Microsoft started with another woman coming down an aisle with the console, briefly followed by a video montage of system features and games. Jay Allard, Robbie Bach, and Peter Moore discuss how they plan to redefine the gaming industry. It's obvious they have plans on every home containing a console, regardless of the age. They discussed the success of the original console, and Xbox Live, which will soon break the two million-subscriber mark. They move on to the new titles for the standard Xbox, pledging full support for the old hardware. Some of the games showcased here are:
Burnout Revenge
Half-Life 2
Conker: Live and Reloaded
Destroy All Humans
Tomb Raider
They come back and say there will be double the Xbox Live games in 2006. Xbox 360 will backwards compatible, but only with the top selling Xbox games. No specific titles were mentioned. There will be a three country launch this Christmas, in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. They move along to extended Dead or Alive 4 footage, officially a 360 launch title. There will be 25-40 titles this year alone. Jay Allard explains how the industry has lost the family dynamic the industry started with. He begins pushing the HD era and how they plan to reach one billion people.
He then shows the wireless controller, and claims it is lighter than the current generations. He then begins to play Kameo. He explains the idea behind the Gamer Card, an online profile, and how you can match up with other players. You can now earn trophies known as achievements. Voice, video, and text mail are all readily available with the push of a button. It tracks whom you have played against. This is all a free service out of the box, known as Silver, while the Gold package will be a premium. None of that packages features were discussed. More casual game experiences (like Solitaire and classic games) will be available via the Xbox Live Arcade. Downloadable game demos and features just like will be available through the Xbox Live marketplace.
More features are discussed, including video chat and an online music service. It can connect to other items like the I-Pod and digital cameras, including the competition's products. It also features a Progressive scan DVD player without a separate remote. This all connects to a media center PC and they showcase aTerminator 2 film clip, music, and an NFL game, all while browsing with the console, all while connected to Live in Hi-Def.
Article comments
1 - The Demigodd
That's all great, but will the new Xbox have a GTA license that will let the next game come out around the time it's released on the PS3?
2 - Matt Paprocki
Microsoft will hit Sony with Halo 3 on the PS3's launch day. That's all they need. GTA will likely follow after it lands on Sony's console.
3 - The Demigodd
Yes! You know, when the PS2 was released, my social life plummeted. This continued until I broke my PS2 in a fit of rage. Can't remember why, however. Now, with all these new consoles, I guess I'll have to dump my girlfriend and stockpile soda and snacks.