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The 404 354: Where we three cover day one of E3 2009

Yesterday was the first time that I've ever seen Jeff doing actual work at his cube, so I relent for once and let him and Wilson talk about E3 2009. Video games, video games, video games on today's show, specifically about the new XBox 360 Project Natal, Halo sequels, new Metal Gear Solid, the Beatles: Rock Band, and even Facebook and Twitter! Wake me up when it's over.

Yesterday's Microsoft press conference at E3 2009 unveiled some pretty exciting video game news, even for an antigamer such as myself. First up is the new Project Natal, the company's new motion-sensing bar for the XBox 360 that allows the gamer to control gameplay with motion, sound, and even 3D movement. As exciting as it sounds, unfortunately Microsoft didn't mention a release date, so we definitely won't see it in stores for Christmas 2009, which Jeff and Wilson think is a bit of a tease.

Aside from a few big game announcements, the big release news comes by way of everyone's favorite British gentlemen, with Beatles: Rock Band. Paul, Ringo, and even a few surprise visitors were there to kick off the game, and although Jeff is decidedly negative about the rise of plastic gaming, the game looks pretty cool. Check out the slideshow for pictures of Christopher "McLovin" Mintz-Plasse and Dhani Harrison taking a crack at the game.

Later on in the show, we announce the FINALISTS for our 404 logo competition. We received over 150 submissions and while they were all fantastic, we can only choose one for the official logo, so be sure to check out the final slideshow above and vote for your favorite in the comments section! Also, don't forget that even if your entry doesn't win the grand prize, we'll still use it for our mosaic/quilt/poster/sticker/shirt/etc...Thanks one million times over and again to everyone that submitted--you guys rule!

EPISODE 354 Download today's podcast Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: Eyes and ears on E3

The E3 game blowout in Los Angeles is producing all sorts of news on the hardware and software fronts. CNET News editor Michelle Meyers talks about some of them with Webware editor Josh Lowensohn, an avid follower of all happenings in the game world.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Today's stories:

Windows 7 to launch October 22

Google appliance now searching by the billion

Intel launches chips for low-cost, thin laptops

Photos: Freescale shows off 'smartbook' designs

Motorola turns to consumer electronics

Acer to sell Android phones, Netbooks

Kindle display creators to merge

Full E3 coverage

EMC, NetApp compete to buy Data Domain… Read more

PSP game lineup announced: Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, and more

Gran Turismo, launching October 1 with the PSP Go, was the headlining PSP game during Tuesday's E3 Sony press conference. It wasn't the only ammo Sony had. However, it seems like the biggest in terms of holiday 2009 impact. Polyphony Digital announced a "full game" with 800 cars, 35 tracks, 60 track layouts, and four-player play over local ad-hoc along with car trading, almost like Pokemon.

The other big announcment, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, was called a "true sequel" to the Metal Gear Solid series by Hideo Kojima, who appeared onstage to show … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 987: Dr. No No No No No

Brian Cooley goes all Noel Coward on me when we ask if he wants to share viewing over the Xbox 360. We also talk about the Project Natal coolness and lost of other E3 stuff. And of course robots still plan to kill usall. The latest developments involve them building themselves.

Listen now: Download today's podcast Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video) EPISODE 987

Xbox Live gets 1080p Zune video store, Netflix browsing, Twitter and Facebook integration http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/01/xbox-live-gets-live-tv-streaming-netflix-browsing/

Microsoft announces “Project Natal” motion controller for Xbox 360! http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/01/microsoft-announces-motion-controller-for-xbox-360/ … Read more

Can Sony keep pace at E3?

LOS ANGELES--Question: if everybody already knows what you're going to announce at a press conference, can you still surprise people?

Microsoft proved on Monday that the answer is yes; everyone knew that the company would be releasing some kind of motion-sensitive control system, yet no one was prepared for how polished the product, Project Natal, actually turned out to be.

Now, Sony is getting ready for its own moment in the spotlight at E3 here, and the pressure, as always, is on. Almost certain is a newly redesigned PlayStation Portable, or PSP Go, as it's being called. And … Read more

Nintendo's answer to Project Natal:
Wii Motion Plus, Vitality Sensor, confidence

Yesterday, Microsoft raised the bar on the mainstream-interactive landscape with the demonstration of its futuristic Project Natal. Today, Nintendo had a chance for a rebuttal, during which it chose to focus on Wii Motion Plus.

Scheduled to debut in a few weeks when it's packaged in with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, the more accurate plug-in to the Wiimote has its greatest killer app in Wii Sports Resort, the delayed sequel to Wii Sports. Showed off last year as well, two new sports in the package, archery and a three-point hoops contest, were demonstrated once again by Reggie Fils-Aime and Bill Trinen. The accuracy benefits were more noticeable to the naked eye on the archery demo: smaller hand motions allow for greater focus and targeting.

The Wii Motion Plus is a funny update to the Wii, because the advertising around it (virtual swordplay, archery) is exactly the same angle that was used for the original Wiimote. It arrives in a few weeks to stores.… Read more

'Wii hacker' part of Microsoft's Natal effort

Johnny Chung Lee, the former Carnegie Mellon researcher known for finding creative ways to adapt the Wiimote, has revealed himself as one of the minions behind Project Natal, Microsoft's effort to add motion-sensing capabilities into the Xbox 360.

Lee, who is now a researcher at Microsoft, said in a blog posting that he has been working on the motion-sensing project.

"Now, I should preface by saying I don't deserve credit for anything that you saw at E3," Lee said in the blog, which he posted on Monday night. "A large team of very smart, very … Read more

Nintendo announces New Super Mario Bros. for Wii

At the Nintendo E3 2009 press conference, the company has just announced a brand-new Mario title, New Super Mario Bros. for the Niintendo Wii. The 2D side-scrolling game will feature four-player co-op along with new gameplay features and power-ups. The game automatically zooms and pans so that all four players are always on screen.

New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Wii will be released this holiday season.

Xbox 360's Forza 3 screenshots

The first two installments of Turn 10's Xbox 360-exclusive Forza Motorsport series received some incredibly high marks, so racing fans are pretty stoked to hear that version three is on the way. In October, Forza 3 will hit stores, and it looks as impressive as ever, with a new game engine, "hundreds of cars" to choose from, and a video-editing feature that allows you to create and edit your own driving videos and upload them to the Forza community.

Check out the screenshots: