E3 2012: what we know now

Insights and opinions with Anotherdae, Verdeberg and Zoidberger:

ANOTHERDAE
Had to hold off and let E3 2012 sit in before starting a recap post for this year. My gut reaction (which you can find examples of on Twitter) was disappointment. I knew going in we weren’t getting any new consoles, that we hadn’t previously seen, so there was a lackluster ambiance to the whole event. You could almost see the strain in the G4 and Spike on air staff desperately looking for a story to latch onto that they could use as the headliner. Instead, we saw a lot of cool new games and a few new tech demos that are all very cool but either too expected or lackluster.

E3 2012: nintendo all-access

It's day two of E3 coverage (the first day of the actual expo) at the Nokia Theater in LA, Nintendo is taking the stage with their (hopefully) game changing new system the Wii U.

Nintendo actually started this years E3 on Sunday night. With a surprise live feed straight from HQ in Japan, by Mr. Iwata, the President of Sony Japan. He went over the recently named "Wii U Gamepad" and "Miiverse" and more that we can expect from today's media briefing. This surprise was, of course, welcome with all the anticipation going into E3 this week. I have to wonder though, were the big wigs at Nintendo Japan worried about Reggie's ability to present the new system? There was a lot of confusion coming out of last years E3 Media Briefing.

Hit the jump for the full Media Briefing.

E3 2012: home viewing guide

Once again, it's that time of year to gaze upon the oracle of gaming-to-come, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). My NeverEnding Story of trying to get inside is still being written. The gatekeepers to the kingdom of gaming (the E3 committee Sphinxes') have thwarted even my most “Atreyuian” moves towards the gates.

Nevertheless, E3 2012 is happening June 5-7th with major keynote addresses starting on Monday, June 4th. You're viewing choices have grown (slightly) this year over last, with more network choices and dedicated streams over the Internet. Televised on Spike TV and sister Viacom Media Networks, including MTV2; MTVU; VH1; Tr3s: Música y Másand will all air the coverage simultaneously. Check your local listings for their correct channels. The Microsoft keynote will be airing for the first time on XBox Live through an app called: Playbook 360. I’m starting to wonder if by attending E3 you actually risk not seeing everything; and the best move may be getting all the information in one massive media download.

It's interesting to ponder what's in store and its affect on how the industry is fairing. E3 has high expectations associated with it, namely first look at new consoles. While I personally don’t think we will be seeing any new hardware besides the Wii U, there are some highly anticipated games we can expect to hear about.

The Gamedae E3 2012: Home Viewing Guide is below.

E3 2011: nintendo keynote recap by zoidberger

Entering this E3 the consensus in the industry was that it was Nintendo show to lose. They were the only one of the “Big 3” to debut a new system and they had all the buzz going into this E3. The next generation console war is about to begin and Nintendo is about to fire the first shot. I came away from the Nintendo Keynotes with more questions than answers. Was this an actual system or the most expensive game peripheral since the Steel Battalion controller? Why would Nintendo announce a new console but not show the actual console? Is this the new console or is the controller? Is this just a new controller for the existing Wii?

ea active: more workouts

PLATFORM: Wii

RELEASE DATE: 11/2009
DEVELOPER: EA Canada

PUBLISHER: EA
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: Again and again

EA Active: More Workouts is one of the best home workout video games.

It is a step up from the Wii's first work out game, WiiFit. The workouts feel more legit and the Wii motion controls are more engaging and intuitive. This is the second release in the EA Active line. The music is pretty good - just the right amount of motivation, the island paradise setting is nice - they did a decent job with the graphics. Decent, not incredible, and very "Wii looking." The game comes with a small set of peripherals, specifically a leg strap and a resistance band. You can take on a 6 week workout challenge, or just complete preset or custom workouts (basically different combinations of various exercises) and you can even workout with a friend.

I decided to start a 6 week challenge to get fit and shed a few pounds. Before getting started, I realized I needed a base so I could measure my results. I had to weigh myself in Wii Fit; I have to say I find it strange that EA didn't include a scale option in EA Active: More Workouts. Anyway, according to Wii Fit my ideal weight is 157.2 lbs (22 BMI) for my age and height. My actual weight is 180.5 lbs (25.28 BMI) which Wii Fit considers overweight! Obviously no one wants to be overweight (despite Wii Fit being known to be a bit harsh) so I set a goal: lose 5 lbs in 2 weeks (shortest period of time allowed by the software). Let's go.

monopoly

PLATFORM: Wii
RELEASE DATE: 10/2008
PUBLISHER: EA
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: 100%

I have found that I actually enjoy playing Monopoly. It's something that just works: on family trips, during a black out or when attempting to ease tension after fighting with your girlfriend.

I was quite excited to find Monopoly for the Wii and bought it without hesitation.  My main motivation being my ongoing mission to persuade my disenchanted friends (and said girlfriend) into playing the Wii with me. It worked like a charm. Despite some major problems I had with the game; it brought hours of fun, routy competition and some long nights.

wii in the woods

PLATFORM: Bachelor Party
RELEASE DATE: June 2010
STATE: VT
ESRB RATING: M
Progress: 110%

Camping in the woods can be a lot of fun. Combine it with the epic landscape of Vermont and 10 of your great friends and you got the makings for a successful bachelor party. But I felt I needed to contribute more than just beer, liquor and the usual bad jokes so I packed a little something extra in my gear. Combined with my buddies projector the Wii packed more punch than expected. We had ourselves the first log-cabin-in-the-woods Wii games! Hope you enjoyed it, Simon, can't wait for the wedding. Enjoy the pics more after the jump.

lostwinds

PLATFORM: Wiiware
RELEASE DATE: 5/2008
DEVELOPER: Frontier Developers
ESRB RATING: E

Progress: 100%

Wiiware is Nintendo's first step into the downloadable game market. The choices are slim and most are not very good. LostWinds is a hidden gem among some of the bad offerings on the Wiiware system. The game takes full advantage of the unique Wii  console motion control system. You play as the lovable Toku and his spirit guide Enril. With Enril's help, you navigate Toku through the levels, which are basically puzzles utilizing the motion control system. While Enril is an important character in the game, he is always by your side because he is actually your Wiimote cursor. Using Enril you can control the wind and propel Toku, who cannot jump, across chasms and higher and higher ledges. LostWinds is very short game, and is really just the first three chapters of a larger story to be told in future releases.