Editorials
[E3 2013] What We Want From E3
The year’s biggest gaming expo is just around the corner — June 11-13 — and while we won’t be there in person, you can guarantee we’ll be covering it from the safety of our homes (I hate wearing pants, so it all works out) just as we’ve done in the past. This year is going to be the biggest yet, as Microsoft and Sony unveil more of their upcoming consoles, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, respectively. Now, usually, this is where TJ and I would write up our predictions, but this year we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of guessing what the headlines will be that escape from the event, we’re going to discuss what we’d like to see. More after the break.
First off, the consoles.
Video games are what I’m most looking forward to seeing lots of at E3, but the consoles are important, too. When it comes to pricing, I’m hoping neither console will come with a price tag higher than $400. My guess is $349 for the PS4 and $399 for the Xbox One.
I believe the Xbox One will be the pricier console because Microsoft is pushing it more as an all-in-one device, rather than a gaming console that isn’t only about gaming, which seems to be Sony’s approach. This time around, the Kinect will come bundled with the console, so that too, is likely to kick up the price.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock — or just don’t care — you’re undoubtedly familiar with the storm of controversy that’s been surrounding the Xbox One. I imagine Microsoft is going to attempt to assuage our worries by focusing more on the video games, including fifteen exclusives they teased that will all come to the console within a year of its launch.
Unfortunately, for me, that isn’t enough. Honestly, I don’t know what they can do to reinvigorate my interest in the console outside of removing that annoying required Internet connection, letting me transfer my XBLA games to the Xbox One, and maybe keeping their greedy little hands out of my ability to trade in or loan games I purchase.
Sadly, I think Sony will unveil similar, if not identical, policies for the PS4. We won’t know until next week, but I sincerely hope that isn’t the case.
On to the vidja gaemz!
Bethesda is kicking all the ass lately, with a video game line-up that I am drooling over. The Evil Within looks incredible, Wolfenstein: The New Order looks all right — I’m still not completely sold on the reboot — and if Doom 4 is even lightly teased, my head may explode. Also, remember Endless Summer? Yeah, what’s that all about?
As for Capcom, they’re pushing Lost Planet and a slew of games I have no interest in. They have teased a big mystery reveal, which I am desperately hoping will be either Resident Evil related or Dead Rising 3. That game’s been silent for far too long.
Konami’s already revealed their games in a pre-E3 conference held last Thursday, and for me, the most exciting game was Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2. Yeah, I know they also showed more Metal Gear Solid, to which I say… meh. I think we’d be lucky to hear about something related to Silent Hill this year. I have the feeling we won’t be hearing much from that foggy little resort town for a while.
Now that Remedy has confirmed Alan Wake won’t be coming back in the near future, there’s really only one high profile horror game that I’d love to hear from, even though I’m not entirely sure it’s still in development.
That’s Guillermo Del Toro’s Lovecraftian action horror game, inSANE. It’s gone silent since its debut at the Spike VGAs back in 2010. It was originally planned to be published by the now defunct THQ for a release this year. That isn’t happening. Del Toro has full rights to the IP and he’s said he’s shopping it around to game studios. I hope everything’s all right with it, because I really wouldn’t mind seeing more of it.
I’m sure several of the more high profile indie horror games will be at the expo next week, like Daylight, Outlast, and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs — all of which looks absolutely terrifying. It was recently announced that Daylight would be coming exclusively to the PS4, right alongside another PS4-exclusive horror game, Until Dawn. I can’t say I’m terribly enthusiastic about its support of the hugely gimmicky PS Move, but even that won’t keep me from playing a teen slasher video game. We just don’t get enough of those.
That’s what I’d like to see. Now, on to TJ!
Bring me the consoles. ALL the consoles.
I can’t say I have as negative of a look towards the Xbox One as most people now. I mean let’s be honest here, things are changing. Remember when that whole Napster debacle went down and they started releasing cds you couldn’t rip? It’s kind of like the same thing but on a more expensive level. They are trying to keep the money within the game industry and not so much to GameStops and the like. I’m more just looking towards the future of gaming on the Xbox One, as well as the PlayStation 4.
I’m hoping E3 will not be so focused on all the “negative” aspects of the systems, but more focused on the games, and the features. I’d really love to see more on how both systems work, dashboards, upgrades, and features we will be able to experience this magical holiday season.
As far as pricing is concerned, I don’t really have any guesses. I can tell you no one saw the PlayStation 3’s 600 dollar price point coming. So I don’t want to get my hopes up just yet. I’m honestly so excited for the games. Take all this bull shit surrounding the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 (If they out themselves like the Xbox) and push it aside. I’m happy we’re getting some brand new systems and games that are going to look amazing.
Oh, and about those games…..
You know what hurts? Remedy. They broke my heart in two. I want a new Alan Wake. I want it now. I HAVE TO SAVE MY WIFE, DON’T YOU GET IT?
Capcom. Unless they are giving us some kick ass Resident Evil turn around, they won’t have my attention one bit.
I’m kind of hoping Epic shows us something awesome. I really have zero interest in Fortnite. So I’m hoping they have something else in the works.
In general what I’m most excited about is seeing new games that haven’t been announced yet for the Playstation 4 and Xbox One. I mean, yes, of course I’m excited to see more about games that were already announced, but my lust for visuals can only be satiated with new new new stuff.
Adam is right. Bethesda is doing something right. They have a badass line up so far. What do I really really want? The next Fallout. We’re creeping up on 3 years this fall since New Vegas came out. What I really want is a Fallout with co-op. I might kill myself if a that came out.
I’m hopeful we’ll be able to see a lot of the indie horror games Adam has been gushing over lately.
I could go on all night about what I want to see.
Hey, Valve, Left 4 Dead 3. NOW. Don’t give me any lip about it either.
Deadly Premonition 2 needs to be made. They’re seriously sitting on a small gold mine. It makes me question what companies are thinking.
BioShock Infinite 2. LOLZ, but seriously I’m curious what Ken Levine and the crew are up to right now….
It’s way to soon, but give me Tomb Raider 2. My Game of the Year needs a sequel.
I’m itching for sequels to games I love(d). Dante’s Inferno 2. That was the best trip through hell I ever had. I think Visceral needs to take some time off from Dead Space to personally deliver me a sequel.
I think I’m done ranting, just give me awesome new stuff and awesome sequels to awesome games and I’ll be a happy camper.
Have a question? Feel free to ever-so-gently toss Adam an email, or follow him on Twitter and Bloody Disgusting.
Editorials
‘The Vampire Lestat’ Concert Event Launches New Season With The Ultimate Expression Of Fandom
There are thousands of passionate fans decked out in gothic chic and champing at the bit like feral creatures. They’re screaming for Lestat, a legendary vampire-turned-rock star, as if the entire crowd has been glamored into submission.
The entire experience is magic, but not because some supernatural thrall has been activated. What’s going on is even more special. It’s the power of the effusive fandom that’s been authentically assembled by AMC’s sublime Immortal Universe, namely Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, now, The Vampire Lestat.
The Vampire Lestat is far from the first Anne Rice adaptation, and it’s not as if there’s been a lack of erotic vampire material for audiences to sink their teeth into. On June 2nd, during a one-night-only spectacle, New York City’s prestigious Beacon Theatre shook from Sam Reid’s bravado performance and an audience full of adoring fans who had already memorized Lestat’s songs.
It’s clear that The Vampire Lestat just hits differently than its predecessors. It’s become more than just a TV series at this point, and this opulent display of ego, swagger, and pure sex is the perfect way to premiere the new season and give back to the fans who helped make Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat such a breakout success. It’s exactly the sort of hyperbolized hedonism that would make Lestat cackle.
For all intents and purposes, AMC has successfully created the illusion that this concert/premiere is just one of the many destinations on Lestat and his band’s 54-stop tour that is simultaneously playing out on this season of television. It’s such a sophisticated and thorough level of interactive fan engagement that the audience doesn’t just understand, but also manages to accentuate through its involvement.
It’s a level of seamless synergy that’s not unlike the give-and-take relationship of vampire and victim.
Before the concert started, “LeStans” were sitting in the Beacon and flipping through a fake Rolling Stone issue with Lestat emblazoned on the cover, complete with interviews with the undead frontman inside. Other fans were admiring the vinyl pressing of Lestat’s EP as they walked past a section of undead band merch. Fandom and fantasy blur together, and it all becomes this elaborate, immersive experience. Fan celebration, erotic gothic fantasy, and a lavish rock concert transform into one beautiful thing.
To this point, AMC Global Media’s Chief Content Officer and President of AMC Studios, Dan McDermott, introduced the event by reiterating to fans, “You are the heartbeat of the series.” That’s abundantly clear on nights like this as that heartbeat collectively pulses to this performance. In terms of how AMC engages with The Vampire Lestat’s fans, it’s as bold a reinvention as the season itself.
This intuitive gamble speaks to AMC’s creativity in this department and a fandom that is eager to seize such opportunities. It’s the same innovation that led to zombie walks for The Walking Dead and real-life Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant pop-ups from Breaking Bad. It’s a great way to pump up the audience for The Vampire Lestat and then maintain that enthusiasm for the whole season.
For most series, a rock ‘n’ roll concert just doesn’t make any sense as a promotional tool. The Vampire Lestat finds itself in a very unique position where it can deliver an excellent concert at an iconic theater, but also use it to showcase The Vampire Lestat’s music by Daniel Hart (who was shredding on stage alongside Reid and the rest of their band) and, more than anything, Sam Reid’s endless charisma.
The way in which Reid feeds off of the crowd’s energy, modulating his performance and giving different sections of the Beacon life, is a perfect distillation of the series’ thoughtful relationship with its audience and how it’s become such a breakout success for AMC. AMC Studios President Dan McDermott emphasized that the fans are the reason that the show is still here and why an event like this is even possible. It’s rare to see a series in which every single cog in the machine is so perfectly attuned to its fans. Reid’s fans already cheer whenever they see him, so why not translate that to a concert setting?
It’s clear in this season of television that Reid was born to be a rock star, but it’s surreal to see him effortlessly command the stage — and the audience — at every step of the concert. He recites Shakespeare monologues and bitches out Armand between songs, all while the audience screams in support. For the duration of this concert, Reid is Lestat, and he’s given thousands of fans a memory that’s as immortal as any vampire.
Now bring on the encore and get this show on the road!
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