The Verge - E3 2012: the highlights

From Final Fantasy to Hitman: Square Enix's dramatic transformation

2012-06-14T12:45:20Z

Square Enix has, recently, transformed itself from a mostly Japanese-centric game maker to a studio creating some of the more interesting Western games on the market.

Where Square was perhaps once best known for games like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts, a growing number of gamers are starting to identify the publisher as the name behind big titles like Tomb Raider, Hitman: Absolution, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and Sleeping Dogs.

A big part of that radical transformation, says Mike Fischer, head of Square Enix's Americas branch, was the company's acquisition of Eidos and why that purchase came about.

"This wasn't even just like an investment fund adding to its portfolio," he said. "This was a real strategic partnership....

'Need for Speed: Most Wanted' may be the 'Burnout Paradise' sequel we've been waiting for

2012-06-12T02:30:50Z

The reps from Criterion Games were the happiest people I met at E3, passing around beers to friends, joshing with the racers getting demolished in their new game, Need for Speed: Most Wanted. They made off-the-cuff comments about the freedom they have as a developer to do whatever they want with the series following the success of their last Need for Speed, Hot Pursuit. They're grown-ups, but they were giggling like kids given the keys to one of EA's finest rides.

The latest iteration of the annual racing franchise, like their beloved Burnout Paradise, takes place in an open-world filled with friends, challenges and as many rewards as there are streets. Racing is only part of it.

In the multiplayer, demoed for the first time at E3,...

A bombast-free E3 still managed to deliver some thrills

2012-06-11T17:21:59Z

This year's E3 gathering of all things video gaming in Los Angeles was, by the bombastic, sensory-overloading standards of past E3 shows, a bit workmanlike.

It was a show that seemed more focused on the near future, the impressive and probable, than the hyperbole of what may come down the line.

There was only one new piece of hardware to talk about. Despite having four chances to impress gamers, even Nintendo thinks it flubbed its sales pitch for the upcoming Wii U.

Speaking to CNBC, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said he felt the company could have done a better job during its presentations.

"We could not fully convey what Wii U is all about," he said.

That's understandable, the Wii U is a slightly confusing sort of new platform,...

Watch Dogs has more secrets up its sleeve

2012-06-11T16:01:06Z

By now you've probably watched the E3 presentation of Watch Dogs. If you haven't, you should do so right here. It was easily the most visually impressive demo during this year's conference and one that was truly a surprise for just about every attendee.

But there's a lot that's not seen in the presentation. Behind closed doors, Ubisoft reps showed off the same demo, but introduced new gameplay elements and player options, further demonstrating the game's versatility. Follow along with the presentation above and we'll tell you where the behind-closed-doors demo differed.

6:15 - As Pearce approaches the gallery via the street, he taps into one of the security cameras outside. He's able to see from the camera's perspective, giving him a...

THQ sets its sights on Red Dead Redemption, Skyrim

2012-06-09T01:18:13Z

Saints Row the Third sold more than four million copies when it was released last fall to mostly positive reviews. But Jason Rubin, the recently appointed president of THQ, says he expects more from the developers who made it and the company that released it.

More from Volition and THQ not because Saints Row the Third didn't sell, or didn't garner positive reviews, but more because he knows both can do better.

"Why couldn't that be a Red Dead Redemption or a Skyrim?" he said. "I look at that title and I say, ‘Who cares what it is and why it got to be what it is? From that team we can make something that isn't embarrassing."

Ed's note: To be clear, Rubin isn't saying that he's embarrassed of the game or that he's not a fan of Saints...

Video: Adam Sessler on Smart Glass, Wii U and Ubisoft

2012-06-08T16:53:47Z

Polygon catches up with currently unemployed, legendary game journalist Adam Sessler for his thoughts on Microsoft Smart Glass, the NIntendo Wii U and Ubisoft's unusually strong E3 showing.

If you've missed Adam's special brand of magic, prepare to be entertained.

E3 Day 3: Live From The Loft!

2012-06-08T01:18:03Z

We're streaming live from The Loft™ (not an actual trademark), regaling tales of the third day of E3, where we got our hands on pretty much everything and left no game controller unturned.

Our three hour live show kicks off to the following schedule Pacific Time:

7:00pm – The Besties Live from E3

8:00pm – Polygon's E3 wrap with staff members, featuring a special appearance from Adam Sessler

9:00pm – The best of E3 with Polygon

Our video stream below will begin at 7pm. It is like witchcraft!

E3 2012 brings 45,700 industry professionals to LA, announcing 'host-city' for 2013 soon

2012-06-07T21:18:03Z

E3 2012 brought 45,700 industry professionals to Los Angeles this week, netting the city nearly $40 million in revenue.

Exhibitors, industry analysts, journalists, and retailers from 103 countries took to the Los Angeles Convention Center in a massive display of the industry's upcoming titles and the latest global trends in gaming.

Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA, said, "E3 2012 focused and harnessed the passion, energy, and excitement for video games and propelled our industry into the global spotlight. Thanks to our members and exhibitors' remarkable vision, billions of consumers watched and learned about our industry and this incredible intersection of creativity, technology, and content."

E3 brought in 200...