Blogcritics

Announcement: Short-content feeds

Phillip Winn — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Sunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding.

E3 2006: Paris Hilton Embarrasses At E3

Igniq — Sun, 14 May 2006 00:33:59 EDT

Paris Hilton’s new mobile video game was announced not too long ago with much fanfare. To keep the momentum going, the hotel heiress made an appearance at this week’s E3 convention in Los Angeles to promote the title, dubbed Paris Hilton’s Jewel Jam.It seems someone should have written that title on the back of Paris’ hand. Showing up late for the gig, Paris apologized and went on to express her excitement over the new game “Diamondquest.”Since fans aren’t interested in Paris’ intellectual attributes, the blunder appears to have been quickly brushed aside by those who wanted pictures and autographs of the woman who’s famous for being famous.The first in the series of games involving Hilton is set to hit a cell phone near you this summer. Gameloft is producing the series, and hopefully will give Paris a crib sheet on the next installment’s name.

Igniq.com has been online since early 2004, providing news updates, opinions and other interesting info for PC/video gaming fans.

E3 2006: Wii Release Unknown, Resident Evil Confirmed

Igniq — Sun, 14 May 2006 00:03:17 EDT

Perhaps two of the biggest questions surrounding this year’s E3 conference remains shrouded in mystery. Nintendo’s Wii still does not have a release date or a final selling price. Despite this, gamers are swooning over the console’s unique remote controller and loving the fact a specialized version of Resident Evil will be made exclusively for Wii.Capcom has confirmed the Resident Evil title and it’s thought it might just arrive in stores before Resident Evil 5 comes out for the PS3 and Xbox 360. The famed horror action shooter with actual movie like jump scenes, gore and a cool story line will “combine the series' intense gaming experience and atmosphere with the revolutionary control system of the Wii.” The Resident Evil franchise is huge and its coming to Wii is big. By incorporating the remote, this version of Resident Evil promises to be like nothing before it. This might even be a reason to get past the name and buy the Wii.As some big titles for Wii have been unveiled, and Nintendo has allowed gamers to get up close and personal with the console, the release date and price seem to be delayed because a final bundle hasn’t been picked. It’s still thought the console will come in much cheaper than Sony’s PS3, though.

Igniq.com has been online since early 2004, providing news updates, opinions and other interesting info for PC/video gaming fans.

E3 2006: Nintendo Has No Plans For GameBoy

Armin Siljkovic — Thu, 11 May 2006 13:11:54 EDT

In an interview with Reuters, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata says that there will be no more GameBoy handheld consoles for now, despite the success of GameBoy Advance. Instead, Nintendo will focus on the DS which has gained huge support from developers and consumers alike."I would have a second thought about using our resources on what would be the next generation of Game Boy Advance, considering the strong support DS is now enjoying." says IwataNintendo has sold more tha 74 million GBAs, including the SP and Lite versions. He also says that are 16 million DS units sold, millions more that Sony's PSP.Iwata continues: "The Japanese game market is now evolving around DS. We don't need to do something that will pour cold water on the situation."It wouldn't make sense if they made another GameBoy, there is simply no need for it at this moment. Nintendo will spend most of its resources on the Wii, which now has 10 launch titles confirmed, including Zelda: Twilight Princess and Metroid Prime 3.

E3 2006: Is Console Monogamy Wrong?

Daniel Woolstencroft — Thu, 11 May 2006 12:34:28 EDT

E3 is now well underway; each of the three key players have finished their press conference events and revealed their new toys. Sony and Nintendo -- and Microsoft, to a certain degree -- arguably have a lot riding on E3 this year. Both Nintendo and Sony have new systems on the horizon, and Microsoft faces a challenging holiday season in the face of competition from their two rivals. But the average gamer must ask: Where does that leave me?With the launch of the Xbox 360, I took a long hard look at my gaming habits and made some changes. I've been an avid gamer ever since I can remember, starting out with a Commodore Vic 20, upgrading to Commodore 64, and then onto an Amiga (with one megabyte memory upgrade, no less). I've owned a SNES, a Megadrive (or Genesis, if you prefer), the ill-fated MegaCD, the even more ill fated Atari Jaguar and more. I've been playing games long enough to have played a little game called Karateka, and remember being awestruck by a demo of Jordan Mechner's exciting new game Prince of Persia at a gaming conference in London. I still own a Dreamcast; I've tried and discarded the PSP, DS, and other handheld systems. My insatiable hunger for every gaming system on the face of the planet knows no bounds. Until now. It seems my insatiable hunger is somewhat satiated.In the past, the prospect of only owning one system seemed ludicrous. There have always been games which are only available on one system, classic titles like Ico that allow you to easily justify ownership of a system. In order to be able to play every single one of these titles, it's necessary to own every system. But these days I find myself with less and less time to play games. Perhaps that's not strictly true; a more accurate description might be that I find myself less inclined to spend what little free time I do have playing games. Some might say I've finally "grown up," but I've never considered gaming to be a childish interest so I wouldn't subscribe to that. Unless by "grown up" they mean, "got a job, had a child, and bought my own home." And so, with the release of Microsoft's next-gen wonder-console, I decided to adopt a monogamous approach to console gaming. I sold my PSP, DS, Xbox, and PS2. I've kept my PC, but rarely play anything on it. I've also kept my GameCube, but this is largely down to the fact that it's not worth the effort of selling it. I'm not anti-GameCube, it just hasn't been plugged in for a while due to lack of games. I decided I would cleanse my life of the distractions of multi-platform gaming, and focus my attention on a single platform. Surely this way I'd have more time to focus on the small number of games I have, thus leading to a more rewarding console gaming experience? Apparently not.Things were wonderful for a while. My new 360 took care of all my needs; streaming video from my PC, providing me with better graphical splendor than I've ever experienced before, and even accommodating my desire for short bursts of gaming pleasure thanks to Live Arcade. But after the initial burst of excitement subsided, after that honeymoon period was over, the 360 has left me a little cold. It's still more than willing: It's a great system, and the vast majority of the games are superb. But it just doesn't feel like the shot in the arm that the console world needed. I can honestly say that I've spent more time with Live Arcade's bite sized disposable gaming than any of the epic full price titles. Can the PS3, or Wii, bring a new lease of life? Maybe they'll make me appreciate my trusty 360 even more. With this in mind, let's look at each company's E3 press conference:Sony -- Lucky Sony, they were up first. With what seemed like the whole world desperate for concrete information about the PS3, Sony had a lot to live up to. Given my new monogamous approach to gaming, I'd decided that no matter what the exclusives were, I wouldn't be getting a PS3. But as is always the way with these things, as Sony's conference approached, I thought maybe I could be lured away from my 360. Maybe Sony's machine would be so awe inspiring, so irresistibly exciting, that I wouldn't be able to resist. It seems that the opposite is not only true for me, but for a large part of the gaming world too. I'm reasonably certain that I've not read anything overwhelmingly positive about Sony's PS3 conference. At the event itself, the audience seemed to be largely non-plussed by everything they were shown. After the event, the press have criticized Sony's feeble attempt at motion-enabling their pads, attacked them for their lack of clarity on the two PS3 models, and been unimpressed by the games on display. The general opinion seems to be that Sony has dropped the ball at E3, and I would agree entirely. Their press conference lacked that vital excitement factor.Nintendo -- I'll admit, the prospect of the Wii had me intrigued, and Nintendo's entertaining press conference has pretty much convinced me: I'll be getting one. I'm also convinced that I need a DS Lite in my life again too -- despite having owned the original DS and upgrading to a PSP. I suspect Nintendo's strategy of concentrating on fun rather than awesome next-gen graphics will pay off. If, like me, you're somewhat disillusioned with the state of play, Nintendo's systems might just be fun enough to fix things. I actually miss being able to spend ten minutes playing something on the DS, rather than having to invest large chunks of time in mammoth play sessions. Do I think the hard-core gaming elite will embrace the Wii with open arms? No (although I suspect a few of them might pick them up out of curiosity). But I think with Wii Nintendo might be able to reach the mass-market audience it's always dreamed of. The general press are reacting positively to Wii too (despite the name), any many seem to regard Nintendo's conference to be the best of the three.Microsoft -- Given that the 360 is already available pretty much everywhere, Microsoft had a tough act to follow. They had no shiny new hardware to show off, so their focus had to be on games. Or more specifically, software. Their Live Anywhere plan is an interesting move, and in many ways shares the same goals for mass-market domination as Nintendo. As I said, I've probably spent more time on Live Arcade than in any full-blown titles, and Microsoft have perhaps found that this is the case for many owners. As a result, they're seeking to push the Live Arcade experience out to mobile phones, PCs, and potentially other devices (Origami, anyone?). And it might just work. I feel a need to own a DS again to indulge in short bursts of addictive game play, and if Microsoft can supply this same addictive element on all of their platforms they could be on to a winner. I'm not convinced by their plan to allow PC and 360 games to interact -- the differences in control configurations have always hindered this idea.Games wise, Microsoft's event was a little uninspiring. Another Halo sequel. Another GTA sequel. A Fable sequel. Is anybody else bored of this yet? They've even taken a classic SNES RPG (Shadowrun) and turned it into another tiresome FPS. Gears of War does look quite exciting though.The console world seems to be dividing into two sides. First, we have the hard core, uber-consoles with multimedia capabilities and incredible graphics, allowing you to play all your favorite franchise titles in magnificent high definition. Secondly, there are the accessible, fun consoles that don't really care about graphical splendor, but instead concern themselves with addictive game play, innovative concepts, and broad ranging appeal. Microsoft's machine, potentially, is uniquely placed to straddle both camps, allowing both large and small scale gaming on both the console and numerous third and first party portable devices. It's entirely possible (and likely, given their shameful "borrowing" of the motion sending controller) that Sony will do the same thing with the PS3 and PSP. Nintendo fall firmly into the second camp, unapologetically focusing their efforts on fun. It'll be an interesting Christmas -- only time will tell which of these two approaches really is the true next generation. One thing's for sure, due to Nintendo's promise of no-strings-attached fun, I'm going to have to cheat on my Xbox. I can only hope she forgives me...

Daniel Woolstencroft is the brains behind Is There Food? - containing topics as diverse as zombies, Apple, technology, film, and other assorted strangeness.

E3 2006: Gaming Round Up for 05/11/06

Igniq — Thu, 11 May 2006 12:29:31 EDT

Leisure Suit Larry’s Al Lowe Back In Action Leisure Suit Larry’s infamous creator, Al Lowe, has come out of retirement to join software producer Ken Wegrzyn to create the boutique development studio iBase Entertainment. The company’s first title will be Lowe’s newest creation Sam Suede: Undercover Exposure.Dubbed as an action comedy, the title was created along with Wegrzyn. The game will feature Lowe’s well known humor and a mix of puzzles, stealth and action.Lowe had this to say:I needed a good reason to abandon my strenuous life of pina coladas and golf, and this is it,”... “Ken and I are creating a game that’s big on humor, and provides the fun and exploration lacking in many of today’s games. I’ve always wanted to play a game about a common man thrust into extraordinary circumstances and surrounded by beautiful women. Sam Suede is that game.”In the game, players will help Sam solve a murder mystery that takes place while he’s attending Mystery Week Fantasy Camp on Ecstasy Island. It’s due out next year. This title is geared to teens and up (unlike many of the Larry titles) and will release for consoles, handhelds and the PC.GTA Goes Next-Gen Answering yet another big question in the gaming community, Rockstar Games made the announcement in a press release that Grand Theft Auto will make its next-gen debut late next year.Rockstar plans to roll out Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 in October 2007.Few details about the title were made available other than the fact it will be going next-gen. Whether or not a little hot coffee will go along with the release wasn’t divulged.THQ Drives Away With Stuntman Franchise THQ Inc. has purchased the Stuntman franchise from Atari.The Stuntman franchise made its debut in 2002 and has sold about 1.6 million units.With a title under development for next-gen consoles through Paradigm Entertainment, THQ is pleased with the purchase and no doubt Atari is happy to be streamlining its flailing enterprise. THQ also intends to buy Paradigm.From THQ:The concept of pulling off the incredible driving feats of Hollywood stuntmen is a natural fit for action and racing game fans alike," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. "Stuntman is a great complement to our growing stable of original content targeting the core gamer on next-generation systems."Blizzard Unveils New Race For WoW Not to be outdone by Dungeon & Dragons Online’s announcement of a new playable race, Blizzard has rolled out the Draenei for its World of Warcraft title. The new race will come with the release of The Burning Crusade expansion pack.The Draenei will join forces with the Alliance to add more player choice in this massively popular MMORPG. Prepping for the release, Blizzard has updated its teasers for the new expansion, including adding a new trailer on its WoW site along with some new screen shots. Also out is more news about Naxxramas, a new raid dungeon that will come in the next content patch along with more information about the Blood Elves, the other expansion race.The trailer, screenshots and more can be found on by visiting the official Wow site.

Igniq.com has been online since early 2004, providing news updates, opinions and other interesting info for PC/video gaming fans.

E3 2006: Nintendo DS To See 100 New Titles

Igniq — Thu, 11 May 2006 12:15:37 EDT

Anyone who doubts the popularity of handheld consoles should check out the offerings coming up for the Nintendo DS. Nintendo announced on the opening day of E3 2006, that 100 new titles are in the pipeline for this console.In addition to the new titles, the DS is getting a makeover. The new DS Lite models are due out in North America on June 11, with the cheapest models selling for a reasonable $129.99.We remain committed to going where others can't -- or won't," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, during Nintendo's annual media briefing in Los Angeles prior to the start of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) video game trade show. "By grouping our innovative DS games together under the umbrella term 'Touch Generations,' new players will easily be able to identify games designed for them."The DS alone has sold a whopping 16 million units worldwide. Some of the expected titles in that list of 100 for release this year include: New Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Chibi-Robo, Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Pokemon.

Igniq.com has been online since early 2004, providing news updates, opinions and other interesting info for PC/video gaming fans.

E3 2006: TRITTON AX360 5.1 Headphones

Ken Edwards — Thu, 11 May 2006 04:35:31 EDT

TRITTON Technologies has introduced a headphone/headset combo that is compatible with a bevy of devices. From PlayStation 2/3, Xbox, and Xbox 360, to PC, Mac, and even DVD players, you will be able to experience Dolby Digital and Pro Logic sound separation in full 5.1. The Audio Xtreme (AX) 360 is one of the industry's first high performance gaming headsets, giving you 360-degree surround sound. It will be available May 31 at $149.99 MSRP through TRITTON's distributor network. This includes the headset and an audio controller break out box that supports two headsets. A second headset can be purchased separately for $59.99 MSRP.The AX360 connects to the console's optical port, but offers a coaxial input for other devices. For a complete immersing experience, the unit features eight strategically placed speakers, four in each ear cup, with full 5.1 channel separation. The external 5.1 audio controller amplifies each individual speaker to get your ears into the game. The AX360 also has inline controls to adjust front, side, rear, and subwoofer speakers, plus an integrated rumble effect."Game developers are releasing their best titles in 5.1 and Dolby Digital to add a whole new dimension to the gaming experience," said Chris Von Huben, president of TRITTON Technologies. "It is not just about being loud; it is also about the total quality and sound separation that transcends gaming nirvana." Now you can forget your neighbors, friends, and even family, to focus on the bullets flying by your head. As if gamers were not antisocial enough already!The AX360 has a removable microphone that is Xbox Live compatible, so there is no sacrificing a mic while playing your favorite online games.With an optical input, and full 5.1 channel separation, the AX360 is sure to be a blast when it ships later this month. Gamers who pre-register before May 31st will receive a $20 rebate when they purchase the AX360. For more information, see the AX360's product page.Also check back here at Blogcritics shortly for a full review.

Ken Edwards is the Gaming Editor at Blogcritics, and calls Breaking Windows home. Ken works part time for Student Publications at BGSU as the Webmaster and System Administrator. He is also a freelance web developer.

E3 2006: Lost Planet Xbox 360 Impressions

Matt Paprocki — Thu, 11 May 2006 00:55:43 EDT

Lost Planet isn't meant to try anything different. Outside of its unbelievably beautiful exterior lies a standard third person shooter involving oddball life forms, mechs, and plenty of fire... lots of fire.What's immediately apparent about Lost Planet is its style. The blinding snow comes in sharp contrast to the eerie black aliens. The heavy dusting of falling precipitation makes seeing across the vast landscapes difficult, and you begin hoping for some indoor action. Of course, Lost Planet provides. When under a roof, you're generally confined to a tightly enclose space with countless enemies spawning from pulsating pods that need to be destroyed. If you're not dealing with pod creatures, you're fending off humans. Instead of using sharp claws to dismantle the player, they'll use a variety of weapons all available to the player. If a rocket launcher isn't enough to satisfy you, then the mechs walking around the levels can be commandeered for your own purposes.Yes, all of this does sound familiar. You're probably going to cringe when you hear about the explosive barrels littered about (though they're thankfully not red). It hits a number of clichés, and the re-spawning pods are a real annoyance. Given the massive amount of enemies on screen (with no frame rate dips), they almost seem unnecessary and slow the action down. This is nearly a positive with the brutal difficulty provided by the two level demo, forcing the player to take things slow even though the big guns lend it a major Hollywood action feel.Adding to that are the graphics, which are the obvious selling point. When challenged by a number of rolling monsters, the motion blur effect makes this easy to pass off as a big budget summer sci-fi extravaganza. Additional subtle effects including blowing snow pouring from these critters when they move, and stunning lighting. The explosions themselves deserve an entire paragraph, easily the best looking you'll see on the 360 to date.Don't underestimate Lost Planet's game play though. There are some nice features to separate its blasting-focused action. A unique health system is in place that has reserved energy. By picking up orange power-ups, you'll add to those reserves. They'll kick in when you're hit, though if you lose all your health, it's game over. The reserves are always ticking down though, even when you're life meter is full. This leads to an extra layer of combat and a frantic rush for health when low. The lead character is also given a grappling hook to reach otherwise unattainable areas, and while the demo doesn't seem to have any secret areas, there's little doubt this mechanic will play a role in getting to them in the full game.Lost Planet is shaping up to be one of a rare breed these days. It instantly feels satisfying, the controls feel natural, and the graphical presence is almost overpowering. It remains to be seen whether or not the game can keep this intensity throughout (especially with the re-spawning), but the basics are firmly in place. Here's hoping certain other Xbox 360 action games don't overshadow this promising gem from Capcom.

Matt Paprocki is the reviews editor for Digital Press, a classic video game website, where over 800 reviews have been posted. The deep game collection which spans nearly 30 systems and 2,000 games line his walls for research purposes. Matt strives to bring credibility to video game journalism, and take it in a new direction to help the industry become respected in the world of entertainment media.

E3 2006: Microsoft Pleases Fanbase with Halo 3, Xbox Live Expansion

Matt Paprocki — Wed, 10 May 2006 13:12:15 EDT

Microsoft knew that this year it was all about software for the Xbox 360. Before anyone even jumped on stage to begin, we were being assaulted by Gears of War in all of its glory. It's obvious they're banking on this title, but it's dumb to think this was all they had.While a few moments brought the crowd alive, this was a surprisingly subdued conference for Microsoft. Peter Moore led it the whole way through until the end when Bill Gates made an appearance. There was no excessive music; no showing off new pieces of hardware, and not very many surprises either. What Microsoft showed us was, for the most part, exactly what we expected. We knew Halo 3 would show up, and it did. Bill Gates and Peter Moore's little false finish to their keynote was a nice cap leading into the teaser trailer premiere, and the revisiting of the tattoo (along with a cheap shot at Sony) to reveal Grand Theft Auto IV was great. The rest of the show pushed online play. They're numbers are undoubtedly impressive, though Microsoft seemed to be preaching to a choir. They don't seem to have any strategy to pull new people in. There's no question their support for their current customers has been unbelievable (especially for E3). This focus doesn't speak to those consumers who may have been on the fence about the system, or those disappointed with Sony's showing that may be taking a hard look at the 360.Aside from the surprising announcement of some nice Xbox Live Arcade games, the biggest innovation comes from Xbox Live Anywhere. This incredible technology makes sure you're always thinking Xbox, which is amazing from a marketing point. While it doesn't make the games any better or "next-gen" if you prefer, this ensures that Microsoft has a customer base involved in every aspect of their day-to-day technology use.They also spent a staggering amount of time on Windows Vista, pushing how well it will handle games. It's nice to see PC gamers not left out in the big announcements from the show. Vista's integration with Xbox Live made it fit into the program schedule. Finally, new accessories, including an unpriced HD-DVD drive, wireless steering wheel, and a camera sound like great additions to the hardware. Moore's claims of HD-DVD players selling out seemed exaggerated (low stock numbers would be the cause for that), as did the movie selection, which he also claims was sold out (likely because there are only three movies to choose from). The camera is the most interesting of the lot.Like Sony's EyeToy, this will allow people to video chat, make their Gamertag what they want, or create a character with their face on the model. It's a great concept, but the control here needs to be tight. It only takes one idiot to ruin it, and left unguarded, half of Xbox Live will be littered with penises for Gamertags in less than a day. That's the last thing the industry needs at this point in time. Aside from a rather dry presentation and lack of any major surprises, Microsoft firmly planted themselves in the middle. They failed to break past Nintendo's energy, but completely conquered Sony's frustrating and lackluster Playstation 3 showcase. If you're part of the Xbox 360 community, Microsoft loves you. This year's keynote proved it.

E3 2006: Microsoft Connects Everything and Shows Something Called Halo 3

Matt Paprocki — Tue, 9 May 2006 20:55:23 EDT

Microsoft didn't wait to show off the big guns, beginning the show with Gears of War. Cliff Bleszinski introduces himself and the first level. The interesting camera accentuates the heavy action and unbelievable gore. Peter Moore is then introduced to take over as he would for the majority of the conference.He begins by dispelling shortage rumors, and five million consoles will be sold by next month. They're ramping up production, and the console has achieved these numbers faster than Xbox and PS2 at this point. It's even beating the iPod, and games and accessories sell more per console than any other platform. Three things have been done since the 360 launched, he says. These include HD gaming, friends over Xbox Live, and linking media. Xbox Live innovations have changed how we played, and they'll have six million members by next years E3. Fifty-seven percent of 360 users are on Live, and the Live Arcade is a big reason. A montage of Live Arcade releases follows:Pac-Man Contra Super Contra Frogger Galaga Sonic Defender Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Time Pilot ScrambleMoore then announces more like Namco's Ms. Pac-Man, Dig Dug and Rally X. Konami will have Frogger, Super Contra, Track & Field, Time Pilot, and Scramble. He confirms the Konami code will work on Contra. He also says Midway will have Root Beer Tapper.One hundred developers are currently signed on for the Arcade. He makes the announcement of Lumines Live for the Live Arcade with all standard Live features. This leads to a second montage:Lost Planet Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway Mass Effect NHL 2K7 F.E.A.R. Too Human Viva Pi�ata Moto GP 06 Lord of the Rings Battle for Middle Earth Sonic The Hedgehog Madden 07 Saint's Row Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 John Woo Presents Stranglehold Test Drive Unlimited NCAA Football 07 Dead Rising DDR Timeshift Superman Returns NBA 2K7 Ninety-nine Nights Gears of WarMoore comes back to applause and says Pro Evolution Soccer will debut on 360. He states depth of titles are important, and that leads into a Fable 2 trailer. Peter Molyneux given applause again as he moves into Forza Motorsport 2 which promises more customization. They make note that this will be a franchise they'll push. The game will feature 300 cars, the ability to tune and paint as you wish, 12 players online, and it's all releasing this holiday season.Moore also announces three new accessories, including a wireless, force feedback steering wheel, a new wireless headset, and the Xbox Live Vision camera. The latter will allow the player to customize their Xbox Live Gamertag, or their characters in games like Rainbow Six: Las Vegas. These are all due for a fall release.Blue Dragon is shown, and this is a lead in to discuss the content for the Japanese market. He mentions Dead or Alive Extreme 2, and that trailer will be up later this week on Live Marketplace. He briefly runs down the Tom Clancy game series and its accomplishments. This is done to lead into the Splinter Cell Double Agent trailer, a game due in September.Viva Pi�ata becomes the focus, as is the family friendly nature. Game play is explained as a demonstration is given. It's unique in how you grow the world. Extras will be downloadable from the Marketplace, and you'll have the ability to trade pi�atas with friends. This is another holiday release. Lego Star Wars II is mentioned along with the new Sonic the Hedgehog.Moore begins to run down stats for the Xbox Live Marketplace, including the 18 million downloads they've had so far, and 1,000 items will be up as of tonight. All publishers have content up now in the Marketplace. He says this changes the way people play games, and used the jump in pre-orders for Fight Night Round 3 as proof. The games sales jumped by over five times a week after it debuted. A docu-drama on Gears of War will soon be up, and a MTV special will air next week.The Xbox 360 HD-DVD player was shown. He says the stand-alone HD-DVD players are out of stock in stores everywhere as are the movies. The player will be available this holiday, but no price was given. In a replay of a classic E3 moment, Moore pulls off his jacket, rolls up sleeve, and reveals a tattoo. He says, "Some guys do rubber ducks, some guys do tattoos." That tattoo reveals Grand Theft Auto IV, and he announces it will be on the Xbox 360 first on Oct. 16, 2007 for US audiences, and the 19th for Europe. The game will feature episodic content of the game on Live.The focus now shifts to Windows, and they say Vista will be the most game friendly OS ever. The Crysis developer shows off their demo running on XP, followed by a Windows Vista games montage. "Vista is built to run games," says Moore. Its easier installation, family settings, and games accessible from start menu add to that user-friendly nature. Bethesda started a merging of 360 and Windows with Elder Scrolls, and that will continue with FASA's Shadowrun. The trailer shows game play and he says it's only on MS systems, to coincide with the Vista launch. This is followed by a brief Alan Wake trailer.Bill Gates is brought on stage, and he says to be a big fan of Project Gotham Racing 3, while his family loves the Arcade. He says games should be available on all platforms, including mobile phones. He reassures steady stock levels, and says before the competition enters the market, they'll have a 10 million-user base. Live will keep expanding, and they have ideas to keep this moving. He hints but does not elaborate on MSN Messenger integration.He pushes more numbers, like 150 million gamers across all Microsoft platforms. That leads to the announcement of Live Anywhere, which is a part of Windows Vista, Xbox Live, and Windows Mobile. These will all feature one online community. As such, all Gamertags and Achievement Point go with you across all platforms.Windows Mobile will be a focus, including the ability to start a game on the Xbox and continue it on their cell phone. You will even be able to set up a download on your phone so it downloads on another platform like the 360.They begin a demo of Shadowrun, and the friends list now shows what platform they're on, whether it be a mobile phone, Xbox 360, or Vista. He sends an invite to Live director Major Nelson who is on Windows Vista. They then show his desktop with his Gamertag and friends list. The game invitation pops up with the ability to show a Gamer Score comparison with one click. Each player will be able to set their control preferences, whether that be a keyboard/mouse combination or controller. Live Marketplace is then revealed on a cell phone. Once a game is bought, it's available on all platforms. They use Zuma to show this. When the game is downloaded on the cell phone, it can then be played on the 360 and Vista.They asked the Forza developers to give a demo of what this could lead to. As such, Major Nelson sends a car to Gates' Windows Mobile cell phone. This could be used later when they play online, but you're also able to make tweaks to the car right there on the phone and send it to the 360. This was a quick concept show. This is all available on the show floor to see.Gates invites Peter Moore back to close. He concludes with more numbers, and states 160 games will be out by this holiday for the 360. They begin walking off the stage, but forgot to mention one thing:Then they jokingly introduce the world's first trailer for Halo 3 as "something the audience might want to see."