Missed out on all the action at E3? Don’t worry, catch up on all the news from the Nintendo press conerence right here.

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Missed out on all the action at E3? Don’t worry, catch up on all the news from the Microsoft press conerence right here.

Gamespot.com

Missed out on all the action at E3? Don’t worry, catch up on all the news from the Ubisoft press conerence right here.

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Missed out on all the action at E3? Don’t worry, catch up on all the news from the EA press conerence right here.

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Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Epic Games Inc.
Format: DVD for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system
ESRB Rating: Pending
Price: $59.99 U.S. (estimated retail price)
Availability: April 5, 2011 (North America, Asia)
April 7, 2011 (Japan, Australia, New Zealand)
April 8, 2011 (Europe, worldwide)

Overview

“Gears of War 3″ is the spectacular conclusion to one of the most memorable and celebrated sagas in video games. Developed by Epic Games exclusively for Xbox 360, “Gears of War 3″ plunges players into a harrowing tale of hope, survival and brotherhood.
In “Gears of War 3,” players fight on as Marcus Fenix, the grizzled war hero and leader of Delta Squad. Eighteen months after the fall of the last human city in “Gears of War 2,” the war against the Locust rages on, but a new enemy has emerged. Deep beneath the surface, a fearsome new threat, the Lambent, is infecting the planet from within. With survivors scattered and civilization in ruins, time is running out for Marcus and his comrades as they take up their Lancers to make one last push that will ultimately decide the fate of humanity.
The “Gears of War” series is one of the most popular franchises in Xbox history, having sold more than 12 million games worldwide, and spawning New York Times best-selling novels, an upcoming film and more.

Features

• Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the “Gears of War” trilogy and fight alongside Delta Squad to rescue humanity. Play solo or with up to three friends cooperatively through the campaign on Xbox LIVE, and discover the fate of Marcus and his surviving comrades in this immersive and emotionally charged story.
• Unparalleled gameplay. “Gears of War 3″ builds upon the series’ genre-defining third-person shooter gameplay and captivates players in an intimately intense action game. The latest chapter in the saga introduces new playable male and female COG characters and fresh challenges with ferocious new enemies.
• Explosive multiplayer action. One of the definitive multiplayer experiences on Xbox LIVE, “Gears of War 3″ features new cooperative and competitive multiplayer experiences for veteran players and rookies alike.
  • Four Player Campaign Co-op. Featuring multiple playable characters, including female Gears, the introduction of the four player cooperative campaign mode brings Delta Squad to life. Players and their buddies can fight as brothers-in-arms against the monstrous Locust and Lambent threats in a desperate bid to save humanity.
  • Beast mode. Introducing a new five player cooperative multiplayer experience in the “Gears” saga, Beast mode lets players assume the role of the Locust army, taking on waves of humans (including Marcus, Dom and the rest of Delta Squad). With up to four friends on Xbox LIVE, the goal is to wipe out the ground walkers who advance with increasing strength and ruthless force.
  • Horde mode. Evolving the cooperative multiplayer mode pioneered in the previous title, Horde in “Gears of War 3″ will feature more gameplay upgrades and distinct new challenges as players work together to take on wave after wave of Locust enemies.
  • Competitive multiplayer. The award-winning multiplayer experience continues with new maps and game types that will bring the competition to a whole new level.
• Amazing visuals. “Gears of War 3″ pushes the envelope for stunning visuals on Xbox 360. Through the latest advances in Unreal Engine 3 technology, the game delivers improved graphics, animation and lighting that immerse players in the destroyed beauty of the rich environments.

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Lionhead Studios
Format: DVD for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and Windows; Xbox LIVE-enabled*
ESRB Rating: Rating pending
Pricing: Xbox 360: Standard Edition $59.99/£44.99/€64.99, Limited Collector’s Edition $79.99/£59.99/€84.99; Windows: Standard Edition $49.99/£39.99/€54.99
Availability: Fall 2010

Overview

“Fable III” is the latest installment to the action-packed and critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive franchise that has sold more than six million copies. Fans new and returning will now embark on an epic adventure, where the race for the crown is only the beginning of your spectacular journey. Five decades have passed since the events of “Fable II,” and Albion has matured into an industrial revolution, but the fate of the kingdom is at peril. In “Fable III,” you will be called upon to rally and fight alongside your people, ascend to the seat of power, and experience the true meaning of love and loss. The choices and sacrifices you make while fanning the flames of revolution, and then as you rule as King or Queen or Albion, will lead to an ever evolving world of consequences that will be felt across your entire land. This sets the stage for unparalleled action and adventure that offers even more ways to fight and engage than ever before.

Throughout your journey, you will encounter a colorful cast of characters – voiced by John Cleese, Sir Ben Kingsley and more – that fans have come to expect from the off-beat style and humor in the “Fable” games. After determining whether these characters are your friends or foes, you will either join them or fight against them in explosive combat, alone or with a friend on Xbox LIVE. In your quest to plant the seeds of revolution, seize power and rule over your kingdom, the choices you make will change the world around you, for the greater good or your own personal gain. Who will you become? A rebel without a cause, the tyrant you rebelled against, or the greatest ruler to ever live?

Giving more action-adventure fans the chance to journey from revolutionary to ruler of Albion, “Fable III” will be available on Xbox 360, Windows and Games on Demand on Games for Windows – LIVE. A Standard Edition will be offered for both Xbox 360 and Windows gamers, along with a Limited Collector’s Editions for Xbox 360 that includes unique collectibles that true “Fable” fans won’t want to miss. Wrapped up in a distinctive box created in the likeness of a book, the content includes an exclusive quest, canine breed, hero outfit, “Fable III” playing cards, Guild Seal Coin and more.

Features

• Be the hero and forge your own destiny. Storytelling comes to life as “Fable III” puts you and your hero in the center of an epic journey that traces your rise from revolutionary to ruler and beyond, along with all the action, drama and humor. Interacting with the world of Albion has never been easier or more rewarding. The Expressions system offers an ingenious new Dynamic Touch feature that allows your hero to reach out and embrace a loved one, or exact retribution against those who have betrayed you. Your hero, your faithful canine companion and even your weapons now also evolve to extremes mirroring your morality and personal style of combat. The emotional connections players will develop in the world of “Fable III” will lead to some of the most memorable moments ever experienced in a game.
• Where blockbuster action meets adventure. Your journey spans from the streets of a thriving and industrialized Albion to the surrounding battlefields to brave new worlds. The pioneering one-button combat system allows players to easily combine different styles in their arsenal – explosive new finishing moves, hand-to-hand melee attacks, long-range precision shooting and wickedly catastrophic spells – to advance the one-button combat mechanic to a full scale, thrilling level that offers infinite ways to engage, experiment and compete.
• Co-op like you mean it. “Fable III” embodies true co-op with the introduction of independent cameras for each player, enabling everyone to retain their distinct hero identities and canine companions whether they are joining a friend’s world or welcoming one into theirs, only on Xbox LIVE. Taking co-op further than previously thought possible, two heroes can now marry one another, raise a family, or even concoct a business venture, all in the name of ruling Albion together. Couch co-op also returns to “Fable III,” allowing two players to partner up and advance through the journey to rule together, side-by-side in the same room. Along with these boundless experiences created from the ground up, multiplayer combat bonuses will reward players for banding together, so you’ll never have to walk alone in Albion.
• A revolution in gameplay. The introduction of a dynamic 3-D world map and a rich new interface called the Sanctuary simplifies the gameplay experience while letting players stay more immersed in the action. Watch “Fable III” come to life before your eyes with the living, breathing map that shows Albion’s citizens going about their business—all with a tremendous amount of detail to help you keep a vigilant eye on your entire kingdom. The Sanctuary is comprised of a series of chambers attended to by your butler Jasper, voiced by comic genius John Cleese, who serves as the confidant every ruler can trust. Whether he’s assisting you in matters of the court, the latest trends in fashion or making critical decisions that impact the world around you, you can always count on Jasper to provide a sympathetic ear, comforting advice or biting remarks.
• Choice and consequence. A core tenet of the “Fable” franchise, players are presented with infinite choices and consequences that impact the world around them. Good or evil, loved or loathed, career versus family, or just you and your faithful canine companion – live the life you have always dreamed. More so than ever before, your choices lead to far more profound outcomes that impact your every being. Whether it’s deciding the outcome of minor squabbles or changing the direction of the entire kingdom, these key decisions will change the world forever.

The new Xbox 360. Here today, ready for tomorrow with a brand new, leaner machine in an all new black gloss finish. Wi-Fi is built-in for easier connection to the world of entertainment on Xbox LIVE, where HD movies and TV stream in an instant. It’s ready for the controller-free experiences of Project Natal-you don’t just play the game, you are the game. With the huge hard drive you’ll have plenty of space to store your favorite games and movies. Xbox 360 is more games, entertainment. and fun.

• Xbox 360 250GB Hard Drive: The internal 250GB hard drive allows you to save your games and store television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, levels, demos, and other con­tent available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
• Built in Wi-Fi: The new Xbox 360 is the only console with 802.11n Wi-Fi built in for a faster and easier connection to Xbox LIVE. Download or stream HD movies, TV episodes, and games from Xbox LIVE Marketplace in 1080p and 5.1 surround sound from anywhere in the house. Compatible with b/g/n networks.
• Project Natal ready: Coming this holiday, Project Natal will make YOU the controller. With a dedicated, specialized port, the Xbox 360 250GB is built to connect seamlessly with the Project Natal sensor- and have you up off the couch and into the world of Project Natal in no time.
• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller: This award-winning, high-performance wireless controller features the Xbox Guide Button for quick, in-game access to friends and music. It has a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of 30 hours on two AA batteries.
• Xbox 360 Headset: Strategize or trade taunts while playing games, and chat with your friends on Xbox LIVE.
• Xbox 360 Composite A/V cable: Maximize your Xbox 360 picture quality on standard-definition televisions using this S-Video connection for a noticeable image improvement over traditional composite connecters.
• Xbox LIVE: Xbox LIVE brings a whole world of entertainment possibility right to your Xbox 360. Play with friends online, and watch streaming movies and TV from Zune and Netflix, all in crystal-clear HD. You’ll find loads of your favorite music from Last.fm and the ability to connect with friends on Facebook and Twitter right on the best screen in the house.

LOS ANGELES – June 14, 2010 – Xbox today opened a new era of entertainment for everyone, transforming the way the world plays, entertains and connects with friends and family. To kick-start the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. world premiered Kinect for Xbox 360, formerly known as “Project Natal,” in a spectacular live performance imagined by Cirque du Soleil. Unlike anything seen or experienced before, Kinect for Xbox 360 opens a new world of controller-free games and entertainment so everyone can have fun.

In addition to Kinect, Xbox showcased new and easy ways to enjoy music, movies and sports with friends and family. It also demonstrated that Xbox 360 remains the only place to play the biggest exclusive blockbusters with “Gears of War 3″ and what promises to be the biggest game of 2010, “Halo: Reach.” For its grand finale, the company surprised everyone with the launch of a new Xbox 360 console, designed for the future of games and entertainment. The new console ships to retailers tomorrow.

“At Microsoft, we believe fun is a universal magnet, uniting us and connecting us all together,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “We believe interactive entertainment is the greatest form of all entertainment, and it should be open and approachable to as many people as possible. It is this belief that led us to remove the last barrier between you and the entertainment you love. By making you the controller, we will transform how you and your friends experience games and entertainment.”

The Year We All “Kinect”

Kinect for Xbox 360 brings roaring rapids, wild tigers, mountainous obstacle courses and zooming racecars to living rooms in North America on Nov. 4 and will roll out to the rest of the world thereafter. Uniquely magical and instantly fun, Kinect for Xbox 360 tracks your body movements and gestures. It even understands your voice.

By taking technology out of your hands for the first time, Kinect lets people who have never picked up a game controller join the excitement. See a ball? Just kick it. Want to learn how to dance or get fit? Just follow the moves. With Kinect, all you have to do is be you – no controller required.

Kinect also puts your favorite movies, television shows and music at your fingertips, turning ordinary entertainment into an extraordinary experience. Jump right into a movie in instant-on 1080p HD by simply saying “Xbox, play.” Browse a selection of millions of songs with just a wave of your hand. Kinect instantly makes playing games, watching movies and listening to music more fun and interactive than ever before, and it is available only on Xbox 360.

The New Xbox 360

Microsoft also surprised the world with a new Xbox 360 console designed for the future. Back in black, the new Xbox 360 is sleek, silent and sexy. Connect in seconds to the always- expanding world of Xbox LIVE through built-in Wi-Fi N and store twice as many games and entertainment on a 250GB hard drive.

The newly designed console is whisper-quiet, so the silent tension of a game or movie is never broken. The new Xbox 360 system also comes with everything you need to get started, including an Xbox 360 wireless controller, Xbox 360 headset, HDMI input, USB flash drive storage capabilities and more, and a one-year limited warranty on the console, available this week and priced at $299.99 ERP.

Entertainment for Everyone

Xbox LIVE connects you and your Xbox 360 to a world of fun, friends and interactive social entertainment, with the best in games, movies, TV, music, sports and community experiences all in one place.

• The stadium experience at home. This November, Xbox LIVE Gold members will enjoy free, instant access to more than 3,500 ESPN live global events every year on ESPN3.com, including college basketball, college football and bowl games, MLB, NBA, international soccer, tennis including all four Grand Slam tournaments, golf majors and much more – exclusively on Xbox 360. Members can also watch out-of-market games and access ESPN.com video clips on demand, refreshed daily.

With thousands of sporting events on ESPN3.com and the interactive social network of Xbox LIVE, ESPN on Xbox 360 brings the excitement of a stadium experience into the living room. Fans will be able to share the emotion, victory and heartbreak of world-class sports with friends and rivals from coast to coast on Xbox LIVE. They’ll also be able to see what games the Xbox LIVE community is watching, participate in polls, make predictions, play sports trivia and much more. With Kinect, fans control the action from their couches with just their voices or a wave of the hand. A first for home entertainment, ESPN on Xbox 360 brings the action to life like never before in an ultimate interactive experience for sports fans.

• Seven million songs at your fingertips. Building on the success of Zune video on Xbox, Microsoft announced the expansion of the Zune music experience to Xbox LIVE, bringing everything you love about music right into the living room. With a Zune Pass subscription (sold separately), users can discover and play an unlimited number of songs from a catalog of more than seven million tracks, all streamed instantly, on-demand and in crystal-clear quality.

Create a playlist for your next party, and watch as the music videos of your favorite artists play in the background. Get personalized song recommendations based on your favorite artists, and see your Xbox LIVE friends’ top songs. Plus, with the power of Kinect, you can control your music with hand gestures and your voice.

• Video Kinect. Share a smile and a wave with faraway friends and family as you come together from living rooms across the world, no headset required. Video Kinect pans to follow your movements and adjusts automatically to make chat on Xbox LIVE more intuitive and easier to use than ever before.

Next year, Microsoft will link Video Kinect with Windows Live Messenger, allowing the Xbox LIVE community to have rich, real-time video conversations with hundreds of millions of PC users around the world. It will also integrate custom news feeds, weather and videos from Bing, sparking conversation just like you’re in the same room reading the paper or watching the news together.

• Global expansion. This holiday, Xbox LIVE will roll out service to nine new regions – Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia and South Africa – delivering the core gaming and community features that have made Xbox LIVE the world’s premier online gaming destination. In addition, Australians will soon be able to watch live television and a range of video-on-demand programming on Xbox LIVE from satellite and cable TV provider FOXTEL with no set-top box required.

The Year of Blockbuster Games

Larger-than-life characters. Emotional storytelling. Groundbreaking gameplay. This year, the Xbox 360 is the only place to play the three biggest blockbusters – “Halo: Reach,” “Call of Duty” and “Gears of War 3.” In addition to these highly anticipated titles, games like “Fable III,” “Metal Gear Solid: Rising” and code-named “Kingdoms” are also on the way.

LOS ANGELES – June 14, 2010 – A band of heroes facing insurmountable odds. An epic adventure of choice and sacrifice on the journey to rule. Tens of millions of faithful fans worldwide. Look out Hollywood, Xbox 360 is delivering the entertainment blockbusters of 2010.

On the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. unveiled a breathtaking lineup of games, proving once again that Xbox 360 is the best place to play. “Fable III,” “Gears of War 3″ and “Halo: Reach” took center stage as the biggest exclusive games, and Microsoft unveiled its newest exclusive blockbuster, code-named “Kingdoms,” from legendary developer Crytek GmbH. Delighting audiences even further, all “Call of Duty” add-on content will launch first on Xbox 360 through 2012, starting with content associated with the Nov. 9 release of “Call of Duty: Black Ops.”

“With a portfolio of exclusives including ‘Alan Wake,’ ‘Mass Effect 2,’ ‘Splinter Cell Conviction’ and the record-breaking ‘Halo: Reach’ multiplayer beta, it’s already been an incredible year for Xbox, but we’re not slowing down,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “In the next year, we’ll continue to redefine this generation of blockbuster entertainment with the controller-free experiences of Kinect and new chapters to three of the most acclaimed sagas found only on Xbox 360: ‘Fable III,’ ‘Gears of War 3′ and the biggest game of 2010, ‘Halo: Reach.’”

The Most Exclusive Entertainment

Twenty-five million passionate and engaged Xbox LIVE members have spoken, and Xbox 360 is this generation’s console of choice. As the top destination for millions of gamers, friends and family members to experience a world of entertainment together, it’s no surprise that the best developers are rewarding members with the year’s greatest exclusives, Game Add-ons and experiences.

A telltale sign of the meteoric year to come, fans around the world joined Xbox 360 and Bungie in making history with record-breaking participation in the “Halo: Reach” multiplayer beta. An astounding 2.7 million fans worldwide rushed to enlist and be the first to experience the year’s biggest game, establishing the “Halo: Reach” beta as the single most downloaded console video game beta test in history.

The release of the “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package” in March also shattered Xbox LIVE records, as more than one million gamers worldwide downloaded the new map pack from Infinity Ward in the first 24 hours alone, surpassing the two million mark in fewer than four days. With last week’s release of the “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Resurgence Pack,” soaring past one million downloads, it’s easy to see why Xbox LIVE is the largest “Call of Duty” community of any entertainment system.

With games for the hero, adventurer and storyteller within us all, Xbox 360 is bringing larger-than-life experiences into living rooms like never before, including the following:

• “Halo: Reach” (Bungie, Microsoft Game Studios). Millions of fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the release of “Halo: Reach,” the blockbuster prequel to the best-selling Xbox franchise of all time. The action follows the story of Noble Team, a squad of heroic Spartan soldiers and their final stand on planet Reach, humanity’s last line of defense between the terrifying Covenant and Earth. The most ambitious “Halo” game yet, “Halo: Reach” launches worldwide on Sept. 14 and in Japan on Sept. 15, and promises to be the biggest game of 2010.
• “Gears of War 3” (Epic Games, Microsoft Game Studios). “Gears of War 3″ concludes the epic trilogy starring Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad. In the finale, the last human city has fallen, leaving the survivors scattered and without refuge. Exposed on all sides, Delta Squad finds itself in a ruthless battle between two horrific enemies. “Gears of War 3″ continues to break ground with new multiplayer experiences on Xbox LIVE for veteran players and rookies alike, adding four-player cooperative campaign and the new Beast mode.* “Gears of War 3″ launches in North America and Asia on April 5, 2011, in Japan on April 7, and in Europe and the rest of the world on April 8.
• “Fable III” (Lionhead Studios, Microsoft Game Studios). Launching worldwide beginning Oct. 26, “Fable III” delivers an unparalleled action and adventure experience as players journey from revolutionary to ruler and beyond. With your trusted canine companion, you will embark on an epic hero’s quest against injustice, forge alliances, crush your enemies and take control of your kingdom. But with great power comes great responsibility. Will you honor promises made in your rise to power, or sacrifice allegiance for personal gain? Choose wisely, as the decisions you make will forever impact your ever-evolving world.
• “Metal Gear Solid: Rising” (Konami). “Metal Gear Solid: Rising” is the highly anticipated debut of Hideo Kojima’s critically acclaimed “Metal Gear Solid” franchise on Xbox 360. “Metal Gear Solid: Rising” will star Raiden, one of the most popular characters in the “Metal Gear Solid” universe, in a new, lightning bolt action-adventure on Xbox 360.
• “Call of Duty: Black Ops” (Activision). On Nov. 9, 2010, Treyarch will make its return to the “Call of Duty” franchise with the release of “Call of Duty: Black Ops” on Xbox 360, the seventh entry in the best-selling first-person action franchise. “Call of Duty: Black Ops” continues the gripping experience and unprecedented level of action with players taking on multiple covert international conflicts in an epic single-player campaign, as well as co-op and multiplayer modes on Xbox LIVE,* which boasts the largest “Call of Duty” community in the world. All “Call of Duty” Add-on content will be released first on Xbox 360 through 2012, starting with content associated with the Nov. 9 for “Call of Duty: Black Ops.”
• “Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO” (Blue Castle Games, Capcom). Before “Dead Rising 2″ launches in August and September, “Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO” will release as an exclusive prologue only available through Xbox LIVE, providing unique features that bridge the story between the 2006 action-adventure hit and its sequel. Get the complete “Dead Rising 2″ experience only on Xbox 360.
• “Crackdown 2” (Ruffian Games, Microsoft Game Studios). “Crackdown 2,” the sequel to the sleeper hit of 2007, is the ultimate open-world experience featuring over-the-top action, a massive living world, stylish graphics, and unmatched cooperative and multiplayer online capabilities.* An explosive tour de force that invites players to explore, experiment and navigate through objectives with complete freedom to do what they want, when they want. “Crackdown 2″ releases in the Americas on July 6; Asia, Australia and New Zealand on July 8; and Europe on July 9. The public Xbox LIVE demo will be available globally starting June 21.

Summer Blockbusters on Xbox LIVE Arcade

Xbox LIVE Arcade offers the highest quality downloadable games with a broad library of more than 250 titles and free trial downloads. Kicking off in July, Xbox LIVE Summer of Arcade is back for a third year with the biggest and best smash hits of the season. Xbox LIVE members will enjoy five weeks of scorching blockbuster games with something for everyone, including these games:

• “Castlevania: Harmony of Despair” (Konami Digital Entertainment). Dracula takes a bite out of Xbox LIVE Arcade with “Castlevania: Harmony of Despair.” This fast-paced 2-D side scroller takes vampire hunters on a chase to bring Dracula, the Lord of Darkness, to his eternal slumber. Designed by the producer of the legendary “Castlevania” series, Koji Igarashi, “Castlevania: Harmony of Despair” allows friends to play together via online co-op story mode or duke it out to see who the best vampire hunter is in Survival Mode.
• “Hydro Thunder Hurricane” (Vector Unit, Microsoft Game Studios). “Hydro Thunder Hurricane” is the all-new, full-featured sequel to the legendary arcade racer. Featuring rocket-powered speedboats blasting across amazing dynamic water, gorgeous visuals and interactive environments packed with shortcuts and surprises, this is the adrenaline-drenched sequel fans have been waiting for. Dive into intense multiplayer races with up to eight players on Xbox LIVE, up to four players locally, or even mix local and online games.
• “Lara Croft and the Guardian of the Light” (Crystal Dynamics, Square Enix Europe). “Tomb Raider” heroine Lara Croft makes her headlining debut in this co-op, multiplayer action and adventure game. “Lara Croft and the Guardian of the Light” combines the hallmarks of the classic “Tomb Raider” franchise including exploration, discovery and puzzle solving with fun and fast-paced combat to create a game that is a great balance of cooperation and competition. Choose your own solutions and explore various paths through the dense jungles of Central America as you solve puzzles to win the game.
• “Limbo” (Playdead, Microsoft Game Studios). Uncertain of his sister’s fate, a boy enters “Limbo.” This summer, experience his journey – through a world media are calling hauntingly beautiful and philosophically provocative – in this Independent Games Festival award-winning title.
• “Monday Night Combat” (Microsoft). “Monday Night Combat” takes you into the most popular lethal sport of the future. This third person shooter blends intense combat, finishing moves and game show-like challenges to give you an action experience unlike any other. Rather than fighting for honor or duty, “Monday Night Combat” lets you fight for the real American dream – cash, fame and endorsements.

LOS ANGELES – June 14, 2010 – Get ready to Kinect to fun entertainment for everyone. Microsoft Corp. today capped off a two-day world premiere, complete with celebrities, stunning physical dexterity, and news from a galaxy far, far away, to reveal experiences that will transform living rooms in North America, beginning Nov. 4. Kinect will roll out to the rest of the world thereafter.

Opening with a magical Cirque du Soleil performance on Sunday night attended by Hollywood’s freshest faces, Microsoft gave the transformation of home entertainment a name: Kinect for Xbox 360. Then, kicking off the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), today Xbox 360 invited the world to dance, hurdle, soar and make furry friends for life – all through the magic of Kinect – no controller required.

“With ‘Kinectimals’ and ‘Kinect Sports,’ ‘Your Shape: Fitness Evolved’ and ‘Dance Central,’ your living room will become a zoo, a stadium, a fitness room or a dance club. You will be in the center of your entertainment, using the best controller ever made – you,” said Kudo Tsunoda, creative director for Microsoft Game Studios.

Microsoft and LucasArts also announced that they will bring Star Wars to Kinect in 2011. And, sprinkling a little fairy dust on Xbox 360, Disney will bring its magic to Kinect as well.

“Xbox LIVE is about making it simple to find the entertainment you want, with the friends you care about, wherever you are. Kinect is about making that experience more natural and engaging than ever before,” said Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft. “Once you experience your movies, music, sports and games with Xbox LIVE and Kinect, you won’t ever want to go back.”

Using Kinect is as simple as stepping in front of the sensor. It recognizes you, responds to your gestures, listens to your voice, and, best of all, it works with every Xbox 360.

A Little Less Conversation, a Little More Action

Declaring “the time for talk is over,” Tsunoda unveiled eight hurdling, running, dancing, driving and soaring Kinect games:

•  ”Kinect Adventures” (Microsoft Game Studios). Float in outer space. Experience the thrill of roaring rapids. Tackle mountaintop obstacle courses. And dive into the deep to explore a leaky underwater observatory – all from your living room. With “Kinect Adventures,” you are the controller as you jump, dodge and kick your way through exciting adventures set in a variety of exotic locations.
•  ”Kinectimals” (Frontier Studio, Microsoft Game Studios). A wide-eyed Bengal Tiger cub cocks its head to the side and playfully peers at you. Memories of your first trip to the zoo come rushing back. “Kinectimals” invites children, their parents and animal lovers of all ages to build lasting friendships with some of the world’s most exotic creatures. Just like real pets, your “Kinectimals” will come running when they hear your voice, respond to commands like “jump,” “roll-over” and “play dead,” and purr with joy when you scratch them behind the ears.
•  ”Kinect Joy Ride” (Big Park, Microsoft Game Studios). 3 … 2 … 1 … Go! “Kinect Joy Ride,” the first controller-free racing game, will take you and your friends on the ride of your lives – no drivers license required. “Kinect Joy Ride” reinvents driving and Kart racing by adding massive jumps and full body stunts to the classic Kart racing action. With a host of cool features and game modes you can take off for the ride of your life by yourself, pick up a co-pilot or team up with your friends and family to take on the world.
• “Kinect Sports” (Rare, Microsoft Game Studios). Turn your living room into a world-class stadium, bowling alley, soccer pitch or arena. With “Kinect Sports” you’re not only the star player, you are the controller – through the magic of Kinect for Xbox 360. See a ball? Kick it. Spike it. Even give it a little top spin. “Kinect Sports” features soccer, beach volleyball, bowling, table tennis, boxing and multiple track and field events.
• “Dance Central” (MTV Games). “Dance Central” is the first full-body, controller-free dance video game with fun choreography for beginners and experts. Featuring full-body tracking, the magic of Kinect for Xbox 360 allows you to experience real dance with your friends and family. Whether you’re rehearsing in Break It Down! or owning the stage in Perform It, you’ll be introduced to more than 600 moves in the game and more than 90 dance routines all created by professional choreographers. The game features tracks from an amazing mix of pop, hip-hop and R&B artists including Lady Gaga, No Doubt, M.I.A., Bell Biv Devoe, and more. Take your moves to the next level while connecting with the music you love!
• “Your Shape: Fitness Evolved” (Ubisoft). Get the most out of Kinect with “Your Shape: Fitness Evolved.” Unlike other games, the proprietary Player Projection technology of “Your Shape: Fitness Evolved” puts your body into the game for the ultimate experience. You’ll physically interact with virtual environments in ways you’ve never seen before, and you’ll be captivated by unique and exciting visual effects that respond to your movement and impact. Burn calories your way – choose a personal trainer to help you meet your specific fitness goals, take a yoga or martial arts class, or play fun family-friendly minigames. As you exercise, you’ll receive specific feedback on your every move, thanks to the game’s real-time precise tracking system. You won’t notice how hard you’re working until you see the results!

Also coming to Kinect this holiday are titles representing the top names in the gaming industry including interactive fitness product “EA SPORTS Active 2″ (EA SPORTS), “DECA SPORTS FREEDOM” (Hudson Entertainment), “Dance Masters” (Konami), “Adrenalin Misfits” (Konami), “Zumba Fitness” (Majesco), “Sonic Free Riders” (SEGA), “The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout” (THQ), “Motion Sports” (Ubisoft), and “Game Party: In Motion” (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment). Additional exciting Kinect game experiences will be revealed by publishing partners in the near future.

Extraordinary Entertainment

Offering so much more than just games, Kinect for Xbox 360 takes your entertainment to the next level. Beginning this holiday, the Kinect Hub puts your favorite movies, TV programs, music and live sports all in one place – completely controller-free.

Jump right into a movie in instant-on HD in 1080p or your favorite college bowl game by simply saying “Xbox, play,” or browse your entire song library with a wave of a hand. Kinect also creates new ways for friends and family to have fun together.

With Video Kinect2, share a smile with distant friends and family as you open a window into living rooms around the world. Providing entertainment for everyone, with the power of Kinect, the Xbox LIVE experience is more intuitive, social and interactive than ever before.