15:02
And that's a wrap. Certainly quite a solid showing first up from Microsoft. From a pretty good line-up of games this year to a few interesting announcements - though no price drop. The attention will now go to the Nintendo and Sony conferences - if you're going to stay up, we'll be live blogging these at 1:30am and 4:30am respectively tomorrow morning. While Microsoft certainly put on a decent show, the door has been left open for Sony if they've got something big up their sleeves.
14:58
Moore looks to be finishing off. Typical spiel about how and why Xbox 360 is the system to own - with the games that will be released this year. It's not a shabby line-up. Finishes off with Halo 3 footage. Certainly looks better than the Beta, much better actually. Shows off a mini-gun.
14:54
Halo 3 takes focus. New console announced - Halo themed Xbox 360 - no specifications given. To launch with Halo 3. By the end of the year, will become a billion dollar franchise.
14:53
Moore talks about stories. Shows an action short based on Halo. We wonder if we're the only ones scratching our heads... What an odd trailer for Halo 3...
14:49
Developers for Assassin's Creed come on stage. Apparently EVERYTHING that you can see is reachable. No one sees Altair jump down. Bumping into people is not a great idea. Need to know the people as well as the city. Game has a very Prince of Persia-esque feel. They fall into a trap. Combat is shown off. Emphasis on well-timed combos and counters. Environment can be used as well. No two chases will be the same. People will be thrown in your path, you'll be taunted. Assassin's Creed will be available in November.
14:43
Now onto Japanese developers. Talks about Virtua Fighter 5, Eternal Sonata, Ace Combat 6 and Devil May Cry 4. Shows off the only game not to be released this year - Resident Evil 5. Setting looks South American, possibly North African - Full trailer will be released July 26th on Xbox Live.
14:41
Second trailer shown off. Again. October 16 release in the US. 19 for Europe. Two episode will be release in Spring 2008. Apparently, Xbox 360 will have the "full" experience.
14:39
Splinter Cell: Conviction - exclusive to Xbox 360.
Attention goes to Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV.
14:38
COD4 to be full of variety? It certainly looks sharp. Game looks to implement some dynamic elements, not so much run-and-gun so far. Exclusive to Xbox 360 - COD4 will have an online beta.
14:32
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare shown. COD2 was the top-selling 360 launch title. Infinity Ward developers come on to show the game in detail.
14:29
PC gaming montage:
Flight Simulator X, Thrillville, Bee Movie, Hellgate: London, AOEIII Expansion, Stranglehold, Gears of War, Bioshock, Crysis, Universe at War, Blacksite, World in Conflict, Age of Conan, Lost Planet, Kane & Lynch, Company of Heroes expansion, Zoo Tycoon 2 expansion, Juiced 2, Viva Pinanta, Spiderman: Friend or Foe.
14:26
Moore is back. Talks about connecting to friends. Sega, Eidos and THQ have pledged their support to Windows Live. Bring the PC and the Xbox 360 together. PC gaming is being revitalised. Apparently, 10 million gamers have moved to Vista. EA, Activision, Sega and THQ will be releasing this year.
14:25
PC version is being shown off. Five new single player chapters, new multiplayer and new achievements. Shows a fight against the Brumak?!? We don't remember being able to take that much damage.
14:22
Windows gaming. Viva Pinata is coming to Vista and, surprise, Gears of War is coming as well, with more content such as a game editor. Cliffy B. comes onto the stage to show the game. Gears of War is the top selling game on 360 so far.
14:21
Lost Odyssey - simply put - looks awesome! Three big RPG's on the way.
14:20
Kim is back. Says PGR4 will be out in September. Talks about Alan Wake, Banjo, Fable 2 and Halo Wars. Claims that Xbox 360 is the most powerful console for creative story-telling. Says that Lost Odyssey will be available this year - shows a trailer.
14:17
Shows off the bikes in the game. Game looks quite slick. 120 top cars will be in the game. A range of dramatic and dynamic weather effects are being promised. Game will allow you to share photos and videos on demand. Show the latest trailer.
14:14
Shane Kim comes to the stage. Talks about the games. Apparently, MS games have the highest average review score from the last two years. Forza and PGR have been some of the best selling titles for the 360. Developers of PGR 4 come to the stage to show off the game.
14:11
August 24 - Xbox 360 Elite will be launched in Europe. No price specified.
14:09
Bell talks about downloadable movies and content. Announcement of Disney movies being available on Xbox Live. Full library of classic animation and current blockbusters. All in high definition. All movies that were shown in the montage - will be available tonight for download. We're going to need a bigger hard drive.
14:07
XBLA montage:
Bomberman, Undertow, Hexic 2, Sonic the Hedgehog, War World, Sensible Soccer, Every Extend Extra, Geon, Wing Commander, Track and Field, Spyglass Board games, Golden Axes, Super Puzzle Fighter Turbo II HD Remix, Word Puzzle, Marathon: Durandal, Poker Smash, Tetris splash, Puzzel Quest.
Sonic the Hedgehog and Golden Axe are meant to be available tonight.
14:04
Xbox Live has over 7 million members. Forecasting that there will be more than 10 million by next E3. Bell talks about Xbox Live Arcade. Over 100 games by year's end.
14:02
It does play quite smoothly, but what's new? Bush is beating the pants off Bell. Game will launch next month.
14:00
Bell talks about sports games, going live and in high-def. Apparently, the 08 games will be running at twice the speed of last year's editions.
Bell introduces Reggie Bush. He plays gridiron and is showing a preview of this year's Madden.
13:57
Jeff Bell introduces a new title: Scene It! based on the DVD-board game and will be exclusive to Xbox 360. Will come with a new controller - similar to the Buzz buzzer. Will cost the same as a normal game.
Bell talks about Naruto: Rise of Ninja - exclusive to 360 - but we already knew that. A montage of gameplay footage plays.
13:55
Microsoft shows the following montage:
PGR4, Gundam, Call of Duty 4. Stranglehold, GHIII, Beautiful Katamari, Lost Odyssey, NDA Live 08, Mass Effect, Fatal Inertia, MOH Airborne, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08, Ace Combat 6, NHL 08. Assassin's Creed, Spiderman Friend or Foe, Simpsons, Splinter Cell Conviction, NASCAR 06, Eternal Sonata, Bioshock, Madden 08, TH Proving Ground, Crash of the Titans, Harry Potter 5, The Orange Box, Rock Band, Naruto: Rise of Ninja, Viva Pinata: Party Animals.
13:51
GTA and Halo make up the top 5 selling games in the last generation
GTA, Madden and Halo made 2004 the highest selling year of all time.
These titles are meant to form the basis of Microsoft's holiday season.
13:49
Number crunching time!
5.6 million units in the US
Tight race with the Wii, double sales of PS3
Apparently selling the most games, more than the other two combined
3rd Party titles on the Xbox 360 consistently cracking the top 10.
1/2 of the consumer spending on the Xbox 360.
13:46
A trailer of Mass Effect is being shown. Due for a release in November.
13:42
Rock Band will have The Who, The Strokes, Nirvana, and more.
13:39
People from Harmonix are on to demonstrate Rock Band. One person is on a microphone, the other on a guitar. Seems that Mr Moore is trying to sing along, but accidentally pauses the game.
13:37
Peter Moore hits the stage. Says that all games and demos shown will be released this year.
13:34
And we have action. Microsoft are showing a montage of various pictures. A lot of them look to be from Halo. Interesting choice of opening music.
13:27
Things are starting come together. Speculation on what Microsoft will be showing is running rife.
13:15
Hello everyone and welcome to PALGN's coverage of Pre-E3 press conference for Microsoft. Things should be getting under way in the next 15 minutes or so. We're going to step out for a quick bite but we'll be bringing you as much as we can shortly.
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