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With the Xbox brand now a confirmed heavyweight in the games
industry, it comes as no surprise that Microsoft intend to hit this
years E3 with everything they’ve got in-order build on their
accomplishments; and to blunt the upcoming launch of their biggest
rivals newest console, the SONY PlayStation3. Unfortunately, SONY
and Nintendo’s announcements yesterday and this morning have set the
gaming world on fire and have arguably made the Xbox360 seem a
little mundane. Can the computer giant compete against the Japanese
gaming behemoths? If this afternoon’s press conference is anything
to go by, they certainly think they can.
With a distinctly more in-your-face approach than their competitors,
Microsoft opened their conference
with an action packed video of the highly anticipated Gears of
War. This was then followed by some amazing in-game footage of
the game being played live on-stage by the game designer, Epic
Games’ Cliff Bleszinksy. The on-screen action was extremely intense;
however there were a few minor Frame-Rate problems, something
Microsoft will be urging Epic Games to sort out before the release
of one of the Xbox360’s biggest releases for 2006.
Next -up was a little obligatory back slapping from Peter Moore,
Corporate Vice President of Microsoft’s Entertainment Division.
Apparently there have been five million Xbox360s sold since launch,
making it the “fastest selling console ever”, but, considering the
incredible popularity of the NintendoDS, this could be a mild
overstatement. He then went on the say that Microsoft intends to
have six million XboxLIVE! subscribers by E3 next year. He
also pointed out that Microsoft are “changing the face of gaming”,
hardly an underused statement to say the least.
XboxLIVE! Arcade was the next feature of Microsoft’s Pre-E3
Press Conference with classic titles such as Sonic The Hedgehog,
Galaga and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 all set to be
downloadable in the future. Also displayed was Lumines Live
complete with a Madonna Music Video, courtesy of Microsoft’s deal
with the Warner Music Group.
And then there were games, lots of games. However the Demo Reel
showed little in the way of unannounced content; that was to be
established later with the confirmation of Fable 2 from
Microsoft’s recently
 acquired
Lionhead Studios. Soon after, Microsoft verified the development of
Forza Motorsport 2, complete with a very impressive looking
video. Something to compete with Gran Turismo HD perhaps?
Forza Motorsport 2 should be on the shelves this Christmas.
Now for a little hardware. Microsoft went on to display a new
Wireless Headset for the Xbox360, as well as a Force Feedback
Steering Wheel and the long rumoured Xbox360 Webcam.
Peter Moore was then keen to illuminate the Xbox360’s weakest
region; Japan. It seems that, despite lack-lustre sales, Microsoft
is determined to conquer the spiritual home of gaming. On show were
Dead Or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball 2, Blue Dragon,
Double Agent and RARE’s weirdest game yet;
Viva Piñata.
After a few more slightly less than riveting statistics, the Xbox360
HD-DVD player was shown. Mr. Moore states that it will be available
by Christmas, but, unsurprisingly, didn’t mention a price.
It seems Microsoft have been talking to the right people as next to
be announced was Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox360,
set to be released on 16th October 2007. Apparently this time around
SONY have no exclusivity deal and the title will launch for Xbox360
and PlayStation3 at the same time.
After a few shots of Alan Wake and Shadowrun, the
Microsoft Mac-Daddy Bill Gates tells of Microsoft’s
vision for one GamerTag for Xbox360, PC and Mobile Phones.
Apparently Microsoft believe that through a single, unified GamerTag,
the possibilities of XboxLIVE! are increased dramatically.
After a few demonstrations of XboxLIVE! Anywhere, the
conference moves on to what was on everybody’s mind right from the
beginning; Halo 3. After a short, but ultimately pretty
awesome trailer, it became apparent that Xbox gamers will have to
wait till 2007 to play the fabled sequel, but we’re sure that that
isn’t going to put too many gamers off. |
