Originals

[Continued] Page 5

5) This last batch of games might be amazing

While E3 felt like a disappointment, and the general attitude may mark this year as a footnote in game history, there's no denying that this last batch of Xbox 360 and PS3 games could be incredible. Developers have been making games on these consoles long enough that they can make the hardware sing, and larger studios seem to be getting the hang of the huge teams and expensive AAA development cycle. With that knowledge comes increasingly confident games with more depth than we've been used to lately.

In more than one E3 interview, I heard a developer refer to their game as a "systems-focused" game. What that means is a game that has a complex set of rules between its world, AI, and player. These rules all work in concert to create a more realistic, living, breathing world with more freedom of interaction than the typical linear shooter. Think Skyrim or Deus Ex, and you have good example of systemic game design.

Games like Dishonored, Far Cry 3, Tomb Raider, Assassin's Creed 3 and even The Last of Us all seem poised to offer more meaty, ambitious types of experiences. With any luck, 2012-2013 will be more than a stopgap before new consoles, and instead be the year that true gamer's games ruled.

What did you think of E3? Have any observations of your own? Please share them in the comments section below.

Tags: E3 2012, Star Wars 1313, Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon, Wii U, NintendoLand, The Last of Us