E3 Predictions :: Sony’s Press Conference – “Excitement And Melodrama”

The biggest event in video games is drawing close. In just a few days all the build up, excitement and melodrama will be over and we can all look forward to the fantastic future offerings. We know we’ll see more on Sony’s big first party games, the NGP will be shown off and renamed and treading carefully is a must after the recent spate of cyber attacks. Despite this, we don’t really know what else is in store. Granted, we know that Konami are bringing us Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Zone Of The Enders Collection s, as well as new titles for Sony’s latest portable. However, there’s a lot we don’t know. So I’m here to deliver 5 predictions for Sony’s showing at E3 just hours before the press conference begins.

No PSN downtime apology

Many out there think that the beginning of Sony’s E3 press briefing will contain an apology for the problems the company has had keeping it’s online doors locked. I, however, do not. Sony has already apologised for the problems caused and the possible damage done to customers and business associates. Dwelling on this during the press conference is not a wise move. E3 is all about showing how things have been improved, about what’s coming next. Dwelling on the latest scandal is not going to do them any favours. I do believe that the issue has to be acknowledged by Jack Tretton in his opening monologue, but a full on apology is not necessary, even with all the mainstream press in the room.

The Last Guardian will be demoed/Team ICO Collection dated for North America

Team ICO’s latest game is perhaps the most highly anticipated game on the PlayStation 3 and, their previous two efforts, ICO and Shadow Of The Collosus are beloved by gamers across the world. Despite it being mostly unknown outside of the gaming enthusiast community, The Last Guardian will move systems. It’s been far too long now, this game needs a big E3 blowout. Following on from this, the Team ICO Collection – HD versions of the developer’s last two games – will be given a release date for North America, following on from the Japanese announcement last week.

The NGP will not be renamed ‘PS Vita’

Though ‘Vita’ was used as a codename during the development of Sony’s new handheld, the console’s official name will not be ‘Vita’. Following the trend of Sony’s other systems, the new device will be named the PSP2. Some say that, from a business standpoint, the ‘PSP brand’ is now synonymous with failure in the West. However, it is a brand that consumers know. Calling this system anything other than a PlayStation Portable could be a very bad move for Sony.

Rockstar will debut the first trailer for Agent

With LA Noire finally finished, Rockstar has only Max Payne 3 for people to be excited for. Sure, that logo for Agent was pretty damn exciting (or perhaps it was just “Rockstar Games” that had people excited?), but a trailer for that game would be a really big thing for Sony. The fact that it’s an exclusive game just sweetens the deal even more. I don’t think we’ll see gameplay, but a trailer along the lines of what we saw at LA Noire’s debut would be enough to get people in a tizzy.

Kevin Butler will not appear

Though Kevin Butler is, arguably, the most recognisable face at Sony, he will not appear at this year’s E3 press conference. A veil of seriousness needs to be applied by Sony this time around, so an appearance from the fake executive might not be appropriate. Not only that, but the joke of him appearing at the conference might just feel like a repeat of last year. He will appear in video form, but an actual ‘personal appearance’ doesn’t seem to be on the cards.

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