Most of us look forward to E3 every year but this years is looking to be even more important than ever. In 2016 we aren’t just expecting to find out the general layout of all the big games for the year ahead, we’re expecting to hear about so much more than that. So much so I’m actually feeling anxious about this year.
Normally at the end of E3 I have a good plan of which games I wish to buy, when they are coming out, when I can afford them and which games I can afford to stick on the Christmas list. Oh how I wish that was all I was worrying about this time. With PSVR pencilled in for October, thanks to my preorder but with the added complication of a possible “PlayStation Neo” announcement I am having to seriously consider my options.
Will Horizon: Zero Dawn get a release date at E3 2016?
As it currently stands PlayStation VR is the only affordable route into Virtual Reality, this is based pretty much entirely on the basis that it works with my launch PS4, however if an upgraded PS4 (Neo) is announced that is required to ensure VR works properly I will have to count myself out. Even if “Neo” is announced, I assume the standard PS4 would still run PSVR but nowhere near as good and I can’t run the risk of it chugging along badly. This is not like a normal game where a bit of slowdown is no big deal, VR needs to run well or the experience is compromised to the point of being useless. I can’t very well be showing it off to all my family and friends if it makes me feel as sick as a dog that’s had 4 too many chocolate bars.
If that happens and Microsoft announce a new Xbox One I will find myself questioning what to do, stick with a soon to be obsolete PS4 and see what happens with NX, assuming Nintendo ever get around to telling us what that is; Or alternatively I could take my VR money and spend some time upgrading my PC instead. So many options…
What will I be purchasing from my local store? – Assuming it’s still around.
Of course these are but trivial things when compared to others. Many are fearing for their jobs given the current state of affairs at Game, the UK retail store and I’m sure many developers are scratching their heads and wondering what they are meant to be doing with all these consoles. It has been reported to us here that if E3 announcements aren’t favourable Game could well be heading back into administration. That is altogether much more serious than me fretting over my entertainment purchases for the year ahead.
Only one thing is certain, E3 2016 has a lot more riding on it than usual.
