It looks like an exciting few years for gaming as long as you can afford it, as the console giants all announced groundbreaking technology at E3 2011. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all focused on new hardware releases which could see hardcore gamers spend well over a grand in the next year.
Although it’s already in 10 million households worldwide, Microsoft announced even more reasons for gamers to buy the Kinect camera for Xbox 360.
Mass Effect 3, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier, The Sims and four new games from EA sports were just a few of the titles announced to use Kinect. A number of Kinect only games were announced too, including Disneyland and Sesame Street for younger gamers. The
It seemed that the majority of their 90 minute show was talking about the Kinect, so it’s lucky that many retailers have halved the price of the camera. Xbox fans can now pick it up for around £80, and if they want to unlock the full potential of the next year’s games I’d highly recommend that they do.
Later on Monday it was Sony to announce their focus for the next year- 3D gaming. The electrical giant seemed keen to persuade gamers to spend between £500- £1000 on one of their new 3D televisions.
Those in the audience of Sony’s E3 conference were given glasses to see the detail of the Resistance 3 demo played in 3D. God of War, Uncharted and Kill Zone are just a few more 3D games on the PS3, of which there are over 100 currently available.
They even announced a brand new purpose built TV for the PS3 at the “more affordable” price of around £500. The 24 inch screen will also remove the need for split screen gaming, by showing two different pictures depending on what angle you watch from.
With the bundle containing a set of glasses, all the necessary cables and a copy of Resistance 3, its going to be extremely tempting for gamers to step foot into the world of 3D.
Sony also announced more news on their next generation portable, which we now know as the PS Vita. With two analogue sticks, front and back touch screens and cameras, and 6 axis motion sensors, it gives a whole range of ways to play a game.
Newly announced title Ruin will let you shoot up your enemies whilst on the move, but also at home on the PS3 from the moment you saved the game. Players will also be able to play online with fellow Vita players as well as people on the PS3 network.
Two versions of the consoles will be released, with the Wi-Fi only model costing £230 and the Wi-Fi and 3G model costing £280.
Finally, on Tuesday it was Nintendo’s turn to shock gamers with their ambitious new console. The Wii U (pronounced We You) combines the success of the Wii motion remote, the nun chuck and the duel vision and touch screen of DS.
The result – a console that can be controlled by joysticks and buttons or by the movement of the player. That can be played with dual screens or just the screen in the controller when you’re away from the TV. A console that will surely raise the bar of what game developers can do, taking another step in putting the player in the centre of the game.
All the hardware you bought for the Wii will be compatible with the new console, which is lucky as it’ll set you back £400.
So if you want all of the latest technology that the console giants have to offer in the next year, here’s a recap of what it’s going to cost you.
Gamers’ shopping list 2011/2012
Xbox Kinect – £80 (available now)
PS3 Vita (with Wi-Fi and 3G) – £280 (available November 2011)
Wii U - £400 (available July 2012)
PS3 3D Screen – £500 (release date not announced)
Total – £1260 of your hard earned pounds, and that’s even before you’ve bought any games.
