Game Developers Conference 2011 Highlights

he Game Developers Conference is obviously not as flamboyant as an E3 or a Tokyo Game Show. That probably has something to do with the fact that this is a conference for game developers and not the media. Most of the event is full of keynote speeches, demonstrations and previews so expecting earth shattering announcements is a tad silly. However we’ve combed through the entire event and here’s what we found interesting.

Battlefield 3 will melt your face

Will it decimate all competition?

Without a doubt I would say Battlefield 3 was the highlight of the event. After teasing us with an uhh teaser trailer, DICE finally blew open the doors to their highly anticipated military shooter and it did not disappoint. Not only were we treated to photo realistic visuals but thanks to EA Sports' animation system, character movements now seem extremely fluid and lifelike. In addition to this, the destruction synonymous with the Bad Company series is back in a huge way. This game also marks the debut of Mother Nature in the Battlefield series where she’ll be tearing stuff down through some immensely powerful earthquakes.

Never judge Dead Island by its trailer

Where's all the drama gone?

The Dead Island trailer took the world by storm when it hit the internet two weeks ago. People couldn’t get enough of a family’s plight as they were torn apart – quite literally - by a zombie outbreak on a sunny, tropical island. It was obvious the game wouldn't play like the trailer but you’d assume that the game would definitely sport a somber and more morbid vibe than most zombie games out there. However, it seems developer Techland have adopted a more over-the-top, comical vibe as seen in games like Dead Rising, according to IGN. In addition to this rather disappointing direction, packing in a token black dude who’ll sprout phrases like "Daaaaaamn, that b***h was huge!" and "You a dead b***h now!" when he kills zombies doesn’t particularly instill us with confidence.