E3 2011 Predictions

We are a couple of weeks away from E3 and it looks like most of the biggest news that would come out of E3 is already being released. Assassin’s Creed Revelations was revealed today and Nintendo’s new console was revealed a few weeks ago. I figured I would post my predictions for E3 this year as I have done in the past.

Microsoft

Kinect Games for core gamers, this is something that has to come to fruition if Microsoft wants Kinect to be taken seriously by core gamers. I expect that in some way they will be mixing the controller (or a new controller) with Kinect.

While Microsoft hasn’t released a new Halo game the same year as Gears of War, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t going to be shown at E3. There are rumors that a Halo remake is in the works, but also rumblings of a Halo 4. Either way it is safe to assume that 343 Studios is working on something to do with Halo.

Updates have been a part of their console since day 1. Your console OS doesn’t even resemble what it did when the Xbox360 first debuted, so it’s feasible to think that their maybe another big update to the software of the system. Perhaps something like the Playstation Home?

Nintendo

Nintendo just launched a console and they have already confirmed the successor to the Wii, so it’s safe to assume that we will see the Wii2 in action come E3. With the Wii the biggest draw when it came out was the controller. With something that important last generation, let’s hope that the new console has just as an impressive controller since Sony has their Move out.

I think that we will see a lot of new software for both the Wii2 and the 3DS, I think that most of the games shown last year for the 3DS will be playable and hopefully the strong 3rd party support will continue for their Wii successor. One thing that I think will be the focus for the Wii2 will be online support that is not like Microsoft or Sony, what that means, I don’t know, but it’s Nintendo, and they dare to be different.

As for the current Wii, I think we may see the Vitality Sensor, Skyward Sword, and maybe a New Super Mario Bros Wii sequel, but other than that I think it will be all about the Wii2 and 3DS.

Sony

With the hacked accounts recently Sony has a lot to make up for. I think for one, they will make a public announcement due to the recent problems and maybe offer amends starting at the time of their press conference.

The Next Generation PSP (NGP) will most likely be given an official name, a price tag, and a release date. Without good third party support, though this will likely struggle like the PSP did, so I think not only will we see major console developers providing support, but maybe some App developers will be giving support as well.

For the Playstation 3 I can see a new God of War game announced. I can also see a new Kingdom Hearts game being announced, though at this point with all the powerful hardware available, I don’t know if this would necessarily be a PS3 exclusive or go out to Xbox360 and Nintendo as well.

Video Games

Without the games, the systems are useless, so here is a list of games I expect we will see or hear about that aren’t exclusives. Please note that this list doesn’t include any of the already confirmed games that will be appearing.

• Bungie’s next game which will be distributed by Activision so it will more than likely be a nonexclusive.
• Grand Theft Auto 5 is most likely in development, but will it be announced? If it is, will it be released this year?
• Bully 2 has been hinted at as being in development, but is it really?
• Angry Birds has become huge the last few months, it would seem odd if they didn’t come out with a console/handheld version
• Shenmue 3 is probably a long shot, but after Duke Nukem Forever is finally being released after years in development Hell, I can always dream right?