With E3 2009 getting off to a rocking start, the “what’re they showing?” questions have already begun to flood the Web. Microsoft has outlined its own Xbox 360 plans, as have EA and Ubisoft, and Nintendo and Sony will show their Wii and PS3 wares in the days ahead. But what about the other guys? Say, Sega?
Glad you asked.
For your viewing pleasure, here’s the lineup of games Sega is showing in its booth at E3 2009:
Aliens vs. Predator (Xbox 360, PS3, PC): “Early 2010”
- The next-gen version of this benchmark multiplayer FPS franchise comes from the developer of the series’ first title and will include three unique species fighting for supremacy: Predator, Marine and Alien. Each species has a different single-player experience, with all three intertwined to create a comprehensive story.
Alpha Protocol (Xbox 360, PS3, PC): October 2009
- We first saw this spy game at E3 2008, and it doesn’t appear that much has changed. Coming from the creative minds at Obsidian Entertainment, the modern-day spy RPG sees players using a combination of strength, skill and smarts to survive the dangers of being an international spy. Including mixing ladies and alcohol, of course. The game features fully customizable character attributes and a dialog system that feels like the fast-paced mechanic BioWare was going for with Mass Effect. Depending on players’ responses, the missions will dynamically change, as will alliances and the game’s ultimate storyline.
Bayonetta (Xbox 360, PS3): “Late 2009”
- Another E3 2008 holdover, this game sees players assuming the role of a seductive witch who uses myriad weapons and combat skills to dispatch her angelic enemies — including her hair. Although it’s being billed as an epic action-adventure title that “will to set a new standard in the genre,” our time with the game left us with a distinct case of the “who cares?”
The Conduit (Wii): June 23, 2009
- This is one Wii game that people are actually looking forward to. Developed by High Voltage Software exclusively for Wii, The Conduit pushes the graphical capabilities of the Wii to the very edge. The Conduit also features 12-player multiplayer competition with an assortment of game modes, and the controls are fully customizable. The Conduit will also be one of the first Wii titles to support Wii Speak.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii, Nintendo DS): October 2009
- Mario and Sonic are hitting the slopes with their friends in head-to-head competition for international glory at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The Wii version will of course support motion-sensitive controls, the Wii Balance Board and probably Wii MotionPlus, while the DS version will support that platform’s unique input mechanism. You don’t really care though, do you?
Planet 51 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Nintendo DS): Fall 2009
- This game will follow the Sony Pictures animated feature of the same name as players head to Planet 51 to witness an alien invasion — humans invading another planet. The game is set on an alien planet visited by a bumbling U.S. astronaut and gives players the chance to drive through and explore the world of Planet 51 while helping the hero find his way back to his spaceship.
Vancouver 2010: The Official Video Game of the Olympic Winter Games (Xbox 360, PS3, PC): January 2010
- With a multitude of winter sports events, real-life Olympic venues and online multiplayer competition, everyone has the chance to bring home the gold this winter. If you want to, that is. The last Olympics-based game didn’t exactly fly off store shelves.
