Start/Select's E3 Predictions : Microsoft

I know a lot of gaming journalists complain about going to E3 but I don’t understand why (that and I’ve never been) but this year is bound to open a very large can of worms as the three bigs of the gaming world prepare to unleash their arsenal of games to lampoon their opponents. I don’t think it is an understatement that like every year, this year matters. Firstly it’s Nintendo’s time to show what’s been hidden for so long and quite possibly their last chance to recapture their hardcore audience with a classic line up of games and a hard-drive to boot, for Sony it’s their chance to take the lead after an engine failure on the start line by showing their next big thing, and Microsoft? Well this is Microsoft’s chance to prove their worth before the next of its kind arrives and the 360 takes a bow, is there a Wiimote clone? What’s next for the 360?

The 360 is approaching the three year mark fast and after a gradual build, getting the 360 out before the PS3 and Wii has certainly done the console a lot of favors allowing it to establish a great online reputation and a back catalog to overshadow its competitors, but rumors are a float that the 360 is ready to match it’s competitors in more ways than one.

Codename: Newton

I’m sure we’ve all heard the rumors by now, Microsoft putting out a Wiimote accessory for the 360. Doesn’t it sound odd? I don’t really see any of the 360s big games making use of this idea? Banjo Kazooie 3 is tipped to involve this function but I’ve lost a lot of interest in that game when Rare spouted its vehicle customization bull, ok maybe that’s a little too harsh but so far I’m hoping the original elements of Banjo Kazooie stick. While there is no definitive answer to Microsoft plans yet, the community shares its confusion, I honestly believe this kind of technology would not be suited to the 360 in anyway and because of that, I think if this is in development; it is for the next Xbox iteration. You can be sure if we don’t hear about it at E3, it’s not happening.

Bullets, Heroes and Dogs.

So I’m always one to point out that the majority of the 360s catalog is made of gun totting Americanised prejudice, but perhaps I should be looking to the future. Gears of War 2, expect a new trailer and some new addition to the game that should keep interest for the game very high. One FPS I’m very excited in is Left4Dead from Valve, it’s a zombie co-op shooter, reminds me so much of 28 days later that I’m having nightmares again. Co-op is pretty hard to pull off right so here’s hoping Left4Dead is the perfect zombie hunting experience.

Some word for the future of the Halo series should be expected, has there ever been a Microsoft E3 press conference where there wasn’t something to do with Halo? I honestly think Master Chief has had his day long ago but if there are still fans for the series which obviously there is, Microsoft won’t disappoint and with the rumblings of a fourth in the series it’s hard to imagine Microsoft not addressing this especially with Halo Wars due out at some point in the near future and Peter Jackson’s Halo still waiting to be unleashed to the public but I reckon it’s seen the bucket. Seeing as PS3 is finally getting Bioshock, a game that is almost a year old, expect to see a teaser for Bioshock 2, assuming it’s a 360 exclusive, but now that Bioshock has packed its things for a PS3 debut I don’t imagine the rest of the franchise remaining exclusive to one console. Oh and for the not so run and gun gamer, there’s Fable 2 due out later this year, the first was quite a big deal for the Xbox before it launched, hopefully this one will get the attention it deserves rather than the attention forced onto the previous one.

The new Banjo Kazooie is bound to be a high-light of their conference, it will be pushed as Microsoft’s Mario, don’t get me wrong, I loved the last two BK games and the graphics look great in this game but the vehicle creation thing puts me off big time, but if that’s your poison then I’d say keep an eye focused on Banjo Kazooie at E3 I don’t feel there’s much else I can say on the front of the 360 games line up, I don’t imagine too many new surprises in the way of new games, mostly updates on what we’ve already seen.

New sku or New console?

The 360 has a lot of life left in it, no doubt about that, unlike its predecessor I think the 360 could stand another 3 years in the warzone, but there’s in the slim chance that Microsoft will mention a few tidbits about their future plans, I don’t think there’s a portable in the works, doesn’t look like Microsoft thing really. Microsoft is most likely more than underway with a new console but right now it’ll be slim pickings. I would anticipate a new SKU for the 360, hopefully not another game bundle like the Halo 3 vomit colored mess that didn’t actually come with a copy of Halo 3, then again I’ve found Microsoft to grab straws with their exclusives so don’t rule out a Gears 2 360 SKU. The question is otherwise what would you want from a 360 sku? There are already plenty of good and bad options on the market when it comes to buying a 360. Don’t expect a price cut, It just underwent one in the EU, I don’t image they’ll drop it anymore than they already have, unless their feeling the pressure from the PS3.

In summary, all I can say is expect your typical Microsoft conference, and the less controversial, the better. The 360 is enjoying an easy ride for now and Microsoft knows the competition is slowly picking up so maybe we will see the move that blows everything out of the water. I assure you it won’t be a Gears 2 360 SKU that does it though.

Next on Pre E3 Riff Raff:…Nintendo

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