E3 2003: The Biggest Week of the Year

Written by Tony Kennetz on May 21, 2003

E3 2003: The Biggest Week of the Year: And no smart-assed comment from Tony

Well now, its over. E3 has officially come and gone for another year, leaving gamers and journalists alike to pick up their collective jaws of the floor. Every company made and saw its fair share of big announcements. Truly, it was an E3 to be remembered. So, to help everyone get their twitchy hands under control again, I shall come to weigh in with my heavy hitting opinions on some of the biggest Sony-related releases of E3 2003!

It's been confirmed: Metal Gear Solid 3 has the worst subtitle in the history of modern gaming. Yes, so far from everything we've seen the game is looking to be a killer app for the PS2, but could the name be any more ridiculous? It's a forgone conclusion that Konami has something to back this name up, taking it into the league of Sons of Liberty and Symphony of the Night Уname hall of fame.Ф However, for the time being, for the love of god, there is something seriously wrong with this one.

That said, I'm already salivating for this one. First MGS2 and now 3, they all make you crave the maddening stealth gameplay, and knowing it's a year away just makes the wait all the more painful. The addition of the survival aspects are also a key breath of fresh air to the series, even though it may not have been suffering the been-there-done-that disease yet. The graphics are looking stellar already, even this early in the year. Things like this only stand to make me nervous, because even though I know all signs point to a great release, what if Konami releases a dud and it ignites the next World War? Hey, with a game about espionage, it could happen....

The PSP: The saving grace of portable games or just another already defeated foe for the GBA? At this point it is hard to say whether or not the PSP is going to be the biggest force to be reckoned with on the portable field when you consider Nintendo and Nokia are both either in or getting in the game. However, when you're Sony and you have what could become the perfect place for PSone hits to be ported for gamers on the go, I can't say I would hate the odds of taking over the market. A bold move by Sony and I'm dying to see the end product. Final Fantasy VII PSP anyone?

But, what happens if the PSP becomes just another GBA? Sony is going to have to decide if they're going to make sure they release killer new games or just port PSone classics like Nintendo has done with (S)NES games on the GBA. If they do elect to go that route, Sony is going to be rudely awakened by the sound of overwhelming sales failure. Keep that in mind, and let Nintendo remain the

Sony cuts the price on PS2 again, but is it doing any good? If you asked Joe Consumer, clearly the answer is a resounding Уyes my dear man are you out of your mind?!Ф To these people I ask if the price cut could be hinting a premature release of the PS3, leading to the expiration of the PS2 far too early? Think about it for a moment and let the possibility sink in. Now, is the price cut really helping anyone? Sure, a few more people pick up a PS2 and walk out with an extra twenty dollar bill in their pockets, but if it ends up killing our beloved console early, is it worth it?

Ask me, and the obvious answer is no. I don't care if I'm going to pay a slightly lower cost for my console, I want it to live out its entire lifespan before I'm asked to shell out another $300 for the next system in line. Then there are those who bought their PS2's before all these cuts, how are they going to feel about all this if the PS3's comes out in late 2004 (note: I am not saying the PS3 will come out in 2004, just a though)? All I'm saying is that this is seriously dangerous territory that Sony, and consequentially MS and Nintendo are walking into, and they need to think about what they're doing next time.

Sony to publish Final Fantasy XI - at least its finally going to happen, yeah? It may be more than a bit late, but its finally been set in stone that we American gamers are going to get our hands on FFXI thanks tooЕ.Sony? Yes indeed, Sony has gotten the rights to publish the MMORPG stateside, and will release the PS2 Hard Drive right around the time XI is released to the public. The two most desired things in PS2 online gaming will come from one feeding hand? Its ironic, but at least its happening.

Gran Turismo 4: What we all knew was coming. Even so, sometimes the obvious is the most pleasing thing to hear. That certainly is the case with GT4, which gamers have been eagerly waiting since they attainted 100% on 3. Based on the video and pictures that have been released already, all I can say is УЕgahЕ..gahЕ.WOWZERS!Ф Pardon the lack of English in my statement of feelings on this title, but its simply insane. Chalk this one up as yet another surefire PS2 racing hit.

Closing Comments
E3 2003 came and went, and it truly was not a show to be missed. Sony and their partners in crime made sure they left a steadfast impression on all those following the show. So while the five things listed here may only be the tip of the iceberg, which just goes to show how incredibly deep the expo really was in 2003.