E3 Predictions Confirmed!

The big E3 show is just about over and the most exciting announcements have been unleashed upon the drooling geeky masses.

Predictions Confirmed:

Sony PSP Go

We all saw it coming, but that doesn't mean Sony won't go through the formality of properly debuting their new PSP Go device. It's slightly smaller than the PSP-3000 model with no UMD drive. It comes with 16GB on-board storage and designed to take advantage of the PlayStation Network download services.

Many who hoped that the PSP Go would be an upgrade to their older models of PSP are disappointed at the Go's lack of features. Sony asserts that the Go isn't a replacement for the traditional PSP, but a lateral alternative for those who don't already own one and are now considering it. The PSP-3000 will be sold and supported along side the PSP Go, just as Nintendo supports both the DS and DSi side-by-side.

Sony didn't address the "PS3 Slim" rumors, leading many to believe that the "leak" was a hoax. However, now that we've seen the packaging that's been designed for the PSP Go, there's a noticeable congruence between the two. This goes on to support the theory that the PS3 Slim is a reality that will make it's official appearance closer to the holidays.


Nintendo: More of the Same

As expected, it was the same news we receive every year from Nintendo. A new Mario, a new Metroid, and a showcase of upcoming peripherals.

In Nintendo's defense, they may announce the same next-generation ports for old franchises every year, but once those ports are released they're usually very well-received. When Super Mario Galaxy was first announced, most brushed it off as, "Oh, it's just Mario on the Wii." But now it's regarded by many as the best game of that year and possibly the best Mario game to date.


Extras

• Left 4 Dead 2
  
  On the PC front, the most impressive title to look forward to is Left 4 Dead 2, a team-based online survival horror pitting 3 players against the entire zombie apocalypse.



• More Metal Gear!
  
  Hideo Kojima announced two new Metal Gear titles, Metal Gear Solid: Rising for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for the PSP. Kojima's team has also taken on the next Castlevania title, giving everyone hopes that it may yet be possible for a 3D Castlevania to be done well.



• Final Fantasy XIV Announced
  
  While fans wait patiently for Final Fantasy XIII to finish production, Square-Enix went ahead and announced the next installment in the franchise. FFXIV will be an MMORPG; the next-generation sequel to FFXI.



• "Project Trico" Unveiled
  
  The developers behind the amazing titles ICO and Shadow of the Colossus have been secretly working on a new project over the past couple years. Gamers finally got their first official look at the game, titled The Last Guardian. The story of the game centers around a boy and his giant baby gryphon. Not much is known about the gameplay, but so far the cinematic trailers have been rich with eye candy.

E3 2009 Predictions

Next week is the Electronics Entertainment Expo, also known as E3! From June 2 – 4, we’ll be hit with a series of exciting announcements and first looks of upcoming gadgets and software. Just days before the show, several predictions are already spreading like wildfire.

For PCs, the highest expectation is for video game developer, Valve, to finally address Half-Life 2: Episode 3. Half-Life 2: Episode One first hit the scene five years ago with the promise that the game would continue with regular episodic installments. Yet, gamers have been patiently waiting for the next chapter since Half-Life 2: Episode Two was released in 2007. This year’s E3 may hold the answer to their prayers. Maybe with a sequel to Portal...?

Despite its Games For Windows campaign attempting to rekindle the struggling PC game industry, Microsoft isn’t expected to have much to offer this year. Many are eager to see more announcements on the upcoming release of Windows 7, expected to be available this fall.

Most of this year’s focus will be on console and handheld gaming. For Microsoft’s Xbox 360, there’s been much speculation over a motion capture camera that will enable motion-controlled games, similar to those found on the Nintendo Wii.

Speaking of Nintendo, no one knows what to expect from them this year. Last year’s keynote by Nintendo was absolutely horrible, with embarrassing demonstrations by clueless representatives. This year will hopefully be better, with announcements that will truly excite gamers. If nothing else, perhaps a new Legend of Zelda title and a sneak preview of DSi exclusives.

The lion’s share of anticipation goes to Sony, whose been fighting off rumors left and right as to what they have coming later this year. A new model of PSP (named the PSP-Go!) has been all but officially confirmed by Sony, and everyone believes it will be Sony’s big reveal this E3.

This new model is rumored to have no UMD drive, following Sony’s intention to more fully embrace digital distribution through their PlayStation Network. Also rumored that there will be two versions, each with different sizes of internal flash memory to store games and media files. Many further predict that it will have a much larger screen that will slide upward to uncover the devices control buttons.

For the PlayStation 3 console, several rumors are swirling about; the most significant being a possible “slim” redesign and/or price break. Photos were leaked earlier this month, supposedly from a factory in China that is well under way for mass-producing this new model of PS3. Experts predict that if these photos are legit, Sony still won’t unveil the redesign at E3 in the hopes that current supplies of older models of PS3s will dry up from retail shelves first.


That’s all for predictions! Check back next week when we cover which ones came true and what showed up to surprise us!