Sony’s conference was the second of the major trio for E3 and after CEO Jack Tretton apologised profusely for “any anxiety caused” by the recent PSN hacks, many titles were discussed which aimed to prove that there is still some life left in the PS3 console, which he argued offers its players a “unique gaming experience.”
Games discussed included the aesthetically wonderful Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (which comprised the seamless cuts between live play and cut scenes that the series has become known for, as well as some impressive “boat physics”) and the PSP Gods of War titles re-mastered for the PS3 (dubbed God of War Origins Collection) which is playable in full stereoscopic 3D.
Uncharted 3 E3 Video:
Resistance 3 was also showcased. The narrative of R3 is set in 1957, four years after the events of R2 (which disappointed many fans) and judging from the hectic, alien laden and action packed game play demonstrated, R3 is likely to put the once popular sci-fi shooter series back on track.
Other games which were showcased (many of which comprised the use of the motion sensitive Move controller) included:
- Starhawk (successor to 2007’s Warhawk)
- Medievil Moves - includes a novel inventory-less motion control weapon switching
- Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
- Dust 514 – a free to play exclusive for the PS3, set in the EVE online universe (“One Universe, One War”)
- Bioshock Infinite
- Star Trek
- Battlefield 3
- Need For Speed: The Run
- NBA 2K12 – Lakers player Kobe Bryant was invited on stage to demonstrate just how simple this point and click simulator is to play.
Many of these games were demonstrated with the use of 3D videos. 3D technology seems to be becoming quite the focus for Sony who also announced the imminent arrival of a Sony branded 3D television set, as well as widely compatible, branded 3D glasses.
Sony’s biggest announcement by far however was that of the corporation’s latest portable device. Previously known as the NGP, the device has now received the (arguably better) name of PS Vita (“Vita” meaning “Life”).
PS Vita E3 Video:
Here are some notes regarding the features of the new handheld:
- The console will be Wi-Fi and 3G compatible allowing one to undertake many online tasks using the device. Sony claims the Vita is particularly good for social networking and there was a brief mention of a new Sony service named ‘Near.’
- Vita has two cameras (one to the front and one to the rear) allowing Augmented Reality game play (similar to that which the Nintendo 3DS has provided previously)
- Vita also has a duo touch screen (again, one to the front and one to the rear) which could provide intuitive controls for future game play.
- Touch screen controls and regular button controls are interchangeable so that players can “play the way [they] want.” This was demonstrated using content from the Vita exclusive Uncharted: Golden Abyss. Leading man Drake can punch enemies with a direct tap to the front touch screen and swinging across monkey bars is a breeze thanks to the ability to draw your path.
Other games announced for the PS Vita was action role playing game Ruin and a Vita version of Street Fighter X Tekken.
It is thought also that Sony’s announcement of Playstation Suite – Sony’s gaming platform for Android – will act to tempt more gamers over to the PS Vita side.
Check back to the Novatech blog soon for a round up of the announcements made at the Nintendo E3 conference.
