In between Monday’s press conferences for Microsoft and Sony, the usual publishers got their work in. Electronic Arts, twice named the Worst Company in America, was the first to show off their new wares at E3. Actually, no, they didn’t show off much new. In fact, apart from some new trailers, I don’t think the word new should be used anywhere near this media briefing.
E3 2014: Ubisoft Starts the Franchises, Leaves the New IPs on the Bench
If there’s one thing that Ubisoft is good at, it’s building hype around new IPs at E3. So it was only natural to hope for something new out of the French to steal the show at E3 once again.
The only problem was that all the delays over the last year meant that there seemed to be no room for Ubisoft to unveil new IPs at E3 this year. Instead, new games were the last thing on Ubi’s mind this year as they focused on established franchises and delayed games for this year’s E3. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear this was their 2013 E3 keynote on repeat.
Fails of the Week
Every so often, we take a look at the most epic fails from the week that was in the Fails of the Week. This week, we have five pictures and videos that we think are the most epic fails of the week.
Sunday Link-Off: The Majority Rules
Well, when the Ontario provincial election happened, I don’t think anyone expected or even dreamed that the Liberals would take a majority government. A minority government was what the polls were predicting but it turned out much larger than that.
We talk about that and a lot more in today’s set of Sunday links. But first, let’s kick things off with Michea Crawford.
A lot of people were surprised that the Liberals won the Ontario election with a majority. Even I was shocked and I voted red. Did the polling data indicate that this result was likely? (ThreeHundredEight)
One report suggests that the Globe & Mail editorial board wanted to endorse the Liberals. They were told to change their mind and pick Tim Hudak and the PCs. (Canadaland)
And speaking of late switches, a rare electoral error meant that the Thornhill riding that was declared for the Liberals is actually supposed to be a PC seat. (Metro News)
Entertainment Link-Off: Not 21 Anymore
I
t’s buddy cop comedy vs. dragons at the box office this weekend and BOTH are certified fresh. Can I suggest a movie marathon? Anyway, Amber Stevens can be seen in 22 Jump Street as Jonah Hill’s love interest, so let’s start off the ELO with her.
After the jump, an unexpected choice for Aquaman, Paddington can be creepy, George R.R. Martin demands longer Game of Thrones seasons, people are ditching the TV screens and Mean Girls gets the 8 bit treatment. Continue reading
Game of Thrones: The Watchers on the Wall Review
The ninth episode of each season of Game of Thrones has a bit of a reputation. After all, each of the three previous ninth episodes have been absolutely epic episodes. Seasons One and Three had game changing moments to end the episode. Season Two had a big budget epic. This season’s ninth episode is closer to the latter than the former which is probably appropriate given that the director of Blackwater came back for The Watchers on the Wall.
E3 2014: Nintendo May Have Won E3 Without Even Showing Up
For the second straight year, Nintendo forewent the big press event and instead kicked off the first official day of E3 with a special Nintendo Direct video conference. While it might scream of a company bleeding cash, it may not have been a bad idea this year. With neither Sony nor Microsoft setting the world on fire with their media briefings, the door was open for the white brand to make a big impression.
Not only did they have a big opportunity, they took it and got people excited about Nintendo for the first time in a few years.
E3 2014: PlayStation Wants to be Your Shooter and Multiplayer Console
Some seven hours after the Xbox media briefing ended, it was Sony’s turn to try to impress gamers with their keynote to close out Monday’s E3 action. Unlike the green brand, the PlayStation crew used their 90-minute presser to mix their game previews with some new hardware and entertainment offerings. As a result, the middle of the presser dragged a little bit relative to the Xbox one but did the rest of what was shown impress more than what Microsoft had to offer.
E3 2014: The Xbox One is Now a Games Console
When the Xbox One was unveiled last year and presented again at E3 last June, the focus wasn’t really on the games. Microsoft was more interested in pitching the Xbox One as an all-in-one entertainment unit for the living room by touting the entertainment apps and Kinect integration. Between not worrying about the games, the lingering DRM controversy and a price point $100 higher than the PlayStation 4, Microsoft has been in catch up mode for the last twelve months.
It’s amazing what a difference a year makes. With new Xbox division boss Phil Spencer at the helm, this year’s Microsoft E3 press conference was all about the games. The Kinect was hardly mentioned. Entertainment apps may as well not have existed.
Wednesday Link-Off: Not E3
With this week being E3, I have been extra busy over on et geekera with all the news and trailer roundups from the press conferences as well as with the other bits of news that devs are giving out to the press. There’ll be scads of E3 coverage here starting tomorrow but you can get it early on etg.
Today on The Lowdown, though, it’s time for the links. Let’s start with Canadian actress Shay Mitchell. What does she have to do with gaming? Nothing but neither does this post.
In Venezuela, prostitutes make better money as a currency exchange than they do as prostitutes. (Bloomberg)
Google did an internal examination of its hiring practices and found that impressive transcripts and degrees don’t translate to on-the-job results. Hell, anyone that works could’ve told you that. (Business Insider)
In Utah, you can’t have bare arms if you’re a woman. Such a wonderfully equal state. (Standard Examiner)
The Lowdown 