The New Microsoft - Xbox360

Microsoft melted my face today, not literally...but pretty close. I don't even know where to begin, I got goosebumps watching E3 today. Remember back in the day when we always used to talk about the future and all the cool stuff that was coming? The iPhone certainly helped but after what Microsoft pulled today, the future seems to be now...well this fall rather. So it would infact be the future in...well the near future. Anyway.

Games.
It wouldn't be E3 if Microsoft didn't show off some of the latest game trailers for games coming soon. One game that I am ridiculously, over the top excited for is Splinter Cell Conviction.


Splinter Cell Trailer


The graphics for the cinematics look unbelievable and game play looks like an action movie meets Grand Theft Auto. Note if you want to see actual gameplay, it's after the trailer. Unfortunately the day is still not here when cinematics are real time game play, but hey we're certainly getting better.


Tony Hawk: Ride


Hate skateboarding? Hate skateboarding games? Look me in the eye and tell me this game doesn't look fun.


Left for Dead 2 (this trailer is incredibly graphic and gory, be warned)



You know, the original game was entertaining but it was pretty short lived for me. I wanted more from the game, I don't think it merits the default price tag of $59.99, try $29.99 and then we'll talk. But something about zombie games gets me, and I think it's my ability to interact with the environment. That seems to be the means of judging zombie games as of late. Mainly due in to a large part of what Dead Rising did when the Xbox360 initially debuted. It definitely set the bar for what was possible, no doubt Dead Rising 2 plans to return with some amazing new features (or so I can hope, not like you can tell from the trailer.)



Zune. Facebook. Last.fm and Twitter
Well looks like the Zune predictions were correct, Microsoft has unveiled a new video storefront for the 360 and its got Zune plastered all over it. The video interface has been relaunched as Zune Video. You don't download movies anymore, you stream 1080p video straight to your TV. The ZuneHD is expected to support the download/renting of moves for on the go and watching them. This is great for a few reasons:

1. Xbox360 now has very head on Zune integration.
2. Zune is now exposed to all members of the Live community, great marketing.
3. This further enforces the co-existance of the Xbox and Zune marketplaces.

But then it happened, something I'm not sure anyone saw coming. Soon you'll be able to sync your Facebook and Twitter accounts to Xbox Live. Via the Xbox you'll be able to tell Facebook which friends are also your Xbox Live friends and link them together. Awesome! I think? I'm sure we'll see the advtanges soon enough. The Twitter interface certainly looks cool, and now it looks like there is incentive for everyone to go out and buy that keyboard that plugs into your 360 controller. Want more? Last.fm is going to provide its streaming music service straight to your living room. When Microsoft said they want to get to into the living room and entertainment center of the house, they clearly meant it.

Also, Netflix gets a browser upgrade. You don't load your Netflix queue anymore (from a computer), you can now browse right on the console and add to the queue. Also, some of the internationals can rejoice, a similar service, Sky TV, to UK and Ireland will be deployed. Probably the coolest thing, live tv straight to a gaming console. Truly a landmark moment.

Finally, remember that video/music sharing service promised last year? We got it in "Photo Party" but they told us we'd be able to watch video with our Xbox Live friends. Well, Microsoft didn't forget. This fall (along with all these other toys and features) you'll be able to do it. UK and Ireland? You get to stream live TV with each other.

Has your face melted off yet? Seriously I got goosebumps watching all of this, Microsoft took a giant leap forward which leads me into...



Nintendo should be scared, very scared.
Next Microsoft unveiled what many seemed to be predicting, but probably not in the capacity demonstrated. Something about a "camera" was in talks, and rumors but as of today it's a reality. Known only now as "Project Natal," (pronounced "Nuh-tall") Microsoft seems to be following suit of the Nintendo Wii. Only this time throwing out the controller, and for the first time allowing 3D spacial recognition of you as a gamer and allowing your entire body to be the controller and not in that Sony PS2 Eyecam sort of way, I'm talking about leigtimatley placing you in a game and making you part of the action in ways we only dreamed of before. Looks like Microsoft brought the future sooner than the PS9 predicted. (link)

It's a camera that sits underneath your TV, unlike the Wii's recognition that sits above. The camera seems rather advanced, so much so that you walk in front of it, and it signs you into Xbox Live based on facial recognition. But they clearly haven't stopped there, pulling a "Minority Report" users can now flick their hands at the screen and scroll through the Xbox360 interface.

Stephen Spielberg even came out to talk about making entertainment truly approachable. "It's not about reinventing the wheel, it's about no wheel at all."

Two really powerful game demos that took advantage of this camera were the games Ricochet and Paint Party. Both games place your avatar in the action, which seems to mimic your movement in realtime to a T. In Ricochet balls fly at you towards the screen and your avatar swats them back. It's like Pong, only with your entire body and several balls. Next was Paint Party, a painting style game that places your avatar in front of a giant canvas and literally throw paint at the screen. Simply by swatting both of your hands (as if you were throwing paint out of a paintbucket) the paint splatters across the canvas. It's incredible to watch, clearly the team over at Surface is talking to the 360 team. Microsoft went even so far to diss the Wii, but of course they didn't say Wii but come on, it's entirely implied with this statement/video clip.

Ricochet. (Official Microsoft Video)

“This isn’t the kind of game where you end up on the sofa, using pre-set waggle commands.”
- Kudo Tsunoda

Paint Party. (Official Microsoft Video)

Finally, a true glimpse into the future and what appears to be straight out of science fiction is a demo of what I can only refer to as "Milo." It would seem Kudo has created a world with a virtual character that responds in real time, and eerily enough emotionally to how you interact with it. The user approaches the screen and actually begin a conversation with the character (I'm sure it's a bit scripted, no way did we create AI and not let anyone know about it.) What's truly amazing how the real person interacts with Milo. She draws something on a physical peice of paper, and "hands" it towards the top of the screen where Milo pulls a piece of paper from the top of the screen and overlooks her drawing. Next getting closer to the edge of the pond in the game, Milo throws a pair of goggles at the screen which the user instinctivley attempts to catch by extending her arms. I would have done the same thing because this looks 100% natural. The camera then dips down and faces the water, straight from Microsoft Surface technology, the user is moving the water around with her hands. What's even cooler, as a touch of ambiance the reflection of the user is seen in the water.



I only have but one thing to close with and that is this.
The future is here, courtesy of Microsoft.


For your viewing enjoyment here is the ENTIRE Microsoft press conference.