Why is E3 so Unexciting in 2019?

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is in two weeks and this might be the least exciting year in a while. PlayStation will not be attending, Nintendo has their Directs throughout the year which makes big expos less entertaining, and the lack of rumors have made E3 2019 so boring.

Most of the games have been announced previously. The Last of Us Part 2, Halo 6, Pokemon Sword and Shield, and Marvel Avengers are the only games I have been actively looking forward to. Almost all of those games have been showcased in little ways but I am hoping for more extensive trailers at E3 where the games have more time to shine on stage. Microsoft may showcase their next-generation Xbox which could add new reinvigoration to the console gaming industry. Sony Interactive Entertainment has stated they will not announce the new PlayStation at E3 and it wouldn’t be released this year. Nintendo may announce the smaller Switch version but they may not improve it’s hardware capabilities.

I wonder if game companies have become better at keeping their announcements secret. I hope E3 will actually be excited this year.

Death Stranding will launch November 8th for PS4

Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima’s new game project after leaving Konami, is finally being released. It was showcased three years ago with mass wonder on what the game would be about and the gameplay. Despite small trailers released, many fans of Kojima were unclear on what the game’s story and gameplay would be. Lack of announcement also caused concerns. However, Kojima Productions has finally shown everything you need to know about Death Stranding.

The gameplay focuses on building connections with people and the environment.

People have created “Walls” and become accustomed to living in isolation.

“Death Stranding” is a completely new type of action game, where the goal of the player is to reconnect isolated cities and a fragmented society. It is created so that all elements, including the story and gameplay, are bound together by the theme of the “Strand” or connection. As Sam Porter Bridges, you will attempt to bridge the divides in society, and in doing create new bonds or “Strands” with other players around the globe. Through your experience playing the game, I hope you’ll come to understand the true importance of forging connections with others. – Hideo Kojima

The game stars many famous movie celebrities such as Norman Reedus who plays Sam Bridges (Last name is a bit on the nose). He must traverse the world that has been corrupted by the Death Stranding and must reunite the world. Death Stranding also stars Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, Lindsay Wagner, Troy Baker, and Guillermo del Toro.

Death Stranding Collector’s Edition

If you pre-order the game, it comes with a  variety of goodies such as golden costumes which will help you stand out amongst the dark environment in the game. If you get the Collector’s Edition, it comes with a Baby statue and a backpack which will be very confusing to explain to your friends who come over. I think the gameplay trailer and story being explained is recreating the excitement fans felt three years ago. The trailer was released yesterday and is almost received 5 million views.

Super Mario Maker 2 Restrictions for Online Play

Nintendo makes amazing games but they make weird online support choices such as using a phone app for in-game communications. Nintendo has been slower on online features compared to PlayStation and Xbox but fans have been hoping they add better online futures in the current console era. Unfortunately, Nintendo is making a mistake for their upcoming game, Super Mario Maker 2, by only allowing cooperative play with a friend through one Switch or local wireless play.

This means that if you want to play with someone or competitively online on a fun fan-made Mario level, you will be paired with a random person. Nintendo’s reasoning is due to the Global Leaderboards’ scores potentially being skewed for cooperatively play if you play with a friend. However, Super Mario Maker 2 will still restrict you to a random player even if you’re not playing a Leaderboard game mode.

This is definitely a mistake for Nintendo. Many players are building their friend list online in hopes to play together. As an adult, it is difficult to meet up with friends often to play video games together but online fixes that. I am glad that there is still cooperative play but playing with friends will always be more fun. According to Nintendo World Report, there are no announced updates for Super Mario Maker 2 but hopefully, cooperative online play with friends will be added in the near future.

Sources:

Nintendo World Report