Kirk Hamilton, Features Editor, Kotaku
I’m looking forward to seeing what Ubisoft brings, even though we mostly know what it’ll be. I haven’t seen Assassin’s Creed III in action yet, but many members of the gaming press (including my boss Stephen) have put aside their jadedness and enthused over the demo, which makes me curious. Is it really that good? I’m also looking forward to seeing Far Cry 3–I’m a Far Cry 2 diehard, and while at this point I’m certain that Far Cry 3 will be almost nothing like Far Cry 2, it will still (hopefully!) be a good video game.
Past that, I long to be surprised! I think we have a pretty good idea of what the big three press conferences will involve, and I’m not all that excited about any of it. It’ll take a lot for Halo 4 to knock my socks off, for example. I’d love to see Sony drop a few Vita surprises, since I’ve really taken to that system. I’m curious to know what Bethesda will be doing with DLC for Skyrim–Todd Howard’s said enough to make me think they’re really going to try something different than they did with Fallout 3. Hopefully there will be some surprises from other third-party developers, too–maybe we’ll get to hear what new games Eidos Montreal is working on?
Mike Schramm, Journalist, Joystiq, TUAW; iOS Game Designer
I would be most excited about the new consoles at E3, except Microsoft and Sony have both said they wouldn’t be showing any new hardware. Assuming they’re not outright lying, I’m personally excited to see what’s going on with Darksiders 2, Assassin’s Creed 3, Tomb Raider, and Hitman Absolution. Video gaming has changed so much in just the past year, with huge free-to-play titles and the big Kickstarter trend, that I’m curious to see if these blockbuster titles can still hold anticipation for fans. I’m betting they can.
James Brightman, US Editor at GamesIndustry International
E3 2012 may not put an emphasis on next-gen this year, but the Wii U exposure should be fascinating to watch. How will Nintendo position the new console? Will attendees go nuts the same way they did when Wii was properly unveiled? How many third parties will actually showcase Wii U titles at their respective booths? These are all questions I’m eager to have answered. From a games standpoint, I’m very excited to see the latest on Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us. Naughty Dog is aiming to elevate storytelling in this industry, and if the game’s first trailer is at all indicative of what’s coming, we should be in for a wild ride. Finally, looking specifically at technology, Epic’s about to unveil Unreal Engine 4, which will demonstrate just how incredible graphics on next-gen might look. I’m attending the presentation at the show and can’t wait to see what’s in store!
“I think some of the very best games of all time tend to be released near the end of a console cycle. Games like Super Metroid on the Super Nintendo, and Shadow of the Colossus on the Playstation 2. Developers have had time to really understand and push today’s systems and are really comfortable with the technology. I hope the true masterpieces for the current consoles will be unveiled at E3 this year!”
Frank O’Connor, Creative Director, 343 Industries
Honestly I’m most excited to see people’s reactions to what we have to show, and to start having conversations about the game and the universe I love, outside of our pre-E3 chaos. But that is pretty egocentric. Usually I don’t get to see much at E3 and end up locked in our booth, or meeting rooms, or hotels, but if I can get out this year at all, I think I really want to check out Assassin’s Creed and Tomb Raider, but as usual I am also going in prepared to be really surprised and excited by the unexpected.
Michael Pachter, Analyst, Wedbush Securities
“I’m most excited about the Wedbush/Intel E3 Networking Event. It’s the party of E3, and I hope [GamesBeat editor-in-chief] Shoe shows up.”
[Editor’s note: We thought that was funny but then followed up and asked for a real response.]
“I was serious. It’s a relatively uneventful E3.”
[Editor’s note: Final answer?]
This is the longest console cycle in history, the publishers are making fewer games than ever before, and nobody is launching new IP until new consoles come out. Nintendo might have a Mario game, but nobody else will announce anything but sequels, and that’s just not exciting. It’s obvious that we will hear about CoD and Halo, but I don’t expect anything earth-shattering, and there will be no mention of next generation consoles.
Martin Rae, president, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Far Cry 3 – I’m a big sucker for shooters, so I’ve got to say that I’m really looking forward to checking out Far Cry 3 from last year’s E3 press conferences. The amount of freedom and the tropical setting are something I’ve always enjoyed about the series. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
What’s next for the Academy – we will be showcasing the new 2012 Into the Pixel art collection at E3 in the Concourse Foyer of the convention center. If any of you are going to E3, please come check it out!
Jesse Divnich, Vice President of Insights and Analysis for Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR)
Nintendo’s press conference is likely to draw the most eyeballs this year. Nintendo’s backs are really up against the wall and E3 will be the time for Nintendo to begin to showcase the WIi-U’s true identity. Who the Wii-U will be targeting, the games we can expect at launch, and more importantly, where the Wii-U will fit in the HD gaming ecosphere.
I remain positive and optimistic on the Wii-U’s success, but that doesn’t mean others are looking closely to determine what direct Nintendo will be taking the Wii-U.