Pre-E3 2006: Famitsu Polls Japanese Developers

The latest issue of Famitsu is the last one before E3 kicks off on the 10th (Famitsu is taking next week off for Golden Week). As it does every year, Famitsu has provided a look forward at the show, with a couple of surveys and a few revealing news bits on what we can expect in a couple of weeks.


Famitsu polled gamers and software makers about their interest at E3. Both parties were most interested in Nintendo's new hardware. 47.4% of software makers and 45.3% of gamers expressed interest in Revolution. This topped PlayStation 3, which got 36.8% of the developer vote and 44.8% of the gamer vote. The remaining 15.8% of developers didn't respond to the question. For users, 4.4% selected Xbox 360 with 5.5% selecting "other hardware." The magazine did not reveal the number of participants in the survey.
Developers were also asked to reveal how many secret titles they have planned to unveil at the show. Of the 19 companies polled, 12 revealed that they have undisclosed titles to show, with two listing no secrets for the show and 5 giving no response. Of those with secret titles to show, 5 companies stated that at least one of the secret titles is for Revolution. PS3 and PSP were each listed by 2 companies, with GameCube, PS2 and DS getting one company each. Five companies had secret titles whose hardware they would not confirm with the magazine.

The magazine also provided a list of games set to go on display at the show from some of Japan's biggest publishers. Keep in mind that this list is not complete and only reflects the information the various companies were willing to give Famitsu at the time of its publish.

Of the companies listed in Famitsu, Bandai Namco games had the most titles, with PS2 getting the brunt of the playable offerings. For Xbox 360, Culdecept Saga will appear in video-only, with Gundam seeing its playable debut. PS3 will have Gundam, Tekken 6 and Ridge Racer 7 all shown in video form.

Ubisoft's list of titles includes some big next generation offerings. PS3 will see Assassin and Game V. Xbox 360 will see BIA Hell's Highway, Rainbow Six Vegas and Splinter Cell Double Agent. PS2 and Xbox 360 will see Open Season. Dark Messiah and Red Steel are listed as hardware TBA. Playable/video status of the Ubisoft titles is not listed in the magazine.

Tecmo has revealed to Famitsu just three titles set for the show. Korobot Adventure will appear for the PS2, with Xbox 360 getting Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 and Revolution getting Pangya Revolution. All three titles will be shown in video form.

The magazine lists two Xbox 360 offerings from THQ. Moto GP will appear in playable form, with Saints Row being shown via video.

Koei's next generation efforts are all going the video route. Fatal Inertia and Blade Storm will be shown for the PS2, with Samurai Warriors 2 getting its Xbox 360 debut. The magazine lists Samurai Warriors 2 as playable, but we wouldn't be surprised if this is for the PS2 version.

Capcom has a large lineup of playable titles. Okami, God Hand and Street Fighter Zero Fighters Generation will be available for the PS2. Xbox 360 will have Lost Planet and Dead Rising in playable states. The magazine doesn't list any Capcom PS3 titles.

Square Enix's lineup is current generation only. The company will display Dirge of Cerberus Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy XII and Valkyrie Profile 2 Silmeria in playable form for the PS2. Seiken Densetsu 4 for the PS2 will be shown in video form.

IGN expects to see quite a bit more than what was listed in the Famitsu article, so be sure and check back prior to the 10th as E3 2006 kicks off.

http://revolution.ign.com/articles/703/703515p1.html