The 3DS gets my vote for biggest game changer of E3 2010. If anyone is able to bring 3D technology to the masses it’s Nintendo. I enjoyed Avatar for the spectacle it is but remain thoroughly unconvinced about 3D in the living room any time soon (<5 years). Yet, Nintendo’s wonderful little machine makes 3D inviting and natural where other types of 3D are awkward and disorienting. Layer on top of that an apple-like approach of throwing in everything except the latest kitchen sink technology and you have a toy that sits right up there with the iPhone technologically and can capture kids’ imaginations.
Second biggest game changer is actually two products: steam on PS3 and OnLive. On the one hand, OnLive is paving the road to a huge install base (cable boxes) and the elimination of console manufacturers. At the same time, Sony teaming up with Steam- if this really becomes steam in all its glory- might be one of the best ways of protecting home consoles from cloud based gaming. Steam has even more to lose than Sony in this battle so the partnership seems wise.