MMOs,
eye-popping graphics were the hallmarks of 2003 E3
E3 2003 – A look back
In the days before the Los
Angeles event, there is excitement, curiosity, and the eagerness that only
anticipation can foster. During the event, there is a weariness that begins to
cast a pall over the wonderment, and one cannot help but cringe a little at the
schedule that crams as much as possible into three short days. After the event,
there is relief, coupled with longing to actually play the games one saw. And,
of course, the anticipation begins to build all over again at the prospect of
the games, which are coming soon to a platform nearby.
The show is a lot of
different things to different people. That it remains an assault on the majority
of the senses is a constant that makes the experience so special. It is a
carnival ride that thrills, teases, tantalizes and thoroughly entertains.
Celebrities are seen
floating the floor or at booths. Some are gawked at; others are merely noted as
footnotes to the event where the real stars are, the games.
When looking back, several
things come to mind about the 2003 E3 in Los Angeles. First, and foremost, was
the graphical quality of the games coming out. There is an uncanny sense of
realism to these fantasy worlds that boggles the mind, pops the eyes and drops
the jaw. The attention to detail is fantastic. Skirting around the bottom of
armored breastplates that rise slightly when a spell is cast or footprints left
across a snow-covered vale. Separate light sources dance off armor, showing the
intricate detailing of the piece and reflecting glare back into the environment.
Massively multiplayer games
were a big part of this year’s E3. The industry, while increasingly heading in
that direction, took some giant strides forward. The easy player interfaces, the
attention to skill trees, tactical combat and personal development, the depth of
story and general gameplay and the overall look of the games were stunning.
Being a fan of MMOs, this latest E3 was like turning a child loose in an
overstocked candy store and saying, ‘what do you want?’ It was hard to know
where to look next and equally hard to focus on a title, as opposed to running
maniacally through the halls to try everything.
Star Wars Galaxies,
Horizons, Exarch all look amazing and like a great deal of fun. But the ones
that really stood out, from the demos, were Lineage II, Mythica, World of
Warcraft and – though the release date is a long ways off – Middle-earth Online.
A fan of MMOs? Let’s amend
that. I am a HUGE fan of the genre, and while I like other styles of games, the
opportunity of immersing oneself in the interactive waters of highly imaginative
worlds wins hands down as the vehicle of choice.
First-person shooters have
also undergone some changes. The rag-doll effect has seemingly popped up in
every title, and bullet-time, once confined to games like Max Payne, has also
made marked inroads into the genre. No longer are players simply tasked to react
and do so quickly – you can actually slow the pace of the game and think your
way through the mayhem of a battle against, seemingly, overwhelming forces.
As far as booths were
concerned, kudos again to EA. The sports games’ display at the entrance to South
Hall was certainly stunning. Nintendo’s crisp, clean look was also a welcomed
respite from the chaos without the enclosure. The games were prominently
displayed, and the opportunities for demonstrations and gameplay were numerous.
If there was any downside to
E3, it would have been the number of games that were based on movies or
television shows. This year certainly seemed to hold more of those than in years
past. But with the graphical quality of the games on display, one thing does
remain certain – the coming year will continue the stellar growth of the
industry and game players will have plenty to keep them occupied, and
entertained.
