E3 | BestStuff

Best Buy Goes Big at E3 with New Promotions, Expanded Digital Content Offerings

Best Buy stakes claim as THE destination for gaming this summer, offering more for pre-ordering new games and trading-in old ones

June 2011 – At E3 2011, Best Buy announced several new programs, promotions and partnerships developed specifically for core and social gamers, in order to ensure that Best Buy is THE premier destination for gaming this summer. Highlights from the day’s announcements included a new Reward Zone Gamer’s Club pre-sale program in which members can receive $100 in Best Buy Reward Zone points to be used anywhere in the store when they pre-order five games, as well as a major expansion in the area of digital gaming, including downloadable content for console video games, digital downloads of PC games, and connected entertainment services.

"We’re putting a stake in the ground with gaming here at E3 and working to ensure that we are the ultimate destination for gamers," said Chris Homeister, senior vice president and general manager of the entertainment group at Best Buy. "Our goal is to grow our network of loyal gamers by giving them more – more value for game trade-in, more incentives to choose Best Buy, and more of the technology they love. We can provide a better experience for gamers than our competitors and we’re investing heavily to do that." Read more

Add new comment

Nintendo Reveals Wii U

by jessica on Tue, 2011-06-07 13:58

Nintendo just unveiled its new gaming console at E3 - Wii U. This much-anticipated console includes a controller with a 6.2-inch touchscreen that directly interacts between the screen on the controller and your television. In addition to the screen, the new controller also features two analog Circle Pads, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons, an accelerometer and a gyroscope, along with a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone and speakers.

The Wii U will come packaged with a new controller. The Wii U console can connect up to four additional Wii Remote or Wii Remote Plus controllers. The system is backward compatible and can play all Wii games and use all Wii accessories. Pricing and availability has not been announced, but Nintendo says it is expected to be in stores sometime in 2012.Read more

Sony Unveils PS Vita at E3 2011

by jessica on Tue, 2011-06-07 09:20

Today at E3 Sony unveiled a new portable gaming system - the PS Vita. Priced at $249 for a WiFi-only model, or $299 for the 3G version, both will be available toward the end of 2011 with the 3G version being exclusive to AT&T.

The PS Vita will feature a 5-inch multi-touch OLED display, six-axis motion sensors, dual analog controls, front- and rear-facing cameras, and a touchpad on the back.

Sony says that because of the front touch screen and the rear touch pad, PS Vita "offers new game play experiences never before seen on any device, allowing users to interact directly with games in three dimension-like motion, through 'touch, grab, trace, push and pull' finger motions."Read more

Square Enix Unveils E3 2011 Titles

Legendary Franchises Stand beside Revolution and Absolution as Company Unveils Its All-Star E3 Lineup

June 2, 2011 – Square Enix, Inc. announced today its videogame lineup for the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, June 7–9, 2011.

This year, Square Enix brings some of gaming’s hottest and most beloved franchises to the forefront. Some of gaming’s biggest names spearhead the company’s show offering.

TOMB RAIDER, from Redwood City-based studio Crystal Dynamics, ratchets up the intensity and takes gamers into the world of Lara Croft as they have never seen before.
A new tale continues the story of FINAL FANTASY XIII. With new characters come new destinies in FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, which will be playable for the first time at E3.
Gaming in 2011 gets augmented with DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION from Eidos- Montréal, marking the series’ triumphant return.
Agent 47 takes on his most dangerous contract to date in HITMAN ABSOLUTION from IO Interactive A/S.
The island of Banoi may seem like paradise — until players realize they are among a handful of survivors of a zombie outbreak in DEAD ISLAND from Deep Silver.
Obsidian Entertainment’s DUNGEON SIEGE III offers intuitive action gameplay, a robust RPG system with an extensive selection of abilities, an endless variety of loot and an engaging storyline.
WAKFU is a fantasy MMO adventure with a tactical combat system and a unique anime style from Ankama Studio.
HEROES OF RUIN is a brand new adventure for the Nintendo 3DS featuring a lineup of unlikely heroes and deep social functionality.

Read more

Add new comment

NOX Audio Announces E3 + Me Sweepstakes

by jessica on Wed, 2011-04-13 05:00

NOX Audio Announces E3 + Me Sweepstakes

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) trade show is where media outlets are given a sneak peek at video games and accessories that will be available in the year ahead. NOX Audio will be there showing off its next headset, the Admiral Touch – and you might be too! One lucky fan will win the gaming experience of a lifetime from NOX Audio: an all-expenses paid trip to E3 in Los Angeles.

The grand prize package includes round-trip airfare for two, three days of hotel accommodations in Los Angeles, two passes to the event, an exclusive meet-and-greet with one of hip-hop's biggest stars and a "NOX-BOX" containing a Specialist Headset Gaming Bundle, a $50 GameStop gift card and a collection of gaming products.

You can enter to win the "E3 + Me" sweepstakes beginning today by "liking" NOX Audio on Facebook and completing a short entry form. Already a NOX Facebook fan? You can enter by simply filling out the form.Read more

Who Really Are the Gamers?

"Listen, you moron! I am here to stay and if you don't wanna' be in my life, you've got two choices. Move out or Ring out! That's it! End of File!" – Lt. Jordan O'Neill (Demi Moore), G.I. Jane (1997), Caravan Pictures

When we were growing up, our parents used to tell us to go out and play in the street. They meant it! Today, entertainment is at our kids' finger tips – computer video, game systems, standard TV, premium TV, mobile phone entertainment, music, and online Website options.

Nielsen Research says that about 5 percent of all U.S. family entertainment dollars is spent on video games. With video game households that percentage jumps to 9.3 percent of the monthly entertainment dollars.

Video gaming families also tend to spend more of their entertainment budget at home, rather than activities like eating out, shopping or basic TV cable packages.

But the stereotype gamer has gone the way of the dizzying array of gaming options. It's no longer our kid and his buddies barricaded back in his room firing rockets/mortars, jackin' cars, showing off their skills on his Xbox or PS3. He's not locked away online with World of Warcraft and a gazillion other MMOG players. He's sorta' ticked that he and his buds don't dominate video gaming. Read more

Add new comment

Video Games: So Many Options, So Little Time

"Later. Let's play Global Thermonuclear War." – David Lightman (Matthew Broderick), WarGames (1983), MGM

Historically, two "fringe" markets drove technology advances. One was – and still is – video gaming…if you can't figure out the second, tough!

But video gaming isn't video gaming anymore. Not like it used to be, dominated by hardcore pasty skinned dudes who had more luck with their keyboards than with gals.

Oh sure, Microsoft, Sony, Electronic Arts (EA) and others show off the next blood and guts, horror/science flick games at E3; but the show is a Hollywood production. MS Kinetic will extend the life of the Xbox system – when it's available -- but it is obviously trying to out-Wii Wii, hoping to get gamers off the couch to dance, exercise, play. Sony hopes to breathe life into the PlayStation franchise with 3D and its own "magic wand." Nintendo's mamby, pamby Wii changed that when they tapped into the mainstream player market. Read more

Add new comment

Sony Announces Surround Sound System for the PS3

by jessica on Thu, 2010-06-17 05:00

Sony just announced at E3 that they will release an all-in-one Surround Sound System with subwoofer built-in this fall for the PlayStation 3.

The CECH-ZVS1 is just one speaker, but uses Sony's S-Force PRO Front Surround Sound technology to give it full surround sound. It has 10W per channel and uses two active 65mm subs and four passive radiators. It supports the new PlayStation Move controllers, Blu-ray movies, as well as stereoscopic 3D content; and is compatible with Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG-2 AAC, Linear PCM (2 ch) formats. The speaker features one analog input for connecting devices like the PSP, and one digital optical input.

Available this fall, the CECH-ZVS1 Surround Sound System will sell for $199.

Casio Shows Off Green Slim Projectors at E3

by jessica on Wed, 2010-06-16 05:00

Casio is at E3 this week for the first time ever with their new Green Slim Projectors. Easy to use and compatible with all gaming consoles (adapter may be needed), the Green Slim projectors offer displays of 100 inches or larger…and what gamer wouldn't want to feel like they were part of the action?

Green Slim projectors have a 2X powered zoom lens, weigh just five pounds, and feature a mercury-free, laser and LED hybrid light source for high-brightness projection. They are available with XGA (1024 x 768) and WXGA (1280 x 800) native resolution, with all models capable of displaying HD inputs including 720P/1080i/1080P.

"We are thrilled to introduce our GREEN SLIM Projectors at E3. Casio's eco-friendly GREEN SLIM Projectors provide gamers with an unparalleled gaming experience featuring superior image quality, high brightness and innovative green qualities," said Frank Romeo, vice president of Casio's Business Projector Division. Read more

Nintendo Intros the 3DS

by jessica on Tue, 2010-06-15 13:54

At the E3 Expo taking place this week, Nintendo announced the 3DS, a portable system that lets you view games in 3D without the need for special 3D glasses.

Nintendo 3DS comes with a 3.53-inch top screen and a 3.02-inch bottom touch screen. It features three cameras – one inner and two outer – to give you the 3D effect and take 3D pictures. It includes a motion sensor, a gyro sensor and a Slide Pad that allows 360-degree analog input.

Tons of games and applications for Nintendo 3DS were announced as well:

Kid Icarus: Uprising, the long-awaited franchise follow-up to the NES classic.
Mario Kart, which shows off the potential of driving and tossing bananas in 3D.
nintendogs + cats, a new version of the nintendogs franchise that lets players interact even more with their virtual puppies – and kittens!
PilotWings Resort, a flying simulation that lets players soar above Wuhu Island.
Animal Crossing, a new installment of the charming community-building franchise.
StarFox 64 3D, a game that demonstrates the true distance and depth of outer space
Steel Diver, a new submarine-navigation game from Nintendo.
Paper Mario, which brings paper-based 2D environments to life.