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So E3 2011 has come to an end and the stream of news coming out of the event was constant from the offset. In case you’ve missed some of the most important stories from this year’s show, here’s a round up of the expo’s most defining news events.
Nintendo’s Wii U explained
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Nintendo announced Wii U, the follow-up to the hugely successful Wii console. The Wii U base unit console can display 1080p visuals via HDMI on an HD TV or wirelessly transmit video to a new non-HD touchscreen controller (without lag). The controller screen can be used independently or as a second display.
Up to four standard Wii Remote/Wii Remote Plus controllers can be connected at once. Wii U also supports the Nunchuk, Classic Controller, Classic Controller Pro and the Wii Balance Board. All Wii games also work. Video calling using the controller is also possible, as is web browsing on the TV or on the controller.
Wii U network to rival Xbox Live and PSN
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has been talking up the online capabilities of Wii U, suggesting that it will match, if not outperform its rivals.
Speaking of third party involvement regarding the Wii U network, Fils-Aime said the overall service would provide “the best of what each of our third-party partners has to offer, marrying that with the best of what Nintendo does, and bringing that versus a more rigid, a more closed type of environment,” as well as more online flexibility.
Bloomberg revealed that Nintendo’s share price dropped 7.5 per cent, slumping to a five year low of 16,610 yen (approximately £125) in the wake of the official unveiling on Nintendo’s Wii U console.
Nintendo comments on Wii U pricing
Nintendo global president, Satoru Iwata, has said that the Wii U is “likely” to cost more than 20,000 yen – approximately $250/£150. Interestingly, the Wii launched in Japan at 25,000 yen and £179 in the UK.
A Wii U launch price close to 25,000 yen would therefore suggest Nintendo won’t be able to hit under £200 in the UK.
Nintendo boss explains sole focus on Wii U controller
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Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime explained to G4TV the reason why the tablet-like controller took centre stage over the actual console at E3.
“We focused on the controller, because that really is going to drive the key point of difference,” he said, speaking in a video interview. “Yes, the visuals are going to be beautiful – we showed just a smattering of what we can do – but what will make it new, unique, different is going to be the controller.”
Wii U controller won’t be sold separately
Nintendo revealed that the Wii U controller (complete with touch screen display) won’t be sold separately from the console at retail. You’ll get the controller that’s included with the Wii U package, and that’s it.
A Nintendo spokesperson said: “Both the controller and the console will be sold as one unit. You won’t be able to buy the controller alone.”
PS Vita name and price revealed
Speaking at Sony’s E3 press conference, Sony’s, Kaz Hirai, announced that the NGP is officially known as the PlayStation Vita. The handheld will launch with two models: WiFi and 3G.
The PSVita WiFi model will retail in Europe for €249.99. You’ll pay a bit more for the 3G model – €299.99. Since the announcement retailer GAME has priced the Vita at £229.99 for WiFi and £279.99 for 3G.
Japan only confirmed territory for PS Vita this year
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The PlayStation Vita is only guaranteed to arrive this year in Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment America boss Jack Tretton revealed.
Asked about hitting all territories this calendar year by GameTrailer’s Geoff Keighley, Tretton said: “Not in all regions, no.”
He added: “We will have Japan out by the end of the [calendar] year.”
Tretton confirmed that PS Vita would launch in all territories by the end of Sony’s financial year ending March 31, 2012.
More than 80 games in development for PS Vita
More than 80 games are in development for Sony’s newly named PlayStation Vita, the platform holder has announced at its E3 conference. Sony showcased a number of first-party titles for the PSV, including Uncharted, LittleBigPlanet, ModNation Racers and Ruin, and showed the first footage of Street Fighter X Tekken running on the handheld. A montage video highlighted a number of other titles in development, including Hustle Kings, WipEout 2048, Super Stardust, AR Fighter, Hot Shots Golf, Virtua Tennis, Dynasty Warriors and more.
Halo 4 out Holiday 2012
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Halo 4 will be released holiday 2012, marking the start of an entirely new trilogy for Xbox 360, Microsoft has announced. The game is in development at Microsoft’s internal 343 Industries.
The announcement was made at the end of Microsoft’s E3 conference, although was leaked online earlier that day.
Microsoft: New Kinect line-up appeals to more gamers
As expected, Microsoft’s E3 conference showcased a Kinect line-up that seemed to target a varied spread of gamers – certainly a more varied spread than what we saw in last year’s show.
But despite this, Kinect creative director, Kudo Tsunoda, argues that the platform’s audience hasn’t changed. Instead, he claims that the new line-up does a better job at catering to different tastes.
Minecraft coming to Xbox 360 this winter
Microsoft pulled a major surprise at E3 and announced that indie smash-hit Minecraft will be released for Xbox 360 this winter.
The game will also be exclusive to Microsoft’s platform, but it’s not clear for how long.
Fable: The Journey announced for Xbox 360
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Lionhead founder Peter Molyneux took to the stage during Microsoft’s E3 conference on Monday evening to announce Fable: The Journey. The game was demonstrated using Kinect for Xbox 360.
Since the reveal Peter Molyneux has expressed regret that the conference demo didn’t show off the game as well as he’d have liked. The presentation had navigation turned off, leading to reports that the game was on-rails. This isn’t the case.
Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary due November 15
Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary is due for release on Xbox 360 on November 15. The game, trailered for the first time at Microsoft’s E3 conference on Monday evening, features a full remastered campaign and seven enhanced and updated multiplayer maps for Xbox LIVE.
By using the same engine as the original game, the developers have managed to retain the same feel of the classic Xbox title. A graphical overlay provides the game with a modern appearance, but this can be switched off.
YouTube and Bing coming to Xbox
YouTube and Bing are coming to Xbox 360, Microsoft announced during its E3 press conference. Both YouTube and Bing will be controllable using Kinect for Xbox 360.
The exact functionality of YouTube wasn’t detailed, but Bing will enable you to search your Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE Marketplace and selected partners for content.
Mass Effect 3 to support Kinect
EA announced that Mass Effect 3 will support Kinect for Xbox 360. The announcement was made at Microsoft’s E3 conference by BioWare CEO, Ray Muzyka.
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Kinect in Mass Effect 3 will allow you to interact with NPCs using voice recognition and it will also let you command the other members of your team by issuing voice commands.
Mass Effect 3 was joined by Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon Future Solider as a core title that has optional Kinect integration.
Modern Warfare 3 DLC reveal in a ‘month or two’
Activision revealed that details over Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s DLC will be announced in a month or two, alongside pricing for online service Call of Duty: Elite. While Elite is a free service, a premium layer is to be offered on top for those who wish to pay.
Battlefield 3 out October 28
EA and DICE announced that Battlefield 3 will be released on October 28 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The date puts the game in stores several weeks before Activision’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which is set to arrive on November 8.
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While footage of the game’s Frostbite 2 engine showing PS3 rendering has been released, Battlefield 3 is still yet to be showcased running on a console, leading some to believe it will look significantly downgraded next to the PC game.
Mass Effect 3 out March 6 2012
BioWare announced that Mass Effect 3 will be released on March 6, 2012 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The firm release date came only hours after EA confirmed support for Kinect in Mass Effect 3 during Microsoft’s E3 press conference.
