Gearheads of War

Since Papi focused on our most-wanted titles at E3, I've decided to set up this diary to see what everyone's predictions are. There are a few givens, such as Resident Evil 5 being showcased in a (Microsoft's) press conference and that all three companies will find a way to say they've had the most success in the market.

Here are my predictions:

Sony

1. Sony announces a new Playstation Portable and UMD format, at a cheaper cost- I find no question that Sony will announce a new PSP, as Sony has hinted over the past few months.  However, its the fate of the UMD that seems to be the red button.  Personally, I believe Sony will make another attempt at the UMD format, but now with Blu-ray technology.  To help drive sales, Sony will sell UMDs at a cheaper price, no longer selling them at the price of a standard DVD or Blu-Ray.  Don't get excited though, expect the price of games to remain the same and the new PSP to cost slightly more than the current 1.5 model.  If the UMDs continue to sell poorly, Sony will drop the format in favor of PSN downloads and games included in memory sticks.

2. Playstation 3 gets a memory boost- Instead of following Microsoft's example of price cuts (see Microsoft further down), Sony will officially present the 120 gig model, though don't expect any new features than what is included with the 80 gig model.

3. Playstation Home is discussed, but still AWOL in the near future- Sony will probably show off new and refined features and give another tentative release date, but don't expect more than you would from DN: Forever.

1. Microsoft will cut prices, but its still all about the games and numbers- Don't expect any SKUs from Microsoft this year, but more of refining on what they have already established.  Expect $50 price drops across the board, except for the Arcade version perhaps.  But it will be more or less the same as last year's E3 as Microsoft focuses on their new wave of titles and giving vague information on what the deal is with the RRoD.

2. Dashboard Update tease- Microsoft will announce some new or refined online feature for the Live service (Sorry folks, still not a free service) and go into more detail why they couldn't make the Spring Update.  Better still, they may drop the ball and announce it as a Summer Update.

3. Bioshock 2 AND Dead Rising 2 are teased- Though Epic is to drive the first party sales and Peter Jackson will awe the crowd with Halo Chronicles as a finale, 2K...um, which city is it now?...will steal the show with Bioshock 2 footage, showing a lively utopia suddenly descend into chaos as riots ensue, followed by the long and bloody Splice War that set into motion the events of the first game.  As for Capcom, don't expect nothing more than maybe some narrative by Frank West and a title on the screen after the Resident Evil 5 demo is shown, but this sequel to the Platinum Hit will be discussed at the show, so why not following the demo of the company's biggest title?

1. That casual feel- Casual games will once more dominate the show, and expect a million family montages that include little game footage.  Also they'll go on about how they have the dominate audience and are top in the market.  Don't expect much in online announcements, but luckily...

2. Going hardcore- ...they will surprise everyone with their next major 1st party title based on an ongoing Nintendo series...maybe even more than one.  Kid Icarus, Kirby, and Animal Crossing are all safe bets, but I'm putting my hard earned pimp cash on a Starfox title, giving Nintendo the excuse to...

3. Peripherals- ...announce a flight peripheral. Don't expect anything much further.

1. Blizzard's new MMO- Starcraft.  Its the worst kept secret alongside Diablo III, and since that sniper cat is out of the bag, they might as well fly a banner from a plane in every major city announcing the Starcraft MMO.  In addition, Starcraft Ghost, or some sort-of Starcraft 3rd person title, will be at least teased at the show.  Expect Blizzard to be the biggest name when it comes to PC coverage.

2. Fallout is king, but Spore has an Empire- Yet who can resist the juggernaut that is Will Wright's Spore? No one, that who. Expect this this to dominate the show room floor alongside Blizzard. But expect it to be undermined by the beauty of a little, or not-so little, title called Fallout 3.

3. Valve- Half Life 2: Episode 3, Team Fortress 2 updates, and Left 4 Dead will finish up the PC craze.  Valve will also discuss how they'll deal, or lack there-of, of console support.

So what are your thoughts? Do you agree or digress?  Have an outlandish theory?  Share but don't tear.  Remember, we're a community, not a forum ;)