E3 is known by a number of titles. Often hailed as the Superbowl of the gaming industry, it's a place where everyone's cards are laid out on the table. Secrets will be revealed. Technology will move forward. Sequels will be rampant. New IPs will be met with open arms. Whatever happens, I am excited. This is truly the time of gaming Xmas. The naughty will be punished and the nice will be treated. When all is said and done by the end of next week, gamers will be left with their own impressions and interpretations on things, but for now, let us break down the highlights and what I am personally looking forward to.

THE BIG (E)3

Microsoft

You wanna talk about a company that has it all to lose, look no further than Microsoft. They are navigating a minefield right now with how they have rustled up consumers on the eve of the biggest gaming convention of the year. From the lukewarm Xbox One reveal to their downright dubious console policies, MS have found themselves caught flat against the wall. Rumors are already circling about a fairly strong 1st party line-up supported by 3rd party timed exclusives, so perhaps some megaton announcements from the big green camp could cool the boiler down just a touch. In any case, MS have to bring their A game to the conference or risk having even more of their consumer base turn their backs.

(Is it ever too soon for the Chief to come back?)

Sony

Sony find themselves in a comfortable position with the Playstation 4. They have kept their cards close to the chest, instigating fans to hit the Internet up with petitions and such. Whilst it would be ever so easy from the consumer perspective for Sony to play the good guy and not follow suit with DRM style policies, they would risk alienating 3rd party publisher support, which makes up a huge chunk of a system's library at the end of the day. In an ideal world, the Playstation 4 would sell well because it is a more consumer friendly console, which would cause both Microsoft and other big corporations like EA, Activision and Capcom to change strategies. All these businesses want is money. If being anti-consumer makes them some big bucks, they will enforce it so long as it works for them. But enough about this hotly debated topic. The games is what we're all eagerly anticipating, and Sony are no slouch in the triple A exclusives department. The fact that The Last of Us is launching in the same week as E3 should be a strong enough indication of that. Speaking of titles with Last in them, will we see a shocking reappearance from Team ICO's MIA juggernaut, Last Guardian. I think the verdict may already be out on that one.

(A new inFamous game is coming, you guys!)

Nintendo

The little Nintendo that could. The once leading giant in the industry has decided to omit the usual conference format this year in favour of their more casual Nintendo Direct videos. What does this mean in terms of changes? Well, I imagine not a whole lot is going to differ just because of a new presentation style. In fact, this may be an improvement over the normal press conference routine. Nintendo are lucky this year, for all eyes will be firmly set on the brewing next-gen conflict between the XBone and the PS4, in regards to their launch windows and system restrictions. Iwata and co. have an ample opportunity to steal some thunder with new WiiU titles coming thick and fast. Imagine if an hour video consists of gameplay footage from a new Smash Bros, a Retro Studios title, a Mario Kart, a 3D Mario platformer and maybe even something on the Zelda/Metroid front. What about Bayonetta 2? Even if only half of the aforementioned stuff shows up in some capacity, Ninty will have me firmly grasped by the horns. My WiiU's been needing some love lately.

(Does Nintendo believe in angels and witches?)

Come back at some unspecified time in a possible specified location to learn about my thoughts on those 3rd party cats, as well as some good, pure Wild Mass Guessing that may not involve Half Life 3.