Science and Tech

Actions

Different Approaches for Consolemakers At E3

The big three game console makers — Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo — had three different experiences at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Posted at
and last updated

Now that the dust has settled on the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, we’re finally getting verdicts on just how it all went — at least for the big three consolemakers:

Microsoft showed off new IPs like Sunset Overdrive, and announced returns to old favorites like Crackdown.

343 Industries also confirmed Halos One through Four would see another release as the Master Chief collection: all four chapters, with a freshly polished Halo 2 and even new bits of story to tie them all together. (Via Polygon)

Sony announced Uncharted 4, Little Big Planet 3, and The Assembly, the first game for its Project Morpheus 3D headset. (Via Tech Times)

And Nintendo was, well, Nintendo. And also showed off more of the upcoming Super Smash Brothers and Zelda Wii U. (Via CVG)

Hardcore Gamer praised Microsoft for a refreshing return to focusing on game content, instead of everything else the Xbox One can do as a set-top device.

"…these games create a library that speaks well of any console that contains it, which isn’t something I could have said about the Xbox One last Sunday."

Contrast that with Sony, says ExtremeTech, which touched on other things its PS4 can do as a set-top device, instead of focusing just on gaming content.

“Not only did Sony beat Microsoft in the primary arena of games, but it also won the secondary conflicts by default because it didn’t focus solely on games.”

And Nintendo?

“Nintendo had been floating about in its own world,” says a writer at Kotaku, who praised its earnest, if goofy, presentation this year. “It might be out of touch with the rest of the industry, but Nintendo seems increasingly in touch with what its fans want.”

So, yes, these things are somewhat subjective. Nobody “won” E3 —

— except maybe Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto. Is he ever not smiling? (Via Flickr / Doug Kline