Microsoft E3 2009 press conference: The games

(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)

The Microsoft press conference at E3 2009 offered a detailed glimpse into the Xbox 360's video game line up for the rest of 2009 and into 2010 as well. Things started off with a giant Beatles Rock Band introduction climaxing with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr appearing on stage.

Tony Hawk then helped show off the new skateboard controller to be used with Tony Hawk Ride, a new game that abandons the conventional control scheme. Players can use the board to kick, turn, and do grab tricks.

Next, Infinity Ward premiered a snow-covered level of the highly anticipated Modern Warfare 2 (see: Call of Duty) with dazzling graphics and intense action game play.

A very brief combat scene from Final Fantasy XIII was on display, officially removing console exclusivity from the Sony PlayStation 3. This debut wrapped up the multiplatform games that are going to be available for the Xbox 360. In a refreshing change of pace, it was announced that all games shown off from here on out will be available exclusively on the Xbox 360.

Kicking off these titles was the DLC (downloadable content) game Shadow Complex from developer Epic Games (Gears of War)--an action/exploration game very much in the vein of the original Metroid and Castlevania series.

Joy Ride will allow you to race as your Xbox Live Avatar with friends online. The free DLC title looks a lot like a Mario Kart inspired racer where you'll be able to purchase additional tracks for use with friends as well.

The follow up to the open world over-the-top crime-fighting title Crackdown has gotten a sequel in the form of Crackdown 2. Zombie apocalypse fans will be happy to hear that Left4Dead 2 will see the light of day this November.

After some delays in production, we were treated to an impressive game play session of Splinter Cell Conviction which offers a unique storytelling mechanic. Sam Fisher is now on his own, hell bent on seeking revenge for the murder of his daughter.

Quite a deal of time was then spent on Forza Motorsport 3, the latest iteration of the critically acclaimed racing simulator. There are plenty of new social aspects of the title, including brand new ways to customize your racing experience and virtual representation.

If you were clamoring for a Halo presence at the Microsoft press conference, developer Bungie certainly delivered. Not only did we get to see game play footage from the September-bound Halo: ODST title, the company announced yet another new game, Halo Reach. It's still a bit unclear what Reach will be about, having only seen a teaser-trailer.

Another title shrouded in delays and production hiccups and found itself back in the spotlight. The sci-fi action thriller Alan Wake will be making its way to the Xbox 360 next spring. A few minutes of very promising--and creepy--game play would make it seem that this is well worth the wait.

Finally, after rumors of Metal Gear Solid coming to the Xbox 360, it was announced that perhaps the most coveted of all Sony franchises would be coming to Xbox 360. Metal Gear Solid Rising is a brand new title featuring the Raiden character from the Metal Gear series. This was especially shocking since it was expected that the announcement would just be a Metal Gear Solid 4 port over.

That just about takes care of the game announcements at the Microsoft E3 2009 press conference. Make sure you check out all of our E3 coverage as well as the other non-game specific announcements like more video offerings, Project Natal and Facebook/Twitter on the Xbox 360. We'll be back tomorrow for game announcement wrap-ups of both the Nintendo and Sony press conferences.

[eekitsericc]

woooo more halo... >.>

[kewell82]

Wow more Halo. How exciting! *Sarcasm* What's next Gears of War 3? Microsoft is just too predictable.

[BlitzBoy1120]

In my opinion Microsoft's line up is mediocre to the last 2 years. I'm more into the PS3 this year just because I think it's coming out with some pretty sweet software like Uncharted 2, and God of War 3. And a slim PS3 can't hurt. Sony's under the spotlight again, and I hope they live up to the hype unlike last year, because that would be REALLY cool. Oh yeah, a price of $299 won't do anything but boost sales. I like the PS3 as a All-in-one media hub, so I really hope they don't take out some luxury features like WiFi.

[kito1973]

you forgot M.A.G and Heavy Rain :)

[GK15]

PS3 fanboys stalking xbox articles. Some people love to hate. And hate on halo all you want but you think it would make sense to abandon an amazing franchise that is fun for fans and sells like crazy? Yeah...

Also, mediocre lineup?? Halo ODST and Reach, Forza 3, Alan Wake, Mass Effect 2, Splinter Cell Conviction (another awesome franchise that was started on xbox), Left for Dead 2, Crackdown 2, FF13, and METAL GEAR SOLID: RISING!!! Not too bad if I do say so myself. When is GT5 coming out again?

Sony's E3 is gonna be full of games that have already been talked about all year and oh yeah.... an Amazing PSP GO............YEEEAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MS had an amazing E3 with everything from games to the revolutionary "Project Natal" which Steven Spielberg himself called "a historic moment in gaming." And the fact that MS will be streaming in 1080p soon and possibly going 100% digital for games. I'm definitely excited about the next year for the Xbox. I think MS picked up major steam this E3 and truly has the best console of this generation.

[kewell82]

The one thing they don't tell you about the 1080p streaming is that you need a true fiber optic connection. So you need to live in a major city that support true fiber optics going to your home and it will cost a lot.

[DrtyDogg]

I have Fiber to the home and it really doesn't cost that much.

[Houston01]

Man some of these games look tight I was lookin at the new star wars game is it only goin to be on the pc or is it goin to come out for the xbox like the did for Knights of the Old Republic, also the new perspective for L4D2 is interesting since its in New Orleans LOL it would be funny if they decided to do another one in Houston or Miami since they are major city neighbors to New Orleans(that would be funny relaxing while burying zombies in the ocean or the sand and letting the animals eat them lol or letting them fall in the acid of the abandoned chemical plants HAHAHAHA, thats good stuff just sit back and enjoy watching zombies melt to death) wonder why they didn't do GH5 its comin out in a couple of months with a new feature that allows u to use like for example 2 drum sets, or play 2 guitar solos, u know stuff like that, ooo they should do one with Disturbed sorry if I said too much lol just excited for new games, and why did they put WIFI on the Zune HD and not the 360, man I could do this all day WAHHOOO!!! Schools almost out 4 summer, and lets hope that ODST would learn how to do something like Horde for Gears 2 or Nazi Zombies from COD:WAW

[BlackStrat]

@Kewell
What's next for Sony, umm God of War 3 and Gran turismo 5, Sony is so predictable. See I can do it too. I enjoy both consoles, but have always preferred the 360 for gaming. Xbox live has and always will smoke the PSN, and the games library is great. This is definitely the best E3 MS has ever had, and I don't think Sony is going to show anything tomorrow that will surprise anyone. Oh look, GT5, you know that game we've been showing since they day the console launched, yeah that might actually be coming sometime next year :) At the rate Microsoft is going, I wouldn't be surprised if the next GT title is a 360 exclusive. The only thing that would excite me is if Sony reveals a PS3 slim that includes backwards compatibility and retails at $299. Other than that the new PSP is lame(come on this is a 4th generation product, and they still won't include 2 analog sticks), GOW 3 looks so so, and I can't believe the 360 is getting the MGS title!!! Poor Sony, they lost all direction this generation.

[Pacman33]

I must say I am pleasantly surpeised by the Xbox announcements. The Xbox has really been losing steam lately with no major exclusive announcements. I love the new new Twitter interaction, and that Joy ride might be pretty fun. Halo has gotten old for me, so not looking forward to that release. Getting a Metal Gear game was the true shocker, and must sting Sony a little. The good thing about Sony though is that they have their own developers, so they will always have great exclusives, as we've seen this year and last. Microsoft doesn't have any good developers, so snatching Sony exclusives is the next bets thing I guess. I think that splinter Cell is gonna be nice, will it be exclusive? As for the motion technology, I promise you it will be gimmicky and not used much. Sony already has a similiar thing through the PSEye. I grabbed a few of the games that use the technology and it's cool at first, but get's old fast to a hard core gamer. The same with the skateboard. It will be another $100 peripheral sitting in the corner. I understand they wanna capture some of the Wii board crowd, but comeon.

[hansello]

Sony's line will be revealed in just a few hours. Fingers crossed for that Project Trico reveal.....

Not hating on the xbox, but the Metal Gear game (That isn't MGS4) finally clarifies the 'MGS4 is too big for the xbox rumour".
As a PS3 owner I'm actually quite jealous of the Splinter Cell game. Sam going all 'Jason Bourne' sounds pretty cool.

[Tedders85]

I still think that is is funny that MS will have released 3 games (Forza 1, 2 and 3) that directly compete with Sony's Gran Turismo series between the releases of GT4 and GT5. I call that smack to the face of Sony!! Yes, GT4 and Forza were released pretty much around the same time. But that fact that two more versions will have been released before GT5 is released is just sad.