The 360'S Big Show

I - - NEWS, INSIGHT, AND OPINIONS ON EVERYTHING XBOX 360 The 360's Big Show GET KINECTED Microsoft came out swinging Gesture recognition is real — and it actually works pretty well. Microsoft took the wraps off of the previously named with their recently announced plans "Project Natal," announcing a Nov. 4 launch date but no retail price. The idea behind.that approach, says Dennis for the future of Xbox. Did they score Durkin, chief operating officer of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, was to let people focus entirely on a knockout? Our "Business of Xbox" the experience. The new peripheral will launch with 15 titles (see our massive Kinect roundup on page 54), most of which are columnist provides color commentary. weighted pretty heavily to the casual gaming audience — and several of which seem to be a Wii-greatest-hits lineup. By Chris Morris Offerings include three different sports games (from Rare, Ubisoft, and Hudson), a NIntendogs clone (Kinectimals), From the Cirque du Soleil-infused unveiling of Kinect to and workout games from EA, Ubisoft, and THQ. a solid game lineup for 2010-2011 to the unexpected That's a lot of titles competing forthe same player. Even announcement of a redesigned Xbox, Microsoft had no dance games face some overlap with Harmonix's Dance shortage of surprises at June's E3 convention. It was, in Central going up against Konami's DanceMasters. The fact, something of a challenge to keep up with it all. games were fun, but I got the sense that a more diverse On a macro level, though, their new Xbox 360 offer- lineup would have been a good thing. ings can be broken down into four easy-to-digest cat- The tease that the next Forza would be Kinect-compatible egories, each with its own level of appeal and promise. was welcome news, though — letting core gamers know 88 OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE / www.oxmoniine.com / September 2010 BIG FANS: Konami showed the most Kinect-compatible titles of any third-party publisher at this year's E3. Their lineup included DanceMasters, Adrenalin Misfits, and DECA Sports Freedom. Noncasual games were scarce for Kinect's debut showing. A Forza BLACK prototype was IS THE one of the few : NEW WHITE Word of the newly redesigned Xbox 360 leaked out a day or so before the official announcement, but when Don Mattrick, Microsoft wasn't planning to leave them behind. senior VP of interac- And the peripheral nongaming features looked in- tive entertainment for triguing. VideoKinect, a Skype-like service, will let Microsoft, announced users of Xbox Live and Microsoft's Live messenger video-chat with each other. The hint that other ser- that the new devices vices may be added in the future was particularly would ship that week, encouraging. jaws dropped. All in all, though, if Microsoft has overestimated The new 360 is the audience for party games and workout titles, it sleek and sexy (see could have a hard time gaining new fans. (For more profile, page 66), and of my thoughts on Kinect, turn to page 96.) though there probably XBOX LIVE - THE OCHO Will the Skype-like won't be the same video-chat feature attract While widespread rumors that Xbox Live would kind of rush to replace new Xbox 360 owners? existing devices as integrate Hulu.com or even launch its own television channel didn't prove true, Xbox Live will still be when Sony abandoned getting some notable nongaming additions as part of its THE GAMES OF 2010-2011 the George Foreman annual update. Though Microsoft made a big push to woo the casual Grill design of the The addition of ESPN content to the 360 continues audience at this year's E3, it was careful not to ignore its original PS3 for the Microsoft's drive to establish the system as much more base of core gamers (a mistake that tripped up Nintendo a PS3 Slim, people who than a gaming console. The exclusive partnership will bring few years ago). have been on the 3,500 live and on-demand events to Xbox Live, ranging Not surprisingly, Gears of War 3 was a big hit on the floor. fence about buying from college football and basketball to soccer, major league And Halo: Reach will unquestionably be one of the biggest a 360 might finally baseball, and NBA games. Viewers will also be able to par- titles of 2010. It was the nonexclusive Metal Gear Solid: make the jump. ticipate in polls and trivia contests as they Rising that really got a rise at Microsoft's press conference, watch the games. (The service will be free though. The zan-datsu swordplay that the game's creative For now, the device to Xbox Live gold members.) director showed off brings a new twist to the fran- unveiled at the show Kinect's integration into Xbox Live chise— one that looks like a hell of a lot of fun. will be the only Xbox is an interesting one, too. Using verbal Peering further ahead, a new deal with Activision 360 on the market commands to instantly replay key plays ensures that all Call of Duty add-ons and map packs after older units on on ESPN is pretty cool. And the through the end of 2012 will launch first on Xbox retail shelves are sold new navigation options for 360. Even with all the strife surrounding the out. But Microsoft said Netflix will make it easier for departure of the Infinity Ward studio heads, a new Arcade version some people to watch films. If the series is still a massive seller, and hav- of the machine would you've been using your Xbox ing first dibs on its DLC will likely make the 360 controller as a remote Xbox 360 player community more robust. be unveiled later this for video content, the vocal- And though Microsoft showed just a year. That coyness command options ("Xbox... teaser for Crytek's forthcoming game, was intriguing. Could play") will be welcome. currently codenamed Kingdoms, the the new Arcade device Fast-forwarding and rewinding are trailer was still good for an adrenaline come with Kinect a little awkward, but they should rush. Remember, these are the folks bundled in? And if so, be easy to pick up. (If you've got a who created Far Cry and the up- will it still cost $199? real remote control for the service, coming Crysis 2; expect Gamers everywhere though, you'll likely keep using that.) good things. await the answer. Upcoming Call of Duty map packs hit Xbox Live first! / www.oxmonline.com / OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE 89.

Load more