Exploring the Early 2000s Video Game Industry
The early 2000s marked a period of significant evolution and experimentation in the video game industry. While E3 still remains one of the biggest video game trade shows, let us explore some other aspects of the video game industry during this time, from exploring the 2002 E3 show to the impact of popular video games like Grand Theft Auto 3, Kingdom Hearts, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.
A Trip Down Memory Lane: Exploring E3 2002
E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, was once the most critical video game trade show. It was where major players like Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sega made groundbreaking announcements. Although E3 continues to be a significant event, it is not quite what it once was. The reason is that finding good quality footage from older E3 shows is hard. However, in 2002, a 47-minute clip from E3 was shot by Chris Shaman, the manager at Electronics Boutique. He had access to events that were not open to the public.
The footage may not be of the highest quality, but it provides a glimpse of what E3 2002 was all about. The show floor was chaotic, with a lot of people walking around, and companies like Sierra and Xbox had quite a booth. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was on the monitor for the Xbox, and Activision was at the height of their popularity with games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and Matt Hoffman BMX.
The Impact of Video Games
During the early 2000s, video games were rapidly gaining popularity. People were eagerly anticipating new titles, and game developers were quick to capitalize on this. However, not every game was a hit, and some titles failed to meet the expectations of players.
Grand Theft Auto 3
Released in 2001, Grand Theft Auto 3 was a game that had a significant impact on the industry. Players could explore an open-world environment, engage in criminal activities, and complete missions. This game's success paved the way for two more popular titles, Vice City and San Andreas, released within two years.
Rockstar, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto 3, was not as well-known before the game's release. However, its success changed that, and Rockstar quickly became a household name. Before Grand Theft Auto 3, Rockstar was known as DMA Design, but they changed their name to Rockstar North after the success of Grand Theft Auto 3.
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts was another game that had a significant impact on the industry during this period. It is a role-playing game that features characters from Disney and Final Fantasy universes. Kingdom Hearts was critically acclaimed and became one of the most popular games of its generation.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater was one of the biggest games in the world at the time. It was such a big deal that Activision built the Activision O2 line, which was essentially like EA Sports big, but for Activision. This was the first E3 after the launch of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, and it was a big deal. The game was so popular that even Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer was released around the same time. Dave Mirra BMX and other games also contributed to the popularity of extreme sports games at the time.
The Xbox and its First-Party Games
Microsoft launched its first gaming console, the Xbox, in 2001. While it was a newcomer, it quickly gained popularity, and game developers started creating games for the platform. However, many of the Xbox's first-party games during this period were poorly received. Azaric: Rise of the Tomb Raider was one of the few exceptions, receiving critical acclaim and becoming a commercial success. Meanwhile, Microsoft continued to improve the Xbox's hardware, releasing the Xbox Controller S in 2002 and the Xbox 360 in 2005. The Xbox 360 was a significant upgrade over the original Xbox, with improved graphics and a more powerful processor. It also introduced the Xbox Live online gaming service, which allowed players to compete against each other over the internet. The Xbox 360 was a massive success, selling over 84 million units worldwide and establishing Microsoft as a major player in the gaming industry.
