let's see how far off we could possibly get! :D I'll post my 3 favorite predictions:
1.) Kid Icarus, whether it's playable, in video, or just mentioned, I say it's coming. And it will be made by a joint venture with Capcom. Glorious, sex crazed antics to follow.
2.) Wii launches earlier than November worldwide. (nintendo will either give out a statement like 'it will be cheaper than PS3 and 360' again, or completely dodge the price... unless sony announces theres which probably wont happen) And will ship in a box with a demo disk of mini games, demos and trailers (or this content will be d/l for free) with two Wiimotes (and attachments), standard RCA AND component video cables. Shell will be sold seperately, but released as a pack in with a certain title that takes advantage of the Wii/GC control hybrid somewhere around late launch or shortly after. This method of getting attachments to consumers will follow with other attachments as well (ie: fishing by Sega comes with fishing attachment). Also in the box is a code that gives you the ability to buy a few games off the network of your choice, this will only apply to retro titles and not new games on the network. (pretty specific huh? :D)
3.) Zelda: Twlight Princess is indeed a GC title that can be played on Wii with wiimote functionality, and may even see early release. But a seperate Wii version will make the launch window (first 6 months anyway). This version will have updated graphics and exclusive Wii gameplay mechanics, etc. Essentially, an updated special edition of the GC version.
Confirmed demos to be available on Xbox Live:
Test Drive: Unlimited (Atari)
Moto GP™ ’06 (THQ)
Crackdown (Microsoft Game Studios)
Dead or Alive® : Xtreme 2 (Tecmo)
The Lord of the Rings ™, The Battle for Middle Earth™ II (EA Los Angeles)
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (Capcom) Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega)
Splinter Cell: Double Agent ™ (Ubisoft)
Viva Piñata (Microsoft Game Studios)
- Plus a flood of HD trailers from games that have yet to be announced
- Call of Duty®2 – New Multiplayer Map Packs (Activision)
- The release of UNO on Xbox Live Arcade
- Game with Fame celebrity gaming sessions with stars like Jenny McCarthy, Method Man and Panic Channel (Featuring Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins, Chris Chaney and Steve Isaacs).
- Play and Win contests with the latest Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade titles
- Exclusive high-definition blockbuster movie trailer downloads
-Limited edition E3 Gamerpics and Themes
-A Backstage Pass to see developers preparing for E3
Hardware
Not much is known other than we will see the HD-DVD add-on and the camera.
I wonder to what extent they'll be showing off the gesture gaming aspects of the camera?
Rumored to be announced are bigger capacity harddrives.
Microsoft Game Studios
(internally developed or published)
Halo 3 (supposedly a short teaser video)
Gears of War (playable)
Too Human (playable)
Crackdown (playable)
Mass Effect (playable)
Ninety-Nine Nights (playable)
Viva Pinata (playable)
Lost Odyssey
Forza 2
Fable 2
Rumors:
Free Xbox Live
Recently, Microsoft acquired in-game advertising firm Massive Inc.
Quote:Massive makes its money by placing ads into games that have already shipped, typically slapping the ads onto in-game objects like vending machines, billboards, and TV screens. The ads are dynamically served, which means they can be changed on the fly, so a billboard advertising a fast food restaurant this week could be updated to plug a new movie next week. According to Microsoft's announcement, purchasing the company "will help deliver dynamic, relevant ads across Microsoft's online services, starting with Xbox Live and MSN Games."
Many believe that Microsoft is doing this so they can compete with Sony's recent announcement of a free online service. The money generated from in-game advertising should offset the costs of maintanence and upgrade.
Some think Microsoft will still have two flavors of Xbox Live. One that offers free online play with some other XBL services all coupled with advertising. The other option being an ad-less Live experience for a paid subscription.
Movies coming to you through Live
Microsoft has made deals with both DirecTV and more recently Paramount. The Paramount deal is thought to be for HD movies.
strong rumor that Microsoft will publish Alan Wake exclusively for the 360. We should see it at E3.
Microsoft is still supposedly is some bidding war to get the next Grand Theft Auto exclusively for the 360.
Music
Perhaps Microsoft will shed some more light on their new music service with MTV, Urge. We know it's built in to Vista, but some are expecting it for Xbox 360 as well.
Miscellaneous
-New multiplayer maps for Perfect Dark Zero
-Street Fighter 2 to be released on Xbox Live Arcade
Quote:Blitz®: The League™ (Xbox 360™, Nintendo Wii™, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system; October 2006) – The celebrated arcade–style football franchise is back and better than ever with a new treatment of America's most popular sport. Blitz: The League exposes the harsh and troubling, behind–the-scenes stories of a fictional professional football league.
Quote:Happy Feet™ (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo Wii, Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo DS™, PC; November 2006) – Based on Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming comedy adventure Happy Feet™, Midway's immersive video game puts the player in the "tap shoes" of Mumble, a young penguin born into a nation of singing Emperor Penguins where each needs a Heartsong to attract a soul mate. Unfortunately, Mumble is the worst singer in the world... however, as it happens, he is a brilliant tap dancer! Based on the general storyline of the film, the player will be able to experience life from the point of view of Mumble in music, dance and interaction with the friends and enemies of the penguin's world.
Quote:The Ant Bully (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PC; July 2006 – Nintendo Wii; November 2006) – Go pick on someone your own size! After bullying an innocent ant colony, a young boy named Lucas is magically shrunk down to ant size and embarks on a remarkable adventure. Play as Lucas, experiencing the dangerous and thrilling life of an ant as you battle, explore and forge new friendships with natives and other species in his new ant world. Based on exciting moments from Warner Bros. Pictures upcoming digitally animated family adventure The Ant Bully, and featuring all –new challenges created especially for the game, help Lucas evolve from recluse to hero in his quest to save the colony from extermination
Midway Press Release
They also announced some other games including a new Rush for PSP.
Quote: Breaking NDAs
Do you know when the Nintendo DS Lite is coming out in the states?
Yes. Yes, as a matter of fact I do.
And do you know how much it's going to retail for?
Of course. That information was given out pretty much at the same time as the release date.
What about colors? Surely you don't know what colors it's going to ship in when it's released here...
Actually, yep. Sure do.
What? Sheesh, how long have you been holding out on us?
Oh...going on a couple of weeks now.
C'mon, Craig, tell us!
No. Not until May 4th.
Aww...please? C'mon. Why not?
Because I signed an NDA that said I wouldn't.
Pfft. Like a piece of paper's going to tell you what to do.
Actually, you're right...it's not the piece of paper that's keeping my mouth shut. It's the fact that I actually enjoy the relationship I've held with Nintendo for so long, and going against their wishes could really screw up future coverage.
Fine. I'll go someplace else for the news. I'm sure a fansite will tell me.
You do that. The rest of you should sit tight for the announcement. It's not like the wait's going to kill you.
