Industry Analysts, Jokers Predict E3 Shenanigans

Thanks to GameSpot for its 'Spot On' column discussing game industry financial analysts' predictions for the E3 Expo being held in Los Angeles next week. Among the predictions from various analysts are plans for Xbox ("I'm virtually certain that Microsoft will announce that Xbox Next is coming in 2005. Not clear whether they want to do so at E3"), Sony's possible announcements ("Probably a price cut to $149, and reemphasizing the point that PS2 is still going strong"), and discussion of Nintendo's DS ("...it now appears the system is generating a more positive response, particularly among game publishers.") But if you're fed up with 'expert' opinions, then try some completely fake predictions from Jason 'Loonyboi' Bergman, including: "Midway will announce a pre-order campaign for NARC, in which the first 1,000 orders will receive 1/8th of an ounce of hashish... Nintendo's press conference will consist entirely of awkward silence, interrupted only by a single person making farting noises with his armpit."

The only thing I care about

[Anonymous Coward]

Is the announcement of Nico (Ico 2) at E3. god damn they're taking their time with this game. Ico was sooooo good it makes my gf pale in comparison. She loves the game a lot too.

Maybe fuller than you think! (minus the quotes)

[Peteroo]

Actually, from what I've heard, in recent years E3 has cracked down considerably on awarding media badges to fan sites. Check out the current requirements at:

http://www.e3expo.com/media_center/media_faqs/inde x.asp#4

They seem pretty stringent.

I had trouble getting a badge myself a couple of years back and I've covered the industry for 15 years. (And no, not for fan sites. :) )

But back to the Gamespot article itself: I have to question the value of debating what's going to happen a few days before it happens. I know this is the gold standard of Sunday morning TV punditry (a la The McLaughlin Group), but why not wait for E3 to unfold, and bring in the analysts afterward to discuss what actually happened--when they can talk about something concrete?

Peter