Sony
Sony came to E3 with a cheeky presentation that poked fun at the competition, including a rousing speech by PlayStation’s popular pitchman Kevin Butler (played by comedian Jerry Lambert).
Much of the conference was to showcase Sony’s motion-sensing solution, dubbed PlayStation Move, and Sony’s foray into 3-D gaming.
The PlayStation Move, a wireless peripheral that resembles a microphone with a colored light on top, works in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye camera (required) for precise motion control in front of the TV, and depending on the game, the ability to put your face or body on the screen, too.
The PlayStation Move will be available Sept. 19 for $49.99. There will also be a bundle that includes the camera, a secondary controller and a game for $99.99.
Sony touted the PlayStation 3 as the only 3-D-ready gaming console (via a free software download), but for you to see the effect, you’ll need a 3-D TV, as well.
Attendees were instructed to don a pair of 3-D glasses to view the real-time demo of Sony’s sci-fi shooter, Killzone 3, which looked impressive.
Other demos—including Gran Turismo 5 (due Nov. 2) and a new Twisted Metal vehicular combat game—also drew roars from the crowd.
What didn’t go over as well was the announcement of PlayStation Plus, a $50-a-year online service offering gamers an exclusive set of features and content, such as early access to demos, map packs and more.
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Scott Steinberg is the CEO of video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, and founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. Hailed as a top technology and video game expert by dozens of publications from USA Today to Forbes and NPR, he’s covered the field for 400+ outlets from Playboy to Rolling Stone. A frequent on-air analyst for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, he’s also the author of Video Game Marketing and PR.