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X-11: Xbox E3 2003 Preview

Only a few short days remain until a mass pilgrimage begins to Los Angeles, which again turns into the Mecca of the video game and PC industry as the ninth annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) kicks off. From May 14 through 16, the Los Angeles Convention Center will be converged upon en masse by the many members of the gaming trade and media (including The Armchair Empire’s own Omni) in L.A. to find out what is in store in the near and not-so-near future for gaming enthusiasts.

E3 is more than the-now famous bodacious booth babes that occupy the exhibition booths throughout the Convention Center. 60,000 gaming retailers, developers, publishers, and others in the electronic entertainment industry showing off their wares comprise the core of E3. By far the most influential and paid-attention-to section of E3’s exhibitors is the PC and video game developers and publishers. To these companies, E3 has become the most crucial event of the year, and that especially holds true for the three major consoles on the market today, the Xbox, PS2, and GameCube and the publishers with respective supporting game software.

Microsoft and its Xbox are planning for a big splash at E3, and they really need to. The Xbox is currently fighting off Nintendo’s GameCube for second-place status in the console battle. Both trail the PlayStation 2 by the tens of millions in hardware units sold. The only way the Xbox can distance itself from the ‘Cube is to make a huge statement at E3 2003 with a great crowd-wowing showing on the high-pressure E3 stage. All three console companies have each and every announcement and game (both first and third-party) shown at E3 scrutinized to the smallest detail. The hardware’s already out there. It’s the games that will make E3 a success for any of the three. Every game publisher and developer certainly understands the importance of E3, and the following list contains the bigger Xbox games that will definitely or could possibly appear on the E3 show floor.

FIRST-PARTY TITLES

Microsoft will have plenty of first-party games to show off at E3. The problem is that many of these same games were shown at E3 2002 and some may wind up getting shown yet again at E3 2004 before they actually get released. Most of these games have huge potential, but the only way they will realize that potential is if they come out sooner rather than later. Having some of these games in playable form at E3 would be a big bonus for Microsoft if they have any chance of making bigger inroads into the dominating market-share lead Sony has. Notice how many of these first-party games have built-in Xbox Live compatibility (I noted which games have known Xbox Live compatibility at this point). Online gaming is one area in the console universe where Microsoft believes it has a big advantage over both Sony and Nintendo.

These are the first-party Xbox titles that should draw the biggest crowds fighting to play or see them at E3 2003 (in order of expected interest level):

HALO 2 (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE): One of the most anxiously-awaited titles on any platform is the potentially incredible Halo 2, which probably won’t be near a really good playable version until next year’s E3. No game will push the Xbox hardware to its fullest potential like Halo 2. You heard it here first: Halo 2 will be E3 2004’s biggest showstopper.

FABLE: Started out as Project Ego and changed its moniker to Fable, this long-delayed “king of god games” Peter Molyneux project doesn’t seem to actually be coming out anytime soon. But just maybe this is the year this ambitious RPG finally sees the light of day.

PSYCHONAUTS: Another legendary developer, Tim Schafer (formerly of LucasArts and popularly known for classics Full Throttle and Grim Fandango) has been taking his time fine-tuning his uniquely psychotic first Xbox game.

PROJECT GOTHAM RACING 2(XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE): Finally this might be the first Xbox racer better than Sony’s Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec.

CRIMSON SKIES: HIGH ROAD TO REVENGE (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE): The online skies get unfriendly with this long-awaited plane-combat title.

BC: Another Molyneux god game, this time set in the age of dinosaurs. Just like Fable, looks good and sounds interesting, but seems iffy at best if it will actually turn up in stores before 2004.

SUDEKI: There are high hopes a-plenty for this RPG that is Microsoft’s answer to the PlayStation’s Final Fantasy series. One thing’s for sure: the Xbox needs a lot more RPG’s than just The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to satiate the demands of X-gamers.

AMPED 2 (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE): Amped was a very good snowboarding game that combined both arcade and simulation style snowboarding perfectly. Amped 2 takes that already-solid gaming and throws it online. Could be a sleeper hit this Christmas season.

NHL RIVALS 2004 (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE): Microsoft’s first foray into the hockey video game rink. Can it compete with Sega Sports’ NHL 2K4?

VOODOO VINCE (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE): If you thought that only Sega developed eclectic games, you haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen Voodoo Vince. You play as Vince, a voodoo doll that must inflict voodoo-doll pain on himself in order to defeat his enemies. Even stranger, this game will be online compatible, so get out your cyber-pins and needles.

AND THE REST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER): Brute Force; Inside Drive 2004(XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE); Inside Pitch 2003(XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE); Midtown Madness 3(XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE); NFL Fever 2004(XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE).

THIRD-PARTY TITLES

This year showcases an impressive list of Xbox titles headed our way from third-party developers. The Xbox library is primed to grow by leaps and bounds by the end of 2003, and E3 should give us a first glimpse at many of these titles.

These Xbox third-party games should create the biggest buzz on the E3 show floor (in order of expected interest level):

SOUL CALIBUR II: The sequel to the greatest fighting game ever arrives on the Xbox with exclusive features. Looks incredible and should have the gameplay to kick some serious booty. Will give the Xbox fighting-game genre a shot in the arm it desperately needs.

STARCRAFT - GHOST: Blizzard’s third-person action title is appearing on all platforms, but should be a big seller on the Xbox.

STEEL BATTALION ONLINE (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE): Everybody gets to play the Mech game with the $150 dollar controller as it was meant to be played: online. Steel Battalion was great as a single-player experience, so adding Xbox Live compatibility should increase the fun factor exponentially.

AMERICAN MCGEE’S OZ: From the creator of the magnificent American McGee’s Alice, American (yes, that’s his real name) McGee revisits the land of OZ in a dark, dark, time before the events chronicled in the L. Frank Baum book.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ryu Hayabusa, One of the stars of the Dead or Alive fighting franchise (and an old-school ninja gaming legend), brings ninja action gaming exclusively to the Xbox. If the action is half as good as visuals, should be an incredible game.

SEGA SPORTS NFL 2K4, NBA 2K4, NHL 2K4, NCAA BASKETBALL 2004, NCAA FOOTBALL 2004 (ALL XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE): The entire Sega Sports franchise collection suits up on the Xbox with Xbox Live gameplay. After an excellent showing in 2003, the next installments of Sega Sports titles is promising even more upgrades and more ESPN-powered features packed in.

FULL THROTTLE: HELL ON WHEELS: Ben finally returns! The classic LucasArts adventure game is reincarnated as an action title with plenty of bikers and brawling. Note to LucasArts old-school adventure gamers: a new Sam & Max title will be coming next year.

RETURN TO CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN: TIDES OF WAR (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE): The first-person shooter that started the whole genre comes to the Xbox in this Xbox-only version. Although this actually just reached store shelves (as of this writing), E3 offers the chance to give it more exposure. The Xbox title includes new monsters, weapons and other items. There’s also a brand-new Egyptian campaign and Xbox Live support, which could make this a huge selling title.

MACE GRIFFIN: BOUNTY HUNTER: Intertwines on-the-planetary-ground action elements with spacecraft flight combat. Uniquely unlike any title seen before, could this be the start of a new genre?

STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC: The Star Wars universe comes alive in this console-exclusive RPG from the fine folks over at LucasArts. Sure to keep Jedi fans happy for a long, long, while. Unfortunately will not have Xbox Live compatibility.

AND THE REST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):

ACTION/ADVENTURE

Dino Crisis 3; Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; Freedom: Battle for Liberty Island; Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance; Hunter: Redeemer; Last Ninja: The Return; Otogi: Myth of Demons; Pitfall Harry; True Crime: Streets of L.A.; XIII.

LITERARY/MOVIE/TV-INSPIRED TITLES

Aliens vs. Predators: Extinction; Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis; Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2: Chaos Bleeds; Battlestar Galactica; Enter The Matrix; Futurama; The Hobbit; The Hulk; The Italian Job; Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy; Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard; Robocop; Simpsons: Hit and Run; Spider-Man 2; Star Trek: Shattered Universe; Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines; Wallace and Gromit; X-Files: Resist or Serve.

RPG/SIMULATION/STRATEGY

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II; Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes; Elder Scrolls III: Blood Moon; Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel; Gladius; Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde; Pirates of the Caribbean; Sonic Heroes; X-Men Legends.

SHOOTER

Medal of Honor: Rising Sun; Rainbow Six: Raven Shield; Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE); SWAT: Global Strike Team.

SPORTS/RACING

Auto Modellista; Colin McRae Rally 04; IndyCar Series; Madden 2004; Midnight Club II; MotoGP 2 (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE); NBA Live 2004; NCAA Football 2004; Outlaw Golf 2; Outlaw Volleyball; Sega GT Online (XBOX LIVE COMPATIBLE); Tiger Woods 2004.

Count ‘em: that’s 83 games I have listed above. Many may not come out for a while, but if most stick to their projected release dates, E3 will give Xbox gamers a chance to preview a hot collection of titles for the rest of 2003 that can give the PS2 and GameCube library a serious run for the money. Count on this: E3 will be the genesis that leads to the biggest fourth-quarter console brawl ever seen.

XBOX LIVE

Microsoft apparently believes that Xbox Live may be its key to success in taking down Sony from its lofty perch. The large majority of first-party titles coming out have some type of Xbox Live feature, whether it’s actual online gameplay or downloadable content. And with good reason too. Without question, Xbox Live is the best online console gaming service. To Microsoft, online gaming is strongly in the future of console gaming. Big news for Xbox Live gamers is expected to be announced at E3. According to a Reuters news report, Microsoft may unveil a new and improved Xbox Live. Additional voice communication, and turning the Xbox into a media center and music mixer for both music and video content are some of the upgrades mentioned in the report. Also, new pricing options for Xbox Live, including renewal of current Xbox Live accounts, is being set and prepared to be announced officially. Other E3-related Xbox Live showings could be the downloadable content from Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee and the newest Unreal Championship goodies.

POSSIBLE ANNOUNCEMENTS

The biggest treat for gaming industry followers is the surprise announcements that always rise to the surface at E3. In today’s dog-eat-dog hostile console marketplace, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo always try to use E3 to get any advantage over the other two that they can. Announcing major developments and gaming news has become standard practice. This year is no different, and there are quite a few rumors floating out there in addition to possible announcements concerning Microsoft and the Xbox that could be verified at E3, each which could have big implications on where the console industry is headed in the near future.

Here’s the best Microsoft and Xbox rumors/possible announcements that may be addressed at E3. Remember, a lot of this is only conjecture at this point on my part, so just like myself, you’ll have to wait until E3 starts to see if there’s any fireworks ignited from the sparks of rumor.

SEGA

Microsoft buying Sega is a rumor that in recent days is the closest to being true and possibly announced at E3. Sega’s been in a downward spiral after it was forced to exit the hardware business with the demise of the Dreamcast. Since concentrating on being a third-party software development house only, Sega has struggled to keep afloat. First, a merger was announced with Japanese company Sammy. Then Sega started gauging the interest of Japanese developer Namco in acquiring them, which miffed Sammy. Namco announced they would only wait until May 9 for Sega’s decision.

Sammy, meanwhile, felt like a jilted bride and bitterly announced they were no longer interested in a Sega merger. Late in the game, rumors again started circulating that Microsoft, which has had a good working relationship with Sega since it became a third-party software house, was interested in acquiring Sega. As of this writing, the Namco cut-off date was officially here in Japan, and the announcement did come: Namco has withdrawn its offer for Sega. It’s now time for those Microsoft-acquiring-Sega whispers to start becoming a deafening roar.

SYSTEM PRICE CUT?

This is the one other possible announcement that is closer to reality than most. But any system price cuts are going to be led by the marketplace leader, Sony and their PS2. If Sony decides to stand pat with the $199US price, then don’t expect either the Xbox or GameCube to drop their price. But if Sony decides to decrease the PS2’s price, then Microsoft and Nintendo will be essentially forced to drop their prices. The magic decline number being tossed around is $49US, but Sony’s top executives are on record stating that they are comfortable with keeping the PS2 at $199US, so the odds are the console prices won’t probably go any lower until Christmas at the earliest.

RARE

When Microsoft purchased Rare, Xbox gamers started immediately wondering when the first now-all-Xbox-exclusive Rare game would come out. The biggest Rare title by far will be the new Perfect Dark, which isn’t expected until 2004. There hasn’t been a whole lot said or revealed concerning Perfect Dark by either Microsoft or Rare. Will the lovely Joanna Dark come to E3? We’ll see, but more likely Rare will be showing off Kameo.

INTEREST IN ACQUIRING BLIZZARD?

It’s no secret that Vivendi Universal Games and its stable of development houses are being bandied around for sale. Blizzard, the creators of the WarCraft, StarCraft, and Diablo series, is part of that stable. Vivendi would prefer to package Blizzard with Sierra and Universal Interactive, but Microsoft would probably be trying to pry Blizzard away by itself. However, there are plenty of other interested suitors, so Microsoft buying the profitable Blizzard would be one of the biggest and most shocking announcements at E3.

DEAD OR ALIVE 4 XBOX-EXCLUSIVE?

DOA3 was an Xbox exclusive, and it still remains the system’s best fighting game. DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball was also exclusively Xbox. There is expected to be an announcement on when the next version of the Tecmo fighting series will be ready to rumble. But will it be Xbox only or is the large PS2 market just too big for Tecmo to resist?

E3’S GONNA BE X-CITING

Whatever happens, E3 2003 as far as Microsoft’s Xbox is concerned is shaping up to be very interesting, and could get downright dramatic if some of the rumors circulating around the Xbox and Microsoft turn out to be substantiated in any way at E3. From what’s expected to show up on the E3 exhibition floor, it looks like Microsoft is banking hard on Xbox Live and some big first-party titles to lead the way this upcoming Christmas buying season. Shouldn’t be any shortage of quality Xbox gaming goodness to display for the video game horde. But you just know Bill Gates is really sweating out the possibility that the hugely uncorroborated rumblings concerning Sony showing off an early version of the PS3 could really be true and steal any thunder either Microsoft or Nintendo could create.

- Lee Cieniawa

lcieniawa@armchairempire.com

(May 10, 2003)

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