I think third-party support will be deceptively strong because of PS360 ports, but it'll drop as we near the PS720. In fact, I think third-party support will end-up rivalling that found on the Wii. I think developers are bound and determined to follow the pied pipers right into a raging river of red ink.
I think developers will offer plenty of effusive praise for Nintendo, their history, their innovation, their games design, etc.. but the language that they use will set-off bullshit alarms in anyone who is familiar with recent console history. Lots of non-committal, "
I'll have to see if I can come-up with any ideas for that controller"-type comments.
I think there's a chance that we might see a more combative, "
oh really?"-type Reggie on-stage this time around.. and his confidence will be backed-up well by what is shown on stage and on the show floor. Fans will love it, but the gaming press - never ones to pass-up a chance to shit on Nintendo - will label it "arrogant."
In fact, I think we'll continue to see the divide between the gaming press and the Nintendo scene. Western outlets will continue to rationalize writing-off a huge chunk of the gaming population as potential readership just because you can't see fine details beyond PS3.5 capability (because if you can't see the individual hairs coming out of each ogre's ass-mole, the game is utter garbage and the experience is ruined, right?
Right.).
I think we'll see screens of the next 3D Mario game, but not much video. My hunch is that they'll be aiming at making SMG3 a Holiday 2013 title, so it'll be the centerpiece of Nintedo's E3 2013 presence.
I think we'll see about the same amount of console Zelda content - but it would not surprise me to see hints or even an announcement that Nintendo will at some point release HD editions of their 3D games.
I think Metroid will be absent from the show. Same for Smash Bros, save for maybe a hint or a logo.
I think that the Nintendo Network will be okay, but it'll fail in the eyes of "
everything-must-be-online-or-it's-a-2-outta-10-review" junkies.
I think we'll see confirmation that WiiWare and VC purchases carry-over onto your new Wii U.
I think we'll know a name change before E3.
I foresee no pack-in game, but a few Catch Mii-type games included on the hardware.
I think Nintendo will spend more time on interface and features than many realize. A video chat may be demonstrated, along with new news & weather & shopping channels.
I think Nintendo will attempt to put strong emphasis on tablet-only functions. Tablet gaming, web surfing, and other activities will be in the spotlight, with Nintendo hoping that mainstream media reports reach the masses in order to attract some of those blue ocean folks. Otherwise, I don't see Nintendo spending too much time on Wii Fit or Wii Music-like titles.
I think Nintendo (or some other entities) will at some point during E3 confirm that the Wii U is indeed more powerful than the PS360. But lots of the usual suspects will refuse to believe this, somehow expecting huge jumps in visuals for the rest of time. (These folks may also find themselves disappointed when they see the lack of jump in visuals from the other two next-gen machines. Hmm.)
I think we'll see a repeat of the E3 Wii Stampedes of 2006.
I think we won't see price or release date.
...
And holy crap! I typed a wall in no time, so I'm going to stop here. Predictions are subject to change, but that's the general direction in which I see things moving.
) you only feel that vibration at the location of the sand when it happens anyway. At least, in theory. I've never actually gone hands on with anything like this so I have no idea how convincing texture usages like that would feel compared to the electrostatic method, but it should at least be adequate for making buttons feel like they're being pressed/clicked.
