Doing this year’s E3 predictions post was tough. I didn’t want to duplicate the same ideas I did in years past, but I knew it would be challenging to top the fun and mysterious energy ofgoing to a psychic in 2009, and damn nearimpossibleto top the sheer epic awesomeness of havingexclusive access to the animals of the L.A. Zoo in 2010.
So this year I decided to do something that could potentiallygive back.
With the help of the extraordinary people at theBurbank Animal Shelter, I decided to visit one of the most celebrated shelters in Los Angeles and have all the puppies (and a few other surprise animals!) make our E3 2011 predictions.
Equipped with a +7 love of dogs and all theincredible questionsthat you, the community, provided, I went into the animal shelter with two goals: To make predictions proving that anyone (even cute puppies!) can make just as accurate E3 predictions as the highly-paid industry analysts, and, most importantly,to attempt to get as many of these animals adopted as possible.
I knew this would be a fun, heartfelt experiment … but I had no idea it would kind of change my life.
Before we get to the predictions, here’s a little background on how all of this worked.
Similar tolast year’s post at the L.A. Zoo, I went into the Burbank Animal Shelter to get the predictions for two main things: 1)The community yes/no questionsand 2) the “winner” of the press conferences.
A few weeks back, you all lovingly and wonderfully provided agigantic list of yes/no questions about things you want to know about this year’s E3. Using these questions, I entered the shelter and used different techniques with the animals to see how they would answer a handful of those questions. For example: if a dog licked my hand or face after I asked a question, that was ayes! If the dog turned away, the answer wasno. Similarly, if a dog barked or got excited after I read a question, that was ayes! If he didn’t do anything at all? Yup! That’s ano.
In addition to answering the questions, I wanted each animal to make a prediction about which of the big three companies (Microsoft, Nintendo, or Sony) would “win” the E3 press conferences.
To do this, I actually let all the animals play with actual Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3 controllers, noting which controller they played with the most. Each controller represented the company the animal predicted would “win” the press conferences! If an animal drooled on an Xbox 360 controller, for instance, their “winner” pick was Microsoft!
Since the premise was very similar to what I did with theL.A. Zoo predictionsfrom last year, I wanted to do something different to make this year stand out.
That’s why I chose theBurbank Animal Shelter.
After last year’s zoo post, there were people who jokingly said how much they would love to take home one of the animals that made a prediction they loved. While taking home a giant hippo, while awesome, would be pretty much impossible, the idea of taking home an animal in need from a shelter is not only realistic, it isvery muchpossible!
So that was my motivation.
If evenoneof these fine, loving animals gets adopted because of this prediction post, I will be the happiest person on the planet.
With all that being said, let’s get to the predictions … and this wonderful, magical, absolutely incredible experience I got to take part in.
TheBurbank Animal Shelteris a small, yet active facility in a very unassuming part of Burbank — just a mile down the road from some major movie studios!
When I pulled up with notebook and camera in hand, I was pleasantly surprised by how warm and inviting the entire building felt. Most animal shelters intimidate me with their industrial ceilings and concrete floors, but the Burbank Animal Shelter had the vibe of a school, with hand-painted artwork and colorful walls around every corner.
As I entered, I was greeted by a woman who would be my guide through this entire experience.
Take a look a this picture. This is a picture of one of the most kind, caring, and warm-hearted people on the planet.
This isDenise Fleck, President of the Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter (VBAS).
After introducing ourselves, she immediately brought me back to see all the animals. I was excited, but nervous, as I had no idea how I would feel after interacting with all these adorable creatures.
As I stepped into the back area with all the animals, my heart overflowed with feelings of love, excitement, compassion, and the need to drive home with about fifty new members of my family.
But I held back — I am a professional videogame writer, dammit! — and headed to the area where the predictions would be made.
So here we go! The results of my experiment! I present to you Destructoid’s E3 2011 predictions … as made by a bunch of adorable (and adoptable!) animals at the Burbank Animal Shelter.
First up was Baby, a five-year-old female American Staff mix. She was as cute as she was energetic, and unbelievably friendly. It was easy to tell she was a happy dog, as her face was permanently plastered with one of the biggest dog smiles I have ever seen.
manasteel88asks:Will Kevin Butler be at the Sony press conference this year?Baby says:No.
SuperMonk4Everasks:WillStar Wars: The Force Unleashed IIIbe announced?Baby says:Yes.
CorruptAI125asks:Will there be a newSilent Hill: Downpourtrailer with actual gameplay?Baby says:No.
Wolfy-Boeyasks:WillThe Last Storyfinally get announced for U.S. and PAL territories?Baby says:Yes![Editor’s note: There was an interesting reaction for this question. Baby seemed to light up after I asked it!]
Nic128asks:WillThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Swordbe delayed and released on Nintendo’s next-generation console?Baby says:Yes.Click here for more information on how to adopt Baby.
When I first met Lady, all I could think about was “Lady” fromGame of Thrones. And this made me cry. And cry. And then cry a little bit more.
At first I couldn’t decide if I was crying because of the emotions of the day, or because I was just an extra-sappy guy with a serious, unhealthy obsession withGame of Thrones.
Danzflorasks:Beyond Good & Evil 2?Lady says:Yes.[Editor’s note: Hell yeah!]
SuperMonk4Everasks:Will a newPrince of Persiabe announced?Lady says:No.
Scissorsasks:WillValkyria Chronicles 3be announced for North America?Lady says:Yes.
CoruptAI125asks:Will the NGP cost more than 400 dollars?Lady says:Yes.[Editor’s note: Yikes!]Click here for more information on how to adopt Lady.
The Situation, a beautiful and rare-for-a-shelter Doberman Pinscher, is not just named after the popularJersey Shorecharacter of the same name (although that is where his name originally came from). You see, The Situation was brought to the Burbank Animal Shelter after his owner moved, and to quote Denise Fleck, this caused quite “the situation” for him.
rexwolf2asks:WillThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Swordmeet its expected 2011 release date?The Situation says:No.
crackity jonesasks:WillThe Last Guardianrelease this year?The Situation says:No.[Editor’s note: The Situation smiled, but turned around and completely walked away after I asked this question. Was he offended?]
SilverDragon1979asks:Will Sony announce the PlayStation 4?The Situation:Yes.[Editor’s note: The Situation may not have noticed, but I let out an audible gasp after this answer came back with a “yes.” Could it be possible?]
SteezyXLasks:WillMass Effect 3win the Destructoid “Best of E3” award?The Situation says:No.
that1doodasks:Will we seeFinal Fantasy VIIHD announced?The Situation says:No.GREAT NEWS! Since researching this feature, The Situation has been adopted! AMAZING!
Like most shelters in Los Angeles, the Burbank Animal Shelter has a good number of Pit Bull mixes. Either because people are scared of them (given their unfair reputation) or because Pit Bulls are still one of the most bred animals in the area, many Pit Bull puppies are left at shelters all across the city.
But if sweet Devon is any indication, people have nothing (and I meannothing!) to be scared of. Devon was one of the sweetest dogs I got to meet at the shelter.
Lenigodasks:Will we seeL.A. Noiretech in the nextGrand Theft Autogame?Devon says:Yes.
VGFreak1225asks:Sly Cooper 4?Devon says:Yes.
Mortyasks:Will there be news aboutTimeSplitters 4?Devon says:No.[Editor’s note: Devon was such a sweet, excited puppy that this answer could have also been a “yes.” It was tough to say!]
Hohojirozameasks:Will there be any new and exciting AR card “gaming” for the 3DS?Devon says:Yes.
bbainasks:WillFezbe released for PSN?Devon says:Yes.Click here for more information on how to adopt Devon.
On the days I visited the shelter to research this article, I had a special bond with Andre. The Pit mix was so gentle and warm with me, that it took everything I had not to just adopt him on the spot.
There was just something about those perfect eyes that said so much. Every time Andre looked at me, my heart smiled a little.
Ali Dasks:Will there be a new game announcement from Rockstar?Andre says:Yes.
Knivyasks:WillDiablo IIIrelease this year?Andre says:No![Editor’s note: Maybe it was because I was lost in Andre’s magical eyes, but this prediction felt a like a big “no” for me.]
jjjenigmaasks:Will Double Fine’sSesame Streetgame make the Kinect a must-have peripheral?Andre says:No.
LK4O4asks:Will Prope announce a U.S. release forRodea the Sky Soldier?Andre says:No.
LazyEyelidsasks:Will there be a newOnimusha?Andre says:Yes.Click here for more information on how to adopt Andre.
Okay, get ready for the cutest story you will hear all day.
Peaches & Cream — a terrier mix and chihuahua, respectively — were actually found as strays wandering the streets. Sad story, of course, but get this: They were foundtogether.
Despite the fact that there is still no explanation as to why two completely different breeds were found wandering the streets of Los Angeles together, Peaches and Cream are the best of friends and are inseparable in the shelter.
I can only imagine Peaches or Cream would be so happy for each other if one of them got adopted, but I can’t imagine them ever being apart. Their story is too sweet and amazing to think about separating them.
These two adorable, wonderful dogs would make perfect partners in someone’s loving home.
Time Glitchasks:Is theHaloremake real?Peaches & Cream say:Yes.[Editor’s note: On some of these predictions, I got slightly different answers from each dog. In those cases, I just went with the more dominant answer.]
CelicaCrazedasks:Will we finally get a newJet Grind Radio?Peaches & Cream say:No.
Sir Legendheadasks:Will there ever be a true sequel toHulk: Ultimate Destruction?Peaches & Cream say:No.
ZombiePlatypusasks:Will we see anything fromDoom 4?Peaches & Cream say:Yes.
Kylehydeasks:Will there be some more news aboutProfessor Layton vs. Ace Attorney?Peaches & Cream say:No.[Editor’s note: Aw, man!]Click here for more information on how to adopt Peaches.Click here for more information on how to adopt Cream.
In addition to dogs, there is a huge selection of cats at the Burbank Animal Shelter. I assumed there would be going in, but I was surprised to see the amount of sweet cats (AND MY GOD, KITTENS!) that were lovingly wandering around the nice size “cat area” of the shelter.
Here are few cat predictions for all you cat lovers out there!
Patience is a stray cat that was picked up and brought to the shelter a couple of months ago. While she was a little scared of me and my camera at first, she quickly warmed up and rubbed her cute face against my hand as often as she could.
So that is how I made the predictions! A gentle rub was ayesand a sassy look was ano.
Projectexodusasks:Will we see the announcement ofGrand Theft Auto V?Patience says:Yes.
smurfee mcgeeasks:WillPikmin 3be at E3?Patience says:Yes.[Editor’s note: I have asked this question every single year in the hope that it will actually come true, but, sadly, it still has yet to happen. Let’s hope this E3 is the yearPikmin 3is finally, officially announced. Come on, Patience!]
CoruptAI125asks:Will we seeMetal Gear Risingat Microsoft’s press conference?Patience says:No.
Wolfy-Boeyasks:Will Naughty Dog go back to theJak and Daxterseries?Patience says:No.[Editor’s note: I would love it if this actually happened!]
Lord Death of Murder Mountainasks:Will there be aMirror’s Edge 2?Patience says:No.Click here for more information on how to adopt Patience.
Beverly is a new mom who just gave birth to some kittens at the shelter. It was very hard for me to take a picture of the kittens because they were running around and playing so much … but also because I kept “ooooohing” and “ahhhhhing” over them and it was tough for me to hold the camera still.
Seriously, I WANT ALL OF THESE KITTENS!
SuperMonk4Everasks:Will the sequel toDarksidersbe unveiled?Beverly says:Yes.[Editor’s note: Thismost likely is true!]
Scissorsasks:Will Double Fine talk aboutPsychonauts 2?Beverly says:Yes.[Editor’s note: Um … WHAT?! AMAZING!]
rexwolf2asks:Will Chad meet Miyamoto?Beverly says:Yes.[Editor’s note: YES! You rule, Beverly!]
crackity jonesasks:Will we getMetal Arms 2due toJim Sterling’s recent article?Beverly says:Yes.
SilverDragon1979asks:Will aStarTropicssequel be announced for the 3DS?Beverly says:Yes.[Editor’s note: Wow. What a positive cat!]Click here for more information on how to adopt Beverly.
Ryan is one of the older cats in the shelter, but also one of the sweetest.
And while he is only ten years old, he has been a guest onAccess Hollywoodmany times, which is much more than I have accomplished in my … er …more than ten yearson this planet.
Now welcome toInternetfame, Ryan!
Blindfireasks:Will we seeTorchlight 2?Ryan says:No.
Lenigodasks:Will we get any new information onStarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm?Ryan says:Yes.
Hohojirozameasks:Will we be able to battle Pokemon using AR cards?Ryan says:Yes.[Editor’s note: Okay, this would be cool.]
Elsaasks:Will Sony announce cross-game voice chat?Ryan says:No.
Handyasks:Will we get any info onEl Shaddai?Ryan says:Yes.Click here for more information on how to adopt Ryan.
Okay, now back to the dogs.
And just because the cats were only featured in the “Kitty Half-time Show” of this article, it doesn’t mean they are any less important or worthy of an amazing home. In fact, all the cats (AND OMG KITTENS!) were as sweet as can be.
By all means, go out and adopt a cat today. Seriously, right now. HURRY! THE CATS ARE WAITING!
When I first approached Babino, his size and serious stare intimidated me a little bit. (He is a large Border Collie and Doberman mix.) But, man, he couldn’t have been a nicer pup. Like a few of the other dogs in the kennel, Babino stood tall and tough … but his wildly wagging tail completely gave him away and revealed him to be the big, cute lummox that he is.
Knivyasks:Will Sony switch to Steam as their online delivery system?Babino says:NO.[Editor’s note: I will be typing all of Babino’s predictions in all caps, because that is how I envision him talking if he could speak.]
that1doodasks:Will we get to see more of the gorgeous indie mech gameHawken?Babino says:NO.
jjjenigmaasks:Will we see some new 2DCastlevaniagames?Babino says:YES.
CelicaCrazedasks:Will we seeBurnout: Crash City?Babino says:YES.
Kylehydeasks:Will we see a 2DMetroidfor the 3DS?Babino says:YES.[Editor’s note: I WOULD DIE FROM HAPPINESS!]Click here for more information on how to adopt Babino.
There are some animals in the Burbank Animal Shelter that don’t have names yet, usually because they are brand new to the shelter. While this made it tough to talk to them, it did allow me the opportunity to give them temporary names, which I gladly did by naming them after some of my favorite videogame characters.
Once of my favorite “nameless” animals of the day was Dr. Yang, a ridiculously cute pup that kept flinging around a chew toy every time I asked him some questions.
Seriously, look at that face.HE IS SO DR. YANG!
Projectexodusasks:Will there be an announcement of aMetal Gear SolidHD collection?“Dr. Yang” says:No.
CoruptAI125asks:Will there be aFinal Fantasy XIII Versusgameplay trailer?“Dr. Yang” says:No.
ChillyBillyasks:Will Project Cafe have cross-game chat similar to Xbox Live?“Dr. Yang” says:No.
that1doodasks:Will Project Cafe be the first Nintendo console to break the $250 barrier at launch?“Dr. Yang” says:Yes.
SuperMonk4Everasks:Will theSimpsonsarcade game be ported to PSN/Xbox Live Arcade?“Dr. Yang” says:Yes![Editor’s note: Big squeak from the chew toy after this question!]Click here for more information on how to adopt “Dr. Yang”.
Scarlett is the dog with me in the header pic, and, as you may see, right before the picture was taken, the precious three-year-old Border Collie licked the side of my face. Yup, a big ol’ slobbering kiss right up next to my ear.
My heart almost exploded.
I amthisclose to going back and adopting her. But if you want to do it, please, feel free. I just might have to visit you from time to time. We can play videogames and pet Scarlett! It will be fun!
Scissorsasks:Will Retro Studios make the nextStar Foxgame?Scarlett says:No.
that1doodasks:Will we seeHalf-Life 3?Scarlett says:No.[Editor’s note: Dammit!]
Kylehydeasks:Will a newAdvance Warsbe announced for the 3DS?Scarlett says:Yes.[Editor’s note: Okay, this kind of makes up for theHalf-Life 3prediction. Kind of …]
Projectexodusasks:WillThe Last Storyget a western release date?Scarlett says:Yes.
SuperMonk4Everasks:Will we hear Wake?Scarlett says:Yes.Click here for more information on how to adopt Scarlett.
Another “nameless” animal, I decided to call this noble and strong German Shepherd “Sabin” because he just reminded me of the brave, somewhat mischievous hero from (best RPG ever!)Final Fantasy VI.
Also, I think he may or may not have tried to hit me with an adorableBlitz attackwhen I was leaning over to pet him.
bbainasks:WillMother 3ever be released in the U.S.?“Sabin” says:No.[Editor’s note: ]
Projectexodusasks:Will Nintendo show anythingF-Zero-related for Project Cafe?“Sabin” says:No.
ZombiePlatypusasks:Will Square-Enix announce a sequel toSuper Mario RPG?“Sabin” says:Yes.[Editor’s note: Sadly, I can’t see this ever happening. But maybe that’s for the best. If it did, I would most likely die.]
crackity jonesasks:Will PSN be up and running during E3?“Sabin” says:No.[Editor’s note: Dag.]Click here for more information on how to adopt “Sabin”.
Okay, this is when everything gotreal.
After interacting with all the dogs and cats, I had already been on a pretty emotional roller coaster — seeing the animals was wonderful, but also a little sad knowing that I had to eventually say goodbye. But, all in all, I was so grateful to be at the shelter that the happy far outweighed the sad.
Then I met Kate.
When Denise brought Kate out so I could play with her I instantly fell in love. Those big, beautiful eyes! Those droopy jowls!
And then it happened.
In the middle of talking with Kate, I asked a question and she slowly walked over to me and sat in my lap. And not just an accidental “oh, I am going to sit right here and it just so happens to be by your lap” kind of sit. No. She plopped down on my legs and snuggled up against my body. And then she looked up at me with one of the most loving and motherly looks I have ever seen.
I will never forget that look for the rest of my life.
Wolfy-Boeyasks:Dark Cloud 3?Kate says:Yes.
ManWithNoNameasks:Will Sony’s new handheld be officially named NGP?Kate says:No.[Editor’s name: Thismay be correct!]
garethxxgodasks:Will we getStar Wars: Battlefront III?Kate says:No.
Scissorsasks:Will they announceKlonoa 3DS?Kate says:No.
VGFreak1225asks:Will Microsoft announce the new Xbox?Kate says:Yes.[Editor’s note: This was the question that resulted in Kate sitting on my lap. I have no idea if it is right, but I don’t think it even matters anymore. I will tell you this, though: If this prediction is correct and Microsoft does announce the new Xbox, every time I talk about that new console I am going to think of Kate. And that makes me very happy.]Click here for more information on how to adopt Kate.
So, there you go! What do you think? Do you think the cats and dogs of the Burbank Animal Shelter made accurate predictions? Which animals are your favorites? And what are you most excited about atnext week’s E3?
Sound off in the comments! And make sure to check back a week after E3 for the official results! Which animals got the most right? Are cats and dogs more accurate than industry analysts? (They are easily more adorable.)
As I mentioned before, this entire experience was absolutely life-changing, Working and interacting with these brave, loving, genuinely happy animals was one of the best experiences of my entire life.
If you fell in love with any of them, check out theBurbank Animal Shelter websitefor information on how you can adoptallof these amazing creatures. You could take home any of the animals in this article. IT COULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN!
And if you don’t live anywhere near Burbank — or California, for that matter — no worries! Just contact your local shelter, and — if they are anything like Denise Fleck and the incredible staff of the Burbank Animal Shelter — you will be invited to visit with open arms.
And who knows? You may just leave with a new best friend.
