Eurogamer Expo London 2009

[slycat]

So, I attended this year's Eurogamer Expo, an exhibition for gamers where the focus is on the games and having playable games on display. The main problem with this is that you don't get to see a huge amount of stuff which isn't out yet as most stuff which isn't out yet isn't playable. However there were a number of games on display which are not yet released but are due to be released soon.

I think the stand out game for me from the Expo was Split/Second. The demo was still an early version of the game, but the level on display had all the elements of the game and it was running pretty well too. It's basically an arcade racer which is supposedly being broadcast on TV and therefore to keep things interesting for the viewers, the players can build up special power (using techniques pretty much identical to Burnout to gain boost) and use that to trigger events in the race track which blow up scenery or whatever which either changes the track layout or takes out rival players. arakinuk had a better understanding of the game as he attended the developers seminar on the game so I expect he can write more about the game.

The other stand out thing from the event was Avatar. Now Avatar the game, from what we saw, looked like a kinda average FPS (can't really say how the full thing will be) however what made it special was on one stand, it was running on an Xbox 360 which output a HD 3D signal to a prototype JVC 3DTV which displayed polarised 3D images using the same technology as the films you see in the cinema at the moment, Real D. All you need to watch the game in 3D is to use any normal Real D glasses, the same you get at the cinema. The effect was simply amazing and truly sold me on the concept of 3D gaming. There was an nVidia 3D Vision booth showing off their kit but it requires active shutter glasses which need to be charged and the game didn't quite look as good as the Real D screen. The only catch is while nVidia 3D Vision is available today, the 3DTV which was used isn't available yet and no doubt when it is, it'll cost a shedload.

Arakin and I managed to spend the entire day at the expo, apart from when we disappeared out for lunch to Nandos. The event was very good but I would have liked to have seen more stuff which wasn't already out yet. There was also an Indie gaming room where loads of Indie games were being demonstrated. Would have loved to spend more time in there to play all of the games but I only discovered the room towards the end of the day!

Of the games on offer, I played:

• Forza 3
• Left 4 Dead 2
• Need For Speed: Shift
• Rabbids Go Home
• Ratched & Clank 2
• Beatles Rock Band
• Borderlands
• Dark Void
• Heavy Rain
• New Mario & Luigi
• SAW
• Split/Second

I really would have liked to have had a go on Assassins Creed 2 but they didn't have it on many booths and it was permanently busy so couldn't be bothered waiting for a go. The concept of all the games being playable is a good idea but if you wanted a go on something popular, you really had to be patient. It was easier to get a go on stuff as the day went on and people disappeared however. I waited ages to get a go on Left 4 Dead only to get into a game where none of the other players understood the concept of teamwork (the game was on the 8 player Scavenger mode) and I got killed instantly.

Anyway, I took a bunch of photos but not as many as I would have liked.


There were lots of people queueing...


Lots and lots of people... fortunately the queue moved relatively quickly.


The awesome Avatar in 3D (note my cam can't photograph 3D images!)


There were a bunch of games for over 18's only such as Left 4 Dead 2 and God of War 3. Australians need not apply :P


Here's the Left 4 Dead 2 booths


And here's the Split/Second booths


Here's Arakin enjoying a game of Split/Second :)


They had Beatles Rock Band on stage. I had a go with insofox singing, Arakin on bass, me on guitar and a random guy playing drums. Note this is not a photo of us playing :P


Arakin doesn't pay attention to the road while he's driving (on the awesome 3 screen setup Forza 3 booth)

Comments

[baby-carlie.livejournal.com]

Christ that looks like it was a lot of fun! Thank you for sharing your experience and the pictures, Sly! Of the games you played, which did you have the most fun on?

[slycat.livejournal.com]

Definitely would have to be Split/Second. Looks like a great new challenger to the throne of arcade racing (which I currently consider Burnout Paradise to hold).

That said, of the games I didn't play, God of War 3 looked like a lot of fun and Assassins Creed 2 which has a lot of hype surrounding it. I wasn't so fussed about not playing the PS3 games as I suppose I feared I might like them as I don't have a PS3 :P

[baby-carlie.livejournal.com]

Beats out Burnout?? Holy shit I must look into this :O