Overview
West HallE3 2001 was even larger than the previous year in terms of size and attendance. Considering that the Los Angeles Lakers were having playoff games right next door in the Staples Center, the crowds and traffic were worse than ever. But that didn't stop the show from being incredible. After a valiant effort with the Dreamcast, Sega had just recently announced that they would no longer be a console manufacturer, choosing instead to become a third party developer. This left Sony temporarily alone, for a short time, at the helm of the console generation. While Sony offered a slew of titles for the PlayStation 2's second year, Nintendo and Microsoft were about to enter the fray with their own offerings in just a few months.
Microsoft's Xbox was headlined by a first-person shooter known as Halo, which ran with an awful framerate on the show floor. Microsoft also brought a lineup of their own sports titles, Team Ninja's Dead or Alive 3, and the announcement of a revolutionary RPG from Peter Molyneux known as Project Ego.
South HallNintendo came to the show with both fists swinging. Their new console, the GameCube, was on display with titles such as Luigi's Mansion, Wave Race, Eternal Darkness, Animal Crossing, and Super Smash Bros. Melee. But Nintendo also had the new Game Boy Advance on the show floor with hot games like Advance Wars, Super Mario Advance, Mario Kart, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon , and Golden Sun. The GBA was said to be equivalent to a Super Nintendo in your pocket. Nintendo also announced several connectivity plans between the GameCube and GBA that would make for all new types of game experiences.
Sony was the king of the show though, as the PlayStation 2 had quickly become a juggernaut in the industry with its head start on Microsoft and Nintendo. They made excellent use of their advantage by showing such must-have titles as Final Fantasy X, Twisted Metal Black, Dark Cloud, Jak & Daxter, and Grand Theft Auto III, but chief among them was Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, which was then nearing completion and was showcased with yet another stunning video presentation at Konami's booth. Capcom brought with them the debut of a game that quickly became a hot topic of discussion for show goers, Devil May Cry. Almost anyone you ran into at the show was asking if you had seen this new action title.
Games of the Show
South Hall LobbyThe games listed below not only include those playable on the show floor, but any game referenced at the show. This would include video presentations, announcements, advertisements, or any other official reference to the game from its developer, publisher, or platform. They are listed mainly according to the publisher of the game, with a few exceptions where the publisher did not attend the show. An example of this would be a hardware company such as Nintendo or nVidia showing a game not developed or published by them. In several situtations, games either changed their title or even their publisher before they were released. For historical accuracy in chronicling E3, such games will be listed with their original names and publishers, and linked to the corresponding page of the final game.
Tony Hawk on Activision's vert ramp.Capcom - DMCEA - NBA StreetKonami - MGS2Microsoft - HaloNintendoSega's Closed BoothSonyTecmo BoothGame Critics Awards
The Best of E3The Game Critics Awards are decided by an independent group of North American media outlets. They have selected the most promising games of each Electronic Entertainment Expo since 1998, and have thus become recognized as the most respected "Best of" awards that come out of the annual show. Games qualify for nomination by having hands-on playable versions of the game at the show.
BEST OF SHOW
BEST ORIGINAL GAME
Best of ShowBEST PC GAME
BEST CONSOLE GAME
BEST PC HARDWARE
Best Console GameBEST CONSOLE HARDWARE
BEST ACTION GAME
BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE GAME
BEST FIGHTING GAME
BEST ROLE PLAYING GAME
BEST RACING GAME
Best Racing GameBEST SIMULATION GAME
BEST SPORTS GAME
BEST STRATEGY GAME
BEST PUZZLE/TRIVIA/PARLOR GAME
BEST ONLINE MULTIPLAYER
SPECIAL COMMENDATION FOR SOUND
Exhibitors
- 1C
- 3D2 Tecnologies Inc.
- 4D Rulers Software, Inc.
- A1 Software GmbH & Co. KG
- A.L.S. Industries, Inc.
- Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
- Acclaim Entertainment, Inc.
- Actilink Technologies
- Action Zone LLC
- Activision
- Advanced Duplication Services
- aerosoft
- Agetec Inc.
- AIA USA, Ltd.
- ak tronic Software Service
- Akella
- AlfaData Computer Corp.
- Alias/Wavefront
- Alliance numeriQC - Quebec's digital industry network
- Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc.
- An Eye for an Eye
- AniVision, Inc.
- Antik Games S.A.
- APIM
- Apple Computer, Inc.
- ARGO USA Corporation
- Arxel Tribe
- Ascaron Software GmbH
- Atlus USA, Inc.
- Azuradisc Inc.
- BAM! Entertainment, Inc.
- Bandai America, Inc.
- Battletop.com
- Belkin Components
- Bert-Co Graphics
- Bethesda Softworks Inc.
- Binarystar Enterprise Inc.
- BioWare Corp.
- Blackstar Interactive GmbH
- Blizzard Entertainment
- BradyGames
- Brightstar Entertainment Ltd.
- C2
- Cakewalk Music SOftware
- Capcom Entertainment
- Cash-U
- CCL
- CDV Software Entertainment INc.
- CH Products
- China National Publications Imp. & Exp. Corporation
- Cine Groupe Interactive
- Clear-Vu Products
- CNET Networks, Inc.
- Codemasters Inc.
- COKeM International Ltd.
- ComfyNet
- Compact Media, Inc.
- Compedia
- Conspiracy Entertainment
- Control Zone Interactive Ltd.
- Cosmi Corporation
- Crave Entertainment
- Criterion Software Inc.
- Cryo/Dreamcatcher
- CSSA Cyberscape Graphics Inc.
- Cyberworld International Corporation
- Cybiko, Inc.
- CycleFX/Hollywood Engineering
- Daydream Software AB
- The DB Group
- DC Studios Canada
- DeLorme
- Delta Development
- Denki
- Desk Top Simulators LLC
- Destination Software, Inc.
- Diamond Comic Distirbutors, Inc.
- DiamondBox International B.V.
- DigiScents
- Digital Bridges
- Digital Innovations
- Digital Leisure
- Digital River
- Dimian AG
- Discreet
- Disney Interactive
- Ditan Distribution
- Division-1
- DK Digital Media
- Dolby Laboratories
- E.M.G.
- Edutainment Group
- eGames, Inc.
- Egmont Interactive
- Eidos Interactive
- eJay AG
- Electronic Source, LLC
- Electronic Arts
- Eleven Engineering Inc.
- Elixir Studios
- Ellis Enterprises, Inc.
- EMME
- Emplast
- Encore Software, Inc.
- Enix America Inc.
- Enpack Packaging and Media
- Enroute, Inc.
- Ensemble Studios
- Entertainment Software Ratings Board
- EON Digital Entertainment
- eSofnet
- Esprit Development Corp.
- Essential Reality, LLC
- Etranges Libellules
- European Leisure Software Publishers Association (UK) Ltd.
- Extent Technologies Inc.
- Eyagi
- Far Stone Technology, Inc.
- Finpro
- Fishtank / Ravensburger Interactive Media GmbH
- Fortune Electronics & Plastic Internatinoal Ltd.
- Fox Interactive
- French Pavilion/CFME ACTIM
- Funcom
- Galilea Multimedia
- Gama Network
- Game Center "MYIICCO" Accessories
- Game Infinity (Korea Game World)
- Game Source, Inc.
- Game Technology Systems Inc.
- GameBox Entertainment
- Gamedia Electronic Ltd./Huskee Interactive Corp.
- Gamefederation
- GAMEproducer
- The Games Kitchen Ltd.
- games.theglobe.com
- Game-Skins.com
- Gametronics
- Gaming Leagues
- G-cluster
- g:company
- German Pavilion
- Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Freizeitsoftware GmbH
- Gigex, Inc.
- Global Star Software
- GRIN Inc.
- Guillemot
- Heksplex Entertainment
- HemmingAG
- Honey Bee Electronic International Ltd.
- Hortus Soft
- Humongous Entertainment
- IGN.com
- Imagine Media, Inc.
- Immersion Corporation
- IncaGold
- Infogrames, Inc.
- Integral Media
- Intel Corporation
- InterAct Accessories
- Interactive Imagination
- Interplay Entertainment
- InterSense, Inc.
- Into Networks
- Intrinsic Graphics
- ITP Entertainment
- Jaleco USA, Inc.
- JC Research Inc.
- Jim Henson Interactive
- Jowood Productions Software AG
- Kalisto Entertainment
- Kay Productions, LLC
- KB Gear Interactive
- Kemoco/Kotobuki System Co., Ltd.
- Key West Marketing dba Game America
- Keytec, Inc.
- Knowledge Adventure
- Kodiak Interactive Software Studios
- Koei Corporation
- KOG
- Konami of America, Inc.
- Kutoka Interactive
- The Learning Company
- Legacy Interactive
- LEGO Company
- Lille-North of France
- LithTech, Inc.
- The Logic Factory
- Logitech Inc.
- Longbow Digital Arts
- Lucas Learning Ltd.
- LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC
- Machrone
- Macrovision Corp.
- Mad Catz, Inc.
- Magelis - Pole Image Angouleme
- Magix Entertainment Corp.
- Majesco Sales, Inc.
- Marjacq Micro Ltd.
- Matias Corporation
- Maui Innovative Peripherals Inc.
- Masimum Charisma Studios, Inc.
- Media Create Co., Ltd.
- Metro3D, Inc.
- Microids
- Microsoft
- Microsoft TV
- Midas Interactive Entertainment
- Midway Games Inc.
- Mimon Entertainment Ltd.
- Mini-Mations
- Ministry of Games
- Monte Cristo
- The Mousepad Company Limited
- Multimedia 2000
- Mushkin Enhanced Memory Systems
- Muze Inc.
- Mythic Entertainment
- Namco Hometek Inc.
- nano-k
- Natsume Inc.
- Navarre Corporation
- Nemosoft
- NeoMagic Corporation
- Net-Games AG
- New Media Generation
- NewKidCo
- Nexon USA
- Nexpak
- Nintendo of America, Inc.
- Nitrostream Inc.
- Nokia
- Nord-Pas de Calais Development
- NovaLogic, Inc.
- Nuby Interactive
- nVidia Corporation
- Nyko Technologies
- Off-Price, Inc.
- Olympus America Inc.
- PAN Interactive
- Paradox Entertainment
- Paraworld AG
- Pelican Accessories
- Pengo Technologies
- Phantagram Ltd.
- PHI Enterprises, Inc.
- Pioneer Entertainment Inc.
- Pocket Playcard Game Ltd.
- Pointsoft
- Price Design Team
- Prima Games
- Privo, Inc.
- Purple Software Limited
- Q-Mark Technology Corporation
- Qualcomm, Inc.
- Radica
- Rage Games Limited
- RCA/Thomson Multimedia, Inc.
- Red Lemon Studios Ltd.
- Red Storm Entertainment, Inc.
- Requena Import & Export Ltd.
- Rhone-Alpes IT Regional Development Agency
- RiverBorne Communications
- Rocelco Inc.
- Rolling Stone
- Rom-Man Distribution
- Royal Electronics
- Runecraft
- Russobit-M
- Saint Hermit Studios
- Saitek Industries
- Sammy Entertainment
- Sanyo Laser Products
- Scanavo Ltd.
- Schanz International Consultants
- School Zone Interactive
- Scottish Games Alliance
- Second Skin Media Ltd.
- Sega of America
- Sensaura Limited
- Serafine Collection
- Sierra
- SIMI Reality Motion Systems GmbH
- Simon & Schuster Interactive
- Simple Jet Technology Co., Ltd.
- Sismoplay
- Small Planet Ltd.
- Soft Air USA
- Soft Enterprises
- Software 2000
- Soft-World International
- Sonopress
- Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.
- Sony Corporation
- Sony Disc Manufacturing/SecuROM
- Sony Online Entertainment
- The Source
- Spielwarenmesse eG
- Spin Magazine
- Squaresoft
- SRS Labs, Inc.
- Steel Monkeys Limited
- Strategic Marketing Partners
- Strategy First Inc.
- Stream Theory
- Sunflowers GmbH
- Surplussoft Distribution Inc./MPS
- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
- TDK Mediactive
- team cHmAn
- Team Sound
- TechnoDigit
- Tecmo, Inc.
- Telefilm Canada
- THQ
- tigergame limited
- Tips & Tricks Magazine
- Titus Software Corp.
- Tivola Publishing
- Toon 8
- Topics Entertainment / CounterTop Software
- Torus Games Pty Ltd
- Trade Fair Support
- Tremor Entertainment Inc.
- Turbine Entertainment Software
- Turtle Beach
- U & P Interactive Limited
- U.C.C. Distributing Inc.
- U.S. Games Distribution, Inc.
- Ubisoft Entertainment
- UGO.com/UnderGround Online
- Univenture, Inc.
- Universal Interactive Studios
- Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland e.V.
- Versus Books
- VIBE Magainze
- Victory Multimedia
- VideoGame.Net / Lunar Tide Communications, Inc.
- VIS Entertainment plc
- Vision Technology System Co. Ltd.
- Visual Sciences Ltd.
- Vivendi Universal Games
- Voyetra
- VR-1
- W.I.T.
- Wanadoo
- Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- The Westside Group
- Wilco Publishing
- Wild Things
- WildTangent
- WinMax Technology
- Wizard Soft Ltd.
- Working Designs
- Xicat Interactive
- XL Studio
- Xplorys Limited
- Xtecnologies
- Z-Best Audio & Video
- Ziff Davis Media
- ZIO
Log in to comment