E3 Wrap Up!
So a few days after the wrap of E3 2009, just a little recap of the big Xbox 360 announcements made (will be expanding this post over the next day or so, so check back).
Main announcements re Xbox 360 interface, Live functionality changes
- Addition of social networking to Xbox dashboard by way of Facebook & Twitter access from Xbox 360
- Video marketplace being replaced by Zune Marketplace, will include instant streaming of 1080p Movies (seperate from existing Netflix service).
- Avatar changes including props and possibility of avatar stores to pimp your avatar
- For the UK audience (lucky %^&*'es), Sky access via Xbox, including an option to watch a game with your buddies (avatars together and trash talk)
Game announcements and previews (my highlights)
- Forza 3 to be launched in October, 400+ cars, graphics bumped up considerably and improvements to community options that already exist
- Bayonetta, beautiful game that can be best described as a cross between Ninja Gaiden and Devil May Cry with a female lead character
- Samurai Showdown, amazing graphics bump, same characters (btw, game developers, doing stuff like taking away Galford's dog makes no sense)
- A Metal Gear Solid game coming to 360 (albeit minus Snake)
- Noteable mentions to Lost Planet 2, Halo, Prototype
- More music games, including a DJ Hero (controller is a turntable like device)
Controller/Interface announcements
- Natal (there is no spoon), the controller where you are the controller
- In case you did miss it, there was a 3rd party with a Xbox 360 motion based controller as well
- Skateboard controller for new Tony Hawk game (yes you stand on it)
All in all, a really good E3 for the 360
