I've asked three developers from different areas of the UK games industry to write diaries of their experiences at this year's E3 show. They'll be reporting in daily and, hopefully, supplying a few photos to accompany their stream-of-consciousness rantings. First up is Tony Liviabella from SN Systems, the Bristol-based company that designed the key development tools for PSone, PS2 and PSP and is - I suspect - now working with DS and PS3.
Here goes:
"In the past I'd always squashed my nose against the proverbial window of E3: breathing heavy with jealously that people got to go and I couldn't, so I know all too well the pain of gamers across the globe as E3 draws near.
"When I joined my current company SN Systems that all changed and my soul was wiped of this indignity for evermore. This will now be my third E3 and while I've enjoyed the previous two shows immensely, this year is different. New hardware beckons and the atmosphere at the show should be electric.
"What could be better I hear you ask? Well, going to the media briefings before E3 is always a good start. You basically get to see everything a day before E3 starts, presented to you by some of your heroes while sitting in a comfy chair in front of a spectacular stage somewhere in glossy LA. There's also that warm feeling of knowing you're a few hours away from free food and alcohol to aid to the whole ambiance. Oh yes, if you like your games then this is the footballing equivalent to a World Cup final ticket.
"Unfortunately, I only made it to Nintendo's event (didn't actually have a ticket for the other's-so I still have some burden to share). So my thoughts so far? While I've no doubts I'll buy all three of the next gen systems, the Revolution in my opinion is the sexist and most stylish by far. It's small, clean and classy coupled with the ability to download the back catalogue of NES, SNES and N64 games as well as play NGC stuff is simply genius. The PS3 demos look awesome, especially Killzone and technically it really packs a sledgehammer of a punch. I can't see anything but success from the console. As for the Xbox 360, I like the design although it's still a touch large, the changeable face panels is a nice feature but it will really come down to the games. If it's on the shelf before Christmas, can I really see myself resisting a purchase? Not a chance. Basically, it looks like I'd better start earning some brownie points with my wife, Dot, as the space around the TV is about to get a whole lot more congested.
"So onto tomorrow and the start of the show, if I've learnt anything about E3 then it's 'go with a plan'. There's so much to see that if you don't make a point of searching out certain titles you find the show's over and you have missed half the goodness. So I've made a cunning list of all the games I must seek out and play. Tomorrow, I plan to focus on Nintendo and Sony's booths or at least that's the idea, most likely I will get sidetracked but then that's the beauty of the show. The demo of Zelda I saw at the media brief was enough to give me goosebumps so I'll be making a beeline for that for sure, Nintendogs is another, Mario Kart DS, Ico 2, all the new PSP stuff, oh the list is endless. By the way, did I mention that I missed Birmingham beating Arsenal on the weekend to be here? It's all good. 'Keep right on.'"
Until tomorrow,
Tony Liviabella
