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<< Day 1
One Man. 3 E-s. A story of two days at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (continued)
Date: 2006-06-17
Author: Vaga
Day 2
I wake up the next day with a clear memory of the previous day's experiences - mostly in the form of a gnawing pain in my legs - I feel like I ran a mini-marathon. The shower helps a bit, and soon enough I am downstairs and on my way to the show - in the more conventional shuttle bus this time. This time around I have a clear plan worked out in my head, and that plan says one thing - my priority for the day is to see the Wii. I head straight for the Nintendo pavillion, and bravely begin navigating towards the end of the line. It's only 9:30 and I am hoping it won't be more than an hour, hour and a half worth of waiting at this point.
I am very, very wrong. The line stretches along all four edges of the huge Nintendo pavillion, but it doesn't end there and goes on to snake around another 4-sided area, equivalent in size. A lot of people started the walk down the line with me, but the majority has dropped off by the time I reach the sixth segment of the line - the only ones left are continuing on pretty much out of curiousity, just wanting to see where this thing ends. 3 more minutes of brisk walking, and I finally see the tail of this snake, hidden in the far corner of the convention cener. Judging from the signs posted along the early portions of the line, this equals about a 5 hour wait.
There is a myth out there about gamers being anti-social. In reality, we aren't so much anti-social as we simply don't like people distracting us from playing games. Games demand focus, and random yap-yap just tends to break our concentration. But when a proper need arises (like finding a WoW group to hunt monsters with), we are plenty "people people". After all, MMOGs wouldn't exist if that wasn't true.
After about 10 minutes in the Wii line I realize there is no bloody way I am spending my precious time standing all the way through this ridiculous thing on the last day of the E3. It's time to make some acquintances. Luckily, the very size of this line is a perfect topic for starting conversations with my fellow gamers. Soon enough I make an arrangement with two guys to take 30-minute turns standing in the line. Take that, Nintendo!
While one of my gamer buddies withers through his 30-minute turn, I head over to check out a game that has caught my eye previously - Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures from Funcom. Of the myriad MMOs being shown here, this one seems to at least be trying to nudge along the yellowing envelope of gameplay innovation. Since I am on a time budget I get a couple of developers to walk me through - one shows me the combat system and some of the general world features and the other one walks me through city building and answers some more of my many questions. I write it all down fevereshly, hoping I can decipher the scribbles later.
The first thing I notice immediately and ask about is horseback mounted combat. I get a kick of seeing the character the dev is controlling lean off his horse and take a wide sword swing at a viking-type NPC as he gallops by. This is a feature that has been often talked about in the current batch of MMOs, but rarely implemented to any satisfying degree. I am glad to see this development team is putting thought into it early on (the game is scheduled for release in Q4), not as an after thought. Next, the dev tells me about what they are doing with formations. Though character collision is turned off in the demo, the actual game will take in physical positioning of characters into consideration to a larger degree than usual - namely, if you've got a couple of fighters fronting a mage in a narrow corridor, the enemy fighters won't be able to make their way through and directly attack the mage. I also like the fact that you have specific control over your strikes and moves during combat - I enjoy mindless clicking as much as the next MMO junkie, but sometimes I actually want to feel like I (rather than my equipment) have some actual impact on a fight, and Conan looks like it might actually deliver that for a change.
As we talk, it also becomes aparent that this game is much more story-driven than most traditional MMOs. To begin with, levels 1-20 are actually single player, so that you can get immersed in a deep story that feels personalized and involving. From the way the developer talks about it, it sounds a bit like an Oblivion or Morrowind type setup that slowly transitions into a full fledged MMO over 20 levels. I love a good story, and to me it's an appealing idea, though I recognize that this isn't something that everyone may be excited about. Furthermore, even past level 20, the progression of the game is driven more via a unifying story than a bunch of disjointed quests. There are lots of cinematic events (which use the game engine) that help maintain the storytelling quality of the experience.
What would a Conan-themed game be without camel-punching?! Yes, you can actually punch out a camel in this game, but complex social interactions don't end there. The game is trying to push the envelope in terms of creating a real in game society, and, for a change, not skirting the responsibility by relying strictly on the players to do it. Age of Conan will feature a role-based NPC society where characters will have social needs to be met, and characters from different social classes will treat each differently based on a number of factors including race, gender, reputation, and accomplishments. Speaking of gender, this game is also very sexually aware. Not only are the character models provocative and sporting plenty of revealing outfits, but there are also prostitute NPCs in this game which actually proposition male characters. I am also surprised to see that the female character the dev is controlling can easily strip down to a fully nude (and quite yummy!) form. According to the developer, the sexual awareness in AoC is completely intentional and constitutes part of the reality of this in-game world. Whether the ESRB will see it that way remains to be seen, but I at least have to applaud the effort of fighting the establishment - hypocritical, media-frenzied politicians be damned!
As I run back, all Cinderalla-like, to the Wii line, I make a note to keep my eye on this MMO in the coming months.
The Wii line has moved a good 150 feet in my absense - which leaves us a mere 3 hours and change to go. While I was away, one of the guys I am sharing line-standing duties with has made some acquintances, and I dutifully substitute myself into his conversations while he takes his turn to go explore the show. Gaming talk makes this whole waiting affair a lot easier, of course, we talk about jobs in the gaming industry, I do a little plug of GameLemon, and give out a few cards. Networking duties for the day, check!
About half-way into my shift, a real important-looking Nintendo guy with a small entourage makes a pass along the line, looking for people with Zelda tattoes. Apparently, if you have one, you can skip ahead of the line and go straight into the Nintendo pavilion. We have a laugh at the idea of having a bunch of temporary Nintendo-themed tattoes all over your body just for a case like this. "Zelda? Sure, let me check my armpit! Do I get extra credit for a tattoe of Link doing Princess Peach? I think I have one down in my crotch area somewhere...."
About 10 minutes later, the same Nintendo gray-hair is making his way back up to the front, now asking for Nintendo hats. I have to guess that Zelda fans didn't stand up to the test this time...
On my next, longer break I head over to the PS3 area to check out the games. Unlike Nintendo, which is keeping access to the Wii exclusive, Sony has fully opened up their pavilion to the masses, a move I mentally applaud. I love Nintendo, and I appreciate the innovation of the Wii, but this thousands-long line thing they are doing is not sitting with me too well. It's kind of ironic, in fact, to be pitching a concept of a console for the wider masses, and then regulating access to it. But let's get back to the PS3, lest Nintendo unlawfully hijack this Sony-titled section of the article!
The Sony area is probably the hottest place on the show floor today, with dozens of playable games, a huge screen constantly looping the many hot PS3 trailers, and a half dozen special guided demo booths, where even an occassional non-VIP visitor can squeeze in at this point. All the games are running on the new PS3 hardware, of course, not in it's final form factor, but it's raw form, loaded into glass-protected racks. The production system, complete with the controllers (which look just like the PS2 controllers on the exterior), is available for viewing in a glass case outside.
If you listen to some of the under the carpet ramblings from the many magazine and big media reps at the show, everyone has supposedly been shocked and taken aback by the announced 600 smacker price tag of PS3. You wouldn't know it by looking at all the gamers merrily playing the newest games here, however. Maybe they feel like there is still enough time to sell their brown bag lunches and collect the dow, maybe they have a sugar mommy or rich parents, maybe they'd rather just not think about it... Bottom line is, there is no 'dejection' of any kind hanging in the air - quite the opposite, people are lining up to play the games, watch the trailers, and simply chat and hang out here, close to all the PS3 action.
There is probably a dozen different games being shown here, but the two standout titles in my mind are clearly Warhawk and Heavenly Sword - they are the only games that look truly new age, as opposed to a current gen game thrown on next gen hardware. Warhawk is an air combat game, where (in the level being demoed at least) you get to battle large command ships and fortresses hidden among a majestic mountain setting. The controls and overall presentation actually reminds me a bit of X-Wing brought down from space and souped up with sick visual effects. The game looks absolutely spectacular, and as you see spots of sunlight roll and glare over the shiny surface of your plane's wings while you maneuver around for anothet shot, you kind of forget to breathe.
Heavenly Sword could be best described, to mimic a headline news title, as "Kratos gets sex change, takes on gladiator ring." In other words, the angry Spartan is replaced by a stunningly hot red head, complete with a pair of chained blades who is thrown in a gladiator style ring and enundated with countless enemies. She rips them all sorts of new openings while performing mind boggling acrobatics, spiced with some hot screaming for good measure. Of course, she doesn't forget to toss around her gorgeous mane of red hair, which the PS3 happily renders using all of it's incredible graphical power. There is even some left for her stirling-white, incredibly skimpy (could we expect anything less?!) bikini-like outfit. After there is hardly any spot left in the arena that's not taken up by a mutilated body part, our heroine battles a boss, whom she finally finishes off high in the air, her ascent made possible via a series of timed button combos dynamically displayed on the screen. As can be surmised it isn't the most innovative game ever, but it looks awesome, and, at least for a while, makes you want to do nothing more than quickly wipe the sweat off your palms and come back for another round.
After another session in the Wii line, which I largely spend wondering how much I could sell my spot in the line for, I decide to take in some of my old favorites, namely God of War. God of War II to be precise, which technically does not qualify it as an old favorite, except the gameplay is almost exactly the same as the first game, so... well, you get it.
In the case of God of War, which was a small breakthrough in 3rd person action gaming as far as I am concerned, I am a firm believer in the concept of not breaking what works, and so I am not particularly unsatisfied by the lack of a major overhaul for GoW II. For those who simply must have some changes, there does seem to be a bit more jumping and swinging around, which lends the game a subtle Prince of Persia flavoring. Overall, this is still the funnest action game under the sun.
Of course I don't get to actually play, since there are too many takers in line for this one, so I have to satisfy myself with watching another gamer blast through the game. He is clearly a great fan of the original, since he doesn't seem to be familiar with the concept of dying. Hell, he barely knows how to take damage. He goes through what looks like a good fifth of the game while a bunch of us stand around commenting and giving advice whenever he gets stuck with an occassional less-than-intuitive puzzle. It feels a bit like a playing session at a friend's house, except we are standing rather than sprawling around the living room, as the case may usually be. Which is probably better for our collective health anyway. Health, by the way, is important for gamers. It means we can play longer.
I head back a little early, thinking I better play it safe at this point, since our little group was already somewhat close to the top of the Wii line. I do have to stop for a few minutes to snap a couple of pictures of an awesome-looking model posing in a hot leather suit, complete (of course!) with a big gun, promoting the game Prey. She is one of the more memorable personalities at the show by my yardstick. The pictures speak for themselves.
Oh vile Nintendo! Why do you toy with my emotions? Why do you put me through trials, why test my might and provoke my desires? Why stir what lies deep, why suck me in only to spit me back out, garbled, shattered and maimed?
I AM TOO LATE. The front portion of the god forsaken Wii line has obviously decided to take a sprint through the final 100 yards, and alas, my line buddies are nowhere to be found - they have disappeared inside the magic box, me left beating on the outside, like a fish left out of water. I make a few passes up and down the line to be sure, but alas! - there is no mistake.
I contemplate crying and faking hysteria in front of the Nintendo people for a few minutes, but then decide to go with the "oh the hell with it, it probably sucks anyway!" approach. It seems to work. Thank the good Lord for the power of delusion.
Since I am in severe need of companionship to mend my pierced little heart, I decide to seek out Joe, the other GameLemon represenative at the E3. Six cell phone calls later (we have never met in person before!) we manage to locate each other somewhere around the NCSoft booth. Joe's description of himself as "my friend is wearing a big black trenchcoat" is immensely helpful. Joe and I decide to go check out Lucas Arts as the show begins to slowly wind down - it closes doors at 4pm today.
Even at this point there is still a small (by E3 measure) line to get into the Lucas Arts area, and after a measly 15 minutes we are in, seeking to uncover the big secret that kept me out of here the day before. As expected it turns out to be another case of Much Ado About Almost Nothing. Lucas Arts is primarily pumping their new Euphoria behavior system which will be used in the upcoming Indiana Jones game. The idea is to get away from canned character animations and instead implement "behaviors" such as "try to keep balance" or "climb up", which in turn make use of physics simulation technology to have the body spontaneously react to the environment. The demo they had running had Indie standing on a bridge which twisted and shook as a developer manned the controller. Indie had no animations pre-programmed - just a "keep balance" behavior. As the bridge moved, the AI adjusted more or less naturally by having Indie move around, swing his arms for balance, and grab onto things. Once he was indeed tossed off the bridge by a particularly turbulent motion, and ended up grabbing in with one hand as he hung over the chasm.
Although it is conceptually cool, the Euphoria system doesn't seem to have as much of a visual impact as one might expect. The various scenes of Indie fighting and ducking and throwing people off trains that are being demoed here still look much like traditional (albeit good) animations from and end user perspective. The real effect of it may be that well-animated characters can now be developed faster, by a smaller team of people. While this is important, somehow I doubt the cost savings will be readily passed on to us consumers.
As I contemplate this, Joe spots Tim Schafer - or at least thinks he does - he catches a glimpse of someone who looks very much like him on the way out. We inquire at the Lucas Arts media desk, where we get an enthusiastic "it's possible", and follow suit, hoping to catch him outside. Alas, the famous father of Grim Fandango and Psychonauts is nowhere to be found.
At this point you are probably wondering why this section is called "Lucas Farts". Truth is - there is no good reason, but I just couldn't stay away from calling it that. I am a weak-willed creature, after all. Tim Schafer would be proud, though ;)
Over the next half hour we make our final rounds through the show and then head out quietly, tired, but satisfied. I tag along with Joe and a couple of his friends to a rooftop bar nearby. We hang out, sipping drinks, exchanging final thoughts about the show. It gives me a perfect segue into my closing, of course :)
If I had to say only one thing about the experience that is E3, it would probably be "don't believe the pessimists". It's a great show and a lot of fun for any true video game fan. Sure, if you were a journalist primarily looking to get the scoop on amazing innovations and unexpected breakthroughs in the gaming industry, you more likely than not walked away a little disappointed. If you were a professional reviewer of many years from one of those big magazines looking for something distinctively different, you may have not found the next Super Mario or Zelda here. And if you were a venture capitalist looking to invest in the gaming industry, maybe you didn't necessarily find the right, comfortable place for your money.
But if you were a real gamer at heart, if you still got a kick simply from being fully immersed in video games for 3 days, if you hadn't forgotten how to simply have fun playing a good game with some friends, then you definitely did not leave the E3 disappointed.
The E3 is not all things to all people.
But it is fun for all true gamers.
Plain and simple.
Are you a HARDCORE GAMER? Put your money where your mouth is - get a
gamer T-shirt and wear it proudly!
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