I'll admit that I don't really watch E3 with the enthusiasm that some consumers do. In fact, I tend to tune it out and let the hype die down before really digging into it. However, I felt like I should weigh in this year, as it really provided some great material to discuss.
Microsoft lost me with their lackluster presentation of the Xbox One, and managed to kill all desire I had for one when the details of it's rather draconian connectivity dependence came to light. I could go on about the fact that requiring internet check ins and always online single player kills the very essence of single player, but I'd probably just be preaching to the choir. The whole "kinect is always listening" business also creeps me right the hell out, as the camera and microphone will apparently always be monitoring. I'm not really the tinfoil hat type, but doesn't that strike anyone else as a grievous invasion of privacy? Used games being essentially blocked was just another nail in the coffin, and I can't help but be slightly amused by the fact that this rather bold move is spitting in the face of Gamestop's business model, which, last I checked, was responsible for moving a whole lot of Microsoft systems and games. Add on top of all of this the fact that I'm on my third Xbox 360 (the previous two died conveniently a few months outside of warranty, leaving me to foot the bill for another system) and I think you can count my consumer enthusiasm as suitably snuffed.
As an aside, why would they call it the Xbox One? Never mind that it's an odd naming scheme, it's like they actually want Ebay to be flooded with scammers selling "original Xbox" systems as "Xbox 1" and using sneaky wording to confuse the unsuspecting holiday buyers.
Sony really hit it big for me, and my previously lukewarm interest in the PS4 has been galvanized into some actual enthusiasm. A $100 lower price point and no used game blocking nonsense was a breath of fresh air. Still, I'm concerned about them stepping up to the plate to regain their momentum in the games department. I can't shake the feeling that Sony had been caught off guard this past generation when (in my opinion at least) the Forza franchise totally blew the doors off of Gran Turismo, which had been the reigning champion of motorsport games. Tom Clancy's "The Division" looked awfully cool, though.
Finally, Nintendo has been off my radar for a while, since the WiiU never really struck me as something interesting. That all changed when I saw the Monolith title that was in the works for 2014... It really, really wowed me, it looks like Monster Hunter but with mechs, and there's something undeniably awesome about that combination. Consider my interest piqued.
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