3DEntExp

Issue #44

Last Update March 2, 2006

Technology Electronic Entertainment Expo by Gen Katz E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) held in Los Angles in May is the gaming industry's showcase for games being released for the Christmas season and beyond. Doug Lowenstein, President of the Interactive Digital Software Association, the organization responsible for E3, describes an industry still in its infancy, while admitting to the graying of its audience. To accommodate the wider audience needed to recoup the high cost of top games (between 5 - 10 million) in Doug's view, "It means focusing more on character development and storylines". There is a recognition by the industry that the hardcore gamer no longer makes up the majority of players. They have discovered that hard core gamers have grown up and are playing games with their girlfriends or wives - who are put off and bored by some of the more violet shooters. Gads, some even have kids and they don't want them playing Grand Theft Auto. So, with this in mind - what do we see on the floor?

There are some inventive kid games. Boktai (Konami), a game with vampires where sunlight on your GBA weakens the vampire's strength, while at night, the advantage goes to the vampires. A first time use of bringing the environment into a game. Spy Kids (BVG) on the GBA and PC will use 3D glasses to explore the cyber world in three dimension. Save the glasses; they will work for both the game and the up-coming movie. There are two haunted house games in the pipeline. Gregory Horror Show (CAPCOM), - a roach motel sort of place - where you check in to a hotel - but you can't check out until you collect all the lost souls. It's an artistic use of collage cutouts in the service of a scary story. Haunted Mansion (TDK) a theme park mystery, expands upon the Disney amusement park ride - promises to be more scary. Then there is Culdcept (CAPCOM) - a blend of Magic the Gathering and Monopoly. An easy and novel introduction to D&D for kids who aren't already there. Bombastic (CAPCOM) uses slickery animated dice which are positively addicting in the way that Tetris was. And a significant event this year, not sure if it's for Barbie or Microsoft, but it's the first Barbie game on the Xbox.

For teens and grownups there is a nascent budding of a sense of morality and the consequence of choice - in line with a Matrix/Platonic questioning of what is and what is not. In Thief (Eidos) - the main character is never allowed to kill anyone and must accomplish his missions through stealth and ingenuity Psychonauts (Microsoft) Psychic secret agents - enter mind-worlds to reveal hidden personalities- and maybe insanity.Republic - The Revolution (Eidos) - a primer on how to take over a government using stealth, money lies or force.

Black 9 (Majesco) where, as a mercenary, you must choose which of the Illuminati to serve - and they range from a tea drinking society with immortality as their goal to Earthnow, who are eco-terrorists. The choices provide a wide range of philosophies from which to play out the game.

If you've watched Alias on TV, then you already know the back story for the Acclaim game of the same name. A college graduate is recruited into a bogus CIA and then becomes a double agent and all hell breaks loose. As a spin on all the black leather women karate pros in the recent games, her specialty is Krav Maga. No - not a coffee but a the self defense system used by the Israeli Defense Forces. And yes there is a web site, www.kravmaga.com.

And finally, we have Bruce Banner who must learn to control his Hulk ego in order to accomplish his mission. This Hulk is nothing like the TV Hulk - this Hulk is gargantuan and his ability to leave everything is shambles is awesome.

And segueing from the Hulk - there is an accelerated convergence of Hollywood and video games. The Matrix, The Hulk, The Italian Connection, Pirates of the Caribbean, Finding Nemo, Charlie's Angels - each movie has an associated video game. At E3 it was hard to tell if the demo was the move or the game. The intent is to expand and build upon your movie experience, " See Hulk - Play Hulk" or "Loved the TV show - Play the Game". In the drive to maximize assets - games, moves and TV are being rolled out in a nonstop conveyor belt of branded titles. It is a continuum of the coalescing of media and entertainment into a few giant players that is happening today. Next, expect to see the Hulk and Barbie as news anchors.

Gen Katz Ed.

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