Well I can't say I remember a time where something in this event wouldn't disappoint, but I aslo can't remember a time when all three big names in the industry disappoint me as well.

Let me get down to it, I just was underwhelmed. Nothing blew me off at the conferences (but I'm still trying to scour for other news related stuff that's from third parties or wasn't shown) yet... frankly... the big three gave me a wake up call...

This industry is expanding, and it's obvious a hour and half conference or so isn't enough to show what we all want... so maybe it's personal disappointment, maybe it's also the fact that I'm leaving to go on a mission soon and I was trying not to ride the hype bus... but whatever it was, this year's E3 disappointed me.

Let's start in order of appearance, shall we?

Microsoft:

Well what can I say here? Perhaps the biggest "Megaton" was the announcement of FF XIII coming to the 360. (Which I have to admit didn't surprise me too much but at the same time doesn't affect my choice of getting it still for the PS3) Yet frankly, what I have to say displeased me a bit with this conference was more so the confusion I got from it.

After letting all the nice Gears 2 gameplay wash away, the kick in the balls to Sony with the announcement of FF XIII coming over, and the nice tease of seeing Banjo coming back... I felt like MS was having an identity crisis. Showing off more casual friendly games than before, showing their imitations of the competitions offering rather than showing something unique and original. (Mii avatars, Home like abilities with Live Party system and so forth.)

Now I'm not saying having the 2.0 Dashboard updates will be all bad, nor do I think it's bad per se, it's just that MS showed me nothing to get hyped about. Nothing I really felt "Wowed" by (Except the FF XIII announcement a bit) and nothing exclusive that would make me counting down the days for release. Sure, I'll buy Gears 2 likely, and I'll get Banjo, and yet those were givens. RE 5? Yeah you bet I will. However, that's it... where was the original game or new IP I felt would be so awesome or keeping an eye on, where was the "Megaton" announcement that would be the Halo, Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy level one comes to expect?

Overall there wasn't anything that blew my mind, but I will say this... of the three ... MS didn't leave the most bitter taste in my mouth...

Nintendo:

Ah yes... The Big N. What can I say about their presentation that wasn't said by the audience there already? I mean, it's no surprise I love Nintendo, it's no secret that I have fond memories with them and still consider them one of the best in the industry bar none.

Yet to be honest, I can't seem to understand where Nintendo is going here. I'm not calling the "they are abandoning the hardcore" just yet. Yeah, the only game I was excited to hear about was Animal Crossing City Folk for Wii. The 1:1 motion plus looks like it could be fun, and I may even buy Wii Sports 2 just for that and because I like Wii Sports.

With that in mind... it was utter disappointment one after another for me. Nintendo did not show me any core games, they teased me with words like "Sounds like the music from F-zero," the Sword fighting duels in Wii Sports, a Wave Race game in WSR and so much more, but what did I get? Long sessions of sales, charts, graphs, moving the industry, and other talks and Wii games catered to "Everyone" but not "Me" the core gamer.

I was hoping for Disaster Day of Crisis news, a game I've been following since the announcement but have heard nothing of it, I've been wanting even the Kirby game that was announced for the GC back in what... 05? to be shown, I wanted a Star Fox Trailer, a new IP announced that catered to Everyone like Mario does and not Wii Sports, and ... I wanted something to be shown that was at least the core audience that brought them here today.

Sadly, none of that was found, it was just disappointment one after another, and I can't say... I even know what I want now for the Wii this moment. I can't tell what's coming out, and I can't say I'm even too excited for anything much other than Animal Crossing and maybe Wii Sports 2. That's it...

Sony:

Seriously, I don't know what to say. Sony seems to have it's act somewhat together. They made announcements and confirmations of games like GoW III, R2, inFamous, and other great core titles. The movie store is launching and yet...

with all that said and done... the words "Just wait" spring to mind.

When is HOME coming out? What's up with LBP? What about Killzone? (I never played the first, but this is obviously a title many clamor for on the PS3) and why is it... we get nothing new or any info on games that have been announced back at E3 '06?

Sony continues to tease with games coming soon, games that may release eventually, and touting the PS3's power and it's 10 year life span plan. (Which at this rate, I guess it could be true, but I wouldn't say it's a plus.... nor a good approach)

I see some promising titles, I see long waits coming and I see that really... I'm not sure what my PS3 will be doing for some time other than playing Blu-Ray movies and the occasional game or two when it hits... if it hits.

FF XIII, when will you be out? LBP, come now please! HOME... really is it coming? R2 could keep me going for some time, but my goodness... the waiting game really tries my patience and I'm a patient man.

Conclusion

Well I have to admit as disappointed as I was, what can you do? I'll still have some games to play somewhere here and there, and I have a back catalog of games just waiting to be bought and played too. However I've begun to notice... my PC and my DS have kept me well entertained... so much more than any console this generation... Consoles in general to me have low interest, but I must admit... I did try not to hype much this gen cause I expected to be leaving before the year ends...

Well I went and saw Wall E on Tuesday and I must say, it is one of my newest favorite Pixar movies since The Incredibles. Firstly, I want to say I don't swoon over any movie they make. My top three favorites from them are Incredibles, Monsters Inc, and Toy Story. Yet, having just Seen Wall E I think it now meets the criteria for my top three. Which one is it better than? Well all the top three are equal, so Wall E means I have four top favorites, but Wall E is just one of my favorite movies in general now too.

It was a very cute movie, but it was just so fun to watch.

First off, kudos to Pixar for once again outdoing themselves. Overall, Wall E just was an amazingly well made and told story. The characters were full of life even if most of them didn't speak. The CGI quality is what you would expect, but even then I was still blown away. (Blu ray buy on Day one for sure!) and I must admit I think this movie was a bit more aimed for the older people, yet I was fine with it.

My little cousin wasn't too amused with Wall E, partly because I think no one describing what was going on was part of the reason, until the humans came into the picture. However, truly it was just wonderful how they created a loveable character and brought him to life without the need of some narrative or person speaking out what he is thinking. It's like this for the whole movie, you don't get anyone explaining it all, you get the message through the world that was created and how the characters just move and react and live.

There is more to say, but really if you haven't seen this movie yet, DO SO NOW!!! Because The Dark Knight is coming out and I'm also going to catch The X-Files I want to Believe (Love X-files)

Woot! I got my PS3 back!

However I must admit UPS is just sometimes questionable with their service...

A friend mentioned on the previous blog how UPS people leave the packages at the door, regardless how expensive the contents are, and I have had that problem beforehand as well. The UPS guy today just knocked once, I barely heard it from the kitchen but my brother announced "Door!" and so I rush to the door hoping it would be my PS3 (who else would knock? ) and lo and behold it was! Yet peering through the eye hole of my door, I noticed he was setting the system down and getting ready to return to his car, I open the door and he hears me coming, so he grabs up the system again and hands out the electronic signature thing.

Well anyways, I have my PS3 back, I'm about to plug it in and see how she performs.

However I'm sadden to report I cannot start off where I left off from MGS 4 My mother happened to lose the SD card, where my stored Saved Data (along with many Brawl videos and pics) over our 4th of July holiday weekend. Great... so now it's back to the middle east. Oh well I guess I can refresh myself on the story...

Update: It's MY PS3. That's right, not a refurbed one or anything else, but my actual system I bought. How do I know? The settings, system name "Charon" my User name "Chris" and other stuff are still intact when I got the system started. Woot! Now please release 2.41 Sony... I want In-Game XMB for MGO setups and the like. >.>

This also means I don't have to restart my MGS 4 game because after I reformatted the HDD, I put a copy back on the system and thankfully it's back!

Ok, well I've returned from my trip, had a wonderful time at the beach.

Did I mention there was lots of hot babes too? Oh but that's another story, I just wish I didn't have a guilty enough conscious where taking pics of sun bathing women wouldn't make me feel so dirty and wrong, but it's ok... I got the memories.

Anyways I digress, I've come back, a little darker (but really I'm hard to tan, unlike my two cousins whom were in the sun the same hours as me and totally darkened! No fair! ) and I've returned with a swollen foot. Well not the whole foot, it's my big toe mostly. I don't know why but it hurts... and it bothers me of course. I've been limping around all day. While I knew something was up on Saturday, it's started taking effect today, and it's a pain.

I'm going to make sure to keep off it, but here's hoping it won't get any worse.

P.S. I got a call from UPS, my PS3 will come in tomorrow!

Side note: They said I need someone 21 or older to sign for the release of the package when it comes tomorrow, and me being only 19 at the moment... (I turn 20 on the 30th this month) I hope I can persuade the UPS guy to give it to me regardless >.> Why is there an age limit anyways? It's my system... Here's hoping I can get it when it arrives tomorrow.

Well I'll be away tomorrow morning (leaving at 6 A.M. Pacific)

I've been pretty much packing up all day and getting the things I'll need because tomorrow I'll be heading to the beach, then we'll be staying over at the Marriott (sp?) which is a time share place I believe we own. I'll be gone until Sunday, so I hope you all enjoy and are safe and take care!

I can't wait though, because come Monday my PS3 should be in too. (Well that's what UPS says so far, hope it doesn't get lost or delayed like when my coffin for my PS3 should have been and was rescheduled. ) *knocks on wood*

Well enjoy you Americans and celebrate your Independence!

All others... take care!

I got an e-mail from Sony stating my replacement PS3 will be shipping to me.

It should be here in about three days....

Now... replacement? I almost feel sad... it means this won't be my exact machine fixed... just possibly a refurbed one... well I wiped my HDD clean so no worries...

Yet... it better be my 80 GB PS3 and have Backwards compatibility (limited) as well... or there will be hell Sony! (But if it's a full BC system, I'll love you more. )