Intersections in Real Time

This year’s E3 is only a few hours away. Microsoft kicks off the great gala of gaming tomorrow at 1:30 PM EST and then another E3 is underway. This is the first E3 in a few years that I think we expect some real announcements out of. Not like oh hey this game will be out at this time woot us! But some substantial announcements. So on the precipice of the grand event I figured it would be a good time to state my predictions for the show. Now these are as informed as anyone else’s you would see on N4G or any other gaming website except for one difference – I’m way more awesome then those punks.

Let’s get the ball rolling with my fanboy passion – Nintendo. I don’t expect much from Nintendo this year. I expect them to pretty much rest on their laurels and not surprise us with anything. Their conference will pretty much should how awesome the system has sold. How many third party games have sold millions. How well Wii Fit has sold even though apparently I’m too fat to play it (I hate you random Gamestop employee). Pretty much how pleased they are with everything. So here are the things I believe will happen during their conference.

First, a price drop for the Wii. Something closer to 200 bucks. This is a tricky thing for Nintendo to do since the DSI is still selling great and is 169. But the Wii is starting to slow down and a price drop will sell another 10-15 million units.

Second, a new Mario game. But not for the Wii. For the DSi. It will be the first DSi only game and it will pretty much the sequel to New Super Mario Bros. The first one has sold around a trillion copies and we should be more shocked that a sequel hasn’t already come out.

Third, a few ‘hard core’ games headlined by either Kid Icarus or a new Zelda. I am leaning towards it being a new Kid Icarus but you really never know with Reggie.

Overall don’t expect much from Nintendo or a reason to dust off your Wii.

Next up we will go with Sony. I fear Sony may have already shown their hand with the leak of the lame ass PSP Go. I think that was going to be their big reveal along with some connectivity between it and the PS3. Movies and games and the like. They will talk about how great Home is and how it is coming along. How by the end of 2019 most games will have Trophies. How they are the hardest of the hardcore and Killzone selling well proves it. That even the most graphic heavy game has only used 1 billionth of the processing power that is the almighty cell. And that for the last few months the PS3 has started to sell pretty well. So besides that here are the few things I think will happen.

First, NO price drop or new SKU. Sony is definitely working on both but don’t expect either until after August and in time for the almighty Christmas period. They rather have an entire press conference dedicated to both so it doesn’t get overshadowed somewhat.

Secondly, a bunch of new exclusives headlined by a new Metal Gear Portable (for the Go) and the return of Twisted Metal. Possibly a new Metar Gear game for the PS3 as well. But more then likely something new from Kojima.

Third, Final Fantasy VII to the PSN and the PSP and PSP go. This really shouldn’t be a surprise but will happen.

Fourth, something utterly lame that will seem cool but will never ever be used. Something like youtube support for the PS3. Create and trade videos of all of your games and post them to youtube! Something like that.

Fifth, a huge push for the PSP will happen. The PSP is by no means a failure but as a gaming device it is. Nintendo has owned the handheld market since it’s early days. No one has challenged them in it or come close. Except for Sony. Close to 30 million PSP owners are out there so a refocus on that market would be wise and might prove profitable. This might be the reason for the Go or not.

Finally we have Microsoft. I have to be honest I don’t really know what to expect from them this year. While with Nintendo and Sony I am more confident in my predictions with Microsoft I almost feel like its wild speculation but here goes nothing.

First, Hulu is coming to the 360. Dork whore Olivia Munn may have tipped Microsoft’s hand with a tweet a few days ago. Letting the world know that Hulu is coming to the 360 and MAYBE the ZuneHD. The new Zune does have wifi support and it would be pretty awesome if you could stream stuff straight to it and would be one of those impractical things that Microsoft would do. Regardless, Hulu on the 360 would be a major Win for them.

Secondly, after the ODST presentation it will be announced that a new Halo game is coming. Whether it will be an expansion like ODST or a new add on for Halo Wars or a Halo Wars sequel I am not sure. But expect more Halo. And an ODST elite bundle.

Third, no new motion control wand thingee. It’s a lame idea and if it existed it would’ve been out two years ago after the Wii started its incredible run.

Fourth, the ZuneHD will play games. Maybe your Arcade games. In any case the Zune is Microsofts backdoor into handheld gaming. Expect a Viva Pinata game to be shown on it.

Fifth, Microsoft really loved the primetime stuff at one point. They may start pushing that with some fall stuff.

Lastly, some new exclusives besides Halo. Gears of War 2 has sold incredibly well and a third one will be out November 2010. But I think Epic might have something new up their sleeves and will show it off. But that won’t be all. Maybe a new Perfect Dark and maybe a 360 exclusive Call of Duty game? In any case they will show off some exclusives, whether or not they are cool remains to be seen.

This is just what I’m thinking might happen over the next few days. Whether I’m right or wrong doesn’t matter. What matters is it’s E3 time and we will see what’s coming finally!