E306 Conference: 1 Down, 2 More to Go!

[Liquidize105]

That was quite a show Sony put on wasn't it? Between the tail-waggers, the lampooners, and the staunch realists, one thing is for certain - it's done.

Nintendo Media Conference (Kodak Theatre) starts at 9:30AM tomorrow, Microsoft Media Conference (Grauman's Chinese Theatre) is at 1:00PM. Be sure to catch the live-broadcasts and tune into Evil Avatar News for the discussion!

Here's your chance to get any last minute speculations in. Speak now, or forever hold your pee.

Nintendo Wii - $249.95
Microsoft - New Hardware

[JediSanf]

Nintendo Rev - $299.99 (w/ 2, count 'em 2 remotes)
Microsoft - HD-DVD $100, no price drop

Edit: And yes I realize I'm going to be horribly wrong about the Rev.

[Atepsflame]

Ok, ok, here's my vision. A penis wagging game for the Wii. Nintendo, help make my dream come true.

[TheHulk]

No reason at all for a price drop now... Bastards...

[Yeti2005]

I think you're right about 249.99 for the Wii (still doens't sound right but who cares?). I think MS won't have anything to crazy to show off in comparison to Nintendo. I think we'll see a lot of games, the camera, the HD-DVD add-on, and MAYBE (crossing fingers) a teaser for Halo 3. I suppose they could announce something new with DirectTV and a downloadable music and movie service.

[bone_matrix]

I WANT the Wii to be 199.98. I think they can do it, and still not lose much (if any) cash. I want to use that extra 50 on a game. But probably 249.

I want Halo 3 goodness. I'm probably one of the few, but I had fun while I played the other 2. And I want more. Not sure what else to really expect from the Microsoft conference.

[Abash Alarmist]

I want the Wii to be launched at $199. I want the X360 to have killer games, killer accessories, and killer support. And I just want the PS3 to not be released at $499...Fuck.

[Draft]

Wii - $199, no game.

X360 - Lots of polished games, NO price drop announced. That'll happen in November.

[The Iron Weasel]

Just show me the Halo 3 teaser, and I'll be sailing for months.

[devicelimit]

Wow, the Sony press conference was not inspiring at all. Although they did go up a step from full cg to running on actual hardware, they still didn't have a lot of actual gameplay.

But I did like that card game with the eyetoy. That was cool.

[dena miscreant]

Article about motion-sensing controllers made for PC in <b>1999</b>. That's right folks, what you saw in that Warhawk demo during the conference was exactly what you could do in 99. Read:

<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/e3blog.html?topic_id=24600407">If You're Going to Say that Sony Stole the Controller...</a>
"...then be sure you attribute the correct source. They didn't steal from Nintendo. They actually stole from Microsoft (and Logitech). The picture you're looking at here is a picture I took of gyroscopic, motion sensing controllers that Logitech and Microsoft manufactured for the PC in 1999. Yes, 1999 as in more than seven years ago.

Contary to the rapidly developing urban legend that's forming now, the idea of a motion sensing controller is not something Nintendo invented just last year. It's just as false as the Nintendo invented analog joysticks and Al Gore invented the internet fairy tales. Actual products that you could BUY were available more than seven years ago on your PC. I used these controllers to play games like Motocross Madness and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. And they worked exactly as you saw that Sony representative playing Warhawk during the E3 press conference. So while hundreds of farked images of the Sony PS3 controller are being constructed and uploaded now accusing Sony of stealing from Nintendo, I just wanted to point out that this idea was soooo 20th century, and immediately flamed out on the PC because they were honestly more of a novelty than they were practical.

For whatever reason, motion sensing controllers are now all the rage, as two of the big three are offering this functionality in their new consoles. But unless developers really embrace the technology and use it as a basis for their game designs, it's not going to be any different in 2006 than it was for the Logitech Gamepad Extreme and Microsoft Sidewinder Freestyle controllers on the PC in 1999. Here's hoping things turn out better for this new-old idea used in both the Wii and the PS3."

-Gamespot.com

[rein]

I am thinking $200 for the Wii. They are touting the "lower" price a lot and $50 cheaper than the core 360 doesn't exactly scream bargain price.

For the first time since joining the market Sony stumbled at E3. They usually own E3. I think this E3 belongs to Nintendo. No way MS is going to price drop the 360, they will probably announce the Xbox price drop though. The most MS can do is announce Halo 3. Even if they do that, Nintendo will own it when they show off some live Wii game play. Couple that with a $200 price point and Nintendo can really come out on top. Nintendo is doing exactly what they said they were going to do... ...they are making games fun.

[Draft]

Nintendo is doing exactly what they said they were going to do... ...they are making games fun.damn that sony and microsoft and their unfun agenda. damn them. save us nintendo.

[Deathbane27]

Here's hoping...

Nintendo: Wii for 199.

Microsoft: Ad-supported, free-to-users Xbox Live Gold option, to be referred to as "Xbox Plutonium" :p Current Gold/Silver options remain intact.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I'm guessing $200 for the Wii. Hopefully we'll get some accessorie prices too. I'm hoping Nintendo doesn't rape consumers in the ass for addons like MS is right now. No $50 controllers please.

$200, with some kickass launch titles - Smash Bros. will do - and I'm sold. A Wii and SIX games or a PS3 and no games? Hmmm....tough choice there. ;)

[Skjef]

Speculation:
There will only be one bundle for the Wii at ~$200. There will be at least one new accessory like the nunchak[sic] shown, and launch games will come bundled with their respective accessories.

Fact:
It will kick total ass. :D

[Borys]

/ learns about Sony conference.

Please kill me.

[Atepsflame]

I think you're right about 249.99 for the Wii (still doens't sound right but who cares?). I think MS won't have anything to crazy to show off in comparison to Nintendo. I think we'll see a lot of games, the camera, the HD-DVD add-on, and MAYBE (crossing fingers) a teaser for Halo 3. I suppose they could announce something new with DirectTV and a downloadable music and movie service.

Oh, god yes, it wouldn't be E3 without an inaccurate hyped-up video of the next Halo game. Sorry, I just sort of lost interest right around 2 weeks in to Halo 2. Just rename it Generic-Sci-fi-Shooter-With-Good-Online-Support 3. *yawn*

[RMan]

I'm going with $200 as well, and I'd bet some kind of special deal on Wario Ware, that seems like a great showcase for the controller. Seems like they'd be doing good to take a hit on one of their first party titles to get more people to try it and have something instantly fun to show their friends.

[fitbabits]

/ learns about Sony conference.

Please kill me.
Dude, I'm so totally sorry!

[Madhatter45]

/ learns about Sony conference.

Please kill me.


/pat
It's alright. Just breath.

[Draft]

/ learns about Sony conference.

Please kill me.Embrace the 2 console future.

MS delivers the high definition epics and the kinds of games only possible on the latest, most powerful hardware.

Nintendo delivers the innovative experiences only possible with a new way to control games.

Embrace it. EMBRACE IT.

[Deathbane27]

Oh, god yes, it wouldn't be E3 without an inaccurate hyped-up video of the next Halo game. Sorry, I just sort of lost interest right around 2 weeks in to Halo 2. Just rename it Generic-Sci-fi-Shooter-With-Good-Online-Support 3. *yawn*

I was just thinking last week that they should do that with Anime series.

Eureka Seven becomes "Kids and Giant Robots 0146evc2 - Special Feature: Hoverboards!"

(0146 denotes the series number, ev2 denotes that there are 2 English Voice-actors that have not been used in a previous Kids and Giant Robots series.)

[codswallop]

Wii:
$250 US max.
2 remotes with nunchuck attachments
At least one free downloadable game from the ye olde library
Possibly a "regular style controller" shell or two included, but I don't know if that'd be a good thing

360:
HD-DVD attachment
Price drop in October

[fitbabits]

Wii price prediction - $199 with a bundled game.

[boratika]

I predict Nintendo will reveal Metroid Dread. And maybe if I pridict hard enough it might come true... maybe...

[torrefaction]

Hahahahah...I knew it. Sony was going to drop the ball. This is a joke of a console launch. If your going to be late out the fence, you better be prepared to blow everyone away. There may be more power hidden in the Sony, but...my call is Microsoft ties this generation.

[Atepsflame]

I'm gonna throw in with the $200 Wii camp. $250 seems a bit high to me. After all, they are debuting the lite at $129.99, so I think lower is more likely. We shall see...

[Abash Alarmist]

We're here for you Borys. Atleast you have accomplsihed the hardest part: admitting that there is a problem. You will be well soon my son.

[Liquidize105]

Wait, what time are the conferences? Gamespot says Nintendo's is 9:30am and Microsoft's is 1pm.
8:30/11:30 are check-in times. Showtime's not til later.

[Draft]

How is $200 lower than $129???

[dimsumx]

/ learns about Sony conference.

Please kill me.

good thing no one here mentioned anything about how the lower end PS3 doesn't have HDMI and WiFi yet.

and that the high end one only has one HDMI output.

:cool:

/me goes call an ambulance.

[rein]

damn that sony and microsoft and their unfun agenda. damn them. save us nintendo.


Exactly :p ...you have to admit it though, some games are becoming a chore. I may have meant simple, easier to interact with games that are fun. Not to imply that all other games are not fun.

[Klade]

Was everyone that actually saw the sony conference at e3? or is it being broadcast somewhere and I'm missing out?

If the nintendo wii launches at 199$ I'll pick one up right away, if its more then that I'll pass.

[rein]

Was everyone that actually saw the sony conference at e3? or is it being broadcast somewhere and I'm missing out?



Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/e3/e3live.html?autoplay=6149525) had a live feed.

[Draft]

Exactly :p ...you have to admit it though, some games are becoming a chore. I may have meant simple, easier to interact with games that are fun. Not to imply that all other games are not fun.there's space for Nintendo in my two console future.

[EternalGamer]

I'm predicting $199 for the Wii w/ two remotes and a nunchuck packed in. It would be perfect if they'd throw in a game packin (warioware) and a couple of classics (Super Mario Bros 1 and Duck Hunt) but that's just wishful thinking.

As for Microsoft, I don't think we will really see any bombshells outside of (maybe) free Xbox Live.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I predict Nintendo will reveal Metroid Dread. And maybe if I pridict hard enough it might come true... maybe...


What is Metroid Dread? Just a name you made up, or is there some rumour I missed?

[Klade]

Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/e3/e3live.html?autoplay=6149525) had a live feed.


Ahh thank you, totally missed out on that. Oh well it will be good to see what nintendo has up its sleeve.

[RMan]

At least one free downloadable game from the ye olde library
Good call, I forgot about that. They'll definately want to give people a good reason to hook up to their service quickly. I'm guessing some kind of coupon for a dollar amount of classic Nintendo titles, as little as $10 would likely do the trick.

[rein]

there's space for Nintendo in my two console future.
Me too. I vowed to only get one console this generation due to lack of time to play games. However, I think I am going to end up with a Wii as well.

My original intent was to buy a 360 for the time being and trade it for the PS3. After tonight, it looks like I will be keeping the 360 and adding a Wii to the collection. Maybe I will get a PS3 after a price drop or two and I have more time.

[Atepsflame]

Was everyone that actually saw the sony conference at e3? or is it being broadcast somewhere and I'm missing out?

If the nintendo wii launches at 199$ I'll pick one up right away, if its more then that I'll pass.

Shit, then you're SOL, they decided to debut it at $200.99 just to be that much more different.

[boratika]

What is Metroid Dread? Just a name you made up, or is there some rumour I missed?
It was a 2D Metroid game for DS that was going to be shown at last years E3, but then mysteriously dissapeared and nothings been heard of it since. It's existance was confirmed by IGN and the like.

[mightbe]

My predictions:

Wii @ $200 USD with one game "demo" (guess = warioware) included and the ability to pay to play classic games online at launch (hopefully with an included coupon for one free, guess=Link to the Past).

Nintendo names their online service something like Play Together (as in "Wii Play Together") with an emphasis on multiplayer/party games and a family friendly atmosphere. The currency for this online service is Coins (purchased online via credit card or in-store as a pre-paid card; for the kids, yo!) and players earn stars by playing different games with as many different people as possible. Players can use coins to buy classic games and add-ons for Wii games (new levels, weapons, characters). Earning higher amounts of Stars allows access to different Avatars for online play and determines who you're paired with/against in online games.

My biggest prediction (if you've ignored everything else): The Wii, once connected to your home internet connection, will allow you to download additional content and demos to your DS as well as classic NES/SNES games. This content will go away as soon as you switch off your DS but progress could be saved to the online service or to your Wii (*giggle*). The Wii will also act as a no-nonsense gateway to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Now for my pals at Microsoft:
Microsoft will tout a new version/relaunching of their Live! service which will mysteriously coincide with the expected release of the PS3. This will include a bunch of new Live Arcade games, background downloading, a music/movie/tv service (wtf iTunes maybe?!?), and multigame server browser. And... The ability to record video of your gameplay to the HDD.

Of course they will announce a larger HDD (60gb?) that will include a copy of an online game that takes up a good amount of HDD real-estate (an MMO perhaps?).

Also on the hardware front will be another attachment for the controller (a camera, laser pointer/gun, motion detector, vibrator, espresso machine?).

Finally the much talked about HD-DVD drive. I predict it will hit in November for $249.99US. The big kicker? It will also be compatible with Windows Vista/XP and burn CD's/DVD's as well. Want to back up your X360 data? Slap it on CD! Want to take that game footage you recorded to your friends house and show them the nipples you found in oblivion? Make your own 1337 skillz DVD. Also burn CD's full of music you've downloaded from their music service. Maybe even a 1 time burn of a Movie you've downloaded? Could be locked to only play on your HD-DVD Drive.

Someone should fucking hire me. And I give this shit away for free!

I was underwhelmed by Sony and I'm prepared to be underwhelmed by the X360 stuff as well. Here's to hoping!

[ElectricMonk]

Ok, ok, here's my vision. A penis wagging game for the Wii. Nintendo, help make my dream come true.

If Nintendo wants us to play together what's better than tummy sticks?

edit: rein... i laughed when i read 'wii-tard'

[JazGalaxy]

What's worth mentioning is that MS took out a patent for a gyroscope controller a good while back. My bet is that they have a controller that does exactly what Sony's controller does, making the whole thing a draw.

The only one with the advantage will be Wii.

Frankly it's nuts how close this console generation is going to be. Pretending Sony has the graphical upper hand (which is seemingly doesn't) it's price is a major downside for it, as well as several other things. Nitnendo is going ot be the most innovative and, in my opinion, fun console, but it will have worse graphics than the other two systems. Xbox 360 will probabl have the best online features as well as the western focus which some gamers, like me, like. especially when it comes to rpgs.

Close.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I'm really saddened by the fact that I will be at work when the Nintendo conference takes place tomorrow. I'll definitely catch up as soon as I get home - here's hoping I'm not disappointed. The Wii is definitely my platform of choice so far - don't fuck it up Nintendo!

[rein]

I'm really saddened by the fact that I will be at work when the Nintendo conference takes place tomorrow. I'll definitely catch up as soon as I get home - here's hoping I'm not disappointed. The Wii is definitely my platform of choice so far - don't fuck it up Nintendo!

I feel exactly the same way at this point. I have slowly been growing more and more excited about the Revolution/Wii. I hope that they pull it off tomorrow and take back some respect at this years E3. I am on the verge of becoming a Nintendo fanboy.

[mightbe]

I'm really saddened by the fact that I will be at work when the Nintendo conference takes place tomorrow. I'll definitely catch up as soon as I get home - here's hoping I'm not disappointed. The Wii is definitely my platform of choice so far - don't fuck it up Nintendo!

I'll be sleeping. Can we get a linky-poo ASAP so when we hit the net we can get caught up in a timely manner?

[thecrazyd]

What's worth mentioning is that MS took out a patent for a gyroscope controller a good while back. My bet is that they have a controller that does exactly what Sony's controller does, making the whole thing a draw.
Except any sort of 360 gyro controller would not be standard, and no games would be designed with it in mind.

[Venkman]

Oh, god yes, it wouldn't be E3 without an inaccurate hyped-up video of the next Halo game. Sorry, I just sort of lost interest right around 2 weeks in to Halo 2. Just rename it Generic-Sci-fi-Shooter-With-Good-Online-Support 3. *yawn*

Generic-Sci-Fi-shooter is covered by Sony and Resistance: Fall of Man, Sans the good online support.

[Venkman]

Call of Duty + Men in Black = Resistance: Fall of Man (a.k.a Gears of War "lite"- no wicked shadows and kickass armor designs)
It's a WW2 shooter with aliens instead of Nazis:
http://ve3dmedia.ign.com/ve3d/image/article/705/705913/resistance-fall-of-man-info-screenshots-20060508084756590.jpg


And Warhawk is Crimson Skies, with better looking planes and less realistic mountains:
http://ve3dmedia.ign.com/ve3d/image/article/705/705927/flagship-ps3-tilt-technology-game-screenshots-20060508091014811.jpg

[Wonka]

My prediction is that MS will put the Sony press conference up as a free LIVE! download.

Ok that was mean, but I just could not resist.

I think that the future looks good for Nintendo and MS who I think will gain some ground on Sony this time (its hard to believe that they could possibly NOT gain ground with as much marketshare as Sony is presently parked on). Ie. Sony has nowhere to go BUT down from where they are.

[SPBTooL]

Wii will be $199 as a bundle of 2 controllers and a game. This will be the 2nd console of choice for adult gamers and their kids.

MS is poised to really give people what they want. Lots of solid AAA titles. Sony really missed the ball on this during the show. They were totally underwhelming when showing the games. (and everything else) I don't understand why Sony didn't show any UE3 games. Many games, about 10, coming out for the 360 use that engine and will wow on every one.

[JazGalaxy]

Except any sort of 360 gyro controller would not be standard, and no games would be designed with it in mind.

I completely disagree. Just like the standard controller switched from Duke to Controller S in the middle of Xbox lifespan, and the PS switched from the digital controller to the Dual Shock as soon as Nintendo revolutionized control with the N64 analog stick, so can microsoft institute a new gyroscopic standard controller.

Also it would always be an option in multiplatform games that would have gyroscopic functions enabled already for the PS3 and Wii versions.

[Mason]

Ugh, they finally put up the on demand stream for the PS3. Heavenly Sword is the only unimpeachably good thing shown. Everything else was either unimpressive or of dubious origins.

And come on, I know this is mostly for Americans, but you can show something other than shooters and racing games. Way too little focus on the stuff that you can't find on the 360. Poor game choices, uneven allocation of time, kind of listless feeling. MS and Nintendo hopefully will keep things more focused.

[Nadreck]

My Wild Ass Guesses:
- $200 basic system (one controller, no game)
- $250 entertainment system (two controllers OR controller + nunchuk, 1 game OR game sampler disk)
- Price points for game downloads... $2.99 for NES, $4.99 for SNES/Genesis, $9.99 for N64.
- A smartmedia card reader in the Wii to store downloaded content and DOWNLOADABLE DS games (possibly more emulation?)
- Better tech specs and graphics than rumored (not saying 360/PS3 competition, but better than people are giving credit)
- Late October release (very beginning of Q4).

In Microsoft Land:
- Camera support
- Xbox Live cost revisions (possibly a new basic free account to compete with the Playstation Network Platform)
- ...and yeah, I got nothing.

[Pantsmonkey]

Except any sort of 360 gyro controller would not be standard, and no games would be designed with it in mind.

This Non Standardness you talk about doesnt really matter as long as future games can be re-tooled to accept what is a 2D mouse it wont be a problem.

The console interprits changes in signals along the controllers connection path to the console there is always unused Empty buttons connections left inside for future expansion adding this functionality down the road will not be difficult. Any game dev would be able to get a simple X,Y,(Z?) movement system when an if it sees the light of day.

The Patent that Mircosoft got themselves back in 2003/4 was in direct competition for the Eye Toy not any eventual Wiimote. Mapping relative position is possible with many backwards engineered tech's i'd wager and you could get around Patent disputes by making things sufficiently not the same.

* Pantsmonkey's Nintendo E3Wii Predictions 2006 *

1. Multiple Gyros per freehand controller. (2) Or the ability to map 3D using the Sensor Array.

2. The Acellerometer (Sideways scroll A/D [Strafe]) Will be used in conjunction with the Gyro feature to Slow down and Speed up movements and effects on the fly.
3. Punchout Wii - It will be used with 2 free-hand controllers (No Nunchuck)

Imagine a Wiivolution Super Punchout for a second. You pick up 2 Primary Wand controllers and when underside B is pressed on left/right controller/hand the game engages each controller and accepts that as your hand. The game would effectivley need a way to measure how tall you were relative to the sensor so when the game started the calibration screen would just ask you to punch yourself in the head (gloves moving on the screen like a mouse cursor) Then you swing/punch the controls around in your hand and they move like realising that if your 6" your arm span is the same and split it in to. The gloves would move suitably with appropriate ranges from the shoulders etc, and this would mean the PC AI would need a definate upgrade. Effectivley that would give you a full range of boxing movement in a 3D space =)

4. Microphone included in each controller. (With the ability to search old game librarys "Say Mario" into the controller mic and it filters by any game with mario in the title or the game. They better give us a damn easy way to navigate all these old games because hunting through a potentially 5000 strong back catalog will be annoying....

5. NEW 2D Mario and Duckhunt Wii avaialble at launch (Predicted that the day the gyro was announced)

6. $359 AU Price Point ($275 USD) 2 Controllers (a couple of builtin games)

7. Lots of videos of 4 - 16 Player Metroid Prime FPS. The wireless controllers will probably have a 50" - 100" range (Similar to the exisitng Gyration RF Mice) I don't think there is any better way to sell Wii's FPS control method than a some of the most intense FPS battling ever.

8. A Gyro Zapper Gun? The freehand controller ONLY moves a cursor round the screen you have to drag it from Top to Bottom. The ability to actually point and shoot while using the freehand remote in your left hand like the Doom 3 Light.

9. Nintendo Wiivolution. It's all about pressing B Try a double tap =)

10. A shit tonne more people will actually get to use a Gyro! Then they will grin from ear to ear.

11. Golf, 8 Ball, Tai Chi Instuctor, Body and form Training sims, dancing trainers? God possibilities are endless.

12. 3D Mario game, 3D Mario game, 3D Mario game! The Wii plus nunchuck not unlike the N64 pad screams 3D Mario Platformer to me. This time instead of having shitting C buttons or C sticks to deal with you will simply camera from Marios vision height (or slightly behind) Zooming in and out with the accelero. I hope this Gyro doesn't add a whole heap of new camera dramas for us to deal with but it wouldn't surprise me if the Gyro was given camera duties in quite a few games on the Wii.

Surely to god by then end of E3 we will no once and for all if the Wii Gyro can map in true 3D. If it's simply a 2D reticle the world of FPS and 3D platforming will be changed forever to require Gyro + Accelero. If it can map 3D there is no button input or historical controller configuration that cannot deployed playably on a Wii Controller + Nunchuck.

Rock on EWii ROCK ON!

[MajSheppard]

250 is at least a hundered too much. I am thinking 150 is the target.
360 is going to have a virtual console unveiling as well, in which a bunch of retro marketplace games are shown.

Why does everyone think the Revolution is going to be expensive. There is no evidence to show it will be expensive at all.

[JazGalaxy]

This Non Standardness you talk about doesnt really matter as long as future games can be re-tooled to accept what is a 2D mouse it wont be a problem.

The console interprits changes in signals along the controllers connection path to the console there is always unused Empty buttons connections left inside for future expansion adding this functionality down the road will not be difficult. Any game dev would be able to get a simple X,Y,(Z?) movement system when an if it sees the light of day.

The Patent that Mircosoft got themselves back in 2003/4 was in direct competition for the Eye Toy not any eventual Wiimote. Mapping relative position is possible with many backwards engineered tech's i'd wager and you could get around Patent disputes by making things sufficiently not the same.

* Pantsmonkey's Nintendo E3Wii Predictions 2006 *

1. Multiple Gyros per freehand controller. (2) Or the ability to map 3D using the Sensor Array.

2. The Acellerometer (Sideways scroll A/D [Strafe]) Will be used in conjunction with the Gyro feature to Slow down and Speed up movements and effects on the fly.
3. Punchout Wii - It will be used with 2 free-hand controllers (No Nunchuck)

Imagine a Wiivolution Super Punchout for a second. You pick up 2 Primary Wand controllers and when underside B is pressed on left/right controller/hand the game engages each controller and accepts that as your hand. The game would effectivley need a way to measure how tall you were relative to the sensor so when the game started the calibration screen would just ask you to punch yourself in the head (gloves moving on the screen like a mouse cursor) Then you swing/punch the controls around in your hand and they move like realising that if your 6" your arm span is the same and split it in to. The gloves would move suitably with appropriate ranges from the shoulders etc, and this would mean the PC AI would need a definate upgrade. Effectivley that would give you a full range of boxing movement in a 3D space =)

4. Microphone included in each controller. (With the ability to search old game librarys "Say Mario" into the controller mic and it filters by any game with mario in the title or the game. They better give us a damn easy way to navigate all these old games because hunting through a potentially 5000 strong back catalog will be annoying....

5. NEW 2D Mario and Duckhunt Wii avaialble at launch (Predicted that the day the gyro was announced)

6. $359 AU Price Point ($275 USD) 2 Controllers (a couple of builtin games)

7. Lots of videos of 4 - 16 Player Metroid Prime FPS. The wireless controllers will probably have a 50" - 100" range (Similar to the exisitng Gyration RF Mice) I don't think there is any better way to sell Wii's FPS control method than a some of the most intense FPS battling ever.

8. A Gyro Zapper Gun? The freehand controller ONLY moves a cursor round the screen you have to drag it from Top to Bottom. The ability to actually point and shoot while using the freehand remote in your left hand like the Doom 3 Light.

9. Nintendo Wiivolution. It's all about pressing B Try a double tap =)

10. A shit tonne more people will actually get to use a Gyro! Then they will grin from ear to ear.

11. Golf, 8 Ball, Tai Chi Instuctor, Body and form Training sims, dancing trainers? God possibilities are endless.

12. 3D Mario game, 3D Mario game, 3D Mario game! The Wii plus nunchuck not unlike the N64 pad screams 3D Mario Platformer to me. This time instead of having shitting C buttons or C sticks to deal with you will simply camera from Marios vision height (or slightly behind) Zooming in and out with the accelero. I hope this Gyro doesn't add a whole heap of new camera dramas for us to deal with but it wouldn't surprise me if the Gyro was given camera duties in quite a few games on the Wii.

Surely to god by then end of E3 we will no once and for all if the Wii Gyro can map in true 3D. If it's simply a 2D reticle the world of FPS and 3D platforming will be changed forever to require Gyro + Accelero. If it can map 3D there is no button input or historical controller configuration that cannot deployed playably on a Wii Controller + Nunchuck.

Rock on EWii ROCK ON!

I have no idea what you're talking about when you say "map 3d"...

NIntendo has already said it can sense your distance from the television, where the sensor lies.

It tracks movement up, down, left, right, forward, and back as far as your body positioning goes. It also senses tilt in all directions. It also functoins as a pointer.

I could off the top of my head think of about 100 cheap to develop games that would be 100 times more fun, in theory, than anything Sony showed today.

I just mentioned first person lightsaber duel game where you have lightsaber battles with other people over the internet and my friend almost peed his pants.

Already announced is a Wii version of Trauma Center, which should blow Joe Averages mind when he gets to play it in a kiosk.

[Pantsmonkey]

250 is at least a hundered too much. I am thinking 150 is the target.
360 is going to have a virtual console unveiling as well, in which a bunch of retro marketplace games are shown.

Why does everyone think the Revolution is going to be expensive. There is no evidence to show it will be expensive at all.

They are in the business to make money they only need to figure out the sweet spot underneath the PS3 and Xbox360 price there is no need for Nintendo to sell something at a lower price than customers are willing to pay.

When the Gamecube was released in Australia I pre-ordered at $399 AU ($306 USD) then it dropped to $299 AU ($229 USD) A week before it was even released over here due to the OS price drop. I dare say Nintendo would prefer to release the console slightly higher price suck up as many funds from all the Tendofans early adopters and day onners then drop the price a month or so after global release right in time for Chrisamukah 06.

When a new console comes out people just expect it to cost them a shitload of there hard earned. Without the console you cannot play the games and people who bitch about console prices probably don't have the disposable cash to burn through heaps of full price software titles anyway.

A new console gets released every 4 - 6 years if you expect change from $1000 AUD ($770 USD) you probably won't have many games to play.

[SMES]

I too predict $199 Wii. Some cool download service for games, price for games who knows- anywhere from $1 to $20.

MS- I have no idea.

I could off the top of my head think of about 100 cheap to develop games that would be 100 times more fun, in theory, than anything Sony showed today.
Frankly I am more interested in New Mario Bros. than anything Sony showed.

I just realized that the only reason I am considering getting a PS3 is Square and Konami games. How sad is that? I should just accept the fact that I have enough reasons to not buy a PS3 so I can stop considering it.

[motor]

My prediction:

Microsoft:

Microsoft will talk about how "unfair" it is that the core system doesn't have a hard-drive and roll the premium system into the core. Effectively killing the core, reducing the price by $100 and telling every dev they can call to start using the hard-drive as much as possible. The two second loading line from gran turismo HD was a shot that must be answered.

A free version of live, which I dub "xbox live bubonic" which is ad supported.

Huge talk up of arcade, large number of new titles. They'll show off the unreal-powered live game to let everyone know that full blown games are coming in the future.

Some idiotic, "Oh and one last thing" and showing the halo trailer.

Nintendo

Wii $199 with a free download credit from the library

They will make some joke at sonys expensive about the blatant rip off of the controller (I'm sure someone is up late working on it right now).

And they will show on only thing they need to show to win this years E3. Fantastic sword fighting with the controller in Zelda. Game, set, match. They will be the talk of the show. I'm not so sure about how they will do a year from now, but everyone is going to fall in love with them again after tomorrow.

[Ravenlock]

Wow, the Sony press conference was not inspiring at all.

This ^^ this what you said right here? This is why I know I'm getting a RevoWiiWhatever.

Ever since they started talking about their crazy motion sensing TV remote controller, Nintendo has been the only company that's honestly gotten me excited about a new idea in gaming in at least a decade. Actually, now that I think about it, it may have started when I saw the crazy things they were doing with the touch screen on the DS, and just kept going with the Rev.

Nintendo's ideas are, in fact, inspiring. They can have my money, $199, $249, whatever. :D

[Pantsmonkey]

I have no idea what you're talking about when you say "map 3d"...

Nintendo has already said it can sense your distance from the television, where the sensor lies.

It tracks movement up, down, left, right, forward, and back as far as your body positioning goes. It also senses tilt in all directions. It also functoins as a pointer. *** Awesome news But to "Map 3D" you need relative height detail was anything mentioned about that? *** I will explain what I think 3D mapping is below.

I could off the top of my head think of about 100 cheap to develop games that would be 100 times more fun, in theory, than anything Sony showed today. *** Me too =), and I hope most of the Devs ***

I just mentioned first person lightsaber duel game where you have lightsaber battles with other people over the internet and my friend almost peed his pants. *** Have you seen this? Show your buddy =) (http://youtube.com/watch?v=iLSnd-jUxdY)***

Already announced is a Wii version of Trauma Center, which should blow Joe Averages mind when he gets to play it in a kiosk.

[Super Punchout Screenshot] (http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/590/box7cy.jpg)

Above is a screenie of Super Punchout SNES. A game that is simply playing animations of pre-determined sprite based movement. If you imagine that instead of playing it with a standard controller you pick up 2 Wiimotes one left hand and one right and then actually stand up and move the controllers in your hands like gloves.

For this to work however the Gyro needs to be able to track its own movement and orientation imagine each controller movement or "Punch" in your hand translates into a full fluid swing movement one screen in 3D. The average arm span is equal to a persons hieght so outstretching your arms would effectively tell the Wii how tall you were and how much reach you had. It should also theoretically be able to record a whole bunch of speed and movement information informing you of punch speeds reaction times yadda yadda.

It would make sense that the Gyro the player is holding will be mapped as ingame object(s) occasionally (Boxing Gloves, Golf Clubs, Tennis Rackets, Frsibees etc etc)

The Wiimote physically is a 3D object it should have the ability to realise what orientation the player has the control in and translate accordingly on screen.

Imagine a simple Wii developer 3D envirment a 10" X 10" Sqaure room with and a monitor interpriting that same 3D space vritually. If you walked into that room with a Wiimote would the Wii be able to plot X,Y,Z positions showing what orientation the controller was in. (Upside down twisted backwards whatever) Of would it simply know where the controller was?

Sorry about the crappy explanation I have been trying to determine just how aware of the Gyro and its orientation the Wii will be.

...

[Mason]

They are in the business to make money they only need to figure out the sweet spot underneath the PS3 and Xbox360 price there is no need for Nintendo to sell something at a lower price than customers are willing to pay.
The trick is that if you're taking Nintendo's strategy at face value, the pricing of the other consoles doesn't matter. Since they're trying to sell large volumes to the casual market, they're going for the people who wouldn't think of paying $400 in the first place. So even though $250 would be undercutting the other consoles, if Nintendo thinks that they can't bring in non-gamers at that price, then it will have to aim lower.

Of course production and development costs are down there somewhere, so it'll be a balance. $200 seems pretty casual-friendly enough, let's all just hope N can bring it that low. This will be the worst E3 ever if we get another nasty price surprise.

[Nimic]

I predict a $199 price point on the Wiivolution also. I'll pay up to $249 for the system, but I'm not really concerned with the price point of the system, rather the price of extra controllers.

It is my intent to buy at least 3 extra controllers as soon as a buy a Wiivolution, and a high price point on extra controllers would make me very sad.

I am really looking forward to the Nintendo conference, but I'll be asleep when it's live. Oh well, guess I'll just have to catch up when I wake up.

Wii will rock you, cuz Wii is the champion.

I hope.

[Food Nipple]

$249 always seemed too high to me. GC launched at $200, and I'd expect the Wii to at most launch at that price.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

My Wild Ass Guesses:
- A smartmedia card reader in the Wii to store downloaded content and DOWNLOADABLE DS games (possibly more emulation?)


Actually Nintendo already announced a long time ago (last year's E3??) that the Wii will have a card reader built into it. I think this is great - no more buying overpriced memory cards with small amounts of storage. Keep in mind that the system also has 500MB of internal Flash RAM for storing saves and downloads as well. 500MB will actually go a LONG way when talking about NES, SNES, and N64 titles.

The system is also going to include wireless, at least that's what they've said before. Really unless they drop features it should be just a kickass system. It won't be competitive graphically, but honestly that doesn't bother me at all. I spend more time with my DS now then I do with my Gamecube, and graphically there's no comparison. ;)

[gzsfrk]

I want Halo 3 goodness. I'm probably one of the few, but I had fun while I played the other 2. And I want more. Not sure what else to really expect from the Microsoft conference.

One of the few? How many million people exactly bought those 2 games? Unless you're counting the number of atoms comprising a large stone, I don't think that number counts as "few".

(Of course, I -do- realize that you probably meant "one of the few on EvAv that will admit to enjoying the Halo games without fear of being flamed for being a console FPS n00b".)