Post by Danielle Basch on Jun 14, 2018 20:53:40 GMT -5
E3 2018
Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
I’d only ever attended E3 once before, back in 2016, the last year before the event would become open to the public. Up until that point, it had only been open to those in the entertainment industry, be they video game companies, computer component companies, or celebrities. In my own mind, I only barely qualified as the latter, at least at the time. The brass at the AWA wanted someone to represent the company, and since I lived the closest to the venue, I volunteered.
Fast forward two years, and here I am again, only this time, I’m part of the brass, not just some rookie employee. In fact, I’m not only here representing BaschTech, but also West Coast Genesis. Of course, I’m not here by myself; I’ve got Donovan right by my side, humoring me as we wander through the Nintendo Switch exhibit. All around, several monitors sit in rows, their screens aglow with demos of upcoming games. I can’t help but gravitate toward one monitor in particular, featuring a playable demo of Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion. By some miracle, the demo is available, so I quickly make my way toward the joy-con.
Donovan: Didn’t you already download this expansion?
Danielle: Yeah, but it hasn’t been released yet. And according to the recap of the livestream from earlier, it’ll be released tomorrow.
Donovan nervously runs a hand through his hair as he flashes a sheepish smile at me. I can tell he feels guilty about making me miss the Splatoon 2 discussion earlier in the day.
Donovan: Again, I’m sorry our presentation ran longer than expected. I didn’t expect people to express so much interest during the Q&A segment.
Danielle: Donny, look where we are. We’re surrounded by techies and gamers. This place is NERD MECCA, for crying out loud!
Donovan: You have a point, dearest.
As luck would have it, I notice that the monitor beside me is also vacant, and it’s also running a Splatoon 2 demo. The light bulb inside my head is shining as brightly as a lighthouse.
Time for a little fun....
Danielle: Oh look! There’s a second set of joy-cons! Wanna do some 1v1 Turf War?
Never before have I seen him come anywhere near my Switch at home, nor has he ever shown much interest in playing the game before. He always seemed like more of a PC kind of guy.
As I look up at him, there’s a somewhat apprehensive look on his face as he gradually takes hold of the other joy-con.
Donovan: Very well. Just don’t be too harsh on me, dearest...
Danielle: Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.
I can hear him sigh as he stares at his monitor, choosing his gear.
Donovan: Hmm... this sounds interesting... a Heavy Splatling.
My head is telling me to go with the Enperry Splat Dualies, but my usual weapon of choice, the New Squiffer, keeps calling to me. Not this time, Squiffy...
Danielle: I’m going with the Enperry Splat Dualies.
Donovan: Where do they come up with the names for these weapons, anyway?
Danielle: Beats the hell out of me...
The match starts, and I know I’m giving up a lot of range compared to the weapon he’s chosen, but I’m not about to let him know that. Besides, I know I’ll be able to shoot faster than the Heavy Splatling.
I focus on covering as much of the map as I can see, casting the occasional glance at Donovan’s monitor to see how close he is to crossing into my territory. Gradually, we both get closer and closer to the center of the map, and I can see his blue ink moving across the terrain.
Alright... time to break out the sub weapons...
I send out a curling bomb and watch as a trail of pink ink cuts into his blue, caroming off the various obstacles before eventually exploding in a brilliant pink flash, just out of reach of Donovan’s Inkling.
Donovan: Phew! That was a close one!
Donovan swims up a wall and over the grating above me. Naturally, I look up to target him, only to get hit by his Sprinkler. As soon as I get out of the range of the Sprinkler, I feel the wrath of his Heavy Splatling.
He got me!
Danielle: You splatted my Woomy...
I can’t help but pout a little bit as Donovan chuckles.
Donovan: Why does that sound so dirty?
Time is winding down as I throw myself back into the fray, swimming as quickly as I can through the ink to get back to expanding my coverage of the map. No time to waste; it’s time to use my special. Activating my Inkjet, I take to the air, looking to strike from above.
BLAM!
Out of nowhere, he blasts me out of the sky with a single shot! And that’s when it hits me....
I’VE BEEN BAMBOOZLED!
30 seconds remain, and I have just enough time to get back across the map and fire off a couple of shots before the final ten seconds start to flash on the screen. Just as I get Donovan in my sights, he lets loose with his Sting Ray, nailing me once again.
3...
2...
1...
Streams of green tape cross the screen, signaling the end of the round. I set the joy-con back in its position and stare at Donovan, completely slackjawed. To hell if he doesn’t have the mother of all smug grins plastered on his face.
Danielle: You son of a squid! You told me you’ve never played this game before!
Donovan: Well, to be honest, I may have dabbled a bit while you were off handling the details for Kimo and Kate’s wedding....
Danielle: Dabbled my ass! Ooh, you’re lucky we’re in a crowd full of people; too many witnesses to see me stick that joy-con where the sun doesn’t shine!
Donovan: The underside of my pillow?
Danielle: YOUUUUUUU!!!
Donovan laughs, then wraps his massive arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to him. Almost instantly, my ire fades, and pretty soon, I start laughing as well.