Microsoft Pre-E3 Press Conference

Microsoft has just finished their Pre-E3 press conference. And I have to say, everything shown was Epic, with a capitol "E"! A number of new titles to the Xbox 360 were announced, including the newest Metal Gear game. Returning to the scene are Left 4 Dead, Halo: Reach (yes Halo 4), Crackdown 2, and Forza Motorsport 3.

One of the more interesting additions was project "Natal", which is Microsoft's answer to the Nintendo Wii. Unlike the Wiimote, Natal requires no controller. Instead a camera follows your movements, much like the Eyetoy for the Playstation 2. I think we can assume that Natal will be much better than the Eyetoy. According to Team Teabag, the presentation showed an avatar following the motions of the user.

Also shown was an AI created by Peter Molyneux's Lionhead Games, named "Milo", that could listen to you respond, and even interpret emotions. I am currently holding out for a video to see just how powerful Milo is.

It seems that Microsoft is trying to get into Sony's Web capabilities. With upcoming software updates, Xbox LIVE GOld members will be able to use Twitter, Last.FM, and Facebook from their 360 console. It's exiting to see Microsoft branch out like this.

Even more exiting is the games that were announced. Left 4 Dead 2 has an official release date of November 17 (a little soon I think, how will it have a lot of new content and gameplay?). Crackdown 2 will be released sometime in 2010. Forza Motorsport 3 was announced, with the best graphics on any 360 game yet.

But the 3 most outstanding games were Metal Gear Solid: Rising, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo: Reach.

For a long time it has been rumoured that the next Metal Gear Solid game is coming to the Xbox 360, now it is at last confirmed to be true! Little is known about MGS: Rising, but we do know that Snake will not be making an appearance. Instead you play as Raiden.

Halo 3: ODST sowed off some gameplay, including night-vision mode, piloting a drop-pod, co-op, switching characters, and yet another pistol. Halo 3: ODST will be released September 22nd of this year.

Here's what we've all been waiting for, Halo 4! Again, almost nothing is known about this exiting prequel. BUt we can assume some things. Halo: Reach will take place during the Covenant attack on Reach. We also know that you will lose the battle. Your can see the new trailer HERE. If you look just below the video you can see several characters with unique traits. That, combined with the knowledge that in ODST you can switch characters brings some interesting possibilities. Halo: Reach will be released sometime in 2010.