This weekend saw another rAge – South Africa’s singular gaming expo – come and go. While it was probably a pretty awesome experience for the gaming enthusiast devoid of an internet connection, for those who lap up every bit of information about every game online, it would probably be a little underwhelming.
So let’s take a quick look at what was happening at rAge, shall we?
Megarom utilised much the same layout as they did last year, only switching out the games. It’s telling that they still managed to have one of the better stands, thanks to the number of unreleased games they were demoing. The clear standout titles they showed were Enslaved (which has very quickly become a “must-have,†and Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, which they had running in System-link to show off the game’s multiplayer. Other notable titles included the pretty cool looking Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 fighting game and DJ Hero 2.
Pic courtesy of NAG
Nu Metro had their own stand this year, and chose to use the space to largely demonstrate F1 2010. Pretty smart choice, as their 4 player setup complete with large screens and racing seats drew in a sizeable crowd. More interesting to me though was the fact that they had playable code of Capcom’s Marvel vs Capcom 3. Although marred by a few controller battery issues, the game looks incredible. they also showed off Platinum game’s fantastic, and soon to be released Vanquish, and the already-on-retail shelves Dead Rising 2.
EA’s area was a little strange. It was mostly taken up by their MMA octagon, and real-life MMA fighting, later, switching to the much more hilarious fat-suit sumo wrestling. I can’t say I’m all that interested in large, sweaty men pummelling each other, but EA’s MMA is definitely a visually impressive game, certainly topping THQ’s licenced UFC games as far as technical achievement goes. The most impressive showing from EA, for me at least, was playable code of Dead Space 2, which is suitably impressive, and quite possibly my game of show.
Microsoft, naturally, focused on their upcoming motion control tech, Kinect. They had a pretty cool stand, showcasing all the Kinect stuff you’d want to see, including Kinect Sports, Kinect Adventures, Kinectimals and Joyride. While Kinect offers me very little personally, it was easy to see that’ll it’s going to be huge, huge hit with the casual crowd. We gave it a bash, and it was pretty fun – but I must admit that there was considerable input lag. I can only hope that once it’s in homes, more personalised calibration will help alleviate the delay. I did find it surprising though that there was little mention, other than the initial official announcement, of Xbox Live’s launch in South Africa next month.
Pic courtesy of NAG
Ster Kinekor had a pretty nicely set-up stand, with the obvious standout being playable GT5 (3D!) code, with a few GT5 racing seats peppered around the showfloor, showing the impressive racer off. Naturally, they also decided to show off Playstation Move a bit, with sports Champions and a playable demo of “The Fight.†They also had a few of their older games, like God of War 3 on show.
There was unfortunately no real Nintendo presence, with Core’s Nintendo stand, very similar to the ones they’d had running in shopping malls, being integrated in to Look & Listen’s retail outlet. There were the usual retailers and smaller stands, but I struggled to find any real, intriguing specials on anything other than PC hardware.
It was my girlfriend’s first time at rAge, and as a casual gamer she too was underwhelmed. She was, she tells me, expecting more of a spectacle – more, interesting things on the live stage, more crazy costumed mascots and cosplay and generally more to do and see than just play some games. Was she expecting too much? Probably.
I certainly appreciate the effort that our local distributors have gone to, getting playable code of unreleased games, and setting up these obviously expensive stands to promote our favourite pass-time, but is it enough for the general populace?
What was your rAge experience like? Did it live up to your expectations, or was it, like ours, a little flat?
Last Updated: October 4, 2010
Fred
October 4, 2010 at 13:38
I thought it was ok , with EA’s upcoming titles and GT5 the best on display for me. Would have loved to see the 3DS in action , shame on you Nintendo.
Uncle
October 4, 2010 at 13:47
I thought it was worse than last year, I made a post about it on my personal blog because it frustrated me so much 🙂
LordKhaan
October 4, 2010 at 14:02
hehe no one likes an “I told you so” but uhhh I told you so 😀
Aussious is enRaged
October 4, 2010 at 14:19
Two words: XBOX ON!
Uncle
October 4, 2010 at 14:26
Lol I honestly believe in learning from past experiences and improving on things I do going forward. rAge went backwards from last year so its obvious they don’t follow the same mantra 🙂
koldFU5iON
October 4, 2010 at 14:28
you didn’t see any awesome stuff cause you arrived so late! We had GuildWars 2 on stage with full armored guards escorting our ladies from NC-Soft on Stage, an small show of Just Dance 2 with the crowd getting a chance in the limelight, and a HUGELY impressive Break Dancing Show for DJ Hero 2! we’ll be posting all the pics and vids on our FB Page facebook.com/megaromgames/
Geoffrey Tim
October 4, 2010 at 14:35
I did see some sweet breakdancing, indeed – and yeah, unfortunately I was only able to attend quite later in the afternoon. hopefully family commitments wont keep me and the missus from pitching up much earlier next year.
Macethy
October 4, 2010 at 17:23
Rage 2010…my second and last rAge unfortunately. It was much worse than last year with the amount of exhibitors smaller and only the lan being bigger. Like a friend of mine said,most of the stuff on show can already be bought in the stores and if not,it will be in a few weeks. Seemed to me that all they had at the expo was PS move, Xbox kinect and Halo Reach,2 out of 3 are already in stores. Only stand worth mentioning was the EA one. Very disappointed in the expo,very disappointed…
Mr Peace
October 4, 2010 at 18:51
You try too hard Assious.
flmboy
October 4, 2010 at 20:30
I’m sad, because I haven’t read anything about Hot Pursuit. I thought it was playable at Rage.
Christo Le Grange
October 5, 2010 at 07:28
well, like I said in the flamebait…a few stand outs, the booth ladies, AC: Brotherhood, Enslaved, Medal of Honor and the Kinect(..but to a lesser extent).
I spoke to Mike from NAG a bit, and he said the big thing about expos and events like these are the fact that after its done, the titles on display(or to demo) receive a spike in sales from distributer and retailers…which isn’t brain surgery , but makes sense…you play it , or see Enslaved for example, and after the show you go out and buy it….
But what leaves us wanting more because, are the core gamers need some incentive to go to these expos meaning:
GIVE US CHEAP GAMES AND CONSOLES BT GAMES, LOOK AND LISTEN and all you other blerrie retailers..give us SHOW SPECIALS!… like MSI did with their laptops.
you need to say, right;
50% Distributor exhibitors: you NEED to demo exclusives!…
50% Distributing Retailers(like MSI and ASUS) & Retailers exhibitors : SPECIALS!! SPECIALS!! SPECIALS!! otherwise your not allowed on the floor.
ps… those couple of ‘specials’ Look&listen had on consoles, are available at any branch!
LordKhaan
October 5, 2010 at 08:55
Exactly how I feel, the tech demos that you have to stand in line for an hour just to use just arent enough to get me there any more. Maybe in my younger years where I had the energy for it, but these days I dont mind waiting the extra few weeks to see it in store without the lines
Messiahfg
October 5, 2010 at 09:09
I agree on the specials. I wanted a new case. I saw the case I wanted for around R1800. I did a quick search on my phone and picked it up for R100 cheaper online and going to fetch it today. Guys need to make specials when you there to get the quick buys in. Either Nag is charging to much for the stores to be there or they just trying to rip us blind 🙁
Miklós Szecsei
October 5, 2010 at 10:22
It was. And it’s good fun! :cheerful:
Aussious Hates on Suckas
October 5, 2010 at 11:29
Hey I think I saw you there, skinny guy dressed as princess Peach… cute!
KittyKat
October 7, 2010 at 16:39
I hated the EXPO!!! U can barely walk in that place and was soooooo DAMN HOT, they need to put in more air conditioners and more walking space, I got soooo cross when u walk and all of a sudden ppl just stop in the middle of the path and ARRRRRGGG!!!!!!