So what is in store for us at this year’s e3?  I was blown away last year with so many epic announcements.  With many of the announcements now materializing, what is next in the pipe for Sony and Microsoft? 

My Predictions (Note that these are just predictions):

Microsoft:

Xbox 360 Slim (Natal Built in) ($269.99) and Standalone Natal ($89.99) – I think Natal will be the highlight of Microsoft’s press event.  Natal is unique in that is can be built into a console and can immediately change the way we interact with a console. (Facial recognition, login to XBL.  Menu navigation without a controller etc.)  I think Microsoft will release both a standalone version of natal and a new console (Xbox Slim) with Natal built into it. 

Gears of War 3 – Gears of War 3 will be coming out this year if Epic decides to keep its 2 year cycle in place.  With Epic going quiet over the past year, I am certain that they are developing something huge.  A Gears of War/Halo offering coupled with a Natal-enabled 360 would be a huge boost for Microsoft. 

Natal Launch Software – Rare has been quiet for far to long, I think they have been cooking up a broad range of Natal games and will have a solid array of software ready to show off.  The last time we heard from rare was when they showed off Banjo Nuts and Bolts…   

New AAA title – Killer Instinct 3, Perfect Dark 2 or something else.  Microsoft will certainly have something that is completely off the radar.  They seem to have one of these every year, I am expecting something huge.

MMO Games – Whatever happened to Huxley, Champions Online, and Age of Conan?  I expect to see something on one of these MMO games at this year’s e3.

Xbox Live – Facebook, Last.fm and Twitter last year.  What’s next for Xbox Live?  I imagine they will have something for us.

Halo Reach and Fable 3 Lengthy Demos – Similar to the CODMW2 demo during Microsoft’s e3 event last year. 

MechWarrior - Something on this front

Sony:

Twisted Metal PS3 – Eat Sleep Play (Twisted Metal Black) has been developing an unannounced PS3 game for 2+ years.  Let’s hope this is released sometime this year. 

Final Fantasy XIV – Showcased during last year’s e3, I expect this to be launched this year.

The Last Guardian – Playable demo and 2010 release date.

Motorstorm 5 and Gran Turismo 5 – Expect to see playable demos and that these titles will be launched this year.

Uncharted 3 and Killzone 3 – Two blockbuster titles being released in 2011!  Sony likes to foreshadow the next year quite a bit during e3.  I expect to see trailers at least!!!  (UC2 is probably my favorite game this generation)

Paid Premium Playstation Network – I imagine Sony will announce some kind of premium service.  Although you will not have to pay to play online, they will have some sort of significant value proposition for paying.  It will be priced similar to XBL.

Grand Theft Auto 5 (not exclusive) and Agent (not exclusive) 2011 Release Dates– I doubt that Rockstar will be developing any exclusive titles for the PS3.  However, I imagine that the PS3 will have a significant amount of exclusive DLC for these two titles.  (Agent is owned by Sony?) 

Resistance 3 & LBP 2 - Announcement for 2011!

Infamous 2 - Announcement for 2011

2010 Killer Exclusive Software Lineup (After e3):

Microsoft

1. Halo Reach
2. Gears of War 3
3. Fable 3
4. Mass Effect 2
5. Crackdown 2
6. Alan Wake
7. Splinter Cell
8. Natal + Games
9. MechWarrior 
10. AAA title 

PS3:

1. Gran Turismo 5
2. MAG
3. God of War 3
4. Heavy Rain
5. Mod Nation Racers
6. The Last Guardian
7. Playstation Move + Software
8. Twisted Metal
9. Final Fantasy XIV
10. Motor Storm 5

Thoughts!!

Nintendo?

Legend of Zelda, Wii Relax, Xenoblade, Wii Fit Vitality, The Last Story, Pikmin 3.  Maybe the new games from Retro Studios and Project Sora too.

Don't have a wii :(.

Nintendo will reveal DS2 and Sony PSP2. Both will be launched in Japan this fall. PSP2 possibly worldwide to give it advantage over DS2.

Motorstorm 5? What happened to 4?

Okay, sorry, I thought you said this because you believe they won't have anything good to show.

"Legend of Zelda, Wii Relax, Xenoblade, Wii Fit Vitality, The Last Story, Pikmin 3.  Maybe the new games from Retro Studios and Project Sora too."

And Metroid:Other M (?) (it would be a bit late), Golden Sun DS, Next pokemon (or later?), DS2, some Level-5 games? (Ninokini, Professor Layton and the Last Time Travel for America/Europe, Inazuma Eleven Breaks, Inazuma Eleven 1 for Europe (and America?))

I think this year Sony, Microsoft and even Nintendo (!) will have some big annoucements and big games to show :)

Also Perfect Dark 2? What happened to Perfect Dark 2?

Agreed with this.

I also think Nintendo will steal handheld MH3 exclusively for DS2.  Should be a HUGE upset...

It's seems a little too soon, for Killzone & Uncharted 3. Resistance 3 and a new LBP are more probable in my opinion.

As for Premium Playstation Network, I hope won't have to pay to play online.

That said you forgot to mention that this is probably the PSP2 year, also I think we will see many Move and 3D playable applications, maybe be also some patch of older games. What about an Uncharted 2 update to play using the Move pointer and in 3D?