E3 06: MIA @ E3 06

Killzone 2, Fallout 3, Resident Evil 5, Devil May Cry 4, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Dragon Age, Culdcept, Bully, and first-party GameCube and GBA titles all skipped last week's event.

LOS ANGELES--This year's Electronic Entertainment Expo saw many a headline generated by games that had their first trailers unveiled at the event, such as Halo 3 and Call of Duty 3. Others came from titles whose mere existence was revealed, such as Grand Theft Auto IV. Still more came from the hundreds of games that were playable at the Los Angeles Convention Center, such as The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Wii, Warhawk for the PlayStation 3, and Too Human for the Xbox 360.

But for all the games that make appearances at E3, a notable number of titles are newsworthy by virtue of not being at the event. Each year sees a series of highly anticipated titles skip the event, and their absences often speak volumes. Here are a few of the major games GameSpot editors were expecting and/or hoping to see at E3 2006--but didn't.

Killzone 2 a no-show

Remember this from last year? Where did it go?

The PlayStation 3 Killzone sequel: In 2005, the trailer for Sony-owned Dutch developer Guerrilla Games was the talk of the show. Its jaw-dropping graphics became the subject of controversy for being too good, causing many to whisper that they were prerendered. Sony steadfastly denied the accusations, and many E3 2005 attendees were confident that by the time the 2006 expo rolled around, subsequent Killzone 2 footage and/or demos would settle the kerfuffle surrounding the game.

Just one problem: There haven't been any. A year has come and gone, and Sony has kept a shroud of secrecy wrapped tight around the Killzone sequel. It wasn't included in Sony's pre-expo press briefing, it wasn't at any of the 62 PS3 demo stations on the E3 show floor, and it wasn't shown behind closed doors to the press. "I couldn't even get the guy from Guerrilla to say the words 'Killzone 2,'" said one editor.

First-party GameCube and Game Boy Advance games: Though a few third-party publishers had games for the console (Over the Hedge at Activision) and the portable (Atlus' lineup), Nintendo didn't have any demo stations for either platform at its massive booth. That meant that titles such as the new Pokémon Dungeon for the GBA, Super Paper Mario, and, yes, even the GameCube version of the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which caused nerd stampedes the year prior, were nowhere to be found.

In their stead, Nintendo decided to show off its DS and Wii lineup exclusively. However, some E3 attendees noticed that demos for the latter platform were running off of dev kits that included modified GameCubes, which created some confusion.

Resident Evil 5 and Devil May Cry 4: Capcom's two most anticipated next-generation games were not present at E3 in any form. The absence of even a frame of footage was particularly glaring, given that trailers for the two games had been shown at Microsoft's X05 event last October and at E3 2005 one year ago.

Half-Life 2: Episode One: Remember when Half-Life 2 was the biggest thing at E3? Times have changed: Even though the episodic expansion is just two weeks away from digital distribution, developer Valve Software decided to skip E3 in any official capacity, though CEO Gabe Newell was seen wandering the show floor outside the Nintendo booth.

Gran Turismo 4 Mobile: Though there were nearly a dozen PS3 demo stations for recently remonikered Gran Turismo HD, the first portable racer from Polyphony Digital was garaged out of sight.

Dragon Age: Role-playing game fans were hoping that BioWare might show off its forthcoming all-original high-fantasy RPG. However, the Canadian developer's focus this year was on Jade Empire for the PC and Mass Effect for the Xbox 360.

Culdcept Saga: On May 1, Namco Bandai made much of the fact that the newest entry into its popular Magic-meets-Monopoly game franchise would be coming to the Xbox 360. However, the first next-gen installment in the series, which has previously appeared on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation, and Dreamcast, couldn't be located at E3 less than a week later.

Starcraft: Ghost: Though it was "indefinitely delayed" on current-gen consoles, many expected Blizzard Entertainment to reveal that the long-in-the-works title would be taking a Perfect Dark Zero-esque roundabout route to next-gen consoles. Guess again--the game was completely missing from the event, further fueling speculation that it has been scrapped in any shape, way, and form.

Rockstar's Untitled Western Shooter for the PS3: When footage from the unnamed third-person six-shooter was included as part of the initial PS3 montage at E3 2005, many expected that a Red Dead Revolver 2 announcement wouldn't be far off. Twelve months later, though, nothing has been heard about the game, and the information well remained bone-dry at E3.

Bully: Though Rockstar eagerly showed off its Xbox 360 Table Tennis game to the press, its controversy-courting high school beat-'em-up called in sick. The game had been announced during E3 2005, but has since come under fire for its depiction of high school brutality, which game-industry gadflies have said could incite real-life violence.

Bethesda, why must you taunt us so?

Fallout 3: Months prior to the show, Bethesda Softworks said that the third installment of the storied postapocalyptic RPG series would not be on hand at E3. However, that didn't stop the developer-publisher from teasing attendees with a poster, as it did in 2005. This year's one-sheet showed the series' emblematic "Fallout Boy" (called "Action Boy" and "Pip Boy" by some, after the perk and PDA in the game, respectively) superimposed over a faded poster of a happy, 1950s-esque soon-to-be-postnuclear family. "Prepare for the future," read the tagline at the top, further raising expectations of a sequel that crosses the Interplay Fallout games' sly wit and bleak setting with the top-end graphics and free-roaming setting of Bethesda's current bestseller, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

399 Comments

  • ChiefFreeman

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 11:49 am PT

    well Killzone and Resident Evil 5 are almost here..only a few more months! I can hardly wait. Then that only leaves Gran Turismo 5 and FF 13 as the last of the "known" anticipated, big PS3 titles. Well, FF is on 360 now, too.

  • uberjannie

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 2:59 am PT

    And Civilization 5 is missing.. so is spore?

  • BlakkSteel

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 6:18 pm PT

    Today is the day that I hit up every game that's on my wish list & make the following statement: WHERE ARE THE SCREEN SHOTS?!?!?? & WHEN ARE YOU REALLY PUTTIN A DATE TO THIS MONSTER??? LOL

  • lukeuh36azabc

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 9:32 am PT

    Hurry Up

  • River_of_Styx

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 7:45 am PT

    DMC has been the greatest adventure game of all-good story line and action...hopefully the next one will be as when the 1st DMC was when it came out (made me want to cry for joy)

  • DanC1989

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 4:17 pm PT

    Bully didn't need to be there

  • The_desert_man

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 3:06 am PT

    Killzone 2 will be good the first 1 on ps2 was a bit to laggy iagree with that and it was to short...So I hope that Killzone 2 will kick ass!

  • DJBartley

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 10:13 am PT

    I can't wait its one of my favorite games of all time

  • Humorguy_basic

    Posted Aug 31, 2006 5:01 am PT

    It's an RPG. It's not fantasy based. Explain to me why anybody thinks Fallout 3 will be released?

  • Ocram_Zepol

    Posted Aug 28, 2006 11:17 pm PT

    I hope this Killzone is actually worth playing. The PS2 version was too laggy and too linear... when Black came out I kinda got what I wanted, but it's replay value didn't feel too well. Especially after that last level...

  • portugal806

    Posted Aug 22, 2006 10:48 am PT

    YEA

  • pspeaks

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:30 am PT

    I loved the Fallout series. I sure hope they get Fallout 3 done ASAP!

  • fingolfin92

    Posted Aug 10, 2006 9:05 am PT

    grrr F3 ¬.¬

  • Ishbu86

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 3:34 pm PT

    i wanna see bully really bad!!!

  • solidusScott

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 1:43 pm PT

    Wheres my RE5?!?!?!?!

  • metalcry

    Posted Aug 1, 2006 7:33 am PT

    Devil may cry 4 Will kick all the other games ass

  • Pfilosophy

    Posted Jul 14, 2006 11:30 am PT

    Still waiting on some more Culdcept Saga news myself.

  • john777alex

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 6:27 pm PT

    Make no mistake, Killzone will revolutionize the gaming world once more. Guerrilla knows EXACTLY what they are doing, and there is no limit to what they are capable of...
    ...have a little faith.

  • bunty_007

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 6:19 am PT

    Really done that

  • Daellym

    Posted Jun 15, 2006 10:06 pm PT

    For the sweet love of all that is Holy and Good... If I see or hear about one more Falllout 3 event where they show a poster and no game-play or even a freakin screen shot I am going to scream. Fallout series (at least in my opinion) is one of, if not THE, best RPG series available. Even Fallout 1 with its last-last-last gen graphics beats half the RPG titles hands down out there today.

    I have been waiting for a Fallout 3 since Fallout 2 and I'll be damned If I get one more c*$%tease poster from Bethesda... GIVE ME A FREAKIN BREAK HERE BETHESDA!!!!

  • fastdeath2000

    Posted Jun 15, 2006 8:22 am PT

    All I can say is Fallout 3 please!!! I remeber reading somone mention that however long it taks to bring out fallout 3 you can rest assure it will be 10 yers before Duke Nukem Forever, but from what ive been hearing Duke will be back on the shelves within the next few years so where the hell is Fallout 3!!!! ;-)

  • hurricane_boy

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 1:26 pm PT

    Red Dead Revolver 2? Rockstar San Diego? Helloooo, Anyone home?

  • millieisadog

    Posted Jun 6, 2006 1:12 pm PT

    Also Gran Turismo was the whole reason why I bought a ps one to begin with. Why no Gran Turismo???

  • millieisadog

    Posted Jun 6, 2006 1:11 pm PT

    shame on capcom!!!!

  • Gaiusjulius394

    Posted Jun 5, 2006 9:12 am PT

    Come on people, we all know Sony's plan.
    Remember what happened to Killzone 1? There was sooooo much hype, and then when we finally played it, it was"alright". Now, they've learned from their mistakes. Killzone 2 will be a complete secret, until Christmas this year, when BAM! It's on our shelves with a shiny new co-op mode and vehicles......

    Oh yeah.....I can dream...

    GJ

  • liammaule

    Posted May 31, 2006 10:53 am PT

    Fallout 3 will kick major ass!

  • chrisfoust

    Posted May 30, 2006 11:14 am PT

    betcha Killzone 2's graphics from the vid were prerendered and now Sony has to actually make the graphics look that good

  • wahhhhh13

    Posted May 30, 2006 6:22 am PT

    yeh that sucks

  • android_M

    Posted May 25, 2006 11:40 am PT

    Killzone 3 was my biggest motivator towards a PS3.... no killzone-- hello 360

  • aatish_n

    Posted May 23, 2006 2:17 am PT

    whats happened to starcraft?

  • al1101

    Posted May 23, 2006 1:11 am PT

    I'm just bummed about fallout
    When, WHEN??

  • bvhinferno

    Posted May 22, 2006 12:01 am PT

    Half-Life 4 EVER!
    Let Dr.Freeman to do his job...

  • talonkard044

    Posted May 21, 2006 11:23 pm PT

    Three words folks:

    TOKYO GAME SHOW 06



    Sony will probably show some more PS3 goodness...If I were to bet on it, Killzone and MGS4 will steal the show.



    PS3 is gettin closer and closer...The excitement is growing!!!!!

    I'm definately gonna pick up Wii now after seeing last weeks E3. PS3 and the Wii are both going to be AMAZING!

    I am DEFINIATELY going to put down a Wii-servation on the system when I get the chance.

  • Arewex

    Posted May 21, 2006 11:00 pm PT

    What ever happened to "2 Days to Vegas" from steel monkeys. that game was looking too good

  • Dups79

    Posted May 21, 2006 2:34 pm PT

    Let downs

  • devondaleo

    Posted May 21, 2006 9:51 am PT

    I really REALLY hope they still make Resident Evil 5 because it will be the greatest game EVER! Resident Evil 4 was amazing and this will be even better.

  • Sarazar

    Posted May 21, 2006 7:06 am PT

    No Operation Flashpoint 2

  • Vancelvany

    Posted May 20, 2006 11:57 pm PT

    Killzone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love E3!!!!!!!

  • reghat

    Posted May 20, 2006 5:58 pm PT

    Rockstar needs to make a Massive Multiplayer Online Slaughter Game - State of Emergency Online. Or Bully Online for that matter. Make it X-Rated for the kick of it. The masses would kill small animals to get their hands on it. Imagine it...

  • adamska_br

    Posted May 20, 2006 1:26 pm PT

    One thing is true: Bethesda has a bomb on their hands. I mean, yeah, they made TES4 an it seems great and all, but there's just too much myth on Fallout 3. Everyone who has played any of the Fallout games (except fot PS2's BOS... I really think it sucks) is expecting Fallout 3 to be a messiah (you know, god sent stuff), and it definitely must NOT be a FPS like TES. Maybe if they do it like Assassin's Creed (but with a normal person), but then there's the 6+ years-and-growing expectancy... bottom line is: even if they make a perfect game, someone will be disappointed... there's just too much expectancy

  • marijuana_man2

    Posted May 20, 2006 8:20 am PT

    I wasn't really surprised that Starcraft: Ghost wasn't participating in E3 to tell the truth.... they're always rescheduling its release

  • OmGitsEDV

    Posted May 19, 2006 1:12 am PT

    L0L EVERY1 BUT sony L0VERS N0 KILLZ0NE WAS FAKE LAST YEAR!!!

  • djilaz

    Posted May 18, 2006 1:33 pm PT

    I will go to bethesda and take minigun and kill them all if I dont see fallout 3 on my computer in next 3 monts!!!!!

  • orcus_35

    Posted May 18, 2006 12:56 pm PT

    YESSS FALLOUT 3 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FALLOUT 3 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally some NEWS! if bethesda made TES4 then i guess the fallout series will be in good hands ( from a huge fallout fan )

  • Solidesnake2004

    Posted May 18, 2006 9:09 am PT

    My Response: Even though some were not present at E3 then we don't have to worry about it, by not showing up at E3 doesn't mean its not going to be made....so think about it.

  • James_Mg

    Posted May 18, 2006 6:13 am PT

    Hey game lovers!!! TSK TSK!!! Do not throw stones too fast at sony!!! Do you even know how many time a nex gen game like killzone 2 needs to be developed, and all the new grpahic problems? Please let us wait for the end! If they dont release nothing compared to what they have shown when ps3 and its games come, then we can kill them and curse them forever, but for now let us wait a bit more, cause theres alot of work on their hands and i want them to take as much time as they need, things made the fast way always let us saying "bahhh, i want more than this.....could be better....bahhh disapointing..." and are always a bit borky, sony with those videos they released promised to show something big, so let us be patient and let the guys work, i am the ultimate graphics lover an a xbox fan cause of its graphics power, and havent aquired neither the xbox 360 or the snoy ps3, but if they fail us when they launch it....they ....fall.

  • HamsterLV

    Posted May 18, 2006 5:04 am PT

    What the hell is wrong with Bethesda?! They bought Fallout license more then two years ago and they do nothing with it! I WANT FALLOUT 3 NOW YOU BASTARDS!!!

  • HamsterLV

    Posted May 18, 2006 5:03 am PT

    What the hell is wrong with Bethesda?! They bought Fallout license more then two years ago and they do nothing with it! I WANT FALLOUT 3 NOW YOU BASTARDS!!!

  • HamsterLV

    Posted May 18, 2006 5:03 am PT

    What the hell is wrong with Bethesda?! They bought Fallout license more then two years ago and they do nothing with it! I WANT FALLOUT 3 NOW YOU BASTARDS!!!

  • HamsterLV

    Posted May 18, 2006 5:02 am PT

    What the hell is wrong with Bethesda?! They bought Fallout license more then two years ago and they do nothing with it! I WANT FALLOUT 3 NOW YOU BASTARDS!!!

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