EA Sports president Peter Moore has said last year’s E3 was miles “better” than the 2007 and 2008 versions of the US show.

The event became invite-only in 2007 and 2008, with both events being switched between Santa Monica and LA one year and the next, something the exec wasn’t a fan of back then.

“Those couple of years when we weren’t able to do that [in 2007 and 2008], when we didn’t have the full ‘E3 experience’, they were probably a couple of tough years for the industry, in terms of maintaining its place as a mass-marketing entertainment medium. Now we’re firmly back in the saddle – and the future looks very bright indeed,” he said, talking to CVG.

He added that the event “captured the excitement that the industry’s feeling about three platforms that are competing very aggressively with each other with differing experiences.

“Secondly, it really show the magnitude of who we are versus movies and music, to which we have always had a slight inferiority complex.”

The exec went on to note how late EA tends to leave it when preparing demos and announcements for the extravaganza.

“You would be shocked-slash-horrified to see how close we as publishers get to E3, still not really clear what we’re going to say. So much of this stuff comes together so late: The development teams have to work on demo levels – it’s non-trivial work.”

This year’s E3 takes place at the LACC in Los Angeles between June 14-June 17.

Registration is now open for attendees and media.

Bethesda’s Peter Hines has admitted that showing RPGs like Fallout 3 at tradeshows like E3 and Games Convention can be a frustrating business.

“Sometimes, yeah,” he told VG247, when asked if showing such a large game to people in such a short space of time was problematic.

“We had a lot of discussions about E3. Todd Howard and I sat and talked about what to show… Anything we do is just one thing, and we’re not about, ‘Here’s one quest.’ It’s more about, ‘What do you want to do?’ Do you just want to run around and shoot stuff and combat’s fun for you [then that's fine]. Our games are about not forcing you to do anything, and having a demo that makes you do that cuts against it.

“To your point, it does make it a bit like, ‘Well, what are you doing at E3?’ versus, ‘What are you doing at Leipzig?’ Go do what you want. If you played it at E3, go in a different direction this time. That’s what we do well.”

Fallout 3 did come under some fire after E3, where journalists were allowed to play the game for 30 minutes.

“You play the game and you see what you think,” Hines said previously on the matter.

“At E3 we let people play the game for a half hour, and if in a half hour you can make up your mind one way or the other, OK. I don’t really get into judging the rightness or wrongness of it. I just give people a chance to play it and they draw their own conclusions.”

Fallout 3 launches in both the US and Europe at the end of October.

Bethesda’s Peter Hines reckons Games Convention’s just as important as E3 for games like Fallout 3. He told us so in Germany.

“It’s hugely important to ‘do well’ here… to get a lot of people to see it and get excited about it,” he said.

“It’s just as important as E3 was. E3 was important for a different reason because it has the distinction of being first. That sort of sets the tone going forward for ‘how did you do?’ We had… many hundreds of people come through and play the game.”

E3 hasn’t had the best year, and Hines certainly isn’t the first to say E3′s dominance is well over.

Let’s hope gamescom can pick up where Games Convention left off, eh?

“It almost feels like a zombie at this point; it’s the walking dead,” said Wright.

“It’s such an abrupt end to what was E3, which had been this huge escalating arms race.”

He added: “I understand why they really pulled the plug on the big E3. Looking at the amount of money a company like EA would spend on it, it was ridiculous amounts of money just to be present and competitive with everyone else, so I think they were looking for a way to sign the arms treaty and de-escalate the whole thing.”

More through the link.

By Mike Bowden

Speaking to VG247 at Games Convention yesterday, Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida said that E3′s importance for the firm in terms of announcements has diminished in favour of a global approach.

“It’s always important to have something exciting for each key event that we have, and this Games Convention is really gaining lots of lots of importance, not just for the European market but for [the whole business]. E3 was ‘the show’ in the past, and lots of publishers, including ourselves, focused almost solely on E3 and all the news got disseminated from Los Angeles.

“But now, all through the year we have… E3, Games Convention, Tokyo Games Show, so we make sure we have something great for each of the events, and also some messages for local [markets] as well.”

We had a good chat with Mr Yoshida in Leipzig yesterday, and we’ll be bringing you more next week.

Norwegian site Game Reactor has an exclusive interview with Heavy Rain creative director, David Cage.

There’s nothing really new in there. The interview was conducted just before Cage was to show the game to the US press behind closed doors at E3.

However, he did confirm that Quantic Dreams will be officially announcing the game in Leipzig this week. So that’s great.

We’ll be live blogging the Sony conference so make sure you’re around at 5pm CET tomorrow.

By Mike Bowden

“I would say the message is we were disappointed with our performance at E3,” said Dunaway.

“There were titles like Wario which we think will be really fun titles that we should have showcased. We were excited that Mr. Miyamoto made the commitment that Pikmin is coming. It would have been nice if we could have said that on stage.”

However she added Nintendo are still rooting for the hardcore: “But, we think it was a good recognition for us that we care for our core fans, and not just the new people who are now discovering Nintendo.”

Full interview through the link.

By Mike Bowden

It’s not too hard to see why either. When you’re hard at work on a Wii game with the subtitle “Lightsaber Duels,” 1:1 motion control probably sounds like a godsend. Shame then, that LucasArts was already putting the finishing touches on the game when Wii MotionPlus was announced.

And so, the wait for a real lightsaber game resumes.

By Nathan Grayson

“THANK YOU for attending our E3 media briefing,” says the card. “Nintendo aims to bring people engaging experiences…to make them smile…and we hope we provided you at least a little of that during our event.”

You certainly did, Nintendo. You certainly did.

Speaking at E3, Epic boss Mike Capps expressed dismay at the fact the PC version of Gears of War scored lower than the 360 game, saying the desktop outing was “much better” and the fact it achieved lower marks was “bullshit.”

“I think it’s bullshit,” he told MundoRare. “Because what we did was take a great game, Gears of War 1 for Xbox 360, made it run at higher resolutions and added three new hours of really good gameplay and it got lower reviews. I think that’s bullshit, and I don’t understand it. I can’t figure out what it is.

“Like, ‘It’s an old game.’ Well, yeah, but it’s new on that platform, so I was really surprised to see lower reviews for what I think a much better game. It had new multiplayer modes, new levels, three hours of gameplay you never saw on 360 that the 360 guys are still upset we haven’t given them, right? So to get lower reviews for more game that’s good? It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Watch the full video, including other stuff about Gears of War 2, after the link.

Summit In The City – Mike Capps interview from MundoRare on Vimeo.

Speaking at E3 Xbox global marketing director Albert Pennello scotched rumours that any kind of “behind the scenes” maneuvering has gone on to get FFXIII on 360, saying that Square simply can’t ignore the machine’s install base.

“I think a lot of people assume a lot of things about why Square made that announcement,” he said, talking in MundoRare. “I think the most obvious reason that they made the announcement is just looking at the success of our console. I mean, we’re the leading console on a worldwide basis, we’re more than double the install base on the US.

“I actually think it’s a great partnership. Square has done games for us in the past, and I think there’s a point where Square just has to look at the Xbox 360, the install base and attach rates that we’re seeing and actually has to make a decision on their own that it’s the right thing to do for them.

“So, I think people make a lot of assumptions about what they read or the rumours that go around, but the reality of a lot of this is that we’re doing very well, we have a great install base, we have passionate gamers like you guys that buy a lot of games, and a publisher like Square can’t ignore that.

“I think it’s easy to assume that something’s going on behind the scenes, I think the more obvious answer is we’re doing really well and the game creators want their games to be where the most people and the most consoles [are], and right now that’s the Xbox 360.”

Watch the video after the link.

Summit In The City – Albert Pennello interview from MundoRare on Vimeo.

On Kotaku. Fallout 3 won game of the show, Mirror’s Edge won best original game and LBP won best console game. Congrats to all. Take a look.

What we’ve been focusing on is making the world’s most creative and innovative games,” he said.

“Making sure we put the creators first — because that’s how it happens — and frankly if you look at our [E3 demo area] whether it’s Mirror’s Edge or Dragon Age, our partnership with Valve, our partnership with id — with Left 4 Dead and Rage, respectively– it’s our Hasbro titles, it’s what’s going on with Spore, Sims 3, Sims Animals, we frankly do have the best title plan of any company in the industry.”

Go John. More through the link.

“E3 this year, in my opinion, it was pretty much disappointing to everybody,” he said. “The press were disappointed, the people I talked to in the industry are disappointed. Almost everyone agrees that that was the wrong way to do it.”

More through the link.

“We haven’t made announcements on that front, he said.

“Frankly, its original design was all about the control of the [Wii] wand. But there are other ways to implement that. It is a hugely innovative product. I expect you’ll see it on other platforms in time.”

More through the link.

“That may be in the future,” he said. “In the near term, we want to launch these with great customization and a great library of accessories this fall.

“I think there is a lot more we can do with them. You will see us continue to add experiences that make use of the Avatar.”

Avatars were, of course, announced at E3 as part of the upcoming Xbox dashboard reboot. Tons more through the link.

“In a limited showing throughout the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) Media and Business Summit, The Conduit has managed to earn accolades including:

• Best Wii Game of E3 (IGN.com)
• Best Wii Shooter of E3 (IGN.com)
• Best Graphics Technology on Wii (IGN.com)
• Honorable Mention for Real-Time Control on Wii (IGN.com)
• Best Wii Game of E3 (Gametrailers.com)
• Top 20 Games of E3 (Edge-online.com)

”

Quite impressive. Looks like all the hype may very well be warranted. Guess we’ll find out when the game launches in early ’09.

By Nathan Grayson

Speaking in the GameTrailers interview after the break, Peter Molyneux confirms that Lionhead has plans for another three Fable games.

“We’ve got plans for Fable three, four and five,” he says, adding, “it’s actually a big story arc.”

See for yourself. It’s around the 5.10 mark. Thanks X3F.

The footage shows the first real look at the title being played, and fluid combat is the name of the game. Hodges says in the second movie that Jumpgate’s playable with a joystick, which should give you some idea of how “immediate” control is.

The game’s out next spring. You can sign up for the beta here. Thanks, Massively.

In two parts after the break. They’ve been lifted from Videogamer.com from the stamps, and even though they’re shot off-screen the game just stinks of quality. There’s loads to look at in there, so take your time.

Talking to VG247 today, Bethesda’s Peter Hines said the firm’s “pretty pleased” with the press reaction to Fallout 3 from E3, and that many journalists we shocked they could actually play the game.

“I think we’re pretty pleased,” said Hines. “A lot of folks that came to the booth were surprised they were getting to play the game and outside of a few things (perks, achievements, main quest) could go and do whatever they wanted in the time they had. We sort of feel like that’s what our games do well, let people do things on their own without forcing them.

“So I’d be walking around and people would be in completely different parts of the world. Some just exploring, some talking to everyone in Megaton, or trying a quest, and so on. So I thought that went well and the game showed well and the feedback seems to be pretty good from the articles and previews I’ve been reading.

“Obviously it’s more important what guys like you thought of the game than what I thought.”

Fallout 3 took a headline slot in the Microsoft E3 press conference, following a lead performance from Gears of War 2.

The game releases on October 7 in the US, with no fixed date yet given in Europe.

“I think from what Jack Tretton said, the reaction has been well summarised by Yahoo, who said that in terms of games, the competition have probably got a slightly weaker line–up than PS3,” he said.

“And we obviously agree with that – we think we’ve got title after title after title, not only first party but third party and I think in America they have the advantage of the video downloads service, which came at exactly the right time.

“We’re confident, but not only that we’re confident about the games industry more than anything else. What we should be celebrating is how well the games industry is doing compared to other industries in the last nine months with the current recession worldwide. More and more people are coming in – it’s astounding.”

Despite a slew of reports “confirming” Final Fantasy XIII for Windows in the past 24 hours, Square Enix has told VG247 this morning that nothing of the sort is planned.

“We have no current plans to release Final Fantasy XIII for PCs,” said a company rep.

The chatter appears to have arisen from the fact Square devs said the game was being developed on PCs after the 360 reveal in Microsoft’s E3 press conference, seemingly to explain that porting the game to the console is easy meat.

Read the Square statement again. See?

“We’re confident that we can work with the ESA to make this right. There are important meetings ahead that we think will be substantive and be productive in finding the right path forward,” he said.

“Let’s invite the community. With the right planning, involving our biggest fans in E3 would bring back some of the raw passion the event has lost.”

Moore also said he believed the 2008 lacked “soul.”

“Soulless and lacking an epicenter, the fragmented layout gave no indication whatsoever that we are the fastest growing entertainment medium in the world,” he said. “While I am not sure I want to revert back to the old days of excess and one-upmanship, I do know that this format isn’t working.”

Las Vegas. Consumer. Like Leipzig. We’re going to put it on macro.

Full thing through the link.

They’re from last week’s E3 and GamersHell has them.

It all looks very “shaky shaky” to us, but any game that let’s you play as a grinning, sombrero-topped monkey gets a double thumbs up. Sega’s Sonic Team behind it too. All good.

See for yourselves.

By Mike Bowden

“E3 was a strange beast this year,” he said. “We had an extremely strong product showing, had some great meetings, and got our messaging over pretty strongly – all at an event that had all the atmosphere of a large hospital corridor.”

That certainly isn’t the most encouraging of images.

There’s more through the link.

By Michael O’Connor

Oh, fucking hell. Bungie’s Harold Ryan’s told Eurogamer that Don Mattrick’s idea that Bungie wasn’t miffed at being pulled from the Microsoft E3 conference is a load of bollocks.

“Keeping things clean, I certainly didn’t agree with the decision to delay our news until sometime after E3,” said the developer’s boss.

“Bungie is always concerned first and foremost with our fans. Whenever we are prevented from exceeding their positive expectations it is not a laughing matter.”

Ow. More through the link.

Speaking to Eurogamer at E3, Xbox boss Don Mattrick reiterated in capital letters his claim that Xbox 360 will win this console generation against PS3.

“Yes, absolutely,” he said when asked if he meant 360 would beat PS3 on a global level.

“It gets boring getting asked the same question from different people all the time and there’s been a lot of misinformation, so I used the E3 opportunity.

“We’re the first box in this generation to pass 10 million units, we’ve passed so many thresholds in terms of quality titles. You look at aggregated reviews from around the world – you go onto Metacritic – and count the number of 90-rated titles on our platform, compare that to Wii, compare that to PlayStation 3: there is no comparison.”

Mattrick added: “We know is Sony’s given guidance and said their goal is to create 10 million units this coming year. Needless to say, our aspiration is to do more. We also know we have a volume lead both in Europe and North America, and with that volume lead in the aggregate, when you add in Japan, is larger than Sony’s.

“All those things – I basically just do the math: know what growth we’ve got, know all the new things, all the capabilities to add value, utility; we’ve got an amazing product and we just have to keep evangelising to get more people to try it, because when they do, they love it.”

There’s a full interview through there. As far as we’re aware this is the first full Mattrick interview from E3 published anywhere. So you should probably read it.

“The key word there is this ‘lifecycle’ or ‘this generation’,” said Hirai. “As you probably know, we’re working on a ten-year lifecycle, we’ve said that since day one and we’ve proven it with PSone and PS2. I guess Don is saying they’re also going to be embarking on a ten-year lifecycle, then?

“If they are then that’s terrific, but I’ve never seen them manage it before. Last time I checked, the Xbox went by the wayside four or five years after launch.

“On the other hand, if he’s saying that Microsoft will outsell us after five years, if he calls that this generation, then he’s saying he’s going to exit the 360 business within five years. I’m not exactly sure when he says ‘this lifecycle’ or ‘this generation’ what standard he’s using – five years, 10 years, I don’t know.”

More through the link.

“We have a consumer base who loves virtual console,” Nintendo of America’s commander-in-chief told MTV Multiplayer. “We have a userbase who really is enjoying WiiWare content. So for us really our challenge really is how do we satisfy all these consumers who are loving all of the product we make available on a download basis?

“As we continue to have things, as you point out, like Mario Kart that has its own channel when you’re playing from an Internet perspective, we’re just making this challenge tougher and tougher. So in our view this is becoming much more of a mainstream problem, which is why we have a sense of urgency to solve it.”

All well and good, but when are we actually going to get some details?

By Nathan Grayson