rudedog
05-14-2005, 08:37 AM
E3 2005
The good, bad and ugly of E3 2005 While this was my first time I have attended E3, it’s by far not my first time attending a major computer trade show. With over 550 computer shows under my belt, I think I know what goes on in front and behind the stage. While E3 is very impressive, it was a little over whelming and at the same time, kind of a let down. Now, let me remind you my mane goal was to check out all the new military First Person Shooter we like to cover here at FPSadmin.com. I was a bit disappointed because of such a large focus on console based games.
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/thumb_P1010009.JPG (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=9)
Click image to view gallery
Let’s start in reverse.
The Ugly! Show management was a big disappointment in the way they ran the show. I can somewhat understand their frustration with all the non-industry “kids” that try and sneak in or fake their credentials. Security was the rudest I have ever seen. This was not my first time at the LA convention center. I have attended this venue about 4 other times for various other computer related shows. There was people blocking the stairs to the lower levels because there was not enough seating in any of the restaurants. This made trying to use the stairs a disaster. Getting onto the show flow was also a joke. They had large entry ways onto the show floor, but decided to only open one or two doors. Security even tried to get a crowd of 300 hyped up attendees to form two lines single lines. This almost resulted in a reverse stampede because the so called security lack of common sense. They also had ½ the west hall shut down for several hours because of a power failure.
The Bad! E3 2005, was mostly made up of the gaming corporations pushing their new console titles and hardware, thanks to Microsoft , Sony and Nintendo getting ready to release their next versions of their gaming platforms. Granted I was there to look at the next PC FPS titles that interests us here at FPSadmin.com. At the moment, I’m not really interested in console gaming, other then car/truck/ATV/ motocross racing type sims. I hate to say this but this could be the beginning of the end for us PC gamers. It seems developers are starting to focus on consoles first then port their PC titles from these console versions. – can you say BIA?. I can see more and more console titles taking precedence over PC titles in the future. Everywhere you looked most booths where 85% console and only 15% PC based games.
Personally I’m for more WWII or any type of military combat FPS titles. However there not many being shown..
-EA has BF2 for the PC setup on about 5-8 computers, so attendees could play, click here to view video (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=18) . The only problem, you only got five to ten minutes of play time before being asked to let someone else play, which was only fair.
-Acitivision was showing off the new version of CoD2 for the Xbox 360 click here to view video (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=17) , they where also showing exclusive D-Day footage in their theater. However I was told by an Activision rep guarding the back door, that it was mostly console based so I decided not to stand in line. More on this in the next section.
Finally the Good
-BF2 What can I say. This game looks and plays awesome, with the main focus on team work this game has come a long way and it shows. The first thing you notice is how much more info is laid out on the startup screens. Just like MOHPA, EA has put a lot of control at the finger tips of the clients and server admins. Once you get in the game, the second thing you notice is the new HUD. While I could not figure it our while I was playing I think it will take a bit to get use too. I was blown away by the textures and how vivid the game looked. One thing I did notice was the M1A tank looks a little squished together or cartoon-ish. While talking about the M1A tank, what I found to be rather cool was the way, the tanks charred hull exploded instead of fading away. What I mean is after taking a catastrophic hit and destroying the tank. In old BF the remaining debris faded away. This time it explodes for a second time, which seems to be a better way of removing destroyed vehicles during game play. While playing and talking to one of EA’s staff members.
I was told that bridges can be destroyed while engineers can repair or fix them. I was also told that, you could run over light poles and street signs, but when I tried with a buggy all it did was kill me and destroy the buggy.
Also I was told their will be Linux dedicated server binaries available in both 32\64 bit when the game ships.
If BF’s modding community supports BF2 like they have done with the past BF titles (which I know they will), it can only get better. I ‘m personally looking forward to the WWII mods for BF2!
Click here for video (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=14)
-Microsoft’s Xbox 360
I said in the Bad section, that I feel the game publishers are going to push consoles ahead of their PC counterparts. and I’m also not too crazy about playing FPS via a joystick. With that said, I must COD2 for the Xbox 360 looks AMAIZING! There was one sense where what appeared to be a British soldier in desert garb started to storm a closed door. As soon as he was ready to open the door, German bullets shattered the door ripping the British solder apart (the crowd went wiled) and it looked amazing. Now mods aside if I can use a keyboard I might not mind this console stuff.
I did not see anything running on any PS3 hardware so I can not compare it to the Xbox360. With that said, man did NFS look amazing on EA’s 360 degree video screen circling their booth. The details in the reflections crush any version playing on a high end PC ( I should know – one of my rigs is a FX55 with dual 6800U in SLI) .
Another WWII game for the Consoles:
The Outfit
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_relic00034.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=0)
Click image to view larger
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_outfit1.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=2)
Click to view larger
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_relic00087.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=1)
Click to view larger
Game info:
THQ and Relic Entertainment take explosive World War II combat to the next generation in an all new 3rd Person Action Game. Combining intense squad-based combat and easy to use strategic gameplay elements, The Outfit takes players behind enemy lines, battling the Nazi War Machine through a variety of combat missions.
Choose from three playable squad leader personalities – each with their own skills and abilities and lead two squads of battle-forged soldiers on missions ranging from reconnaissance and rescue to search and destroy. As you complete missions, you’ll gain action points that can be used to upgrade your arsenal, acquire tanks and other vehicles, build machinegun nests and anti-tank emplacements or call for air or artillery strikes. Experience the cinematic intensity of WWII combat through 12 epic single-player missions or go online for a variety of multiplayer modes, including co-op.
Features
Choose Between Three Playable Squad Leaders - Each with specific skills for different strategies
Explosive Battlefield Moments – Experience intense WWII combat through war-torn environments as you lead two squads behind enemy lines and take on the Nazi War Machine. Featuring advanced AI your squad mates will automatically seek cover and return fire and will follow your orders to assault tanks and enemy positions. Take on enemies with an explosive arsenal of WWII weapons and vehicles including Machine Guns, Bazookas, MG 42 Stationary Machine Guns, Tanks, Half-Tracks, Armored vehicles or move in for close combat hand-to-hand battles.
Multi-Squad Tactics – Switch between two squads at any time. Strategically use your squads on different parts of the map to achieve multiple objectives or combine their strength to take out the most challenging objectives.
Earn and Use Action Points – Capture strategic areas to gain action points and spend them on the fly to acquire upgraded weapons, driveable tanks, and fixed positions such as machine-gun nests, or to call in for air-strikes.
Fully Interactive and Destructible Environments - Destroy buildings, bridges, emplacements, walls —anything—with real physics and damage modeling.
Multiplayer Modes – Live! or Split Screen Online - choose from a variety of co-op and versus multiplayer modes
Xenon 16:9, 720p HD and 5.1 Dolby compliant
I headed up to Novalogics room to check out the new Delta Force Extreme. While I personally did not get a chance to play it . I did watch a couple guys playing around and it looked good. It bring back the old days (pre 1999) of me playing DF. That is the game that got me hooked playing MP online! Look for possible DF support here at FPSadmin.com.
A PC based WWII RTS, called:
Company of Heroes
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_garrisoned.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=23)
Game info:
Command the Company that Changed the Face of History
From the studio that brought you the blockbuster games of the year Homeworld, Impossible Creatures and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War comes the next revolution in action strategy. Company of Heroes is a WWII Real Time Strategy game that brings to life the journey of the brave men of Able Company as they fight across Europe in the greatest war mankind has ever known.
From the opening shots of the D-Day invasion of Normandy players will find themselves immersed in a rich single player campaign. Experience the cinematic intensity, courage, and bravery of the heroes that defined a generation, set against the backdrop of the most dynamic battlefield ever seen in a game.
· Essence Engine - Relic’s next generation cutting-edge engine provides graphics quality and a physics driven world that is unprecedented in an RTS.
· Environmental Strategy - Real-time physics and a completely destructible environment guarantee no two battles ever play out in the same way. Destroy anything and re-shape the battlefield in your image! Use buildings and terrain to your advantage, or deny them to the enemy.
· Living Soldiers - Advanced squad AI brings your soldiers to life as they interact with their changing environment, take cover, and execute advanced squad tactics to eliminate all enemy opposition.
· 2-8 players MP competition via Lan or Internet - Go online with friends and join in the ultimate battle of Axis versus Allies.
Panzer Genaral Elite
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/thumb_Panzer%20elite2.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=25) http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/thumb_Panzer%20elite.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=25)
A very cool looking WWII tank game
- Game video here (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=15)
- Official site here (http://www.panzereliteaction.com/main.php?lang=en)
- Screen shots here (http://www.panzereliteaction.com/screenshots.php?lang=en&rid=1426&id=11368)
Well that’s about it, while not my first tradeshow E3 was awesome experience but at the same time, a little disappointing for me. I hope PC games are here to stay. Us game server admins need our mods, dedicated servers and a great communities.
With the next generation consoles almost here, I guess it’s time for me to get use to joysticks. At least let us use our beloved keyboards and mice.
One more thing, A big thanks to Matt over at PMOH (http://www.planetmedalofhonor.com)
James Landi
Not so Rude – Rudedog email rudedog@gmail.com
Check out our E3 gallery here (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery) The following are all the videos I took at E3
-BF2 user menu (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=14)
-BF2 console version (xbox/playstation) (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=13)
-BF2 Gameplay (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=9&page=2)
-Panzer General elite (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=15)
-EA at E3 xbox 360 videos (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=16)
-Activision's COD2 XBox 360 (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=17)
The good, bad and ugly of E3 2005 While this was my first time I have attended E3, it’s by far not my first time attending a major computer trade show. With over 550 computer shows under my belt, I think I know what goes on in front and behind the stage. While E3 is very impressive, it was a little over whelming and at the same time, kind of a let down. Now, let me remind you my mane goal was to check out all the new military First Person Shooter we like to cover here at FPSadmin.com. I was a bit disappointed because of such a large focus on console based games.
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/thumb_P1010009.JPG (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=9)
Click image to view gallery
Let’s start in reverse.
The Ugly! Show management was a big disappointment in the way they ran the show. I can somewhat understand their frustration with all the non-industry “kids” that try and sneak in or fake their credentials. Security was the rudest I have ever seen. This was not my first time at the LA convention center. I have attended this venue about 4 other times for various other computer related shows. There was people blocking the stairs to the lower levels because there was not enough seating in any of the restaurants. This made trying to use the stairs a disaster. Getting onto the show flow was also a joke. They had large entry ways onto the show floor, but decided to only open one or two doors. Security even tried to get a crowd of 300 hyped up attendees to form two lines single lines. This almost resulted in a reverse stampede because the so called security lack of common sense. They also had ½ the west hall shut down for several hours because of a power failure.
The Bad! E3 2005, was mostly made up of the gaming corporations pushing their new console titles and hardware, thanks to Microsoft , Sony and Nintendo getting ready to release their next versions of their gaming platforms. Granted I was there to look at the next PC FPS titles that interests us here at FPSadmin.com. At the moment, I’m not really interested in console gaming, other then car/truck/ATV/ motocross racing type sims. I hate to say this but this could be the beginning of the end for us PC gamers. It seems developers are starting to focus on consoles first then port their PC titles from these console versions. – can you say BIA?. I can see more and more console titles taking precedence over PC titles in the future. Everywhere you looked most booths where 85% console and only 15% PC based games.
Personally I’m for more WWII or any type of military combat FPS titles. However there not many being shown..
-EA has BF2 for the PC setup on about 5-8 computers, so attendees could play, click here to view video (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=18) . The only problem, you only got five to ten minutes of play time before being asked to let someone else play, which was only fair.
-Acitivision was showing off the new version of CoD2 for the Xbox 360 click here to view video (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=17) , they where also showing exclusive D-Day footage in their theater. However I was told by an Activision rep guarding the back door, that it was mostly console based so I decided not to stand in line. More on this in the next section.
Finally the Good
-BF2 What can I say. This game looks and plays awesome, with the main focus on team work this game has come a long way and it shows. The first thing you notice is how much more info is laid out on the startup screens. Just like MOHPA, EA has put a lot of control at the finger tips of the clients and server admins. Once you get in the game, the second thing you notice is the new HUD. While I could not figure it our while I was playing I think it will take a bit to get use too. I was blown away by the textures and how vivid the game looked. One thing I did notice was the M1A tank looks a little squished together or cartoon-ish. While talking about the M1A tank, what I found to be rather cool was the way, the tanks charred hull exploded instead of fading away. What I mean is after taking a catastrophic hit and destroying the tank. In old BF the remaining debris faded away. This time it explodes for a second time, which seems to be a better way of removing destroyed vehicles during game play. While playing and talking to one of EA’s staff members.
I was told that bridges can be destroyed while engineers can repair or fix them. I was also told that, you could run over light poles and street signs, but when I tried with a buggy all it did was kill me and destroy the buggy.
Also I was told their will be Linux dedicated server binaries available in both 32\64 bit when the game ships.
If BF’s modding community supports BF2 like they have done with the past BF titles (which I know they will), it can only get better. I ‘m personally looking forward to the WWII mods for BF2!
Click here for video (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=14)
-Microsoft’s Xbox 360
I said in the Bad section, that I feel the game publishers are going to push consoles ahead of their PC counterparts. and I’m also not too crazy about playing FPS via a joystick. With that said, I must COD2 for the Xbox 360 looks AMAIZING! There was one sense where what appeared to be a British soldier in desert garb started to storm a closed door. As soon as he was ready to open the door, German bullets shattered the door ripping the British solder apart (the crowd went wiled) and it looked amazing. Now mods aside if I can use a keyboard I might not mind this console stuff.
I did not see anything running on any PS3 hardware so I can not compare it to the Xbox360. With that said, man did NFS look amazing on EA’s 360 degree video screen circling their booth. The details in the reflections crush any version playing on a high end PC ( I should know – one of my rigs is a FX55 with dual 6800U in SLI) .
Another WWII game for the Consoles:
The Outfit
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_relic00034.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=0)
Click image to view larger
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_outfit1.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=2)
Click to view larger
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_relic00087.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=1)
Click to view larger
Game info:
THQ and Relic Entertainment take explosive World War II combat to the next generation in an all new 3rd Person Action Game. Combining intense squad-based combat and easy to use strategic gameplay elements, The Outfit takes players behind enemy lines, battling the Nazi War Machine through a variety of combat missions.
Choose from three playable squad leader personalities – each with their own skills and abilities and lead two squads of battle-forged soldiers on missions ranging from reconnaissance and rescue to search and destroy. As you complete missions, you’ll gain action points that can be used to upgrade your arsenal, acquire tanks and other vehicles, build machinegun nests and anti-tank emplacements or call for air or artillery strikes. Experience the cinematic intensity of WWII combat through 12 epic single-player missions or go online for a variety of multiplayer modes, including co-op.
Features
Choose Between Three Playable Squad Leaders - Each with specific skills for different strategies
Explosive Battlefield Moments – Experience intense WWII combat through war-torn environments as you lead two squads behind enemy lines and take on the Nazi War Machine. Featuring advanced AI your squad mates will automatically seek cover and return fire and will follow your orders to assault tanks and enemy positions. Take on enemies with an explosive arsenal of WWII weapons and vehicles including Machine Guns, Bazookas, MG 42 Stationary Machine Guns, Tanks, Half-Tracks, Armored vehicles or move in for close combat hand-to-hand battles.
Multi-Squad Tactics – Switch between two squads at any time. Strategically use your squads on different parts of the map to achieve multiple objectives or combine their strength to take out the most challenging objectives.
Earn and Use Action Points – Capture strategic areas to gain action points and spend them on the fly to acquire upgraded weapons, driveable tanks, and fixed positions such as machine-gun nests, or to call in for air-strikes.
Fully Interactive and Destructible Environments - Destroy buildings, bridges, emplacements, walls —anything—with real physics and damage modeling.
Multiplayer Modes – Live! or Split Screen Online - choose from a variety of co-op and versus multiplayer modes
Xenon 16:9, 720p HD and 5.1 Dolby compliant
I headed up to Novalogics room to check out the new Delta Force Extreme. While I personally did not get a chance to play it . I did watch a couple guys playing around and it looked good. It bring back the old days (pre 1999) of me playing DF. That is the game that got me hooked playing MP online! Look for possible DF support here at FPSadmin.com.
A PC based WWII RTS, called:
Company of Heroes
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_garrisoned.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=23)
Game info:
Command the Company that Changed the Face of History
From the studio that brought you the blockbuster games of the year Homeworld, Impossible Creatures and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War comes the next revolution in action strategy. Company of Heroes is a WWII Real Time Strategy game that brings to life the journey of the brave men of Able Company as they fight across Europe in the greatest war mankind has ever known.
From the opening shots of the D-Day invasion of Normandy players will find themselves immersed in a rich single player campaign. Experience the cinematic intensity, courage, and bravery of the heroes that defined a generation, set against the backdrop of the most dynamic battlefield ever seen in a game.
· Essence Engine - Relic’s next generation cutting-edge engine provides graphics quality and a physics driven world that is unprecedented in an RTS.
· Environmental Strategy - Real-time physics and a completely destructible environment guarantee no two battles ever play out in the same way. Destroy anything and re-shape the battlefield in your image! Use buildings and terrain to your advantage, or deny them to the enemy.
· Living Soldiers - Advanced squad AI brings your soldiers to life as they interact with their changing environment, take cover, and execute advanced squad tactics to eliminate all enemy opposition.
· 2-8 players MP competition via Lan or Internet - Go online with friends and join in the ultimate battle of Axis versus Allies.
Panzer Genaral Elite
http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/thumb_Panzer%20elite2.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=25) http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/albums/userpics/thumb_Panzer%20elite.jpg (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=25)
A very cool looking WWII tank game
- Game video here (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=15)
- Official site here (http://www.panzereliteaction.com/main.php?lang=en)
- Screen shots here (http://www.panzereliteaction.com/screenshots.php?lang=en&rid=1426&id=11368)
Well that’s about it, while not my first tradeshow E3 was awesome experience but at the same time, a little disappointing for me. I hope PC games are here to stay. Us game server admins need our mods, dedicated servers and a great communities.
With the next generation consoles almost here, I guess it’s time for me to get use to joysticks. At least let us use our beloved keyboards and mice.
One more thing, A big thanks to Matt over at PMOH (http://www.planetmedalofhonor.com)
James Landi
Not so Rude – Rudedog email rudedog@gmail.com
Check out our E3 gallery here (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery) The following are all the videos I took at E3
-BF2 user menu (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=14)
-BF2 console version (xbox/playstation) (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=13)
-BF2 Gameplay (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=9&page=2)
-Panzer General elite (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=15)
-EA at E3 xbox 360 videos (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=16)
-Activision's COD2 XBox 360 (http://www.fpsadmin.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=17)