It's that most wonderful time of the year! Huh, Christmas? What are you talking about? I'm talking about E3, baby! And it's almost upon us. This is that one show every gamer looks forward to. That one show where everybody who's anybody in the industry shows what they've got up their sleeves for the end of year shopping season and beyond.

This year, I've got big hopes. Getting a chance to see what Sega has intended for the Dreamcast's North American launch, seeing what games Nintendo is going to produce to keep their console fresh for another season, and hoping, nay, praying that the PS2 will be shown in some shape or form... ah these are the moments I await with baited breath.

So, like any good journalist, I've started to build up the anticipation by asking what you guys are looking forward to hearing about from the big show. Everybody's got some pretty good want lists, so let's get this thing started!

E3 is technically from the 13th through the 15th of this month, but a lot of companies such as Nintendo have gatherings even before the show. This year should be one of the better years in my personal opinion with such key events as Sega's official ushering in of the next generation console wars, and the offerings for the N64 and PSX. You haven't heard much lately because developers like to clam up a few weeks prior to the show to save all the good stuff for when it actually begins. And you're darn tootin' the GIA is going to be there!

Although there have been rumors buzzing about, I don't think the chances of seeing a sequel are too good. Final Fantasy Tactics didn't sell all that well in Japan at 1.4 million copies, a mere pittance to Square. Also it should be mentioned that Square got a lot of bad press because of FFT's uncanny resemblance to Tactics Ogre. Of course, this was because Square was impressed by the sales of the SNES TO, so they decided to "borrow" a couple of Quest's key employees to work on the game, but that's a whole other story. In the end you wind up with Square looking at moderate sales and terrible press, so the odds of another FFT are slim, sad to say.

And now let's reach into that big ol' mailbag and take a look at your E3 wishes. Remember, in this holiday you're encouraged to be naughty! I'll take those booth girls over goofy little elves any day :)

Well, Next Generation just gave Shadow Madness 3 stars, which should be a good indication as to what to expect. Not exactly horrible, but nothing spectacular. Of course, that's just Next Gen's opinion, which trustworthy as it may be isn't mine. As for Anachronix, I haven't seen enough of it to make an educated guess, but since this is essentially Ion Storm's flagship title of sorts, I'm hoping it will live up to expectations.

This is Sega's big chance. Sony and Nintendo are almost undoubtedly no-shows as far as new consoles go, so as long as Sega can make a good impression with its North American release line up, it may be able to leap far enough ahead to take the advantage in the next console race. Of course, Sony would be so very, very stupid not to show the PS2 in demo form if nothing else. Nobody's buying their crap about the Playstation continuing to be a viable gaming platform until Kingdom come, and they need to dispell doubts surrounding the system's funciality as a game console rather than another set-top box nightmare. Oh, and as a general rule, I try to avoid eating meat products that are bits and pieces from unknown areas of what is presumed to be a cow wrapped in intestines, so I haven't had that experience.

Yeah, good wishes all. Lunar and Suikoden are still without official release dates, but I'm willing to make a bet Square will bring Legend of Mana over our way. As for a music CD, that's not true. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but I wouldn't expect to see that since the rumors going around are comletely unfounded.

Well, Atlus is signed up to have a booth at the show, and the Megami Tensai series (of which the Personas belong to) is one of their major money-makers, so I don't see why Persona 2 wouldn't be shown. As for those other wishes, yeah, you're just dreaming ;)

Pretty much every PC gamer I know is dying for Quake 3 and Team Fortress 2, so that's definitely high on a lot of people's lists. Personally, the only game I've ever put on a computer is SimCity 2000, so I can't really comment. Maybe someday when I have a real job and can afford a decent gaming rig I'll get into the PC gaming scene. Until then, I'll just have to drool over those fancy shooters at the show.

By the way, although the idea of Stone Phillips getting kicked in the jimmy brings a grin to my face, I'm not sure how far letting the news media have it would go to help give the games industry a good name ;)

Hm, looks like a referral. I think the solution here is obvious. Shoot your undead boss 4 times with a handgun, or only once with a good bullet to the head using a shot gun. Then trek your way through the local secret passageway-laden police station solving puzzles and collectiong keys until you can confront your husband in his final, mutated form. Remember, he no longer remembers anything so you'll be doing him a favor by shooting him to death.

If you can finish doing all that in under an hour and 45 minutes without dying or saving, you'll get an A++ score which will unlock the secret mode in which you play as a cocaine-addicted sewer rat who has to work his way up to the surface using only a table knife and sticks of dynamite for weapons. All while slammin' a Dew.

Closing Comments

Well, Allan's still having computer problems out the wazoo, so I'll be hosting the column for the next couple of days. So, in keeping with my E3 theme, I ask you this question: What surprise announcement are you most hoping for, be it a console, a piece of hardware, or that special game you can't wait to get your hands on? Are you dreaming of more PS2 info, or drooling over the thought of Resident Evil 3, Dragon Quest VII, or that other game that makes your heart all aflutter? Of course, all other letters are welcome, I'm just throwing out suggestions to have a little fun with. And now, I sleep. Later!

- Drew Cosner