I admit it. I am a video game fanboy. I deserved to be chastised by PS3 fanboys on Monday; by Nintendo fanboys Tuesday morning and by Xbox 360 fanboys Tuesday afternoon. It’s a fanboy’s fate: If you believe in one console, you have to drop common sense and trash every other console at the same time. It’s the “there can only be one” concept. It’s part of the game. Isn’t it? Here’s a fanboy’s summary of E3 2010, with a recommendation what you should buy and what not. Get your keys warmed up. Ready, set, flame.

In some way, we all are fanboys of some sort. In a positive way, it is an expression of your passion and some of us just might go a bit overboard. This is why I don’t really care how explicit some of the posted comments are, as long as you avoid foul language. We have had fanboy accusations a decade ago when we wrote about Intel and AMD, then we had it between ATI and Nvidia and there is always some fanboy tendency when we write about Microsoft and Apple, which always culminates in the ultimate conspiracy theory that articles have been bought.

That has been the case this year with E3 reporting as well and I have to admit that, to a certain degree, co-authors, friends and my family enjoy comments posted here. It has become a tradition to figure out who of the commenters must have been hurt the most by a positive note of a console that person obviously does not own.

However, this whole fanboy discussion is somewhat different this year (you will need to have some common sense to follow me  over the next few paragraphs.) If you look at it realistically, what he have seen this week is analogous with being teleported into the future of video gaming, but also a bit back into the past. It feels like 2006 all over again. Both Microsoft and Sony have announced substantial platform refreshes that, conceivably, offer a blank slate and will ask you once again: Which is the console you prefer? What is it that you expect from your game console? The answer is more complex than ever before and the decision is even more critical as you will potentially make a mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars.

Back in 2006, my bet was on the PS3. I felt it had the most promising hardware and I believed in game developers to blow the Xbox 360 out of the water. I did not take the Wii seriously initially. If you were like me, you sunk nearly $1000 into the PS3 (console, games, HDMI cable, taxes), as the days of the Xbox 360s appeared to be counted and the Wii’s graphics – graphics was the big deal back then – felt antiquated and more suitable for your children than for yourself. I was wrong, but then, how could I have known how badly Sony would screw up its game strategy? (You can read my retrospect analysis here.)

In 2010, we are starting with a blank slate again. What is different to 2006 is the fact that the value propositions of each console have changed considerably. The Xbox 360 has the most progressive user concept. The PS3 follows with some significant innovation as well and Nintendo’s Wii feels, sorry, a bit left out of the game in 2010. At least as far as the general industry trend is concerned – and I admit that perceptions can be wrong and that Nintendo’s argument, that it’s not all about technology, but about the experience, should be given some thought. If you look at it carefully, though, it’s relatively easy to figure out which console you should buy, if you know what type of games you like. Compared to 2006, it’s easier to make the right decision if you take the time and effort to understand each product.

The PS3: High-end with and open cost ceiling

For now, the PS3 maintains its reputation of the console that delivers cutting edge visual features the other two simply can’t match. In 2010, it is not about resolution anymore, it’s the experience. And if you like 3D and this is what you want now, the PS3 is the only console that can give you that experience. Of course, you will pay for it with a nose-bleed price that is not mainstream anymore. Pitching a $399 PS3 Move bundle is a bit of a slap in the face of the user, as you will need a bit more to create that living room experience Sony is promising. So get the PS3 base package with Move for $399 and add more controller sets for $80 (Move + navigation controller) each. Add at least two chargers for $30 each for four controller sets and perhaps that nice shooter add-on for $20. Like in 2006, you may need a new TV – this time it is a 3D TV with prices of $2500 and up. And don’t forget extra 3D glasses at $30-$50 a pair as those TVs usually come with only one pair. Maybe you would want a new 3D surround sound system as well, if you are already draining your savings account.

The 3D experience is, without doubt stunning, but you know that you will pay for it dearly. Even if you already have a PS3, you should have $3000 available to spend. If it’s not about 3D (and not about games you want), why would you choose the PS3 at this time? Sony is trying to have a much more general appeal lately, but it is somewhat clear that the PS3 remains the most complex console and the one that still hides most of its potential. Sony can still do more to make it a much more attractive console. Personally, I believe it is way too expensive and that will put a damper on its market penetration.

Xbox 360: Aiming for everybody

If you would like to depart from the carpal tunnel causing controller concept, and you are on a budget, the Xbox 360 and Kinect may be the better choice, as long as Microsoft keeps Kinect at $150 or below. It’s cheaper and is the first to get rid of controllers entirely.  Kinect, however, has somewhat failed to impress us with a usage concept for hardcore games. How will you walk through those dark alleys? How do you drive a car without a physical steering wheel in your hands? But Kinect has very much a general appeal. Voice commands and gestures work extremely well in casual games, movie and audio controls as well as in games I would not call games anymore – such as Ubisoft’s Your Shape virtual fitness studio. Conceivably, Microsoft is breaking out of the traditional gaming market is aiming for what is beyond the market Nintendo has opened up with the Wii. It is a huge risk and it may pay off or not. Clearly, Apple could use some Apple marketing talent to avoid such stints as the embarrassing Cirque du Soleil event.

At $150, it may be a risk that is acceptable for many of us. As much as I like my PS3 and as much as I believe the PS3 Move has its killer applications, I believe that Microsoft has hit a home run with Kinect (can we have a different name though?) It does not take much to see that my younger son will love Kinect and he will be able to interact with it immediately, without having to learn the fine motor skills that are necessary for your traditional controller. Kinect can be the mass market product for the next few years. Microsoft’s direction is clear, if you listened closely to corporate VP Phil Spencer during the keynote: Kinect is not about tens of millions of (hardcore) gamers. It’s about hundreds of millions (general) gamers.

Nintendo: More of the same

If you ask me, Nintendo’s keynote was disappointing as far as the Wii was concerned. I am not going to discuss its admittedly impressive 3DS at this point. Nintendo says gaming is not about technology, it’s about experience. When I heard that, you just knew that it was already an excuse for not showing new hardware. Nintendo has been pounding the experience drum for years now and until this year, it has worked very well. We have seen a dozen new games and announcements, some for 2011. But isn’t that what we expect anyway? The excitement for games was much less than what we saw during the Sony and Microsoft keynotes. There were no surprises. Why was it necessary to demo the new Zelda game for 18 minutes? Nintendo needs more – sales are visibly slowing and Zelda will not save Nintendo.

The good news, of course, is that if you are looking for a predictable console, the Wii is the one you should get. It’s the most economical solution with plenty of games and the promise of providing a high entertainment factor, albeit the excitement may be fading away. In 2006 and 2007, the Nintendo led the technology part and I felt compelled to write that Nintendo was, back then, in the future, while Microsoft and Sony were stuck in the past. That has changed. The Wii is not the most progressive console anymore and it is beginning to feel somewhat old. It’s the basic gaming experience for 2010 and 2011 and you should look at it, if you want to appeal play it safe and appeal to everyone in your family – everyone but the “hardcore gamer”.

Conclusion

So, here I am as someone who owns a PS3 and a Wii, but no Xbox 360. Do I buy the Xbox 360 this year, or not? My children have made it clear that they do want the Xbox 360 and they could care less about 3D at this time. Personally, I like all three and all three have their very special appeal. Within a few months, we should appreciate that we have the most versatile gaming landscape in history. There is more choice than ever. There’s great technology to try out. Some new products may work, some may not.

If you ask me, I am anxious to see what 3D can do for video games. But the expense is just obscene.  There’s nothing I need to do to upgrade the Wii, but the Xbox 360 Kinect looks very compelling as a general entertainment user control solution. This may be the one to buy this holiday season, while I wait until 3D TVs get cheaper next year.

Believe it or not, I enjoy being a Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii fanboy, even if Nintendo left me wanting more this year.

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