E3 2009: A few not-to-be forgotten companies and a handful of hardware offerings

There are many other companies attending E3 besides those big namers, some of which are promoting only a game or two or maybe showing off a few gaming peripherals.

Here’s a quick look at goodies promised to be on display at E3 by seven companies you might not have been paying particular attention to including ijji, Penguin, SplitFish, Graffiti, Tritton, Innex and PPC.

ijji.com

Specializing in “hardcore, fast action free-to-play online games,” California-based NHN USA, Inc., launched ijji.com in 2006 and is promising some hands-on time with multiplayer first-person online shooter Huxley: The Dystopia based on Unreal Engine 3 at E3 2009. In addition to hands-on time with Huxley, the company is also going to offer a look at Soul of the Ultimate Nation, “an epic fantasy massively multi-player online role-playing game” (according to the company’s press release) and a peak at “a new multi-player online FPS with an alternate World War II storyline.”

Penguin United

California-based peripheral maker Penquin offers a list of items that will be on display, including:

• Sonic Contactless Wii Remote Charger
• Wii Remote Integrated Pistol
• Si & DS Travel Essential Bundles
• 4X Quad Charger for Nintendo Wii
• Wii Remote Dual Charger
• 24X DS Gaming Pouch
• Xbox360 HD VGA Complete PC AV Cable Bundle
• Wii Soft Sports Pack

SplitFish gameware

Peripherals developer SplitFish will be demonstrating its two-piece combination motion stick and mouse called the FragFX Version 2 controller (within the CompuExpert Booth) and promises to “unveil a number of new innovations guaranteed to change the game playing experience forever.” To help promote the company’s products, ranked Call of Duty player Dennis Dozier will be taking on challengers and ‘”those that put up a respectable fight will walk off with special limited edition Splitfish swag, and have a chance at winning PlayStation FPS Game Library.”

SplitFish is also showing off PS3 controllers (by appointment only), the Dual SFX Evolution and Dual SFX Frag Pro, part of the company’s new Frevolution X System being released Fall 2009. Both include “include dynamic sensitivity adjustments, analog stick swap ability, full support for all PS3 games, as well as PlayStation 2 games played on PS3 and upgradeable firmware”

• Dual SFX Frag Pro – Based on the FragFX, adding a dual wireless system, an eergonomic, optical laser mouse, left-hand grip for ‘full SixAxis motion control” and completely customizable settings.
• Dual SFX Evolution – Combines two-tier controls into one interface. Includes a right-hand motion/analog joystick controller (“an updated version of the Fragchuck”).

From the press release, both the Dual SFX Frag Pro and the Dual SFX Evolution include “dynamic sensitivity adjustments, analog stick swap ability, full support for all PS3 games, as well as PlayStation 2 games played on PS3 and upgradeable firmware.”

Graffiti Entertainment

A subsidiary of Signature Devices, Inc., Graffiti Entertainment, Inc., promises a lineup of family-friendly games for PC and DS to be released in 2009, though the company’s press released focused on the following two games:

• Jakers! Let’s Explore (Wii, PC) – Inspired by the PBS Emmy award-winning animated children’s TV series, the Jakers! video game is told as a flashback of the main character, Piggley Winks, as he tells childhood stories to his grandchildren of growing up in rural Ireland. Each storyline presents simple educational points such as sharing and working together while still being funny, entertaining and clever.
• Moomin: The Mysterious Howling (DS, PC) – Moomin takes players into a world of adventure, mini-games and exploration where a loud and mysterious howling has been bothering the residents of Moominvalley for some time. Players must help Moomin find the source of the howling and put a stop to it so the town will be at peace once again. Based on the popular Moomin cartoons created by Tove Jansson, Moomin: The Mysterious Howling includes all the most popular characters – Moomin, Snork, Snufkin, Little My, Hemulen – and a recreation of Moominvalley.

Tritton Technologies

Tritton focuses on audio gear, targeting a few products to gamers (you might recall our review of Tritton’s AX Pro Dolby Digital 3D directional gaming headset. For E3 the company plans to unveil two new headsets, both with 3D surround sound and compatible with Xbox 360, PS3 and PCs (and your Hi-Fi audio equipment).

• AX 720 – Dolby Digital headset featuring Dolby Headphone technology with inline audio controls and independent chat volume control, USB microphone support for PS3, PC and Mac, voice compatibility with Xbox Live and a breakaway cable design that allows users to connect to an MP3 player or iPhone.
• AX 400 - A wireless surround sound gaming headset featuring Dolby Headphone technology. All the audio features of the AX 720 except an in-line audio control, the AX 400 includes Wii compatibility.

Innex Inc.

Peripherals company Innex is announcing the launch of Exo-Flex Skins by Orajet which “eliminate[s] air bubbles and significantly extend[s] the life of the decal,” and “conform perfectly to any surface” and ‘won’t fade, tear, or stretch, require no squeegee and can be reapplied to any surface.” They are water-resistant, claim to never smear or fade and come with a lifetime warranty. They fit several handheld devices and other electronics including: iPhone, Blackberry, iPod, DSi, DS Lite, Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, Guitar Hero (guitars?), Rock Band (instruments?), vehicles (!), posters, laptops and notebooks.

PPC

New York-based connector developer PPC is promoting a locking HDMI cable, called the PPC HDMI Locking Cable, at E3, hoping to lure in gamers who like their explosions to be in, well, high definition. According to the company’s press release, “the PPC Locking HDMI Cable is an industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface that provides a rock solid connection between any PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 Elite system for a pure HDTV quality gaming experience.” The company claims that the locking technology keeps the cable in the port three times “stronger” than a conventional cable to minimize fallouts and provide the “highest quality, pure HDTV video and digital audio quality that hard-core gamers expect.” A three-foot long cable costs $48.99, six-foot is $59.99 and 12-foot is $72.99. Each cable is 1080p ready without the need for an adapter.

Site [ijji] Site [Penguin United] Site [Splitfish] Site [Graffiti Entertainment] Site [Tritton Technologies] Site [Innex] Site [PPC]