<!–#set var="article_header" value="E3 Expo 2002, Los Angeles
Day One of Three” –>
Dedicated to Consoles
Sony: Ahead of its Time!
Sony’s strategy of launching its PS2 in 2000 appears to have been successful. The Japanese company is proud to have sold 30 million consoles worldwide. Today, their goal is to increase that figure to 50 million by March of 2003, which means that they don’t see any threat from their competitors. The number of games per console is currently 4.2. Within the year, starting from March 2002, 200 new software titles should be available. At the same time, Sony Computer will put its stakes in the online sector. The result is that users will need to go out and buy a modem, and probably a new hard drive as well. The online games will be coming out this summer in the USA and in November in Europe, via DSL only. The gaming model is similar to its counterpart in PCs: you buy the software first and then play the games online. Sony will also be providing downloads for demos, updates, etc., and will publish a magazine, as well.
Nintendo – Not Just For Kids
The other console manufacturer, Nintendo, announced a range of products that covers all game categories. It keeps to its promise of placing more emphasis on targeting adult gamers. Metroпd Prime, an extremely violent FPS (First Person Shooter) game, now stands next to Super Mario Sunshine! Nintendo’s strategy consists primarily of four games: Super Mario Sunshine, Eternal Darkness, Star Fox Adventure and Metroпd Prime. Nintendo claims that it has sold 1.5 million units in the USA to date. By comparison, 1.8 million Xboxes and 12 Million PS2’s have been sold. Today, Nintendo’s goal is to be number one in sales for the latter half of this year. This would make a nice birthday present for the GameCube.
What the “Editors” Are Offering
LucasArts Produces Films
Action, 3D and movie licenses – this is the program from LucasArts for the end of 2002. Among the numerous gaming titles introduced, Star Wars plays an important role. A total of four games are available. In “Knight of the Republic,” you play the part of a Jedi knight, on the Xbox as well as on the PC. In “Bounty Hunter” for GameCube and PS2, you take on the role of Jango Fett. “Star Wars Clone Wars” was for these two platforms as well. Here, you can choose between Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan characters in a strategy/ action game that offers solo mode and allows for up to five offline players. Regarding Star Wars Galaxies for the PC, an RPG (Role Playing Game) that was announced by Sony Online last year, we found out that it will soon be ready and should be out on the market by the end of December. The graphics engine is simply amazing, as are the gaming experience and the artwork. Indiana Jones will also be available for the Xbox, PC and PS2. This time, his goal is to find an antique key. As usual, his enemies are Nazi agents and members of the Triad. The graphics and artwork are noteworthy. Finally, there’s RTX Red Rock, a third person game for the GameCube and PS2, and, above all, Gladius, an incredible game that combines action, role-playing and strategy in the times of ancient Rome. The latter will be available on the market in 2003.
A Raging Lamborghini!
Rage lets you drive the latest as well as the most legendary Lamborghini models on the Xbox. You select a model in the garage, and then drive nine circuits in America or Europe. Amazingly enough, the software is to undergo ten more months of development, but we could have sworn that the game is already finished. The cars look great, the graphics are absolutely astonishing, and in practice, the game is perfectly intuitive. No doubt about it – the developers only need more time so that they can refine the multiplayer mode and make an online version, which is a trend not to be underestimated in this year’s E3. It seems that the PS2 and Xbox are true rivals when it comes to online games.
Rocky’s Back!
Rocky will return at the end of 2002 in a super production developed by Rage for the PC and Xbox. All of the fighters are included, which is reason enough for real fans to experience all four films. Players can assume the various Rocky characters by choosing the Exhibition Match option.
Vivendi Universal: From Movie to Video Game
If you liked the movie, then you’ll really like the game! John Carpenter’s masterpiece “The Thing” comes to the PC, Xbox and PS2 as a third-person game. The main character, who is responsible for a rescue team, makes a first appearance only after certain events have occurred in the movie. The player must do some investigating, fight off monsters, and keep his troop under control. Fear and limited trust are the two important elements of the game.
Lord of the Rings for Xbox and PS2
This adventure game, based on Tolkien’s story, was originally created for the Xbox, and now it will be available for PS2. The player takes on the roles of Frodo, Aragorn and Gandalf in succession, trying out the corresponding skills for each character. A total of 20 hours of gaming are offered. The complex story is supposed to be another factor that will contribute to the success of this title.
Kate Archer Returns
Still with Vivendi Universal, Kate Archer is supposed to make a comeback, this time in “No One Lives Forever 2.” This beautiful undercover agent comes to live in an environment developed by the Monolith 3D Jupiter graphics engine. This FPS is supposed to contain all the elements of an RPG, meaning that players will collect points for experience and, thus, be able to increase their own skills. A multiplayer mode will also be available.
Tomb Raider on GBA
Ubi Soft has bought the license for “Tomb Raider: The Prophecy.” The goal is to make the adventures of Lara Croft available for this console. Since 1996, over 28 million units have been sold worldwide.
Logitech: For All Platforms Possible
The E3 is THE convention for computer games – so in terms of hardware, we came across gamepads and gaming wheels galore. We caught up with Logitech at its impressive booth in the main hall. There’s no question that the manufacturer is interested in the world of gaming consoles. As proof, you need only look at its range of products for PS2. In total, 500,000 units of the ForceFeedback wheel were sold, both as standalone and with Gran Tourismo 3. The new model is now sold as Driving Force. Here, you can use the gas pedal or put on the brakes using buttons located behind the steering wheel, without having to actually use the pedals themselves. You can use it even if you don’t have a table. The win-win strategy consists of bundling the new wheel with V-Rally 3. Even better is that Logitech is fully committed to console development in general; in particular, online consoles for PS2. For instance, the company is providing a gamepad with integrated keyboard. You can detach this for a number of other uses, but it is primarily to be used with Final Fantasy XI, sold in the Japanese market. This is the reason why the Netplay controller will first be sold in Japan. Again, you can see that there’s a global trend to reconcile the PC with the world of consoles. Similarly, Navy Seals will be sold with headphones and a microphone (only in the USA and Europe). Both devices take advantage of speech recognition in the game and enable VoIP functionality, which is particularly important for multiplayer games.
Don’t Forget The Competition…
Logitech not only introduced products for the Xbox and GameCube, for Nintendo’s game consoles, the manufacturer announced a Force Feedback wheel that is modest but efficient. Made of hard plastic, it provides good ergonomics, a convincing ForceFeedback experience and perfectly respectable precision, among other things. The only thing that’s missing are the corresponding games. Logitech also offers a wireless gamepad for the Xbox. The “Xbox” name is always included. The only open issue is that the Logitech is still waiting for certification from Sony, so that they can also sell wireless pads for PS2.
Despite Everything, A Bit of PC
Logitech may have taken important steps in the console sector, but it hasn’t forgotten the world of PCs. And this despite the fact that the overall sales for PC pads decreased significantly between Q1 2001 and Q2 2002 – a 20% decrease. Logitech also announced the first wireless joystick, with perfectly mature technology. To put it simply, the Freedom 2.4 GHz looks really cool! It contains all of the necessary functions, such as gas pedal, rotation, etc. The grip is particularly good, and it’s a pleasure that no extra cables are required. Another piece of good news is that Logitech will be offering a lower-priced version of its top-of-the-line model, the MOMO Racing Force. The design is pretty much the same. The clamping system is also somewhat simplified. Optical sensors are a new feature, the first ones used by Logitech.
Interact
The giant in console accessories gradually turns its back on PCs, but offers a nice product for laptops. The Go Pad is egg-shaped and doesn’t take up much space. Its ergonomics are perfectly fine, however. A USB port and a case for transport are also included. Regarding consoles, Interact brings out a new series of 5.4″ LCD displays. There are some for the GameCube, as well as for Xbox and PS2. However, it’s questionable as to whether or not this is really necessary for the latter two consoles. By contrast, the GameCube kit (monitor, batteries and headset) is particularly attractive. For a reasonable price, the Go Mobile Pack makes the console absolutely easy to transport. The new Black Thunder steering wheel, available for all consoles, is inexpensive. Of course, the consequence is that it lags a bit behind the models from Logitech and Thrustmaster. More exotic is the Starline Lightfire pistol, which looks cool and is PS2-compatible. Still, the best surprise has to do with the GameBoy Advance, for which Interact finally provides good lighting for the display. The Light Magnifier reduces the glare from sunlight, and the light from the lamp does not cause reflection.
Follow up by reading E3 Expo 2002, Los Angeles Day Two of Three.
