E3: Some scattered thoughts

We’ll have lots of wrap up coverage of E3 next week, looking at how video games and the mainstream entertainment world are moving closer and closer to convergence. To tide you over until then, here are a few random musings and interesting notes from this year’s show.

A turning point – E3 2009 may be looked upon historically as the moment when everything began to change in (and for) the gaming industry. The widescale introduction of motion controllers could have ramifications far beyond gaming. This won’t be immediate. Other manufacturers are going to let gaming companies work out the kinks. But once the technology is on firm legs, look for it to quickly be adopted elsewhere.

For gaming companies, the introduction of this new control device could very easily extend the life cycle of this generation considerably. (And, given the escalating cost of developing a game, which also keeps retail prices high, that’s good news for everyone.)

Let’s get digital – Digital distribution is nothing new in the gaming space. Players, especially younger ones, actually prefer being able to download games and movies to buying a physical copy. With the unveiling of the PSP-Go, though, the industry took an important step. It’s the first gaming system that will only distribute content digitally. That’s significant – and you can bet the competition will be watching to see how consumers react.

Start saving – There were a lot of very strong titles on display at this year’s show. This holiday season will present powerful lineups on all three systems, with a “New Super Mario Bros.” leading the charge for the Wii, “Halo 3:ODST” and “Splinter Cell: Conviction” driving sales on the Xbox 360 and “Uncharted 2” and “Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time” driving the PlayStation 3. (And that’s not even getting into the multiplatform titles like “The Beatles: Rock Band” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” which will really dominate the sales charts.)

What was just as interesting – and encouraging – was the strong lineup of games that are slated for of 2010. “God of War 3,” “Heavy Rain,” “Halo: Reach,” “Super Mario Galaxy 2,” “Alan Wake”. Any or all of these could be blockbusters. Microsoft and Sony both hope to have their motion capture controllers on the market next year, too, which could heighten interest in the industry from all fronts. Look for 2010 to be a truly banner year.

Apple is everywhere – Though it wasn’t at the show, Apple was on everyone’s lips at E3. The company’s growing strength in the gaming sector is apparent, as many publishers were showing new iPhone games. More interesting were the speculative conversations about the company’s future plans. Would it jump in to the console business? What games will it unveil next week at its developer conference? Answers were sparse, but everyone has come to realize that after being the butt of gamer jokes for years, Apple’s not something to laugh at anymore.

Getting social – Facebook was all over E3 and not just in people’s status updates. Microsoft’s upcoming inclusion of the popular social network in the Xbox 360’s dashboard should prove extremely popular, given the shared audience of the companies. Facebook also struck a deal with Nintendo, which will allow you to upload pictures taken (and manipulated) with your Nintendo DSi.

The hidden gem – Every year, there’s a game at E3 that quietly takes over the show. It doesn’t have a big marketing budget and few people had heard of it before coming to Los Angeles. This year’s was Scribblenauts, a ridiculously charming game for the Nintendo DS that blends puzzle solving with spelling. (I won’t begin to describe it more thoroughly as it only gets more complicated, even though the game is incredibly easy to learn.) The last time I heard a buzz this strong about a game, it was Namco’s “Katamari Damacy,” which went on to become one of the publisher’s stronger franchises.