E3 Running Live Diary (Ubisoft Press Conference)

The Ubisoft conference is underway! I was eating a quick dinner so I will spare the intro for the company.  Keep refreshing.

• Game #1: Splinter Cell Blacklist, I missed it so I'll get back to you.  Word on the street is they didn't show much anyway.  Very typical.
• Game #2: Rayman Legends is the new adaptation of the classic series.  Similar antics and graphics with what appears to be possible tablet integration.  Wouldn't be surprised to see a mobile version.
• Game #3: The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot is a new game in beta right now.  This is a build a castle, protect your loot game.  They're now showing a character from the game in a video montage describing the game.  It looks like a terrible Dreamworks cartoon film, even down to the terrible writing.  That said, I'm sure it will be a highly addictive children's looking game that you will be embarrassed to tell you friends you play.  As soon as I say that, the main character begins to cuss up a storm, bleeped out for affect.  Maybe this game will be more humorous than I thought?
• Game #4: Speaking of highly inappropriate cartoons, the new game South Park: Stick of Truth is ridiculous as it sounds.  They showed a montage of Stan's dad fighting a little kid.  For the record, these titles are for current generation consoles.  Were now moving into next-gen titles.
• Quick moment away from games, they have a girl narrating the conference.  She is attractive enough but she is trying incredibly hard to be a stereotypical "gamer girl." Her scripted stuff isn't as bad as some of Microsoft's or EA's but its still deplorable at times.
• Game #5: Kicking off their next-gen titles, Ubisoft is previewing a racing game, that, by the looks of it, won't be able to compete with Forza or even Need for Speed.  Graphics are decent, don't get me wrong, but the world can handle only so many racing titles.  The name of the game is entitled The Crew and looks to emphasize the people/group you race with.  Describing the game, a developer states that their mission was to "change the face/status quo of racing games."  How will they do this? The biggest multiplayer driving experience ever created.  The entire game is played online (there is a single player but definitely is not being emphasized) and used actual roads used across the United States.  So while someone could be racing in say New York, they depict an off-road vehicle near Mount Vernon and then a road race in Nevada.  There are missions/quests to complete with your vehicle.  There is no multiplayer "lobby," all single player missions are done within the framework of the multiplayer game. Customization is stressed to help cater your car to your style.  This whole multiplayer environment feels like All Points Bulletin which was released for the PC a couple of years ago.  A cool idea if supported by the proper hardware.  Now watching some real gameplay.  I swear I saw a car glitch across a screen.... The graphics are NOT next-gen, no matter which way you spin it.  Let's hope Ubisoft picks it up.
• The girl in charge used a tablet to customize her vehicle and then described it as "rad." Please..
• Game #5: Watch-Dogs, the crown jewel for Ubisoft's next-gen titles, takes the stage next.  After a brief description, we now move into a CGI-filled video about the game.  Essentially, you are a vigilante that utilizes hacking on his cell phone to fight enemies.  The clip shows our hero/villain uses his phone to activate a fire sprinkler system to aid our character in a firefight.  Not too many more details were released and since the video they played leaked last night, pretty disappointing for a game that is highly anticipated.
• Game #6: Just Dance 2014, the girl presenting the game even laughed when she said it... Not sure she even takes the game seriously.  But it looks more of the same if you enjoy those type of games.  No mentioning how it will work with any of the new motion sensor next-gen devices. 
• Game #7: Rabbids Invasion and the Interactive TV Show - A game for kids, this actually marks an interesting shift in children's entertainment.  Kids depict how the show will work my interacting with the Xbox One's Kinect device (no mention of PS4).  Children can play a series of games that correspond to events in the show.  It will be interesting to see if that game/show works within the confines of the family living room.  Side note: This developer who presented this game wore the most ridiculous shirt I've ever seen.  It was a button up with flowers sprouting from the tails of the shirt.  Incredibly hideous.  A member of Forerunner Conflict (Blackhawk) makes the excellent point of how on earth someone could spend months preparing for a conference and then wear a shirt as hideous as it was.  Hopefully I can post a picture later.

The Shirt in all its glory.  Thanks to Silko for the screen grab.

• Game #8: Assassin's Creed: Black Flag - PIRATES!!!  This game has been covered by many different outlets so I'll only mention any new details.   Gameplay will be on display throughout E3.  The developer gives us a sneak peak at what those at the conference will get to see.  Typical, Assassin's Creed fighting mechanics as your character explores sea ports and more.  Before the film/gameplay they stated this was the most ambitious open world game ever created.  It will be interesting to see how much exploration you actually can conduct within the game.  This series seems to have taken a step back though.  Templars were not even mentioned in the conference.  This will be a major topic we'll discuss more of later.
• Game #9: The next-gen game before there was next-gen is Trials: Fusion.  This game is for next-gen consoles and current generation consoles.  Ubisoft also announces Trials: Frontier, a mobile/tablet game based off the ever popular game.  These will be major money makers.  Look forward to see Trials in the mobile gaming market as well.
• Game #10: Ubisoft ends the conference with a depressing video of how easily our society can be corrupted and destroyed. Hopefully the terrorists aren't watching.  Utilizing Black Friday and money to transmit a viral infection, the game is set within a post-apocalyptic type universe.  This game, created by Massive Entertainment, is entitled Tom Clancy's The Division (I did not see a Clancy game coming until the title was announced at the end).  Massive developers are now showing gameplay of someone walking through what remains of the crisis-filled world.  The plot of the game focuses on the government agents within the United States who's goal is to respond to a worldwide pandemic and crisis.  The game plays like a third-person shooter and has skills and upgrades available to your character.  Currently, they are displaying a firefight in New York City.  The integrated HUD is one of the more cool things I've seen from a shooter.  Very modern and sleek.  The game appears to have a survival element as well.  Utilizing what is left in the war torn, panic filled streets to your advantage, you must make your way through an open world environment..  As the video ends, we see our players fighting another group of player controlled units.  Very crazy.  This might be the new crown jewel for Ubisoft after Watch-Dogs didn't step up during its time on stage.
• Overall, this conference was very disappointing.  Definitely the worst of the day.  Watch-Dogs, thought to be the next big game, didn't provide any new information.  The Crew left me unimpressed as did Assassin's Creed.  The kids games are what they are and it'll be interesting to see if interactive TV catches on.  The girl who ran the conference was pretty terrible to cap off everything.  The Division presented the only new and interesting information and might be the next, new creative game from Ubisoft.