E3 2010 Predictions, PART 2

Let's move on to the great and always surprising Sony, shall we?  If you are interested in my predictions for Microsoft this year, you can check it out here.  Sony offers some interesting things this year.  Much like Microsoft, they will be pushing their new motion device, officially titled the Move.  Sony is in a position that they haven't been in before this year.  Before this year, much of what Sony needed to do at E3 was prove.  They had to prove that the Playstation 3 was a true competitor to Microsoft and Nintendo, and for a good while, that proof didn't come.  But over the last two years, Sony has widely improved and proven that the PS3 does have the power and the talents behind it to succeed.  This year, Sony doesn't need to prove anything.  They had their strongest year ever last year with gigantic blockbuster hits and even a Game of the Year exclusive.

I predict, just like MS, that Sony will focus much of their conference on the Move peripheral.  Notice that I use the word peripheral, and not device.  I believe that Sony is much more likely to say that Move is used as an existing tool with PS3, where as Natal is more of a completely new device.  That said, expect a lot of software announcements, but not as much as Natal.  Move was unveiled completely earlier this year, and much of it's software was shown then.  A lot of the conference is going to be already shown things, although there is no doubt in my mind new games are guaranteed.  Sony is definitely wanting to prove that the Move is a hardcore peripheral, and will most likely have several mainstream titles using Move.  They will have the already shown SOCOM 4, LittleBigPlanet 2, and something else, possibly a franchise sequel (My guess is Resistance 3 will use Move).  That being said, just like Natal, Sony will have a bunch of casual games.

I am a little cautious when saying anything about a new PSP.  Although I'll go ahead and predict something, it's hard for me to say that a PSP2 is on the way.  The PSP Go, announced last year, has done less than desired in terms of sales.  The PSP itself is getting crushed by Nintendo's DS, and as Nintendo will be announcing a new DS this E3, Sony is sure to address this someway.  It's hard to say what Sony might do if they announce a new PSP.  It's possible that they could put more focus on multimedia.  Many reports have stated that Sony has been planning partnerships for a new PSP with their Walkman MP3 technologies and even with Sony Ericson telephones.  It's also possible that PSP takes a larger focus on software, its real weakness.  I predict that something with the PSP will be announced, but other than that, I can't predict anything. 

The biggest thing that I can predict and almost confirm with the amount of news that has jumped out over the last month is the overhaul of the Playstation Network.  I predict a payment service to come for the PSN.  Don't worry, PS3 owners.  I predict that the online features of the existing service will remain free.  PS3 owners will still be able to play all their games without a fee.  But other services that may be announced at E3 will come with a paid service.  This is most likely something like "PSN Gold" or "PSN Premium", and I predict that features such as access to demos ahead of time, certain downloadable content, and other things will only be available on this paid service.  Sony wants to make PSN more like XBL.  Why not?  XBL is the most successful online platform.  Sony only wants to take what works with XBL and add on to that.  Think of this new service as Xbox LIVE Gold memberships versus Silver memberships.  Except Sony offers online play with silver.  I also predict that this service will be around the price of XBL, around $8-10 a month. 

Finally, I have to make probably the funnest prediction I've ever made.  I predict that Kevin Butler will show up to the Sony conference.  It's very likely he could be the MC, too.  His commercials are not only some of the funniest on television, but his activity on social networking sites like Twitter and his overall great image that he brings to Sony has helped Sony SO MUCH.  I wouldn't doubt that he shows up in some way, and I'd love it if he was the host of the conference.  He would bring a great laugh to the conference, and it would definitely help the conference as a whole. 

Now, to the really important stuff: the games.  As I don't have a PS3, I wouldn't trust this list as much as the one I did for MS.  Still, I think it's a pretty good list.  Like last time, I list the known games that I think will be there and in what form, and then I'll talk about some announcements.

• Gran Turismo 5, with a 3D demo, and a release date (FINALLY.)
• LittleBigPlanet 2, with a demo and a release date.
• The Last Guardian, with a demo and maybe a release date. Maybe.
• Batman: Arkham Asylum 2, with a demo and release date. (Like I said, it could be at Sony's or MS's)
• Medal of Honor, with a demo and a release date.
• DC Universe Online
• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
• Valkyria Chronicles II
• EyePet
• God of War: Ghost of Sparta, with a trailer and release date.
• Killzone 3, with a demo and release date, which will be tentative.
• Move Party, with a demo and release date.
• SOCOM 4, with a demo and a release date.

In terms of announcements, I predict that this will be the year of the sequels for Sony.  With Killzone 3 already announced, I also predict a sequel to Infamous and Resistance, and maybe some other surprise sequels.  These franchise have made the PS3 what it is today, and sequels are only going to strengthen it's position going into this year.  Unfortunately, this is all I see in terms of announcements.  I really can't see any new IP's being announced from Sony directly, and certainly not as an exclusive game for the platform.  Any new IP for the PS3 will be multiplatform.  Sony might show off some of the games that they announced last year that have been quiet since then.  Other than this, I can't really predict much for Sony.  They are really good at keeping secrets.  At least when it comes to software. 

Stay tuned for part 3 where Nintendo's E3 predictions will be, and check back on this post and the previous post for updates.  (P.S.- I actually have an update to the last post at the end of this one.  I felt it would be more convenient to give you the update here rather than on the last post, so you didn't have to post-hop.  Because I care.)

UPDATE 6.2.2010- I seemed to have forgotten some very important titles that will be at the Xbox conference and/or the Sony conference.  Sorry.  Sometimes I forget.  So here are the list of games:

• Metal Gear Solid: Rising, with a demo (Thanks AppleJuiceJones! I don't know how I forgot that one...)
• Civilization V
• Spec Ops: The Line, with a demo and release date
• Enslaved, with a demo.
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, with a demo and release date (I cried a bit when I realized I had forgotten this one)

Finally, a note on Portal 2.  First off, I did not forget about this wonderful game.  I didn't include it because initially, Valve was supposed to have a conference dedicated completely to Portal 2.  Was.  Yesterday, Valve creatively announced that the conference has been cancelled.  However, this announcement was delivered by a note from Aperture Science, and it stated that a "surprise" is in store for E3 about Portal 2.  Whatever this is, no one knows, but it certainly is intriguing.  So that's what's up.  Don't worry.  It's one of my most anticipated games of the year.  I would never forget.