E3 2012 Predictions - What's going down in LA?

After the riotous success and accurate predictions made about this year’s show, I have decided to try and extend my ‘kill-streak’ and lay down the Only Logical E3 2012 Predictions even earlier.

E3 2012 Predictions Time!

Things we will see

1)      Xbox 720

The new Xbox has been a hot topic this year, largely thanks to the extended console cycle we are enjoying. The 360 was first unveiled in 2005- by E3 2012 that will be 7 years ago. In technology terms, seven years is a bloody long time. The first Xbox was only released in 2001, meaning that it was only 4 years until its successor was unveiled. Given the fact that the big, ambitious games like Mass Effect, Final Fantasy and LA Noire are now often coming out on multiple disks, I think it’s time for a step change in technology.

Microsoft spokespersons seem to agree. Looking at the hint of an Xbox 720 in the “Real Steel” trailer and the comments made about the “overlap” of console cycles will get the average gamer salivating at the thought of a new toy on the way.

PREDICTION: New Xbox Console announced at the show, along with typical cheesy demo footage. Probably not formally named though, like the “NGP” we’d expect to see some dopey code-name.

2)      WiiU Details

That’s right folks, remember the Nintendo Dreamcast WiiU? Well, by next July Nintendo will have had a full 12 months to come up with another confusing if not frustratingly promising video.

Nintendo Dreamc...erm...WiiU

We’re hoping to see a playable model on the show floor, showcasing games like Zelda, Star Fox, F-Zero – all the games you wished Nintendo could make in current-gen format for the last, well, decade.

PREDICTION: WiiU Price, Release Dates, Online Functionality, and Launch Line-up.

3)      Call of Duty 9

Yes, this is a no-brainer. Bobby “Satan” Kotick will want to rape the cash-cow for one more year, in the wake of the inevitable success of MW3. The only interesting thing to speculate on is what format the game will take. Of course, it will be a Treyarch entry, so will be set in the World at War/Black Ops Universe.

Reznov Returns in CoD 9

The way I see it there are three options for Treyarch. Option one: name the game ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 2’. This would capitalize on the success of the last game, and show that Treyarch feel they are now rivalling Infinity Wards Modern Warfare Series. Option two: name the game ‘Call of Duty 9’. Or even better – just ‘Call of Duty’. This option would indicate an attempt at a reboot, perhaps harking back to the balanced simplicity of CoD4, or maybe even starting completely fresh. Option 3: Create another new spin-off. ‘Call of Duty: Vietnam’, or ‘Call of Duty: Tactical Assault’ spring to mind.

PREDICTION: I’d love to see a reboot, but knowing Activision I’d put money on it being either Black Ops 2, or just another Treyarch spin-off.

4)      NO Playstation 4

Sony are not as far through the hardware lifecycle as Microsoft, as Sony are using slightly more advanced tech. So expect Sony to use the Oportunity of a 720 announcement to observe the competition, and imitate accordingly with a high-powered version of their own. Typical Sony.