Like most people, I bitch and moan about my job a lot. I don’t like that I’m expected to be in the same place at the same time (other than my bed) five days a week, I don’t like that I’m expected to be vaguely polite to the same pair of vacant meatheads I work with every day, and I’m especially resistant to the notion that I sound happy to be on the radio.
Most radio presenters manage to maintain a veneer of audible enthusiasm for their jobs. I’m not one of them. At the end of the day, a job is a job, and everyone complains about their job.
Except this week. About a month ago, I was asked if I’d be interested in attending the Electronic Entertainment Expo – or E3 – in Los Angeles which is taking place this week. I would be going along with a group of Irish and UK gaming and technology journalists.
We talk a fair bit about games and gaming on my show, I do regular tech bits for Matt Cooper’s Last Word programme, and I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I game as much now as much as I did when I was sixteen. I have an Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PSP, DS and my wife has even promised me a vintage NES for my birthday this year.
Gagging for it
Of course, I was gagging to go, but I was only just back from a fortnight’s annual leave and, as is the norm, I only get the usual twenty days a year – so I was kind of uncertain about taking another week so soon out of my days. Screw that, I decided in the end, and although it’s out of my own holiday time, I’m typing this in my hotel room in LA – overlooking the Staples Center next door, where the Lakers whooped the Boston Celtics last night.
It’s been a pretty busy week: it kicked off on Sunday night as Microsoft staged a massive show presented by Cirque du Soleil to launch their new Xbox 360 Kinect interface. Basically, it’s like a large webcam that sits under your television (much like the sensor bar for the Wii) except the player doesn’t need a controller. You can walk into the room, say “Xbox on†and the machine will power up and recognise you.
You’ll be able to play motion-sensitive games with the movement of your body and movie and music fans will be able to pause and play by saying it out loud. Very Star Trek: Next Generation. It’ll be compatible with all versions of the 360 and in time for Christmas, but there’s no final price confirmed for it yet.
There’s a new, slimmer, sexier Xbox 360 coming out too. It will have wifi built in and they promise us that it’s finally quiet, which I’m sad to hear. I think I’ll miss the sound of a B-52 bomber buzzing my living room as I try to watch a DVD. It hits Irish shelves in the next couple of weeks.
Microsoft weren’t the only ones touting new hardware however: Nintendo are releasing a new DS early next year, which will incorporate 3D gameplay. And no, you won’t have to wear the daft glasses.
I won’t bore you with the raft of titles for girlfriends, including yoga, dancing and cuddly pet games.
Meanwhile Sony are releasing Playstation Move – a controller that looks a lot like an ice cream cone, but in my opinion is flashy, more responsive version of the Wiimote. Still, it looks like great news for gaming fans of Tiger Woods PGA Tour as it will incorporate the new magic wand. Move goes on sale in September for just under €100.
But the real stars of this show are the games themselves, and we’ve seen plenty to salivate over this year. I won’t bore you with the raft of titles for girlfriends, including yoga, dancing and cuddly pet games – because the ones you’ll actually buy are the names you’ve played already.
The most exciting prospects are the new games from successful franchises like Call of Duty, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, Ghost Recon, Gears of War, Killzone, Halo, Infamous, Forza, Assasin’s Creed, Crysis (in 3D no less), Fable, Resident Evil, Medal of Honor and SOCOM.
Even Nintendo have finally realised that they used to make good games other than those featuring that mustachioed plumber. At long last, they’re reviving Donkey Kong Country, Kirby, Starfox, Zelda and the perennial favourite Goldeneye – even Mario Kart is getting another spin. And about time too – my Wii was getting dusty.
I’ll be back on the radio from Monday complaining as usual, but until then you won’t hear a peep from me. Life is good!
