E3 PlayStation Press Conference Highlights

by Lori Cunningham

Last night I attended one of the first press conferences of the gaming industry’s largest gaming conference, E3.  I visited a packed Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena to find out Sony’s latest plans for the Sony PlayStation, PS Vita, gaming titles, and PlayStation Plus, their online premium membership.  It was an action packed conference full of blood, guts, assassins, clairvoyance, and even a pleasant surprise for the kids gaming arena.

Before the press conference, hundreds of press members were treated to gourmet food truck specialties and an open wine/beer bar.  It was a great sunny day in Southern California.

Food trucks and tents outlined a huge area outside the arena offering all sorts of choices like sliders, sushi, tater tot specialties, french fries, pizza, wraps…you name it, they had it…and it was all gourmet.  Excellent food I might add.

The Angus beef hamburgers and chicken sliders from MeSoHungry were awesome.  No wonder why they always had the longest line.

The Cool Haus provided custom ice cream sandwiches with the choice of Vanilla Bean ice cream or a Brown Buttered Candied Bacon ice cream.  I opted for the Vanilla Bean with Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Yum!

You could feel the energy once you entered the Arena’s doors.  Gamers and press analysts were excited and anticipating the announcements Sony would make to start off E3 week.  For the most part, people were not disappointed as several large favorite sequel game titles were announced during the conference.

Press Conference Highlights – New Games

WonderBooks – The Book of Spells

This was the most exciting game for families PlayStation unveiled last night.  Sony has created a new innovation with their PlayStation Move that allows kids to make books come alive.  The child uses an actual PlayStation book in their family room but can make things happen to the  book while watching it on their TV screen and using their Move controller.  They actually see themselves with the book on TV, but on TV they see things on the screen and in their book that they can’t see looking down at the book.  It’s pretty fascinating.

Sony has a number of WonderBooks in the works, but the first and most anticipated WonderBook will be the Book of Spells, based on collaboration with J.K. Rowling.  The book allows kids to use their wand (Move controller) to create spells.  The book goes into history as to how these spells came about.  Potter fans will love this gaming title.  Here’s a preview of the game:

Beyond Two Souls

Beyond Two Souls is definitely for an older crowd.  It tells the story about a woman who has supernatural powers with the psychic link to an invisible entity.  The premise is fascinating and when watching the demo, you forget you’re watching a video game.   It is so realistic you think you’re watching a movie.  Though captivating, it is definitely not a family/kids video game.

Assassins Creed III

Assassins Creed III takes place in 1775, as the American colonies draw closer to revolution, your character’s dedication to freedom for you clan sparks the revolution.  You find yourself as America’s first hired assassin.  The scenery and special effects are very impressive.  Although a captivating game, it is not a family/kid appropriate game.

There were a number of other titles introduced.  See Sony PlayStation’s E3 news website for more information.

PS Vita 

As a PlayStation Ambassador, I was happy to see the focus Sony is putting on their new handheld PS Vita, introduced earlier in the year.  Sony is dedicated to growing the number of titles available and announced how the PS Vita can now be used as a Cross-Controller, working for independent PS Vita use or with the PlayStation 3.  I’m anxious to see how this works.  The PS Vita is already cross-platform compatible with certain games, meaning you can play a game on the PS Vita and continue the game on your PlayStation 3 when you get home.

New PS Vita titles include:

• Assassins Creed III
• PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
• LittleBig Planet

A Mom’s Perspective

There’s no doubt, Sony continues to cater to heavy gamers.  The graphics of these games are truly fascinating.  It’s amazing how realistic video games are these days.  And the action and missions of these games are very authentic and clever.

Nonetheless, the premise of the PlayStation Move’s WonderBooks is incredible and if it truly works like the live presentation Sony gave, children are going to love it.  And starting the series of WonderBooks with A Book of Spells, borrowing from the Harry Potter franchise, is brilliant.  I told me daughter about the Book of Wonders and she cannot wait to try it out.  In fact, she asked me if she could invite her other Harry Potter friend over to try it out.  Since the WonderBooks and Book of Spells isn’t even out yet, I have the feeling she will be asking me frequently when it’s available to play.

This will be an interesting week at E3.  I will be walking the trade show floor looking for the best family video games which will debut later this year.  For a look back of our top suggested videos from E3 last year, see The Best Upcoming Family Games from E3.  E3 always reminds me of walking into a time warp.  I will see people dressed up like barbarians, revolutionary soldiers, sexy woman warriors, and other creepy characters stepping out fresh from your nightmares.  E3 always promise fun, suspense, and sometimes utter shock!

If you have any games you absolutely love and want to know if a sequel is coming, or you heard a rumor about a new game, do let me know.  I’ll investigate it for you at the show.

*  I am a PlayStation Family Ambassador however, all opinions are my own.