E3 convention a “glimpse into the future” (Warning Spoilers)

The 14th annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, or “E3″ – the world’s premiere video gaming convention held each July – once again served as a glimpse into the future of the multibillion-dollar interactive entertainment industry.

The invitation-only industry event was packed with media, retailers and analysts held at the Los Angeles Convention Center to play games coming soon to satisfy action thirsty gamers.

On that note, E3 ‘08 was less about the “console wars” between Sony’s PlayStation 3, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii, and more about the video games themselves – most of which are available on multiple systems anyway.

I did the research so I could give stealthgamers.com readers some hints on what was on display at the E3.

Action

In Electronic Arts’ “Mirror’s Edge,” you play as Faith, a “runner” who is an information courier in a world where all communication is tightly monitored by the state. By traversing rooftops and alleyways and navigating through underground waterways, you’ll perform your tasks – played from a dizzying first-person perspective – while working toward a greater goal: saving Faith’s sister, who’s framed for a murder she didn’t commit. This gorgeous game will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PC by year’s end.

Fans of “survival horror” games can look forward to a couple of scary thrillers including Capcom’s chilling “Resident Evil 5″ (Xbox 360, PS3), which drops the player in a zombie-filled African nation and will introduce a new online co-op feature when it launches in March 2009. Due out this holiday, however, is “Dead Space,” a new franchise from Electronic Arts (for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC) that takes place on a giant spaceship a few hundred years in the future. Konami’s “Silent Hill: Homecoming” also looked downright creepy.

Other impressive action games include LucasArts’ “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed” (all major platforms), Ubisoft’s new “Prince of Persia” (Xbox 360, PS3 and PC) and Midway’s “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe” fighting game (Xbox 360, PS3).
Shooters

Sony kicked off its news conference with a jaw-dropping live demo of “Resistance 2″ (for PS3, out in November), which takes place in an alternate 1950s. Rather than fighting each other in post-WWII battles, humans are working together to take on menacing aliens bent on world destruction. This gorgeous first-person shooter includes multiple weapons, enormous creatures (including a 300 foot-tall leviathan stomping through Chicago) and online support for up to 60 players.

Also due out in November is Microsoft Game Studios’ “Gears of War 2″ (for Xbox 360) that also pits man against vicious aliens but requires a more tactical approach than merely running and gunning. As with its best-selling predecessor, you must hide behind walls and vehicles to take aim, find precious health packs and ammo, and work with your squad mates to make it to the end of the levels. This Xbox 360 exclusive also offers a host of online multiplayer modes playable over the Xbox Live service.
Puzzle/strategy

Available this October, Sony’s “LittleBigPlanet” for PlayStation 3 is an innovative puzzle/platformer hybrid starring small, burlap-covered dolls that must reach the end of trap-laden levels before their opponents. But this innovative title blurs the lines between game player and game designer as you’re given the tools to create and share an unlimited number of levels over the Internet. “LittleBigPlanet” supports multiple game modes (including online play), challenging mini-games and plenty of unlockable items.

Fans of genius designer Will Wright (”The Sims,” “SimCity”) can circle Sept. 7 on their calendar as the highly anticipated Windows and Mac game “Spore” from Electronic Arts will finally be ready for play. In case you haven’t yet heard of its ingenious (and ambitious) premise, “Spore” can best be described as a life simulation that begins with a single cell before evolving into a land creature who must explore, eat, fight and mate. Advance through the tribe and city stages and you’ll visit other civilizations for diplomacy or war, and eventually will reach the space age to travel to other planets, galaxies and universes.

Strategy fans should also wait for Microsoft Game Studios’ “Halo Wars” (For Xbox 360) and Electronic Arts’ “Command & Conquer Red Alert 3″ (for PC).
Role-playing

As one of E3’s most impressive showings, Bethesda’s “Fallout 3″ (for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC) reintroduces players to an enormous post-apocalyptic world filled with memorable characters and radioactive mutants. Gamers can choose from multiple paths, each resulting in unique outcomes and experiences, and also play either from a first- or third-person perspective with the push of a button.

Other RPGs on the horizon include Microsoft Game Studios’ “Fable 2″ (Xbox 360) and EA Mythic’s “Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning” (PC).