Innovation & Tech Today – May 2019

52 INNOVATION& TECHTODAY|SUMMER^2019

Nintendo’sSwordplayDisplay

NintendohasalwaysbeenknownforgettingwackyatE3,using

puppets,claymation,andcatearstohelpannounceandpromote

newprojects.However, 2004 inparticularwasa perfectshowcase

ofthecompany’screativity,witha trailerannouncingTheLegend

ofZelda:TwilightPrincessfollowedbyZeldacreatorShigeru

Miyamotoappearingonstage,withswordandshieldinhand.Say

whatyouwillaboutNintendo,butyou’redefinitelynotgoingto

seeTimCookdothatata conferenceanytimesoon.

BloodDrawnintheConsoleWars

2013 wasoneofthemostmemorableyearsinE3’shistoryforone

reasonalone:theblazingfiresoftheconsolewars.Duringthe

conference,MicrosoftandSonyrevealedtheXboxOneandPlaystation

4 respectively.However,it didn’tgoexactlyasplanned.Yousee,the

XboxOneannouncementrevealedtheconsole’sneedtoconstantlybe

online,inabilitytoplayusedgames,andKinectrequirement.Notonly

didfansreactextremelynegatively,butSonyalsodecidedtousethis

negativitytotheiradvantage,withcomicalcommercialsdetailingtheir

“usedgamepolicy”of...lettingyousharegameswitheachother.It’s

goodtoseethatevengiantcorporationsmakingentertainmentforus

nerdscangettheirMeanGirlsmoment.Q

Too Good

ToIgnore

Whilewetouched

ontheseinlast

summer’sE3timeline,

theseweremajor

momentsthatwe

justcouldn’tleave

off.

Newell Eats Crow

One of the most popular games of the modern era, Portal utilized an innovative

“portal” system to solve puzzles and explore levels. Naturally, this system allows

for fairly endless possibilities, meaning a sequel was not only expected, but

almost necessary. However, it was looking increasingly unlikely that a new

game would appear on modern consoles, with Valve co-founder Gabe

Newell referring to the PS3 as a “waste of everybody’s time.” This made it

a major surprise when, during Sony’s 2010 E3 presentation, Newell

came on stage to announce Portal 2 would indeed be coming to the

Playstation 3. Gabe Newell also legitimately thanked Sony for not

punching him in the face. Not a dry eye in the house.

Smash Hit

Last year’s E3 was definitely packed with huge reveals, from

Elder Scrolls VI to Ghost of Tsushima. However, Nintendo’s

presentation was dominated by Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,

detailing facts about the game and revealing the fact that

every single character from previous games would return.

Did this pay off? Well, considering the game has sold

over 12 million copies since its December release,

achieved massive critical acclaim, and most likely got

us one step closer to world peace, we’d say so.

E3’s Greatest Reveals

Photos: iStockphoto.com/bigtunaonline