Take-Two’s E3 livestream wasn’t quite what viewers were expecting
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«Corporations really have to take accountability, and do what’s right,» said 2K director of diversity, inclusion, and equality Toni Ligons, PhD during Take-Two’s E3 livestream today. It’s the sort of thing you expect to hear during a 30-second segment about corporate responsibility that plays before loud E3 trailers about guns, but that wasn’t the case for GTA publisher Take-Two. I jotted that line down about 30 minutes into a 45 minute panel about corporate responsibility and «diversity, equity, and inclusion» in the games industry, which was the entirety of Take-Two’s E3 «keynote.»
It’s not quite what the viewers on the E3 Twitch channel were expecting. When Take-Two said it was doing an E3 show, we thought it would talk about GTA Online or Borderlands, maybe announce something new from Firaxis. Parts of E3 are business-focused, but it’s best known for being the premier consumer-facing videogames event. It’s where consoles and blockbuster games are announced.
Take-Two disregarded that and did its own thing, with a discussion you might typically see at an event like the Game Developer’s Conference, and a lot of viewers stuck with it: On the official E3 Twitch stream, there were still over 100,000 viewers as the segment concluded.
The panel featured Take-Two directors speaking with games industry executive and USC professor Gordon Bellamy of Gay Gaming Professionals , Games for Change president Susanna Pollack, UFC professor Jim Huntley , and Girls Make Games founder Laila Shabir. It was an overview of systemic problems around gender, race, and sexuality in the gaming business, with commentary on specific experiences of discrimination and alienation as well as Take-Two’s corporate perspectives on diversity and recruiting.
I’ve embedded GameSpot’s co-stream of the panel at the top of this article.
After a countdown and brief intro from the E3 desk, the «E3 Exclusive» graphic does its swoosh, and then we see Take-Two communications VP Alan Lewis saying, «Hello, I’m Alan Lewis, vice president of corporate communications and public affairs at Take-Two Interactive,» and the hopes viewers had for game announcements evaporate into the grey field behind him.
The important topic couldn’t help but cause a certain amount of comedy as co-streamers who expected to do live commentary over game announcements were faced with a 45 minute talk directed at the LinkedIn crowd. One streamer I saw gave up part way through and went to watch trailers from yesterday. Another, Yoda Wise , only made a few comments: «I’m all for all of this, man … but this is E3 Monday and I thought I was tuning in for game announcements.»
The Twitch chat I saw was mostly emote spamming, but elsewhere there were angry reactions («show us GTA 6!») and racist or otherwise hateful remarks in response to the topic of inclusion (I skimmed some YouTube comments).
There were positive responses, too.
«That was something I was not expecting, but kind of glad that we got it,» said a streamer reacting to E3 shows on YouTube channel Slightly Off Topic . «It was a good discussion. I was expecting games, we didn’t get it, but it was still a good discussion nonetheless.» (I’d embed the video but I can’t locate that part of the stream.)
As for Take-Two’s games, the 2K label is publishing Gearbox’s fantasy-themed Borderlands spin-off Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, which was announced earlier at E3, and Firaxis released a Civilization 6 bundle. That’s all I saw. Take-Two owns Rockstar, but Rockstar has historically been too cool for E3, preferring to make announcements when and how it wants.
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Tyler grew up in Silicon Valley during the rise of personal computers, playing games like Zork and Arkanoid on the early PCs his parents brought home.
He was later captivated by Myst, SimCity, Civilization, Command & Conquer, Bushido Blade (yeah, he had Bleem!), and all the shooters they call «boomer shooters» now. In 2006, Tyler wrote his first professional review of a videogame: Super Dragon Ball Z for the PS2. He thought it was OK. In 2011, he joined PC Gamer, and today he’s focused on the site’s news coverage. His hobbies include amateur boxing and adding to his 1,200-plus hours in Rocket League.
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The E3 2021 Take Two Panel
E3 continues until later today, as I write this. I’ll stick my hands up and say that this year’s E3 hasn’t been the best showing either from the end of first-party, third-party, or overall from the ESA’s E3. I might go into all of this in more detail later on, but for now, I want to talk about something I was set to cover that hardly anyone knew about.
In the schedule of E3 this year there was a small company you’ll probably have heard of, they might have published a game or two, called Take-Two Interactive.
Well, the introduction to that show went a little like this: “With the gaming community already being such a diverse place, it’s time for the creative space to reflect that.” I had a question from that, which was, what does that have to do with Take-Two, one of the most creatively bankrupt publishers around? The introduction continued with, “So, here is Take-Two with an important discussion on the necessity of diversity, equity, AND, the corporate responsibility to honor those things.” Right, so that was several buzz words for a boardroom to feel happy, and someone threw in Take-Two so they can say they aren’t racist, not now and not ever. Cool!
See, I don’t have a problem with what Take-Two was trying to do, other than calling themselves creative by paying someone off with a billion dollars. What I do have an issue with is the way expectations are set through, to steal a phrase from the Obama White House according to both Michelle and Barack’s books, what is called “the optics.
” In short, that is to say, “what does this look like with fresh eyes, eyes that want to find a fault.” The optics, as it were, of putting Take-Two Interactive next to Capcom, the PC Gaming Show, Ubisoft Foward, and Intellivision, of all things, is that they would do as everyone else does.
Ahead of the showcase, they did make a small announcement that they wouldn’t be showing off games, however, that isn’t always going to penetrate every barrier. I watched the live chat on Gamespot’s broadcast of the keynote on diversity, and it was not managed well. I’d say 99% of the chat were yelling for some form of Grand Theft Auto with a few for Bioshock. Some tried to be funny by asking for Among Us 2 and other tripe, but for the majority of the fast scrolling chat, it was Grand Theft Auto. Then you look at the likes and dislikes of that broadcast, and at the time of writing it is sitting at 460 likes to just over 4,000 dislikes.
The problem here, as I glance over and see horrid little comments, is partially the viewership.
However, the issue also lies with the expectation set out by saying Take-Two will be alongside several gaming reveal showcases. Yes, one of the many horrible little comments claims this is political with “I wanted games[,] and now we are listening to a liberal discussion.” Comments like that while someone is talking openly about the importance of diversity to improve games boils my blood. I’ve spoken about it before, I might not be the most qualified to speak on it, but I do feel strongly about it: Gaming, in general, is lacking that diversity to show a proper Black, Asian, or Hispanic experience.
I’m not even going to touch on the fact it is June, and I didn’t include LGBTQ+ in there, but I easily could. A lot of triple-A games are lacking that diversity and that ability to showcase these experiences, and that’s what this panel was trying to talk about. However, with a company with a name that can (at its mere mention) spawn such a crowd around its keynote, the expectations should have been set much sooner.
Either through naming it the “Take-Two Diversity keynote,” as clunky as it sounds, or something else so people knew it would be a Zoom meeting on equity.
Linked below is the entire keynote from Gamespot’s channel, which I do recommend watching. Though go into it with the understanding that it is slow, and very much just a local council meeting-esque talk over Zoom.
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Sony presentation at E3 2010 This concept appeared on the Internet relatively recently, by definition it unites people who, with “special awe”, relate to everything that Sony produces. «Sonyboy» is a nickname more negative than positive, because fanaticism in itself implies excessive love, and excessive fanaticism automatically goes beyond all understanding. But, you see, we are all “soniboys” in a light form. After all, Sony is not just an engine, it is a whole locomotive that drags a freight train crammed full of new technologies and fresh solutions. So let’s forget the «fighting wars» on the Internet and put on fan masks for the duration of Sony’s press conference at E3.
Let’s start with the most important thing. As expected, by E3 Sony gave in and finally announced the release date of Gran Turismo 5 — November 2, however, so far only for North America. We hope that in Europe the appearance of the super-expected game will not be delayed. Recall that GT5 will be radically different from previous games in the series.
For the first time there will be an online multiplayer mode, designed for 16 users. One of the main innovations will be the car damage system. In addition, the developers promise us dynamic weather that will directly affect the behavior of the car, races at different times of the day, as well as races in WRC, NASCAR and Super GT tournaments.
The presentation video for Gran Turismo 5 is not as spectacular as, say, the new NFS: Hot Pursuit. But firstly, you should not compare the simulator with the arcade, and secondly, the GT5 video was made on the game engine, and not prepared on graphic stations. Watching the video is a must — the developers did not stint and quite clearly showed the behavior of the car on new tracks, and even the legendary Stig from the Top Gear show:
Gran Turismo 5. Official video from E3 2010 [HD]
If the news related to Gran Turismo 5 was expected, then the announcement of the PS3 version of Portal 2 was a real surprise.
Valve Software CEO Gabe Newell’s speech at the Sony press conference was somewhat shocking — after all, just a few weeks ago he was sharply critical of the PlayStation, and now, according to him, Valve Software considers the PlayStation 3, undoubtedly, the best platform for their new games: “When the console first hit the market, I was its biggest critic. However, Sony has proved that the PS3 is the most open set-top box in existence today, as the company’s employees are working hard to make it the most attractive for both users and developers.»
According to Mr. Newell, the PS3 version of Portal 2 with Steamworks support will be out of competition. The capabilities of the service will allow you to quickly update the game and quickly receive additional content, not to mention the multimillion-dollar Steamworks community.
Portal 2 is scheduled for release in 2011 and will be released simultaneously on PC, Mac, PS3 and Xbox 360. Killzone 3. The shooter developed by the studio Guerilla Games will appear on store shelves in February next year.
This was reported to us by representatives of the studio immediately after the demonstration of the 3D demo version of the game. It also became known that Killzone 3 will be released with full Move support. In addition to 3D graphics and a new control system, a lot of interesting things await us: new firearms, improved hand-to-hand combat, jet packs (Jet pack), fresh locations and a completely destructible world around. In the future, the developers promise to dedicate us to everything that happens around their new project, according to them, the E3 exhibition will not be the last stop on the way to release.
KillZone 3. Gameplay. Video from E3 2010 [HD]
Another exclusive for the PlayStation 3 will be the continuation of the sensational Twisted Metal series in the past. The Eat Sleep Play studio is busy developing a new project. As it became known, among the multiplayer modes of Twisted Metal are online team fights, called desmatches (deathmatch), and the new Capture the Faction mode, where players have to capture the object of the opposite team.
The developers decided not to stop at «banal» cars equipped with deadly weapons, and included helicopters, various vans and many other equipment into the game, on which the player can «put on» numerous devices to destroy the enemy.
Sony has not yet decided on the release date of the new «grinder», it is only known that the game will be released in 2011. The video shown at the Twisted Metal presentation looks impressive — improved gameplay and next-generation graphics — all in the tradition of the series.
Twisted Metal. Extended video from E3 2010 [HD]
This year, Sony does not skimp on gifts for its customers. Not only will some of the games featured at E3 be exclusive to PS3, but additions to future multiplatform games will also be available. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood is among the first. In addition to access to the multiplayer beta, PS3 owners will also have access to unique content in the future that is not available on any other platform, according to the company.
Assassins Creed Brotherhood. E3 2010 trailer [HD]
Another «special» project is Dead Space 2. All PS3 purchasers of this game will receive the once Wii-exclusive Dead Space Extraction for free. Now she will shine in all her terrible beauty in Full HD and will get support for PlayStation Move (along with DualShock 3 and Sixaxis). Optionally, Extraction can also be purchased separately through the online PlayStation Store, where it will arrive on January 28 next year.
Dead Space 2. Video from E3 2010 [HD]
Mafia 2 also did not go unnoticed. PS3 owners will get access to some missions earlier than others.
Mafia 2. Video from E3 2010 [HD]
The promising shooter Medal of Honor completes the list. John Schappert, Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts, only took the stage to announce another exclusive «extra» for the PlayStation 3.
Launch day — October 12 in America and October 15 in Europe — PS3 owners will receive Medal of Honor: Frontline along with the original. A remake of the classic game will be released exclusively on the console from Sony.
Medal of Honor. E3 2010 ‘multiplayer’ trailer [HD]
Our review of the Sony press conference mentioned the PlayStation Move control system many times, and it’s time to go into more detail about it. The start of European sales starts on September 15, while in America the novelty will appear on September 19, and in Japan even later — on October 21. The main controller will be available for $49.99 and the secondary controller for $29.99. Both joysticks bundled with the PlayStation Eye will go on sale for $100, while the retail price of the Eye will be as much as $39.99.
On the day of the launch of Move, Sony will offer users about twenty existing games, «enriched» with support for the new technology. Among them are Heavy Rain, Killzone 2 and Resident Evil 5.
In addition, Sony has promised to release a couple of dozen new games with Move support by March 2011.
Kung Fu Rider. Video from E3 2010 [HD]
Two peripherals were also announced — a charging station and a shooting attachment. With the PlayStation Move Charging Station, it will be possible to charge multiple controllers at the same time without using the console itself. The device will go on sale for $29.99. The PlayStation Move Shooting Attachment «turns» a standard motion controller into a kind of gun. On the shelves of stores «trunk» will appear this fall at a price of $ 19.99.
The Shoot. Video from E3 2010 [HD]
In addition to the Move, Sony decided to release a sound system. The all-in-one unit with subwoofer will be available next fall for $199/199 Euro. Let’s not fool you with a technical description and let’s just say: a compact novelty can easily replace a full-fledged home theater.
At least, Sony itself positions its device that way.
To love Sony or not is an individual question. The modern industry dictates its own rules, which cannot be circumvented. Therefore, the endless disputes between the company’s fans and representatives of other communities are simply meaningless. Sony gives us good games, some of which will be released in 3D, a variety of exclusive content and promising Move. Isn’t that enough to be praised?
New characters and test date for Street Fighter V unveiled at E3
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| Street Fighter V |
Capcom brought new gameplay Street Fighter V to E3 2015. As it became known, two new fighters appeared in the game — Birdie and Cammy.
You can watch the new video in the corresponding section of the game.
Fans are familiar with Birdie from the Street Fighter Alpha games, but since the release of the third part, the character has not appeared on the scene.
Remarkably, the hero has a number of attacks that require food or drinks to complete. Cammy has been familiar to fans since the second part of the main series. The heroine relies on brute force and classic movements.
At the press conference, Sony representatives also announced the start of testing of the game, which will allow fans of the series. On July 23, Capcom plans to open the doors to the first players who can share their opinion about the game and influence the course of its development.
The official release of Street Fighter V is scheduled for PC and PlayStation 4, according to . The developers noted that the game will never appear on the Xbox One, as Capcom has entered into an exclusivity agreement with Sony and is not going to violate it.
The release date of the game is set for 2016. Players will be presented with new interactive arenas, improved graphics and classic gameplay elements of the cult fighting game.
