Microsoft E3 2008 press conference wrap-up

The new Xbox 360 dashboard

(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET News)

The E3 conference opened Monday in Los Angeles with a press conference from Microsoft. Here are some highlights.

Microsoft showed off first-ever game play footage from the post-apocalyptic title Fallout 3 and announced that there will be downloadable content exclusive to Xbox Live. We saw real-time action from Resident Evil 5, shipping on March 13. We got a peek at the new co-op feature in the game, where players will be able to team up and make their way through together. Developer Square Enix also made announcements that included the release of four titles for Xbox 360 including Final Fantasy XIII.

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As for console exclusives, we saw in-game action from Fable 2, shipping in October. Players will be able to seamlessly invite other friends who are also playing the game. Finally, we were blown away by the impressive game demo of Gears of War 2 shipping November 7. The game actually looks better than the original and will feature a five-player online co-op mode.

Microsoft will be releasing a new dashboard interface this fall that incorporates an avatar system--the Xbox answer to Nintendo Mii characters. The new feature allows you to join up with other friends to form a "party," a group of up to eight people where you can share multimedia items or start a game. A new mode called Primetime will actually incorporate real-life TV shows like 1 vs. 100 and allow Xbox Live members to play and watch these game shows and possibly even win real prizes.

Microsoft also announced a slew of new downloadable games. These include: Geometry Wars 2, Galaga Legions, a South Park-themed game, and most exciting of all, Portal: Still Alive, a follow-up to The Orange Box smash hit. Look for Grand Theft Auto IV episodes in the fall as well. Xbox Live users will be able to start downloading and playing community-designed games around the release of the update. With the new dashboard also comes the exclusive Netflix plug-in that will allow you to watch movies directly on your Xbox 360.

Microsoft also showed off games that are geared toward a younger audience. We got to see first-look footage from Banjo and Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts and Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise. Also included in this segment was an update to the Scene It! game as well as You're in the Movies, which will ship with the Xbox Vision Camera. The game captures footage of you while you play and compiles it into a watchable movie at the end of a session.

Franchises like Rock Band and Guitar Hero will be back with sequels. Rock Band 2 will feature a set list of 84 songs including new material from Guns N' Roses and will premiere on Xbox 360 in September. Guitar Hero World Tour will introduce a drum kit to the series that adds cymbals. You'll also be able to create and share music in the game. Finally, an exclusive karaoke game called Lips will soon be available for Xbox 360 that allows you to sing along with any music on your Zune or iPod. The game will ship with two motion sensitive microphones that allow you to decorate the screen while you sing.

Check back Tuesday for wrap-ups of the Sony and Nintendo press conferences!

[tosandrew]

Microsoft is just copying off of others now! they took the mii concept, and now want a blu-ray drive!!! It was already perfect, leave it alone already, give players more choices in their gaming consoles!

[TuckersRock]

Dude, where does it say that they want Blu-Ray? Sure, the Mii revolution is obviously ripped off, but hey, it works. They're just utilizing a technique that's prominent on the "ultimate casual console." Personally, I dislike the Wii and its hype, but that's just me. Many others have invested in it and been satisfied with their choice; I'm more of a hardcore gamer, however.

But I digress..

All I want for the 360 is an internet browser. Both of the other competing consoles have one, why can't the Xbox?

[BlitzBoy1120]

Wow.....that is such a rip off. They took away the Mii Idea and hey think they can overcome Home with it. Personally, home will kill this little rip off that Microsoft has.

[gotrsx6]

thats cute, you just keep waiting for PS Home while we get the THIRD iteration of XBox live. Sony can't even rip off MS correctly, ingame XMB still sucks, music in game isn't mandated, voice chat is nonexistent and clumsy. maybe Sony should try harder ripping stuff off. Personally, you may not see home this year, so do have fun with that. oh and now you can download movies to the playstation, doesn't that defeat the ENTIRE purpose of it being a bluray player? why would you pay 30 bucks for a bluray when you can DOWNLOAD IT in HD for cheaper??!?!!?! tell me that makes sense. the blind leading the blind never works.

[thricedude72]

wow... such hostility...

I don't really have a problem with any consoles adding or copying features. Everybody should be happy.

[Kraysee1]

oh yea that xblive update sure does look interesting...

[Rod Roddy]

Wait a minute people, Nintendo didn't come up with the idea of avatars. They're all over the place-- Yahoo! uses similar avatars right?. Sure Nintendo was the first console company to use them as a major part of their user experience, but it's not an original idea for them either.