E3 2009 kicks off with Microsoft’s press conference, and it certainly started with a nice bang. What was leaning on average ended up to be quite a skeptical surprise with Microsoft’s announcement of Project Natal, but more on that and everything else after the break:
Exclusively Multi-console
The first batch of games to be revealed during the conference were games that we all know are coming and they’ll be on the PS3 as well. Beatles Rock Band was finally shown, rocking all things Beatles. It’s what you’d expect from Rock Band, but with the twist of the band, and the new addition of multi-mic singing, which seemed to work perfectly. Exclusive to the 360 is a downloadable song whose proceeds will go to charity.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 makes an appearance, showing off a snow level. It looks amazing and purely what I expect from Infinity Ward. Intense and immersive, CoD makes its way this fall with exclusive map packs for the 360.
Final Fantasy 13 made an appearance with a brief English demo (with Japanese audio). Nothing new here that couldn’t be seen in the JPN demo other than the brief glimpse at the summon system. They revealed my favorite, Odin, and it seems to work like FFX’s system. I can’t remember 12’s system as I rarely used summons in that game, so it could be described as that one as well. Odin basically is summoned and the rest of the team disappears. It’s just you and Odin as both you and Odin can attack. Spring 2010.
Exclusively Exclusive
From here on out, Microsoft begins talking about the console exclusives beginning with an Xbox Live Arcade game from the studio that brought us Gears of War. Epic introduces Shadow Complex, a side-scrolling 10 hour game. Joyride is also announced, a racing kart game that allows use of your avatar, free for all 360 owners. It looks quite generic at this point.
We then get to the meat of 360 exclusives. Microsoft, through pre-rendered trailer, announces Crackdown 2. I haven’t had the pleasure of playing the first one yet, but I’ve heard great things. They also announce Left 4 Dead 2, which offers new locations and pulls a Resident Evil 5 with day-time traversing. Looking at footage from IGN, new weapons such as the axe and incendiary rounds, which light zombies on fire after shooting them, are being brought to the table. Who can say no to more zombie killing?
Splinter Cell: Conviction is next up, showing us gameplay footage of the long awaited game. I have never played a Splinter Cell game myself, but I’m tempted to start. This game feels very much like the Bourne movies in many cases. The method of storytelling looks very unique and I’m interested to get my hands on it when it comes out this fall. Forza 3 was also announced, but I’m not too big on racing games so I can’t say much.
Halo ODST was shown off and I’m intrigued by it. It’s pretty much more Halo, but set in a new environment. Not a fan of the new HUD, which gives the impression of wearing a helmet. Story telling seems improved, and feels much more cinematic. No talk of co-op in the main storyline, but it seems there’s a co-op specific mode that is separate from the single player. Bungie also announces their new secret project which is what else? More Halo. It’s called Halo: Reach and the footage showed a world that was under attack. No idea what it entails but the Halo universe just got bigger on the 360.
And finally, the wait is almost over. Alan Wake shows up at this E3, showing off in-game footage and gameplay. Alan Wake narrates the story, which is only fitting seeing as how it’s his horror novel that’s coming to life before his eyes. One of your main weapons is a flashlight which seems to burn up enemies and make them vulnerable so you can attack them. Very action based as well. Move over Silent Hill, a new horror game has arrived.
Games? Who needs games?
It’s time for Microsoft to take a break from gaming talk and bring up the NXE. The first thing they are announcing is that Last.FM will be coming to the 360, made to enjoy listening to radio music from your console. Nothing on in-game access, unfortunately, but it’s a nice addition.
Netflix is finally going to be offering ways to browse videos right from the console. About time! If there’s one criticism I have for Netflix on 360 right now, it’s that very feature. It seems that the UK is also getting some love as they’ll be getting streaming video from Sky along with live streaming broadcasts. Now that’s a feature I’d like for the U.S.
Zune Video is announced, replacing the current video marketplace and offering instant watches for purchased videos all in 1080p HD. Sounds great, but I think I’ll stick to disc. I want my special features. And finally, ending the video segment is showing off, briefly, the feature to watch movies together in a party. Promised at E3 last year, people across consoles will be able to sit together and enjoy what’s on TV.
Facebook and Twitter continue their reign on the world by being offered on the 360. Facebook Connect offers ways to do the normal Facebook deal but with the NXE interface. View photos, status, mail. You can also find your 360 Live friends and add them to your Facebook. Soon you’ll be able to add screenshots of compatible games and upload them directly to Facebook. Twitter is what you expect from Twitter. See status updates, make your own status updates right from the console.
Hideo Kojima need games!
Hideo Kojima ‘!’ on the stage. The new Metal Gear game has been “revealed.” No talk of bringing Metal Gear Solid 4 to the table, but Metal Gear Solid: Rising will be appearing on both consoles. This time, Raiden will be taking center stage and it sounds like it won’t be the same stealth action that we’ve come to know from Solid Snake himself.
Project Natal or: How Artificial Intelligence Took Over the World
And it’s finally announced. The motion detecting camera is here and it’s all under the name Project Natal. I remain skeptical. The first trailer is of various people using the camera. A kid comes up to the TV and starts a fighting game where his punch and kicks are recognized accurately. A family sits on a couch playing a game show game as the camera detects voices and who manages to buzz in first. I can’t tell if it’s real or just good editing skills. In any case, it’s dealing a huge blow to the Wii. Phrase of the day is “preset waggle commands.” That’s how they slyly insult the Wii.
With the NXE, it will recognize you and log you in automatically, and you have the option of using the camera to navigate around, very much like all the sci-fi holograms without the holograms. They then load up into a game called Paint Party. This game, more appropriately tech-demo, shows how, by using your arms and the camera, you can paint a picture. It works pretty well and when shouting out colors, the demo will change to the appropriate one. No mistakes or redos.
Peter Molyneaux of Fable fame then comes to stage and shows a video of a tech demo involving the camera and a little boy named Milo. This is where it gets a little creepy. A woman is chatting with Milo, a boy who reacts to what you’re saying and what you’re doing. It’s hard to believe, but what we see on screen is that he’ll answer questions, respond, and get you to interact with him. It feels like he’s basically an intelligent boy with a life of his own. This is how it starts people! Artificial intelligence will take over soon enough.
That is, if it’s true. I’m skeptical because there are an infinite amount of things you can say, but I wonder how many this boy will recognize or react to. It’s being shown in private to select few on the E3 floor, so hopefully we’ll hear more from them later on it. I have to try it to believe it.
Final Thoughts
Congrats Microsoft, you weren’t bad. No awkward silences. There were plenty of applause from the audience, and mental applause from myself. So long as Natal can deliver, it’ll be all roses from here.
