcement of Steven Spielberg’s live action television series, Halo. Please note that Spielberg is simply an executive producer for this series meaning his involvement may be as limited as essentially throwing money at it. The show will, of course, be based off of the popular Halo video games series that is Microsoft’s bread-and-butter exclusive. Microsoft appears to be marketing now in the vein of HBO (not that this is a bad thing). Might we expect a Gears of War or Fable television series if Halo proves financially successful: count on it.

There was no mistake in dropping the name, Game of Thrones, directly before unveiling Halo.
There was no mistake in dropping the name, Game of Thrones, directly before unveiling Halo.

Again all this coming to you through Microsoft’s grand plan to streamline and improve television. Next up let’s talk communications: Skype will be integrated into this new Xbox meaning that if you want to call and talk to someone during a game or show/movie, it will be possible to run it in the background. I’m not sure about anyone else but the idea of more interaction with the Xbox Live community can only be seen as a double-edged sword to me. Also… Nintendo is already doing this.

In case you ever wanted to talk to someone while watching Star Trek... but not just invite them over your house.
In case you ever wanted to talk to someone while watching Star Trek… but not just invite them over your house.

The final portion of Microsoft’s conference addressed what, to many, was the central issue: the games. With E3 only weeks away, Microsoft decided to play coy, simply teasing that the system had 15 exclusives on the way for the first year with 8 of them being new IP (intellectual property – basically meaning new franchises). The only exclusive (I think it’s exclusive) game reveal we received was Quantum Break, a video game from the makers of Max Payne and Alan Wake that appears to have a large focus on cheesy acting. Seriously watch the trailer – what is this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_64IZNgxPKs. Also the new Call of Duty is coming to the Xbox One and it has a dog!

"Rello rand relcome ro Rall rof Ruty: Rhosts!"
“Rello rand relcome ro Rall rof Ruty: Rhosts!”

Do the games look noticeably more powerful: yes with an “if”. That “if” is the same cynical “if” that must accompany all early video game press, especially when new systems are concerned. If it really looks that good.

Now here is the last thing and the biggest. What information didn’t Microsoft market. What do they know about the Xbox One that they would only say when directly asked. Namely two issues have risen up and both of them have considerably irked the consumer base. First, as implied earlier, the Xbox One will not be able to play Xbox 360 games. This looks troubling on Microsoft as Nintendo’s Wii U is fully backwards compatible (plays all Wii games out of the box) and Sony is exploring an emulation service to allow people to continue their PS3 experience onto the PS4. In an age of economic recession, this is more damaging. People want to replace their 360s, not simply purchase another system.

The second tidbit is this: you will probably be charged an additional fee by Microsoft if you purchase and try to play used games. What this means is that the Xbox One discs are encoded to the first system they are played on. After that, the code kicks in and a fee will be charged. Obviously this was created as a maneuver against the selling of used games (which Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo don’t see a penny for and are understandably peeved about). However, what this also prohibits is lending games. If my friend and I both have Xbox One’s and wish to lend each other games, we will still be charged. Again, this is not being received well.

So there you have it, marketing triumphs and pitfalls from day one of Xbox One’s life. How do I feel about this new system personally: I don’t know enough to have an opinion yet. I will be doing a side-by-side-by-side comparison of the big three after E3 comes and we have a bit more info. Initial impulses, however, leave me unimpressed. As said before, my television has already been streamlined thanks to my Wii U (as a free service I might add) so none of Xbox One’s features appeal to me on that end. The lack of backwards compatibility is also really condemning right now as I just don’t have room for another system (especially one as big as the Xbox One).

Now, lastly, about that name. Is it as bad as say, the Wii U? No, but it’s close. I don’t understand calling your new system a “one” when a “4” is being released the same year. Also your last system was called 360, so this new number is 359 digits lower. Yet it is still clearly a new system at least. Yay Microsoft for that one. Now comes the big question, knowing this: are you interested?

Personally, I don't think day one really showed off the Xbox One's "good side".
Personally, I don’t think day one really showed off the Xbox One’s “good side”.

Thoughts? Comments? Am I full of shit or onto something? Let me know now in the feedback section of this article.

Think I was too harsh or too full of praise? Check out these alternative takes:

http://kotaku.com/that-xbox-one-reveal-sure-was-a-disaster-huh-509192266

http://kotaku.com/mainstream-media-reacts-to-the-xbox-one-509243303

http://kotaku.com/the-next-xbox-is-called-xbox-one-509069410

Nintendo and the Importance of Friends in Third-Party Places

Posted on by Colin McMahon

With the new Microsoft console announcement tomorrow and E3 only weeks away, video games are about to enjoy their annual place at the forefront of media. No matter which gaming site you go to, you’ll find excitement for the PS4 and the “Xbox Infinity” (rumored name). You’ll also find a lot of news from studio of software developers disparaging the Nintendo Wii U. It’s not looking good for the big N right now. The only time the Wii U makes headlines is when someone talks trash about it. Not the notoriety you want with a platform. But over the past few weeks as I’ve read more and more reports of how bad of a system the Wii U is, I cannot help but feel there is something else going on right now. This can’t be about the Wii U, if it is then these developers really need to shut their mouths because their arguments don’t work and, indeed, incriminate them more than Nintendo. No, what we’re seeing now is the result of poor treatment and poor communication. What we’re seeing now is the result of all those years where Nintendo was a jerk to third-party publishers.

Let me go back to that first point. It sounds very fanboy: companies should shut up about the Wii U. They should but I will elaborate on this. Let’s start with the most recent comments from EA software engineer, Bob Summerwill. Here is a wonderful recent tweet from Bob, enjoy: “The Wii U is crap. Less powerful than an XBOX 360. Poor online/store. Weird tablet. Nintendo are the walking dead at this point.” Wow, strong words. He went on the say more (before everything was mysteriously retracted) but this is the gist. They are sentiments that have been echoed (less harshly) from other software developers. But let’s break down this tweet and see what is really means.

Regardless of what Nintendo is doing, I think we can all agree that EA should be the last publisher to comment on "quality".
Regardless of what Nintendo is doing, I think we can all agree that EA should be the last publisher to comment on “quality”.

I’m doing to disregard the first sentence for now and start with the second: “Less powerful than an XBOX 360”. Is this true: unknown. What is obvious is that the Wii U will not stack up against the new Xbox or the PS4. Nintendo hasn’t been coy about this, they’ve been very open that graphical horsepower is not an area where they feel they can directly compete (they are a much smaller company than Microsoft or Sony). So, just how powerful is the Wii U? Unknown (there’s too few games out to see for certain) but Nintendo has commented on its horsepower fairly recently, stating that they are aware that some companies do not believe the Wii U is powerful.

“It is a fact that some software development companies assume that Wii U is not powerful enough,” Iwata said. “On the contrary, some developers say in interviews that Wii U has a different architecture from other consoles and that, when utilized in the right way, it can perform well. At the moment, there is a great deal of contradictory information… Nintendo is required to make more efforts to dispel such a misconception,” he said. “In fact, some software companies are actively supporting Wii U and others are not. It is important to have supportive companies enjoy successful sales of a game and feel that their decision to develop something for Wii U was correct.” That comes from Satoru Iwata, one of the heads of Nintendo. Interesting to note that right now the Wii U is sounding like the PS3: another system that took heat for being poorly designed (even first-party developers had/still have a lot of trouble with it).

Okay so more talk (we still need to see games to be sure) but really, is this point even relevant? Since when did EA and other publishers care about graphical power? They were in full support of the Nintendo Wii back in the day. You can’t tell me that the Wii U will have as great a power differential as the Wii had with 360 and PS3. No but the Wii was a cultural juggernaut in the way that Wii U (so far) is not. But still, a Wii supporter criticizing graphical power? That doesn’t make sense.

You guys were really on board on this when it was being developed. What really happened to get you to abandon it so quickly? Don't say graphics.
You guys were really on board on this when it was being developed. What really happened to get you to abandon it so quickly? Don’t say graphics.

Now we come to the part that rings with the most truth (at least for EA). “Poor online/store.” Hmm, that is telling. While there is no evidence (at the moment) to support the following article, I would advise everyone to read it. Very interesting stuff that would explain why the “EA-Nintendo partnership” evaporated over night: http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/xnt5r/whatever_happened_to_the_groundbreaking/. Could that be a conspiracy theory: yes. Does it make sense without anything super crazy or illegal: yes.

I want to be fair to EA and other third-party publishers. Nintendo does have a bad online system. Their lack of profiles or the ability to register your games into an account is really poor. But the largest group wronged by these decisions is the consumers. We’re the ones with a lack of security. If anything, Nintendo’s system makes it more likely I would have to repay companies for games. I can see them supporting a flawed system like that.

If this is the reason why EA won't make Nintendo games anymore, all I can say is good for Nintendo for not allowing the Wii U to be a puppet for Origin.
If this is the reason why EA won’t make Nintendo games anymore, all I can say is good for Nintendo for not allowing the Wii U to be a puppet for Origin.

Okay, let’s move on to the main point for most companies: “weird tablet”. Look at that thing (pictured above). It is not the average controller. Moreover it creates a new problem for console developers who are used to making games for one screen (now they have two). It means that companies need to put more people (whole teams) on developing for the Wii U. That’s a lot of man power for an investment that is anything but financially secure (at the moment). Nintendo has a long history of third-party games being nowhere near as financially profitable as first-party titles. Yet if tablets are such a big deal, why am I not hearing more about problems with this:

Sony: succeeding without original ideas since 2007.
Sony: succeeding without original ideas since 2007.

The PlayStation 4 also has a tablet controller. I’m not a betting man but I wouldn’t be surprised if the “Xbox Infinity” also has one as well. Touch screens are very viable control options that allow for a tremendous increase in ability to control certain aspects. Also these companies were quick to jump on board with the Wiimote, Kinect and Playstation Move (see previous comment about lack of creativity). This proves that new methods of control are not a crippling blow to development. So “weird tablet”, sorry but if that’s valid criticism against Nintendo, it applies to Sony as well.

So what’s the deal? Why all this hatred? The Wii U is barely half a year old and yet it seems that many game developers aren’t willing to give it a chance. Remember the PlayStation 3? It did not sell nearly as many units as the Wii U did at launch and while I remember concerns being voiced, it was nowhere near this level. Also let’s remember that the Xbox 360 console launched with  a failure rate of 23.7% (that’s in 2009 so they had already had a couple years to try and improve it). So when nearly 1 in every 4 Xbox 360s broke, I still have heard less people calling that a crappy system.

Because Sony and Microsoft make nice with the giant third-party developers. No secret that Nintendo has a track record of changing games and keeping companies in the dark when it comes to third-party. These companies had quiet anger during the Wii’s success. Now that time is over and the Wii U has become the new whipping boy because it is different and people aren’t taking to it like they took to the Wii.

This is sad because, in my opinion, the Wii U is the best chance (console-wise) to inject innovation back into the AAA market. Games play differently on it, it’s not just about graphics. Funny story, after playing Rage this past weekend, I think the debate “do graphics make a game” can finally be put to rest (seriously it was one of the prettiest and most BORING games I have ever played. You know what game looks worse but is infinitely better? Fallout 3).

Has Nintendo made mistakes: yes. Are they a stupid company: in their own way, of course. Do they care more about getting your money than making a good game: that one is actually debatable. It is because of that last answer that I want Nintendo to succeed. They are driven by the dollar, they need it to exist. However they are also the last video game company making a console (both Sony and Microsoft are media corporations). I want the Wii U to have its fair chance.

So call me a fanboy but I’m not ready to denounce a system as “crap” six months out of the gate. I will and have already condemned the handling of the launch but as for the system itself: the Nintendo Wii U is anything but second-rate. I only hope that Nintendo can convince enough people of that as time is running out.

Sad to see EA stop supporting Wii U as it had the perfect controller for Sports games.
Sad to see EA stop supporting Wii U as it had the perfect controller for Sports games.

On a side-note: you know what would have helped? A killer E3 press conference showing off games like the new Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, Mario and Zelda titles. Apparently all those games will be there yet Nintendo didn’t feel like the major media spotlight of a press conference was the way to go. Better use those Nintendo-Directs that so many less people are aware of. Seriously, what are they smoking over there and how do I get some?

Thoughts? Comments? Am I full of shit or onto something? Let me know now in the feedback section of this article.

Also, get informed on the discussion with help of these informative links:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/crytek-explains-why-crysis-3-wii-u-had-to-die-6404763

http://www.nowgamer.com/news/1806615/dev_wii_u_has_potential_to_be_more_popular_than_wii.html

http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/team-ninja-head-fires-back-at-metro-developers-in-defense-of-wii-u/

http://kotaku.com/ea-has-no-games-in-development-for-nintendos-wii-u-507588994

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-22-thq-clarifies-wii-u-horrible-slow-cpu-claim-but-developer-concern-remains