Sony at E3 Predictions
Sony, like Microsoft, have been a timid player at E3 over the past few years. They haven't been spectacular, but they haven't been a letdown, either. As long as they don't do a Nintendo and promise the world but then only provide WiiMusic, being timid is OK at E3.
However, Sony have had a knack of making assumptions rather than promises. They've assumed, two years in a row, that it would be "the year of the PS3." The truth is, 2007 was the year of the 360 and 2008 didn't really belong to anyone.
Buy Sony have been pulling the punches as of late. Killzone 2 has hit the PS3 after a long awaited debut, and inFamous is garnishing critical acclaim as it hits shelves across the planet. There are plenty of other exclusive titles set to hit the PS3 in 2009 as well.
There's Heavy Rain that has PS3 fanboys drooling, as well as the intriguing yet tedious MGS and Snake teasing that have surfaced over the past few weeks. PSP GO has also hit the press as of late, so whatever is left of the PSP audience should be pleased by that.
As E3 09 approaches, what should we expect to see from the Sony camp? Are we going to hear the same cockiness that has plagued their conferences over the past few years? Or will we see confidence, backed up by GT5 and God of War III in-game footage?
What’s Expected
Sony started off this generation slowly. The PS3 launch was laughably bad all around the world and the launch titles didn't help bring in a new audience, either. Slowly but surely, the console has picked up over the years and 2009 seems to FINALLY be the TRUE year of the PS3. Up until now Sony have been making the assumptions, but now, it might be safe for everyone to say that 2009 is as good a time as ever for the Playstation 3 to show its true colours.
Playstation 3 price cut
This has to happen. If it doesn't, Sony will be making an enourmous mistake. Microsoft have been releasing bundles over the past 12 months and focusing on the core family audience. Nintendo are aiming the Wii at non-gaming and casual audiences. What exactly is the PS3 aimed at? At it's current price, it's hard to decide. Sony need to cut the price of the PS3 and announce it at E3. It's the first step to making the year theirs.
PSP GO!
Will Sony show off a new PSP?Whether it's going to be called the PSP GO! or not is irrelevant. We expect a new PSP to be shown at E3. The PSP gaming library is almost completely dry. A quick look at release date lists will see an embarrassingly short list of PSP releases over the next 8 months. Rumours are swirling that the new PSP will be UMD free, with all games to be downloadable. A touch-screen will be included and more of a focus on online gaming.
GT5 will be shown in all of its glory
This, along with a PS3 price-cut, is an absolute necessity for Sony. We can't imagine them not showing it. We expect it to be shown, because the PS3 has been out for far too long and we are still yet to get a full-blown Gran Turismo. It's blasphemy if you ask us. Blasphemy!
More focus on HOME
HOME has been a letdown thus far. You can't really argue that. Sony have come up with a brilliant idea, and kudos for doing that, but the execution just hasn't been good enough. We expect Sony to at least push the feature at E3 and announce some new aspects for it. We can't imagine Sony just giving up on it after so much effort was put into it, so E3 2009 should be the perfect showcase for them to announce a new direction for it.
God of War III
Sony will unleash the beastSony will show God of War III in its near-finished glory at E3 2009. That's pretty much a given!
What's been Teased
Team ICO's next title
We don't really expect this to happen, but at the same time, we'd love for it to. Team ICO have teased us with a video that looks absolutely amazing, and if it's anything like their PS2 games, we're excited. Here's hoping something is on show at E3.
3D-compatible game
Motorstorm and WipeOut have been shown in 3D at several trade shows over the past few years and Sony have hinted at it in the past. The teasing has calmed down as of late, but we wouldn't be surprised if Sony show something of the sort at E3 09.
Konami's teaser site
No one really knows what it is or what it's about. MGS5? MGS spin-off? Kojima is teasing and counting down to other countdowns. It must in anticipation of E3, right?
The things we won't see
PS3 hardware redesign
The PS3 isn't changing in shape anytime soon. At least we don't think it will. Redesigns just don't seem to be fashionable for consoles this generation as they were last generation for the PS2. Sony were the only company to redesign their home console with two iterations of the PS2, so to assume it would happen again this generation, where there's bigger fish to fry, would be silly.
GT PSP
It's never, ever going to happen. We should just accept that and move on.
Final Fantasy VII remake
See above.
Solid Final Fantasy XIII release date.
See above (teheheheh)
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