Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009 will start in less than 2 weeks and already the speculations and rumors are skyrocketing . While not every rumor can be taken seriously , the history of video gaming industry clearly proves that some rumors are genuinely based on leaked sources and are indeed true . This blog entry contains all the rumors and speculations about all three major manufacturers/ publishers (Sony , Microsoft and Nintendo ) and a quick analysis regarding the validity of each story by evaluating them in three categories : hardly true , probably true and definitely true .

SONY

The electronic giant Sony is finding itself in trouble . The latest financial report suggests that Sony has lost more than a billion dollars in revenue due to the economical crisis . As a result Sony needs to do whatever it can to remedy the loss and generate money . You can not expect the company’s main expensive console (PS3) to sell well when the unemployment and inflation rate are so high . The rumors about Sony were quite interesting yet predictable .

1- PS3 Price drop

                               TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION .

 Thanks to PenguinDust  for correcting me  : In this terrible economy a price drop for the console not only is the best move to insure better sales but is in fact a necessity. However , this act may not make financial sense for Sony and lead to even more loss so  the rumor is probably true  .     

2- PSP Go ( a new PSP with better resolution and no UMD drive )

                               TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION .

As a handheld console that sees the shadow of DS over its head , PSP still is a magnificent device for all the hardcore gamers out there . Have you ever noticed how useless the UMD drive is ? well presumably the heads in Sony have asked the same question from themselves , now they are trying to answer that very question by shipping a new console . The rumor is definitely true   .

3- Team ICO ‘s new project to be revealed at E3 .

                               TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION .

The buzz around Team ICO’s new title has never ceased and many gamers including me can not wait to see the next project of this artistic developer . People keep saying that we will finally hear about this wonderful project at E3 , I think that would be the appropriate time for Sony to reveal its next most important exclusive title after MGS4 at this year’s E3 . The rumor is probably true .

4- Gran Turismo 5 to be announced officially at E3 .

                               TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION .

Gran Turismo 5 has been under development for quite a loooooooooong time now and the announcement of the final version of GT5 is nothing less than life-saver for Sony . So will Sony announce and later publish the game within a year ? I’d say it’s probably true.

5- New Twisted Metal to be announced at E3 .

                               TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION .

 Sony has indeed a lot of great games to announce but a new Twisted Metal game seems hardly true .

                           
Microsoft

 After experiencing a prosperous year at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 Microsoft has been trying to stay low and that is enough reason for millions of gamers around the globe to feel excited . This secrecy has led to numerous rumors and speculation and has made waiting for E3 even harder . In a statement Don Mattrick, senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft said : “Microsoft is gearing up for a big presence at E3 which will completely transform how people think about home entertainment,"  Here are the rumors floating around the net :

1-  Metal Gear Solid 4 to be announced for Xbox 360  

                               TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION .

 Well I have already posted a blog solely about this issue , you can read it here   . MGS4 on X360 seems plausible for both Konami and Microsoft but this would not be a great move for Sony , so even though we won’t see the game coming to X360 this year the chances are MGS4 will be released for X360 in 2010.  I’d say the rumor is probably true . 

2- “Xbox Fluid “Motion-sensing controls for Xbox 360

                               TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION .   

We know that Microsoft wants to become as close as possible to its main rival Nintendo . Forget about NXE , motion-sensing controls is the next step . As you see in the photo the new product is a type of sensor along with a motion detecting camera  that will allow gamers to control their games using only their bodies .  This device that detect movement and interaction in 3D space was demoed during  last year’s CES and is  manufactured by 3DV.  It’s worth mentioning that Microsoft was trying to buy 3DV !!! .  The aforementioned device is not that advanced compared to the contemporary technology so I’d say the rumor is probably true.

3- Grand Theft Auto IV’s second DLC

                                      TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION .   

As you may recall Microsoft was planning to release two episodic DLCs for GTAIV ,  one at the beginning of 2009 and the next at the end of 2009 . So typically this DLC should hit Xbox-Live in forth quarter of 2009 and therefore Microsoft must announce it at this year’s E3 . The rumor is definitely true  .   

4- Forza Motorsport 3 to be revealed at E3 .

                                    TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION .   

Considering the fact that FM 2 was one of the best racing games on X360 and the fact that the developers had enough time to work on a new title we can assume the rumor is Probably true .

5- Lost Planet 2, Assassin's Creed 2, BioShock 2, Halo 3: 0DST, and new Splinter Cell  to be shown at E3 .

                                        TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION

 I do not think this needs any proof , definitely true .

6- A new game from Lionhead Studios code-named “Richter.” To be revealed at E3

                                  TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION

posted by  PenguinDust  : The Twitter report that surfaced from a student attending a forum hosted by an animation director at Lionhead this last April strongly suggests that the studio would be officially presenting a new IP at this E3 and that Peter Molyneux would do the unveiling.  Molyneux, himself almost spilled the beans at a this past GDC when he nearly revealed the title.  Back in October, in an interview with Kikizo, he said that Microsoft wants to "shock and awe" the game press when they first show the new IP and the game will receive major attention when it is shown.  Considering how Microsoft has been keeping everything they can pretty close to their chest, I think that the new IP will be a key focus of their press conference this June. The rumor is definitely true .

Nintendo

I should admit that it’s really hard for me to get excited about Nintendo’s keynote because they did not have a solid presentation last year (Like they need it !!! they keep breaking sales records anyway !!! )

There has not been as much speculations and rumors on Nintendo’s front and that is not really surprising considering the fact that their best selling games including Wii fit , Wii sports and Mario kart are all old games !

 So what are the rumors ?

1- Speaking proudly about how cool Wii and DS are !

Well the first one is not really a rumor .  Since Nintendo has targeted the casual market you can not expect them to start their keynotes with a surprise, now can you ?

2- Motion plus is the ultimate gaming experience and the greatest innovation in video game history !!!

The second one is no rumor either , I’d say Nintendo will save at least 10 minutes of its show entirely for this matter .

2-  New Zelda and Mario games to be announced at E3 .

                                        TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION

The last Zelda game has been out for almost 3 years now thus a new Zelda game is perhaps the only game that may turn Nintendo’s keynote into something engaging and worth following . Also Mario galaxy was one of  the best Mario games and sold quite well so a sequel after 2 years sounds logical .
The rumor is probably true  .

3- Pikmin 3 to be shown at E3 .

                                        TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION

The game has been confirmed as "in development" so a demonstration at E3 is a must . The rumor is definitely true .

4- A new Metroid Prime game with motion plus support .

                                        TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION

Since the game would be one of the best to show the motion plus capabilities , a sequel to Metroid Prime is nothing less than swell . The rumor is probably true  .

5- Red Steel 2 to be officially announced at E3 . 

                                        TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION

 As big of a disappointment the first game was , a sequel may not sound so interesting but this time waving swords using motion plus coupled with new environment destruction feature may actually turn this game into a playable and enjoyable experience . the rumor is definitely true .

6- Zelda: Spirit Tracks to be shown for DSi .

                                        TRUE OR NOT TRUE , THAT IS THE QUESTION

The game is expected to be released at the end of the year so an E3 presentation is inevitable . The rumor is definitely true .

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And that was a look at sum of all major rumors out there . As you see E3 2009 looks so hot and be sure that you will be exploded with excitement and emotion more than once during the event .

So let’s get ready for the biggest gaming event of the year !!!