Half Life 3, Sega's New Console, the Spectrum, and Other False Starts

Originally published in 2010, not "this week".  

Source: Librodenotas.com (Google translate may help)

Earlier today I was texted the above image. The corresponding message revealed that "(expletive deleted)!!! A Sega employee leaked this image to an IGN reporter!" After coming home, and using a little internet sleuthing I found this image had been used in an article describing fake console announcements in early 2010. I won't lie, even the unlikely possibility this was going to happen got me pretty excited. However, realizing that this was probably like many other console/game "leaks" that abound on the internet, I quickly calmed down and did what research I could on the issue. That lead me to find the article in question outing this clever, and well made fake. Disappointing, yes, but not terribly so considering how often rumors of Sega's return to the console market surface. Some people may say that this should have been a pretty obvious fake, but as chance would have it a new image of something called the Sega Spectrum recently started making the rounds.

A new Sega console? Probably not, but it'd certainly be nice. 

However, the image in question doesn't give much away; the words translate roughly as ”A new world of entertainment.” and the date below coinciding with E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo). With so little info on the subject the Spectrum could be any number of things, including a clever hoax gone viral. However, as is common, rumors abound that Sega is reentering the console market, and is set to take on Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo in the next round of the console wars. I for one doubt Sega will be coming back to consoles though, as the odds are simply stacked against them. Everything from three competitors in the market, to  having to regain market viability, and the burden of millions upon millions of dollars and years of research required to produce a console, don't speak well for a new entry into the console race. Not to mention the fact they'd have to repair relationships, and acquire contracts for second and third party developers, while having to sever their own with all three of their potential rivals, which would be costly and difficult. For a company that has only recently become financially stable again the chance of them getting back into the market are slim to none. The best explanation for these rumors are that Sega may possibly be introducing new arcade hardware that will allow arcade owners to download and/or subscribe to games for Spectrum enabled machines. Taito currently has a similar service, and it wouldn't be unbelievable that Sega is taking steps to modernize their own arcade services to be more competitive. In fact I'd say it's very likely that if that the Spectrum is not an online arcade service for Japanese markets, that they are probably considering such a move regardless. Arcades are still a viable market for Sega and many others in Japan, and any advantage they can produce to help them compete will likely be pursued and held onto tightly.

Ah Twitter, making life more disappointing one day at a time. 

In other news, other internet rumor mill darling Half-Life 3 will not be shown at E3 this year, despite many claims to the contrary. In fact, thanks to Valve Time's inquiry it appears that Valve will not be exhibiting anything at E3 this year. That's not to say that E3 will be dull in any way. Not with two new consoles on the horizon, and many new games to look forward to, as well as the yearly surprises.

I don't know about you, but a blank green screen with a symbol and text just gets me giddy.
Source: Xbox.com

Speaking of new consoles it appears that Microsoft is having a pre-E3 announcement, revealing their upcoming console. Although unnamed it's not unlikely they could call it the " Xbox 720", or possibly the previously leaked codename "Durango". I for one don't love either one, but I'd like to see something more creative than 720 simply being tacked onto the end of Xbox. Either way we don't have to wait long to find out. Being broadcast on Spike TV in the USA, and worldwide through the Xbox Live network, and Xbox.com May 21, 2013, I'm sure we'll get at least as good a showing as we did with Sony's PS4 announcement; though I certainly hope it's better than Diablo III and a slideshow of new features.

As we go into the E3 expect more and more rumors to abound, and for each one to be more wild than the last. It seems that every time a new console is announced that the internet rumor mill makes sure to go into overdrive to feed the frenzy of gaming fanatics looking to sate their desire for fantastic revelations and unrealistic expectations. With two new consoles on the horizon, and the recently released Wii U already out, don't expect this years rumors to be any different than those of the past: unbelievable "leaks", makeshift mock-ups, and flat out falsehoods will be prevalent the next few months. As E3, Gamescom, PAX, and other major events destroy wild hopes and insane dreams we can all at least look forward to next years major gaming announcements and rumors. In fact I hear that Half Life 3 is confirmed for 2014; you can totally trust me, I mean this is the internet after all.

Until next time, Game On.