Earlier today, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke at the Executive's Club of Chicago and informed attendees that a new Xbox 360 will be arriving in 2010 equipped with something special. Microsoft will be re-launching this new Xbox 360 next year with its Project Natal tech built into it. This console, which was described as having a "natural interface", will have sensor bar that has a built-in camera and have the ability to recognize movement and voice.
It does make sense to bundle the Project Natal tech with the stock Xbox 360 because it's way too soon for a brand new console and hardware update. Clearly, Microsoft also has plans on launching a version of its motion and depth-sensing camera as a separate product so that current Xbox 360 owners don't have to upgrade and buy an all new 360.
ValvE, no strangers to E3, founded by Gabe Newell ValvE has become world famous for its Half-Life, Counter-Strike and now Left4Dead series. Many were going to E3 this year with the antisipation that ValvE were going to release some long awaited information on Half-Life:Episode 3 however before doing so you could say they have pretty much played their triumph card and announced Left4Dead 2 which is planned for release this November! Check out the trailer:
So what can we expect from L4D2? Well there is really no official word from ValvE as of yet what the change log/improvements are going to be but can base a lot from what we've seen here in the trailer. Such as new characters, new zombie models, new weapons, maps, animations and what is most crucial for me a new updated version of the Source engine.
So I was planning on making a new post for each announcment, but since time got ahead of me I'll be posting all the new game and new feature announcements I've yet to cover here with their info. And since this is a lengthy post, be sure to click on read more for the full article.
First up is Epic Games Shadow Complex. The game looks like a mix between of some old school sidescrollers, Metroid and Contra, but with a polished 3D look. It will be arriving on Xbox Live Arcade this summer.
Also announced is the sequel to Crackdown. Presented by trailer, Crackdown 2, looks a little different. As the city's citizens appear to infected by some sort of virus, turning them into a zombie-like form and you'll be put to clean it all up.
The somewhat expected announcement of Forza Motorsport 3 was revealed and developers Turn Ten plan to release it this October. The game will feature a new game engine (allowing it to run at 60 fps), a new in-game video editor to share videos, and 400 cars from 50 manufacturers.
We all knew this was going to make an appearance. Halo: ODST was shown with live gameplay and new details. For all the info on Halo: ODST and the newly announced Halo: Reach; check out the already posted article.
The next game was unheard of for awhile, but is now back after revealed at the conference with some live gameplay. Alan Wake is the story of a writer who goes on vacation with his wife only to end up losing his wife and noticing that the things happening are very similar to a story written by him. Dark Remedy says Alan Wake is set to release spring 2010.
Probably the biggest announcement; Microsoft unvieled their new motion controller, a camera. The camera uses object, movement, and voice recognition to deliver a new gaming experience.
While the peripherial may look a bit like the Wii's sensor bar it works entirely different. The official name for it is Project Natal and it uses a built-in camera and sensor to identify body movement, faces, objects, and also voices. Microsoft says it will work with all Xbox 360's and that Project Natal is arriving at Microsoft partners today. Sadly there was no word on when gamers will be able to get their hands on it.
Lots of new stuff by Microsoft. It's going to be interesting to see how Sony and Nintendo match up against Microsoft's conference.
While this game was unexpectedly announced for the Xbox 360 at last year's E3, Square Enix has returned again this year.
The company previously said that the Xbox 360 version of the game would start in development after the Japanese PS3 version was complete, but that was untrue today as Square Enix unveiled the game through some live gameplay at this year's Microsoft press conference. Have a look yourself thanks to GameTrailers.
And finally, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy XIII would be arriving in North America for Xbox 360 somewhere in "Spring 2010."
During Microsoft's E3 press briefing, Ifinity Ward gave everyone a view of some new live gameplay footage for Modern Warfare 2. It featured some of the game's snowy and mountain-top gameplay; with some snowmobile combat in between.
Microsoft's John Schappert then announced that Activision and Inifinity Ward will be releasing two timed-exclusive map packs for Xbox Live. Although no other real details were given on the two said map packs. We'll have to wait to find out more once the game releases.
Microsoft's conference was great but I think the thing that I liked the most was the Halo 3: ODST presentation. They showed us the opening cut-scene and gameplay footage, and gave us more info on the game.
This Halo game will be a little different from past games because you will be playing as many different Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (sorry Master Chief Fans) via flashbacks to put together the pieces of the story. Luckily the ODSTs have access to special gear that Spartans don't such as 2 new sound suppressed weapons: one of which is a pistol with a zoom feature and a new visor, a low light vision mode. All in all I think this game is shaping up pretty nicely.
Now are you ready to hear even more news? Those who buy Halo 3:ODST will be invited to the multiplayer beta for Halo: Reach.
Update: Halo 3 ODST to include exclusive wireless Xbox 360 controller. It’s going to cost you $99 when Halo 3 ODST drops on September 22, but don’t worry that includes the game as well.
Update 2: There is a new Firefight Mode in ODST which is much like Horde mode in Gears of War 2 or Zombie mode in Call of Duty: World at War. You can have up to 4 players playing cooperatively (each taking one of the 4 ODST soldiers that are playable in Campaign). There are only a set number of lives that the entire team shares.
Update 3: "Preorder the game through select retailers and a fifth ODST soldier, Sgt. Johnson, will be added to the list of selectable characters." - IGN
Microsoft's conference kicked things off by revealing the opening sequence to The Beatles: Rock Band and then continued with the Harmonix House Band playing "Day Tripper"; using 2 additional mic's. That's right, you'll be able to have up to three people singing at the same time in addition to drums, bass, and guitar.
Next Microsoft announced that players that pick up the Xbox 360 version of the game will be able to get their hands on the exclusive track "All You Need is Love" and that all proceeds from the song will go to Doctors Without Borders.
Microsoft then revealed 10 of the 45 tracks on the game. Which were:
[*]I Saw Her Standing There
[*]I Wanna Hold Your Hand
[*]I Feel Fine
[*]Day Tripper
[*]Tax Man
[*]I am the Walrus
[*]Back in the USSR
[*]Octopus's Garden
[*]Here Comes the Sun
[*]Get Back
Soon after, they announced the first downloadable albulm of many, Abbey Road, coming soon after the release of the game.
Last but certainly not least, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr both appeared on stage and shared their thoughts on the game. "The game is good, the graphics are very good and we were great," said Ringo. Paul then continued by saying "We love the game it's fantastic, who would have every thought we'd end up as androids."
Listen up all you Halo fans. Ever heard of the novel called Halo: The Fall of Reach? It was a prequel to the first Halo game that told the story of Master Chief and what befell the other SPARTAN-II super soldiers. Now you might ask, "Why is this important?" Well puzzled reader, this novel could be the basis for the next game in the Halo franchise.
Although this is just a rumor, it was first spotted in a forum titled "Halo: Reach" on the Official Halo Forums. If you take a look at the image below, you might begin to think that the image was "shopped" and what not. But the screenshot doesn't lie, you can view the evidence right here. Unfortunately, the Halo: Reach forum has already been removed, but there are screenshots that have been taken by a Halo fan who was lucky enough to see the forum before its mysteriously removal.
We also have a screenshot of a member of Bungie.net announcing the recent changes to the site, as well a possible new Halo game, which can be viewed here. There might be plans to announce the game during the upcoming E3. Until then, Halo: Reach will just remain a rumor for the time being.
Radical and Activision have released another trailer for Prototype this time showing off a few quotes from a few review sites. The game seems to have review sites ecstatic. The trailer features a 30 second run of Alex Mercer performing a hammerfist from six blocks away on an unexpected tank. The trailer is set to premiere at E3 along with a live demo of the finished product since its first debut on G4 back in 2008. Radical appears to have gotten their first true successful IP.
Well folks, it has been confirmed: the rumors are true. There is in fact a Zune HD, as you can see above. But this time there is more than just some ol' pictures. Today we have a high-quality video tour of the all-new Zune HD, thanks to Brian Lam who recently uploaded it for the public.
There is so much to say about the new Zune HD. Everything from its built-in HD radio, the bright 0LED touch screen, the Wi-Fi capability, and much more. To view the full list of features as well as more images of the Zune HD, visit the Official Zune HD Website. Oh, and did I mention that it uses Xbox Live? More info will be unveiled next week at E3 on how the handheld will integrate with Xbox LIVE and the Video Marketplace.
But for now, please take a look at the video tour below. Feel free to discuss your thoughts about the Zune HD in this thread. Looks like the iPod Touch is getting some new competition... or is it?
As early as the trailer was released leaked footage has surfaced. The video shows off some very unique features that will be used in BBC2. The spawn menu seems to have been completely overhauled and redone, BBC2 even seems to offer a feature that will allow you to see who killed you from third person as well as see their rankings as you are about to spawn back. DICE also seems to have added the ability to change your classes at a designated spawn point without having to die first. The environment even seems to react to all that surrounds you when chaos begins on the battlefield. The maps even appear to be a huge expansion to that compared to the previous Bad Company.
We have seen many new bundle packages recently, but who could forget an Xbox 360 Gears of War Bundle? That's right, it has been confirmed that a new Gears of War Bundle package will be available to the millions of GoW fans on the 4th of June this year.
The bundle is a limited edition, so you might want to consider getting yours a bit early before they run out. The complete package includes an Xbox 360 Pro console, wireless controller, 60GB hard drive, Xbox 360 headset, component high definition AV cable and an ethernet connectivity cable, and of course Gears of War and Gears of War 2. As you see, there is a lot of things included in this GoW bundle, but the price comes out to be a total of $449.
Unfortunately, the press release clearly stated an Australian release date for the Xbox 360 Gears of War bundle package, so it might not be released in some other continents. If you are not a resident of Australia, well... let's hope for the best. For all those gamers who are interested in GoW, you wouldn't want to miss this opportunity.
