Buttonbasher

E3 is almost upon us (July 11-13), and since a few other sites are throwing down predictions as to what we will see in a few weeks.

MT: 12:30 PM
CT: 1:30 PM
ET: 2:30 PM

Sony- I’m expecting the PS2 to start dwindling down, and less software to be announced (aside from movie games). I think that Killzone 2 will be shown in some form, whether that’s a live demo on stage, playable on the show floor, or even a real in game trailer. Sony’s software is looking pretty good, with Heavenly Sword, Lair, Afrika, and MGS4 specifically, but I want to see some of the games shown off originally at E3′05 like Heavy Rain,  and Eyedentify. As for the portable scene I think that they could potentially announce a PSP redesign. Something with built-in memory, better battery life, and possibly another analog nub. With the Playstation Network up and running, they could do what Microsoft did last year, and put some demos/trailers from the show up for download. And don’t forget about Home and LittleBigPlanet! Sony could have a great showing.

MT: 10:00 AM
CT: 11:00 AM
ET: 12:00 PM

Nintendo- Expect more mini-games. More gimmick. More Mii’s. I’m not too happy with the game selection for the Wii so far. I’m getting worried that Mini-games will become the only games available. They are selling fantastically so why stop making them? I want real games. Zelda proved a 3rd person adventure can work well with the Wii, so why are we not seeing more? Expect Nintendo to show off Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros. Brawl as their big games of the show (I’m expecting firm release dates). Metroid Prime 3 will probably be shown off more extensively as well. I’m hoping that Animal Crossing Wii is shown off (but not using Mii’s), and I think theres a good chance that Pikmin 3 will be announced as well. I’m not expecting megaton software announcements, but hardware could be a different story. I think that a new download service on the Wii could be announced as well as some new Channels. Potentially new ways to save your VC games (HDD/special SD cards) could be mentioned. But I think that Nintendo could bring back the Gameboy. If they are indeed wanting the DS brand and the Gameboy brand to co-exist with each other, we should see a new Gameboy. With DS graphics, but more traditional control. Icing on the cake would be if it could play the virtual console games you buy on Wii (SD card transfer?). In the Wii software drought Nintendo has a lot to prove, they are sitting pretty well in the sales charts, but it seems they aren’t focusing on the hardcore audience enough.

MT: 9:30 PM
CT: 10:30 PM
ET: 11:30 PM

Microsoft- Halo 3 will obviously have a big presence. I’m not expecting a demo for the Marketplace, but I do expect them to show a single player demo off during the press conference (just like at E3 03). Probably a new trailer. I’m expecting all of the naysayers on the graphics to be put in their place. As for other games, I think that it’s probable that we see a Bioshock demo on the Marketplace. It’s shipping in August, so it’s probably near finished, thus making a demo more likely. I think that Microsoft has a few more exclusives up their sleeve as well. I’m thinking that since all of the GTA IV media we’ve seen so far has been on 360, there is more chance of Microsoft having the exclusive showing at the press conference. I think that Xbox Live Anywhere will be more detailed, and will be given a full release plans. I think Microsoft will announce a new partnership (dare I say acquisition?), and detail some new XBLA games. Halo 3 will likely be the main push from Microsoft this E3, but there should still be good showings for games like Mass Effect, Bioshock, Alan Wake, and PGR4.

These are just guesses, but I figured I’d throw down some predictions. Leave your predictions in the comment section!

Only 2 weeks!

KLind

He looks too young:

KLind

I just found out that EA’s highly anticipated at last years E3, Spore, has been delayed indefinitely. Begin weeping…NOW.

EggyMc

Finally some decent news from Smash Bros. Dojo! Instead of a new level, or a music sample, we finally have a new character! Well, sort of. She’s been in the past games. But this is sweet because it’s Twilight Princess Zelda! And the character model is looking good!

I’m getting pretty excited for Smash Bros. Brawl purely from a graphical standpoint. It’s looking seriously good. With this and Mario Galaxy looking so good, why are we getting games that look like trash? If it’s 2 Gamecubes Duct-taped together, give me at least Gamecube graphics! But that rant is for another time. Here’s more Zelda:

Mmm. Purdy.

KLind

From OXM July. The caption is the best part in the next picture:

“Cliffy loved the visit but admitted, “It’s frightening when it shows up on my doorstep.”

Oh, and Cliffy has brown hair. If you’re into that level of creepy.

KLind

Press Release:

Los Angeles, CA - Video Games Live, The #1 video game touring concert in the world, announced today that they will be releasing a DVD & CD from their award-winning sold out performances recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last year.

“Since we started Video Games Live over 5 years ago we’ve always received at least a few e-mails and letters each week asking if and when a
DVD and CD would be available,” said Tommy Tallarico, co-creator of Video Games Live and longtime video game composer. “We’re finally proud to announce the first ever live game concert DVD and CD available in the U.S. and throughout the world.” Co-creator Jack Wall added “The shows in Brazil were absolutely amazing. The crowds were unbelievable and the energy level was second to none.”

Recently, Video Games Live was the recipient of the “Special Breakthrough Achievement Award” at the 3rd Annual Gameworld Awards for their performances in Brazil last November.

The Brazilian shows were sponsored by the biggest corporations in all of Latin America including oil company Petrobras as well as UOL, the principle Latin American internet online provider. Intel, the world’s largest semiconductor company were the title sponsors along with media partner Futuro Publishing which helped to make the initial groundbreaking tour a national success. Adding to the already powerful line-up of supporters were the Brazilian Government and the Ministry of Culture, whose commitment to the Video Games Live project speaks volumes for VGL’s relevance, significance and future presence in Brazil.

The highly prestigious Petrobras Sinfônica Orchestra performed in some of the highest regarded venues in all of Brazil.

Video Games Live is currently planning its return tour to Brazil for September, 2007. Exact DVD & CD release dates, pricing and ordering to be announced in August.

I’m super psyched for these. I was just downloading videos from the show for my Zune, and now this. My experience at Video Games Live has been the highlight of my year. I think back to it so much, and remember sitting in the third row, experiencing the lights, sounds, and goosebumps. I hope everyone has a chance to get to see this live, because no YouTube video does this justice.

Here’s a YouTube video announcing the DVD&CD:

KLind

Do you remember this post?

It dissed Sony and sided with 360. Just to be fair, I give you this:

(Warning: Mild Language).

KLind

The list is out, and I’m hyped. Of course they may be considered Spoilers, so click “more” with caution. Trust me though, these are awesome:

(more…)

Notice how Buttonbasher hasn’t been updated much in the past week? Well, I’ve been neck deep in a mystery dealing with Halo 3. Do you remember I Love Bees? It was an Alternate Reality Game that told some back story to Halo 2 (taking place during the summer before the games launch). It told the story by sending pieces of audio to pay phones around the country, which would later be unlocked on the website. It was a pretty cool thing that got a lot of people hyped for Halo 2, and got positive feedback for being a cool new way of marketing.

We now have something similar for Halo 3.

It started with Posts over at the Bungie Forums from a poster identifying itself as Adjutant Reflex. It posted stuff about “System Array In Flux”. What made it odd was that they were in Moderator status, and posted in Yellow text. Eventually the thread was stickied and locked. It’s speculated that AR represents the Monitor of the Ark. This continued for a few days until AR went into “Hibernation” for 38 hours. Then it reawoke to say: It has begun. The first seeds are scattered.

At the same time I received an email from Xbox.com called “Forerunner Email”. The Forerunner’s are the builders of the Halo’s. Here’s the email:

HISTORY CIRCLING BACK UPON US

The gears of the Universe spin further

and further apart.

Ever greater grows the gulf between souls,

And distance gives false hope of safety

But for the grim tidings this messenger bears:

The enemy is almost upon us

Closing in from all sides,

Moving faster than the light

it snuffs with its passage,

Time echoes with the news of destruction.

History winding back upon itself.

Waves of an army march this way in unison, Suffering and

corruption are its battle cries.

For I have known this darkness

and felt its embrace once before-

Horror best laid to rest

Yet a Journey must commence

Look for the signs, the keepers of the flame.

They will lead you to war, and perhaps, to victory.

As you can see the image above has a symbol on it. This glyph:

The email linked to Halo3.com, where we soon noticed that the glyph had appeared on Master Chiefs Helmet:

The following day, AR changed it’s avatar to this:

Halo3.com has been since updated to have “5 Locked Servers”. We don’t know what’s behind them, but rumor has it that they are audio/video related.

In a Circuit City Advertisement planned for sunday release (but of course found early) there was this ad:

Note the glyph in the ad. Also the new URL Halo3.com/comic which features a look at the Forerunners building the Ark 100,000 years ago! The last page of the comic hold secrets though:

Line up the numbers to get 206.16.223.65 an IP address linking to a countdown ending on 12:00AM, June 21(Wednesday-Thursday). The Summer Solstice.

We played around with the IP address and found: 206.16.223.63 a website for an organization calling themselves Society of the Ancients. Basically they believe aliens exist and built the 7 world wonders (like Stonehenge). On the evidence page you find this image:

“This was just sent to me from a SOTA member traveling through Tanzania. The rock painting (as of yet undated) was pointed out last month by a local safari guide.”

The next day a SOTA rally went down in Time Square

Similar Rallies have been going on around the world

Where will this end up? What’s behind the Locked Servers? Who exactly is AdjutantReflex?

Stay Tuned.

Good Resource with better explanation here

KLind

Because you know you want to:

The Shadow the Hedgehog Pinata! Made by gamer: Slaziman

KLind