The Future

E3 has now come and gone and everyone got what they were waiting for it seems in deciding what was going to happen with the future of console gaming, and after all of that I am decidedly pro-Sony. Microsoft continued to shoot themselves in the foot over the last number of weeks with news coming out about having to be always online and it has continued to go downhill from there. My biggest problem then is that their policies are so incredibly anti-consumer that it has continued to leave a bad taste in my mouth, even just thinking about it. For a company set in a democratic, pro-capitalist market you would think that their restrictions would have led to second thoughts but apparently not. Microsoft is going to do what they want to do and what they think is good for business, but not for the average gamer. I am sure there are the hardcore Xbox fans that love their Xbox Live, their Gamerscore and all that lays in the ecosphere that Microsoft has fostered, but I for one am a fan of being able to lend and trade in the games that I own, and to not have such severe restrictions placed on how my gaming console should work. The always online (or at the least check-in every 24 hours) is still so incredibly ludicrous it is mind-blowing. There are so many places in the world where gamers don't have solid internet connections, and that Microsoft's statement regarding those with lack of Internet to stick with an Xbox 360, well that's just insane.

Also, don't forget about Microsoft being named in the whole PRISM scandal.

This isn't to say that Sony isn't the greatest, most perfect corporation in the world. But how they've leveraged themselves with a cheaper system, one that allows the trading of games and re-selling of them, and how aggressive they have been with indie developers makes me like them all the more. That being said I've pre-ordered my PS4 and will probably pick up Knack, inFamous and Destiny off the bat. Excited about the future of gaming though and for the PS4 and especially how it will tie into using the Vita.

Lastly, I am very excited about the new games for the WiiU. I've felt it's been a little neglected, as has everyone, but with Game & Wario coming in a week, followed by Pikmin 3 and Wonderful 101, Sonic, Wind Waker HD, Donkey Kong and Mario 3D World there's going to be tons to play. I feel next year however the WiiU will really take off, after Mario Kart and Smash Bros come out. Nintendo will do their own thing and some developers will make some exclusives, but for the most part Nintendo will just keep doing their own thing.

So, what is everyone else excited for? What have you pre-ordered?