E3: Sony fails to inspire, but why?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 | 11:51 AM ET
By Mathew Kumar, Special to CBCnews.ca
LOS ANGELES - With the last scheduled press conference of any of the console manufacturers, Sony had to pull some major announcements out of the bag to try and outstage the prior work of both Nintendo and Microsoft on Tuesday. Sadly, however, Sony offered a show that was as flat as a pancake, with president and CEO of SCEA Jack Tretton awkwardly talking through an uninspiring list of upcoming titles.
When the most exciting segment of your E3 press conference is the sales numbers, you know you’ve got a problem.
Of course, there’s a reason the sales numbers were so exciting, and that’s because they were shown within a user-generated level for the eagerly anticipated Little Big Planet. To be honest, I don’t have a clue what was special about the numbers, but I do remember how special the game looks.
And that’s one of the odd things about Sony’s E3 appearance. Despite stumbling repeatedly this generation, there are still many great upcoming games for the PS3 (and PSP) that should be generating a lot of buzz – but they just aren’t. In some cases it’s a simple matter of being overshadowed by previous announcements – Insomiac’s Resistance 2 looks beautiful, but not as good as Gears of War 2 – but in others it seems that Sony is bizarrely reticent to crow about its new crop of games.
For example, the PS3 has the exclusive on one of the hottest Sega franchises created in years, Valkyria Chronicles, a superb tactical role-playing game that the very fans who are decrying the “loss” of Final Fantasy XIII to Microsoft should be championing. Yet the game was barely mentioned.
And Sony's downloadable games are perhaps the only ones on offer with a true indie aesthetic. From the latest in the PixelJunk series, PixelJunk Eden to thatgamecompany’s Flower, the games are uniquely innovative and deserve to be highlighted – but they really weren’t given much time at all.
If E3 was a boxing match, Sony came out with the confused air of a past-his-prime prizefighter, already staggering from the blistering salvos of his opponents. Despite an arsenal of possible (and stunning) punches Sony could have returned, it failed to pick the right ones, and ended up lying on the canvas being counted out.
It would be unfair to count Sony out of the video game slugfest completely, but the company is going to struggle to get back up on its feet once again.
(The author is a Canadian freelance writer blogging for CBCnews.ca from the Electronics and Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.)
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Comments
Claudio
Windsor
...wow...this guy doesn't paint a pretty picture at all does he...
I find it hard to believe that things at Sony are as bad as Mr. Kumar believes them to be. It sounds to me like he's just uber-disappointed that Sony/PS3 hasn't lived up to his expectations or something. Who knows.
All I know is that Sony's going to be around for a good long while in the gaming industry.
Posted July 16, 2008 12:38 PM
Ron
Toronto
I agree with Claudio. Sony's showing at this years E3 was not as bad Matthew put it. However, I was a little dissapointed that Quantic Dreams didn't make an appearance with 'Heavy Rain'. Ever since I saw the tech demo way back when, I can't seem to get this game out of my head.
Posted July 16, 2008 02:11 PM
Monkey
Winnipeg
I suspect that Mr. Kumar solely owns a lineup of all the Xbox models, including modded ones, hence the massive dissapointment, that or he just doesn't like Sony. Either way, the story sounds like its just a reason to horribly bash Sony on this Gen's shortcomings.
I agree with you Claudio, Sony is here to stay, if anyone thinks that they messed up this generation, then we will just have to hope that they get their shtuff together and rock the competition.
Posted July 16, 2008 02:40 PM
Mike
Edmonton
I think the thing here is what was mentioned in the last half of the article. Sure, PS3 doesn't have the greatest lineup of or the most hyped exclusives, and I can't say I was horribly happy with square over XIII, but the PSN has some pretty deceny indie titles, and the community has probably the best accessibility for those smaller developers.
I completely disagree that that means they're not holding their own.
Also, what with xbox getting the whole avatar thingy, does anyone know if there was much mention of pshome?
Posted July 16, 2008 05:22 PM
Matt
Ontario
Luckily, like it is mentioned on the bottom, this is a freelance blog, not a sanctioned video game critic..
I haven't got to see the E3 coverage yet but did Sony highlight anything about Resident Evil 5? according to gametrailers it the second most anticiapted game, except to maybe Spor..
The PS3 has pumped few, but exceptional titles that easily rival the 360..
Posted July 17, 2008 11:01 AM
Ron
Toronto
I don't remember Sony mentioning anything about Resident Evil 5 during their press conference. I guess they left that in Capcom's very capable hands. Most of the press time was dedicated towards their first party games.
Posted July 17, 2008 02:54 PM
Garet
Winnipeg
I completely agree with the description of what Sony presented. Not a great showing...
Posted July 18, 2008 12:42 PM
Luc
Buckingham
Ending the speculation of a FFVII remake, end to actually bring the remake as an exclusive, it would more then make for the loss of exclusivity on FF13.
Sadly they havent done so....
Ever since they showed the technical demo of FFVII, they havent said a word about it... but everyone knows that would sell consoles like crazy, why not do it .....
Fable 2 and Too Human will overshadow anything else coming out this year I believe.
Posted July 24, 2008 04:58 PM
Luc
Buckingham
If Sony would actually come out and announce an exclusive remake of FFVII, that would sell some consoles, I am positive. Why show a technical demo of one of the most beloved and cherished games for the original ps1 remade for ps3 and then let the thing die....
I would love to have a remake of that game.
Besides that this year belongs to the others, Too Human and Fable 2 will be amazing games, from what I've seen so far...
Posted July 24, 2008 05:01 PM
Garet
Winnipeg
I think an FF7 game would show everyone how mediocre that game really was.
Posted July 30, 2008 02:16 PM
John
Yarmouth
"Sony offered a show that was as flat as a pancake,"...
"If E3 was a boxing match, Sony came out with the confused air of a past-his-prime prizefighter"
I don't know what incompetent writer would say this about a well established system. Right now, Sony's only flaw is its current line up, but slowly its getting better. As far as 360 goes, there seems to be a common pattern in with most developpers; F.P.S. 360 is abusing them and for me that's killing Microsofts attempt to take over the system wars.
I'm one of the few people who will wait for Sony's success, no matter how long the wait will be.
Posted August 19, 2008 04:40 PM