E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) is definitely the biggest game convention of the years where the biggest names in the industry all congregate to show off what they’ve been hiding under up their sleeves. Granted, the show has gone through plenty of changes from switching to a smaller scale event and no more booth babes (R.I.P.). Last year was a complete mess consisting of smaller events strewn across several hotels and venues. This year E3 is returning to the LA Convention Center and even though it’s a down-sized event from E3s of the past, I’m sure we’re all happy it’s back in one location.

Now to get down to business. With only two more weeks remaining until the big show takes off, you can bet I’m excited. There are plenty of big announcement, teasers, and trailers to come and I am hyped. Sony’s, Microsoft’s, and Nintendo’s conferences will be my personal highlights of the show, but I will definitely not miss all that the third parties have to offer. Today, I’ll be talking about what I expect to see from the Sony.

Sony started out this generation pushing Blu Ray and marketing their console as a media hub; quickly they realized what they’ve been doing wrong and re-thought their approach. The Playstation 3 is first and foremost a gaming console as we’ve seen over the last holiday and early on in 2008. Many have called 2008 the year of the Playstation 3, backing up their claims with games such as Metal Gear Solid 4, Resistance 2, Socom, LittleBigPlanet and more. Now, that one of the PS3’s biggest titles of the year is out, E3 is the time to show off any games they’ve been tight-lipped about for the end of 2008 and 2009’s big titles.

The following are some of the titles I am hyped for/expecting to show (Focus on PS3):

• Resistance 2 – The sheer scale of the game, massive bosses, unique weapons, extensive feature sets has got me more than hyped for the PS3’s best launch title’s sequel
• Socom Confrontation – Socom has always been a great multiplayer experience and Confrontation is shaping up to be a gem with extensive clan support and customization. Slant Six is taking Socom back to its roots and that can never be a bad thing.
• LittleBigPlanet – This loveable game has community written all over it. From creating your own levels, to creating your own unique sackboy, and to sharing all of this experience with your friends and others online screams ‘fun’.
• Motorstorm Pacific Rift - Motorstorm made off-road games fun again. With a new tropical backdrop, new obstacles, new vehicles, and offline and online mutliplayer make this one messy joyride.
  
• Infamous – Sucker Punch is throwing us into their world, giving us super powers and leaving many moral choices up to us which in Infamous, may lead to some very unique and memorable moments.
  
• God of War 3 - We’ve followed Kratos through hell and back in God of War 1, 2, and Chains of Olympus. After God of War 2’s cliff hanger ending.. dare I say it? I want to finish the fight.
  
• Team Ico’s new project(s) - Ico and Shadow of the Colossus were some of the most unique games of last generation and I can’t wait to see the epic journey Team Ico takes us on next.
  
• Killzone 2 – The original Killzone lacked in many areas, yet had the groundwork set for a successful first person shooter. Liberation changed the play style for the PSP, but proved that Guerrilla Games has what it takes to make a great game. With a much larger budget, extended development time, and much more talent working behind the scenes Killzone 2 (while being cautiously optimistic) may prove to be the PS3’s flagship shooter of 2009.

There’s a lot more to come so stay tuned for part 2 regarding Nintendo and Microsoft in the next couple of days.

Side note: One day I wish to attend E3, until then I must sit back and enjoy from the sidelines.