So here MyGamer is, at E3 2006. For many of us this is our first E3 trip, except for our EIC Andy Turner and PC Editor Matt Cook, and we have been in awe this first day of E3. So we have decided to take time out of our busy writing and exploring to give you all our first day impressions in a one paragraph(sometimes a little more) type up of E3 2006. Enjoy…
Andy Turner – Editor in Chief
Well, the first day of E3 is upon us, and we are all living the journalism life, stomping between halls and across the concourse in a never ending blur with the sole aim of finding a scoop. We have a substantially different crew here this year, but that isn't necessarily to say it's a bad thing, we just have a new dynamic.
As well as myself, Andy Turner the humble MyGamer.com Editor In Chief, the only veteran of our E3 trips of the past is our awesome PC Editor and resident Booth Babe Hunter (self appointed), Matt Cook. This year, with the newly implemented "early access", actually getting into the show was somewhat underwhelming. No longer did we flood across the road from the metro station accompanied by the thunder of footsteps created by hundreds of slathering journalists. Quite odd indeed, and compared to earlier years, surprisingly underwhelming.
However, once you get into the actual show, the traditional sights and sounds of E3 are still waiting to wash over the enthusiastic journo. Inside the expo, things are much like they have been in years gone by. Microsoft and Electronic Arts, tower above many of the other exhibitors in the South Hall, while the Japanese powerhouses of Sony and Nintendo reside in their familiar haunts in the West Hall.
But like the E3 of yesteryear, the games and emerging systems are what the show is all about, and E3 doesn't disappoint. There are games being shown that were here last year too, and then there are the new titles, which are heavily "next gen", offering a tantalizing glimpse of both where the industry has been, and where it's going. Anyway, these are my initial impressions, but like my associates, E3 represents different experiences for different people…Read on.
Scott Schopman – Features Editor
Lets see…Here I am E3 expo 2006. This past year has been an amazing time for me in the Gaming Industry. First I actually nabbed a job here at good ole MyGamer as a News Writer, eventually becoming News Editor, taking a small break, coming back and becoming a Supplemental Editor and now being Features Editor and now being here at E3. There have been many transitions for me here but like I said it has been an amazing ride and being here in LA is the icing on the cake.
E3…just say it with me EEEEEEE 33333333 man 2 months ago just saying that one letter and number would transform me into a 5 year old up all night during Christmas eve. And now here I am, along with some crazy MG Staff, in awe of what I am seeing and being apart of. Today was the first day here and just walking into each hall made my jaw drop about 3 or 4 feet. Before we got here, Andy told me about all the emotions and joys I would experience all at once. He was telling me it is an indescribable feeling. Of course, I simply agreed with him, since that's what you must do when dealing with a crazy Brit like himself. Well what he told me now… IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE. The emotions AND joys I had just walking through the hall way openings are unbelievable. I don't even know how to describe it, This is where the handful of pictures I have been taking comes in handy since I cant even tell what it is like. It really is something you have to experience hands on.
So today has been, of course, amazing. I have met with numerous companies and previewed a couple of games. Too Human, Chromehounds, Assassins Creed, Rainbow Six: Vegas, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Huxley all look amazing, just to name "a few." I had to stop myself from doing to many, got to save some for tomorrow right?
Matt Cook – PC Editor
One measly paragraph to describe E3? It can't do it justice. The show this year, as in the past, is like the Ringling Brothers circus crossed with a Blue Oyster Cult concert, sprinkled liberally with cartoon characters and barely-dressed, smoking hot booth babes, stuffed into a VW bus and driven off a cliff. While on fire. Seriously, whatever I say pales in comparison the sheer reality of the thing. E3 is not something one attends, so much as it is something that must be experienced, endured and, in the end, assimilated into every fiber of one's being. Oh, yeah, and anyone that says that the PC is dead as a viable gaming platform really needs to come down to LA and see what's out there- NC Soft showed a raft of new titles, some that can be downloaded and played for free, a whole slew of PC-only MMOs are on the horizon and we even saw a RPG based on a multi-million copy best-selling fantasy series that's only been published in eastern Europe… PC dead? Sorry, but no effing way.
Alex "yes Holmes is my middle name" Ely – Gamecube/Wii Editor
My first impression of E3 is probably similar to a child's first impression of some place like Disney World. Witnessing the spectacle inside the convention is something to behold. Being the Nintendo console editor, most might think that I would head straight to the Nintendo area. That was my goal during the early media hours, but then I accidentally walked into the other main hall, and was swept up in the circus. While the only game I really played hands on was the current build of WoW: The Burning Crusade, I saw many cool displays. Assassin's Creed by Ubisoft had an amazing full motion video introduction. The Metal Gear Solid 4 video, while long, was absolutely amazing as well. It was an incredibly long day full of aching feet and shoulders, but I look forward to the next two days.
Brian Grant – Staff Writer
My thoughts about day one of E3 is, wow. This was my first E3 and I did not quite know what to make of the spectacle. This is only day one and I have not seen everything. Right now I am excited about Crysis a first person shooter being developed by the makers of Farcry and being published by Electronic Arts. The graphics look like from a movie and the game engine is outstanding. Another game worth mentioning is Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising, a MMO being published by Sony Online Entertainment that is set in ancient roman time and is the most violent MMO I have ever seen. Day one down and two more to go, let me down a few more drinks and away I go. You thought today was cool you ain't seen nothing yet.