What to Watch for at E3

The annual video game trade fair E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) starts less than one week from today. All the big hardware and software developers will be present to showcase their products, but not everyone is playing by the same rules or pushing the same products. Sony and Microsoft, on one hand, are launching new home consoles later this year. Nintendo, on the other hand, has decided to eschew a large-scale presentation entirely. What follows is a handy guide that covers what exactly to look for over the three days of E3 2013.

Microsoft

Real or fake?

Two weeks ago Microsoft unveiled its newest console, Xbox One, which will no doubt be the star of Microsoft's presentation. Expect Microsoft representatives to continue to tout One as "the all-in-one system for every living room," but also expect some game announcements and footage. In my opinion, the unveil was something of a misstep because Xbox One came off as a multimedia box that plays movies, music, and sports...and also some video games. Microsoft can do some damage control by showing off a few high-profile exclusive games. Expect to see new information about Halo, Forza, Fable, and some other unannounced games. One of those games could very well be a resurrected Rare IP. After Microsoft's press conference on May 21, Microsoft Studios corporate vice president Phil Spencer had this to say:

"Fans of Rare and Rare IP I think will be pleased with what we’re going to show at E3. We had a limited amount of time today and a lot of story to tell. But Rare remains an incredibly important part of our development capability…that historic IP that they’ve built I think can play a real important role on Xbox One."

Although I have no intention of purchasing an Xbox One until the Digital Rights Management (DRM) and "always online" questions are answered, the prospect of a resurrected Rare IP on Xbone is intriguing. Right now the three most likely contenders are Perfect Dark, Banjo-Kazooie, and Killer Instinct. If the image at right is real then the "historic IP" could be Banjo-Kazooie. Other games pictured include Forza 5, Fable IV, Dead Rising 3, Halo 5, Quantum Break, and Halo: Spartan Assault.

Nintendo

After an excellent launch, the Wii U has fallen into the cellar in terms of monthly hardware sales. The problem? No games. Apart from New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land, no Wii U software has captured the imagination of video game players. Expect that to change starting with E3. I fully expect Nintendo to "re-launch" the Wii U in the second half of 2013 with a huge line-up of popular games. Nintendo has already promised that the new 3D Mario and the latest installment of Mario Kart will be playable on the show floor; it also promised new information on Super Smash Bros. You should also expect new information on "Yarn Yoshi," The Wonderful 101, the Wind Waker remake, and Pikmin 3.

Don't expect this from Nintendo in 2013.

This year Nintendo chose not to rent out an auditorium space at E3 for a grand presentation. Instead, the Japanese gaming giant will show off its products through a number of smaller Nintendo Direct broadcasts. In addition, all of Nintendo's upcoming software, like Mario Kart and 3D Mario, will be available to press and attendees. Also, Nintendo plans to host several press-only hands-on events in order to allow members of the gaming media to experience the games first-hand. It's a risky move for sure, especially with Microsoft and Sony showing off brand new hardware, but it might pay off for Nintendo. It's certainly less expensive, and it focuses more on a bottom-up grassroots approach that might generate excitement among fans and the media. Finally, Nintendo will make some of its E3 software available to the public at over 100 Best Buy stores across the country.

The big question mark for Nintendo is the mysterious game from Retro Studios, the development team behind the Metroid Prime trilogy and Donkey Kong Country Returns. Somehow, against all odds, Nintendo and Retro have managed to keep the latest Retro game a secret. There have been plenty of rumors, however. Many "experts" expect a new Metroid game or possibly a reboot of Star Fox, Nintendo's sci-fi rail shooter. The latest rumor, courtesy of IGN, has the game as an entirely new IP. 

Sony

Sony has a lot of hardware to juggle at E3. Expect software footage and announcements for PS3, PS4, and PS Vita. Also expect Sony presenters to take some not-so-subtle shots at Microsoft. Sony wants to make sure its newest console, PS4, is seen as a gaming console first and a multimedia hub second.

Killzone: Shadow Fall (PS4)

PS3 titles on display should include Beyond: Two Souls, Puppeteer, and Gran Turismo 6; PS4 titles should include Infamous: Second Son, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack, and Driveclub; Vita titles should include Tearaway and Killzone: Mercenary. I'm hopeful The Last Guardian, which has been in development hell for four years, will make an appearance, either on PS3 or PS4.

PS4 should be the star of the show. I strongly believe Sony will unveil the actual hardware during its presentation (if you recall, Sony only showed off its controller during its PS4 press conference). The PS4's lead architect, Mark Cerny, recently claimed "The launch lineup for PlayStation 4 is going to be stronger than any prior PlayStation hardware." Now let's see Sony back that up.