Vooks Staff E3 2009 Predictions

This years E3 event is just around the corner and could be one of the industrys biggest yet. What can we expect to see? Check out the Vooks crews predictions inside.

The next Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) goes down in California from June 2-4: Just two weeks away. The event used to be the highlight PR event in the gaming industry, but has had a tumultuous track record in the last couple of years following the transition from an open-to-all event to an invitation-only attendance since 2007. The nature of the event also took a questionable turn last year, with a presentation line-up from major developers that seemingly ignored what most gamers craved, instead targeting casual audiences. 2008’s event was also notorious for Nintendo’s less-than-stellar stage event, which lacked the announcement of any major titles bar that of a new Animal Crossing.

2009 will be different, and, in many analysts’ opinions, a possible return to form for the industry as a whole and not just Nintendo. The big N have certainly proved their worth in previous years, using the event as a launching platform for some of the biggest games in the company’s history. Prior to the ‘downgrade’ of the event, Nintendo used the 2006 expo to put the Wii remote into thousands of peoples’ hands for the first time – in what is arguably the most momentous year in the 14 year history of the event. Simply pit, E3 is Nintendo’s biggest advertisement to the English-speaking world of gamers.

However, the shadow hanging above the head of attendees and exhibitors alike this year is the current economical situation – which has claimed the scalps of more than a few developers and has cast doubt over the strength of the games market in coming years. Publishers are going to be a lot more conservative with the type of games they are willing to green-light from developers, with more experimental, ambitious projects likely to be left on the back-burner, or worse, the scrap heap. Nintendo have publicly acknowledged the slump in Wii hardware sales and will have to step up to challenge of keeping the console active and relevant for a few more years yet.

With all these things considered, what can we expect from this year’s E3? We’ve had a good look at the clues, and checked our lists of which franchises are in desperate need of a sequel, and we’ve compiled our own expectations of what Nintendo and associated third parties will be unveiling in a fortnight’s time.

James Mitchell, Community Manager:

Wii E3 Predictions:
A new, entirely original Zelda title built from the ground up for the Wii will be announced. For some reason, I’m not expecting something similar to Twilight Princess, but instead a very ‘strange’ and ‘alternative’ title similar to Majora’s Mask or Wind Waker. More coverage of the games shown in the Japanese Nintendo Press Conference reel, including announcement of localisation of Monster Hunter tri for the Western markets. An upgrade to Wii Fit, possibly to target the more ‘active’ users (Wii Fit Plus, anyone?) and a slew of demonstrations of the MotionPlus peripheral with third party games – Red Steel 2 being a major showcased. Disappointingly, an announcement will be made that Disaster and Fatal Frame IV will be coming to America, despite being confirmed and/or released in our territory already. Perhaps, even, a Grand Theft Auto for Wii? Some more WiiWare related stuff, including FFIV-2 and Darklord from SquareEnix.

DS E3 Predictions:
Some kind of Metroid-related announcement. Scrapping the Hunters approach and reimagining the series as we know it. Announcing more titles that will connect with the Wii too, perhaps some kind of functionality between Zelda: Spirit Tracks and a new Wii Zelda? Basically, revealing engaging and interesting concepts that are both accessible and will ensure that the consumer won’t just leave it alone and let it die (GCN-GBA, I’m looking at you!) Also, an announcement of some kind of Virtual Console for the DS.

Your most wanted to see:
A new, original Zelda that’ll rekindle my love for Nintendo once again. A complete blow out of No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle, including an announcement for MotionPlus compatibility . More information and or some mind blowing announcements regarding Dead Space Extraction, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, Dynamic Slash and Muramasa: The Demon Blade.

What we won’t see:
Localisation of some of the more obscure Japanese titles I’m looking forward to (428, Feel are just some.)

Non-Nintendo thing:
New installments of the Onimusha and Dino Crisis franchises.
Metal Gear Solid 4 + Oxide (Xbox 360) if it really exists!
DETAILS OF SOME SORT for Alan Wake
A new Perfect Dark, along with Perfect Dark XBLA being revealed officially!

Josh Moulds, News Writer:

Wii E3 Predictions:
Pikmin 3. Nintendo will be looking to make up for last year’s debacle by appealing to their core gamers again. We knew they were working on a sequel when it was mentioned by Cammie Dunnaway last year, so the otherwise coy Nintendo wouldn’t let out any secrets unless it had something decent tucked away in development. It would also explain why the original Pikmin titles were the first to get the ‘Play on Wii’ treatment.

Expect Nintendo’s own projects that make use of MotionPlus to be exhibited – we know it can be used for a whole lot more than just another Wii Sports game – as well as a bunch of third-party games that make use of the peripheral.

A new Wii Zelda or Super Mario Galaxy 2 would be lovely, but I don’t think we’ll be seeing either just yet – even though we’re overdue for the next Zelda console adventure. Wii sales have taken a dip and Nintendo have got some work to do, yet I don’t think we’ll see the next big knock-out title for another 6 or 12 months. (If I’m wrong, I won’t be too unhappy!)

DS E3 Predictions:
It will be all about the DSi, now that the hot little handheld has launched and is doing well at retail. Expect DSi-only games with features that make use of the camera to be shown off for the first time. A Virtual Console-like service for classic Gameboy and GBA games would be fantastic at this stage, but I’m hesitant to get my hopes up.

Your most wanted to see:
Whatever Retro Studios are working on. Now that the Metroid Prime series has reached its conclusion, Nintendo’s premier American studio are sure to be working on something good. Whether it’s a game that uses an existing intellectual property, or something completely new, I really hope that Retro’s next Wii game delivers something new and different. Remember – before they were bought by Nintendo, Retro were working on a heap of different games such as racers and an American Football game, so they certainly aren’t limited to Metroid-like FPS adventure games.

What we won’t see:
A price drop on the 3 year old Wii console.

Non-Nintendo thing:
I would really like to see what Microsoft have done with Forza 3, which has been a very poorly-kept secret. The game will be a competitor to Sony’s Gran Turismo, and I’m expecting some exciting new graphical improvements to what was one of my favourite racing games on the 360. Valve are also showing up, so whatever their next endeavor for PC is, it is sure to be a great one.

Phantom Ganon, Events co-ordinator:

Wii E3 Predictions:
Pikmin 3 will probably make an appearance. Following the release of the 2 previous Pikmin games it would make perfect sense for Nintendo to finally unveil the new Pikmin. It won’t use MotionPlus though. We’ll probably see some early footage of the next Zelda for the Wii. I don’t want to get my hopes up in case there is no Wii Zelda but it’s looking likely. Initially I was also going to say Star Fox Wii as well- developed by Factor 5, but the American studio seems to have buckled. Maybe it’s still coming but from the main Factor 5 studio- or even a different developer altogether?

DS E3 Predictions:
They are going to go to town with DSiWare. They’ll probably show us as many different apps as they possibly can. They’ll give us some official footage or a trailer of the new Pokemon titles (Heart Gold and Soul Silver) maybe even the official English name if that’s not what it’s meant to be. Also to be announced will be DSiVC- a Virtual Console for the consoles like the GB and GBC. They might throw in New Super Mario Bros. 2 as well.

Your most wanted to see:
As the Wi-Fi Coordinator for the site I’d love nothing more than to see an F-Zero game for the Wii compatible with Wi-Fi even if it is only 6 player races like we saw in ExciteBots. Something else I’d also like to see explored although this is really stretching it, is a Star Fox game with Wi-Fi. And I mean "no holds barred" Wi-Fi. Stuff like a Co-op campaign where you can hook up with four of your mates to play through some bonus missions as one each of the Star Fox crew. Then there are the free-for-all dogfights and the 4 on 4 space battles. Even 4 on 4 battles where a team mate could be on the floor in a Landmaster while your teammates try to get you through to a certain objective while the other team defend. I should probably wake up now, shouldn’t I?

What we won’t see: All of the above section. I’ll add to that the new Metroid for DS. I don’t think a new title is in the works for it at all, though if it is, then that’s all the better for us. Also what we won’t see is scrapping of the ‘Friend Codes’ system and something which will allow us to see when our mates are playing a game of Mario Kart without having to actually put the game in and log on. RARE re-releasing Banjo Kazooie/Tooie on the VC seems like a no go too.

Non-Nintendo thing:
There really isn’t much that interests me at the moment outside the world of Nintendo, apart from Team Fortress 2 (and I very highly doubt that’ll make an appearance at E3). I guess I’ll be looking out for anything mind blowing on the PC- which probably means we’ll be looking at FPS’s and another World of Warcraft expansion. The latter doesn’t interest me in the slightest.