I know. What the hell is Pre-E3? Sounds silly, doesn’t it? It’s actually kind of cool: It’s a week-long event where “E3 Judges” go around and see all the hot games that you’ll eventually hear about at E3. They’ll eventually vote on what will be the best games at the show. It’s a honor, and I’m glad that Destructoid is judging. Me? I’m not a “judge.” Destructoid Editor-in-ChiefNick Chester is the Judgefrom our outlet. I’m…an assistant. A “plus one.” His attending bitch. That means I can go to these showings and events here in Santa Monica, California and get a pretty good idea of what we’ll see next month atE3.
It’s not a glamorous position, this non-judge business. I don’t get the breakfasts or gift bags or hearty pats on the back from fellow judges. I have to takecabs. My word doesn’t weigh in on what is voted to be the best games ofE3 2010. I’m here doing the grunt work. I’m the guy that’s supposed to grin when other judges tell Nick to “Make Dale play that one!” Haha. Not funny.
I’m actually playing some cool games, but what sucks just as much as not being a judge is that I can’t tell anyone about them. Why?Embargoes.
We play games and then we have to sit on the information and our write-ups until a given date. Unfortunately, most of the embargoes for Pre-E3 are up right when E3 proper starts. “If I told you I’d have to kill you?” No. If I told you, they’dkill me. What’s funny is that some stuff at E3 is usually also embargoed until after the show. This stuff is the embargoesbeforethe embargoes!
You should know that, judging by Pre-E3, even without Microsoft Natal, PlayStation Move and Nintendo’s 3DS system here,E3 2010is already shaping up to be pretty exciting. And we’re not even done yet. We’re seeing a ton more games tonight, tomorrow and Friday. And those judges? They’ve seen even more than I have.
There’s some pretty surprising stuff so far. Some sexy stuff. Some insanely ridiculous stuff. And honestly? A disappointment or two. But it’sembargoed. And I’m not ajudge. Ugh. I gotta go. I have to catch a cab to this thing.
Stick with us over the next couple of weeks as this Pre-E3 stuff comes out.
