PSP World

What Was Missing at E3 2010?

We've heard from each of the big three console manufacturers as the E3 conference enters its last few days in Los Angeles. This year's event contained very few surprises for gamers. Perhaps the biggest source of surprise was the absence of certain key announcements we expected to hear from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. They all appeared to be playing it safe on Stage in LA, relying heavily on established franchises and playing to their core strengths. Here are some of the predictions that didn't come true and products that were conspicuously absent from E3.

AWOL: The PSP 2
Even we got caught up in all of the hype surrounding the possible revelation of a PSP successor at E3. The rumor was helped along by reports from CVG that developers in Europe have already had hands-on time with the device. It is expected to come equipped with a touch screen and more powerful processor than the current generation kit. Why did Sony hold off on an announcement? Either the device is nowhere near ready for public consumption, or the company got cold feet after Nintendo came out with its impressive 3DS hardware. Is it back to the drawing board for Sony as they seek to extend their foothold in the handheld marketplace? The next best candidate for a PSP2 reveal would probably be the Tokyo Game Show in September.

Our readers voted this their favorite PSP 2 concept.

MIA: Agent and LA Noir
Prior to E3, Rockstar said that they wouldn't be showing any new game titles, and boy were they telling the truth. Agent is supposed to be a major exclusive killer app for Sony, but so far we know nothing substantial about the game beyond its title. LA Noir, the on-again off-again detective game seems to be forever lurking in the shadows. We hope that Rockstar lifts the lid on these two games at its own planned press event in July, or it might face the wrath of fickle analysts like Michael Pachter for failing to satisfy shareholders.

AWOL: Wii HD
Nintendo has been very tight-lipped about any possible successor to the wildly successful Wii hardware. How can we blame them, after consumers still seem eager to snap up consoles nearly as quickly as the company can manufacture them. But 4 years after its release, the low-resolution graphics of the Wii are beginning to show their age, and could be hindering Nintendo's efforts to woo back hardcore gamers and their fickle preference for 1080p eye candy. Thus the Wii HD makes perfect sense, 2011 would be a reasonable launch window, and E3 would have been a great place to introduce the device (although potentially scuttling holiday 2010 sales in the process). We suspect that Nintendo won't delay much longer in revealing a new console, especially now that it has finally taken the plunge with its 3DS handheld. But in order to capitalize on that important Christmas 2010 shopping season, we probably won't hear about it until next year. Look for a holiday 2011 release window.

MIA: Kinect Price Details
Microsoft spent a LOT of time detailing how its new camera sensing controller will work. One thing the company didn't do was divulge any firm details about pricing. Most likely the company is waiting for Sony to make the first move (which they have done, pun intended). A price much higher than $100USD for Kinect could be disastrous, so it will be interesting to see what Microsoft decides to do come November.

AWOL: New Exclusive Titles for Xbox 360 and PS3
Outside of their respective motion controllers, very little new IP was announced from either the Microsoft or Sony camps. It is likely that a tough economy coupled with risk-averse publishers has given the industry its current case of sequelitis. Nearly all of the games shown during any of the E3 keynotes were sequels of previous hits: A new Zelda, a new LittleBigPlanet, a New Forza, a New infamous, a new Call of Duty.... Missing from this E3 has been a truly megaton game reveal that gets the press buzzing and the fanboys speculating. With another Halo or Gran Turismo, we pretty much know what we're going to get.

What was missing at this year's E3 for you? Let us know in the comments below.

Twisted Metal was one of the few surprises at E3 this year.