Welcome to the 13th edition of Reloading...
E3 2011 is complete, and all that remains for team Ten Ton Hammer to do is to stumble onto an airplane and ride the smog homeward early this afternoon. That, and fight back sleep just a few days more to write up close to 20 appointments we haven't yet touched. Thankfully, E3 comes but once a year.
We haven't been slacking, though. Here are the seven full length features we've generated at the show so far, chock full of insight, wit, and the occasional fact:
Ben and Reuben could have immersed themselves in entertainment and swag at E3 or got more than 2-3 hours of sleep each night instead of bringing this information straight to you, so they and our remote helper, Jeff Francis, deserve a load of credit for their dedication. If you have a few, please show your appreciation by checking out an article or two of interest.
Speaking of passion and dedication, the E3 awards selection process got downright contentious last night. A bit of education and persuasion is required since it's impossible for all three of us to experience each and every game others have experienced. If one of us could do it all, I'd only send myself and save on postage. The process is such: I starve Reuben and Ben for a week (this is key), ply them with alcohol, march out their per-category nominees like Mortal Kombat combatants, then let them fight it out as I dementedly clap and jeer on the throne in the backround, Shang Tsung-style. I didn't get a management degree for nothin'.
After hours of enlightened discussion, threats, a roller derby duel, and the most intense Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock match I've ever seen, we have our nominees. Check back for the full awards once we've finished telling you how awesome these games are next week:
Best Booth (in alphabetical order): RAGE, TERA, World of Tanks
Best Gameplay: Jagged Alliance Online, PAYDAY, TERA, Torchlight 2
Best Respawn (Most Improved): APB Reloaded, End of Nations
Best RPG: Mass Effect 3, Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Biggest Reveal: Defiance, World of Warplanes
Biggest Surprise: Neverwinter, PAYDAY, Rusty Hearts
Best of Show: (we'll keep these nominees under wraps for now)
And there you have it - lots and lots of capital letters this year. How'd we do? Drop me a line or share your comments!
Yours from LAX,
Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle
