(Recap)

Lots of information at Microsoft's E3 press conference..

http://www.e3insider.com/

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3168697

http://kotaku.com/

- Final Fantasy 13 now on 360. The BIG announcement from the show. No word
on when, but it is coming to Microsoft's system. A massive blow to the Sony
camp.

- Completely revamped dashboard, complete with Mii-like Avatars and party
rooms with chat that span multiple games. Xbox Live Primetime will feature
gameshows like 1 vs. 100, which will allow you to play for prizes.

- Netflix integrated into Xbox Live. Netflix customers will be able to
stream movies to their Xbox for no additional fee. You'll also be able to
view movies with people on your friends list like you're all sitting on a
virtual couch.

- Play from hard drive. Copy your games from the game disc and play directly
from the hard drive.  Not only will the drive not spin, but load times are
quicker, as well. Of course, you will still need the disc in the tray to
prove you own the game.

- Access Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web.  Browse and purchase Marketplace
content whenever you want from Xbox.com and it downloads automatically to
your console.  Purchase that new map, television episode, the latest Xbox
LIVE Arcade game or set up a movie to watch when you get home from work.

- Dashboard built into the new Xbox Guide.  For everyone who loves the
blades interface, it's not going away; they are now built directly in to the
new Xbox guide. Every feature and option is available right from the guide.
You can even access your full games library at all times.  No matter where
you are (in dash or in game), immediately call up your games played list and
directly launch a game.

- LIVE Party system.  Create a party of up to eight friends, and stay with
them from one game to another, or watch a Netflix movie together, or share a
slideshow of your personal photos.  It works with all Xbox 360 titles, not
just upcoming games.  LIVE Party allows up to eight people to chat in the
dashboard, so you can meet up before playing.

- Xbox LIVE Primetime. This whole new category of games is going to give you
more reasons to get online with your friends.  Games will support everything
you'd expect, like Achievements and leader boards, but many of these games
will include real prizes. You can invite your friends, and even set a
reminder for an upcoming show.  Each game is broadcast simultaneously, so
everyone is answering the same questions.  Many events will have a live
host, calling the shots as they happen.

- Avatars. Your online identity started as a Gamertag - it then grew into a
personalized Gamercard. Now, it has evolved even further into avatars.  You
can express your style, check out new outfits and share this with the
community.  Avatars will also be integrated into Xbox LIVE Arcade games,
LIVE Party, as well as retail games.

- New display support. Because you asked for it, we are adding 16X10 over
VGA or HDMI, and support for 1440x900 or 1680x1050.

- Fallout 3. Coming this fall, with exclusive downloadable content for the
Xbox and Games for Windows versions. A trailer, in the style of a 50's
commercial, and a section of live gameplay were shown.

- Resident Evil 5. March 13th 2009. Playable footage, including co-operative
gameplay was shown. Plus, chainsaw wielding zombies.

- Fable 2. This October. In-game footage was shown, focusing on your dog and
the family you can gain during the game. When someone on your friends list
is playing the game, you'll see them as a floating orb as they move through
the game world, and you'll be able to join together for co-op play at any
time.

- Gears of War 2. November 7th, 2008. Campaign has 2 player co-op, but there
will be a 5 player mode in multiplayer. Flamethrowers, elevators, grappling
hooks, and riding the Broomax.

- New XBLA Games. Geometry Wars 2, Uno Rush, Galaga Colonies, the original
Banjo-Kazooie and a new South Park game.

- Portal: Still Alive. A version of Portal for XBLA.

- Scene-It: Box Office Smash. A new version of Scene-It will be the first
game to integrate the Avatars into the gameplay.

- You're In the Movies. A new title that uses the Xbox Vision Camera to
integrate you into b-grade movies at home.

- Guitar Hero: World Tour. They announced exclusives with Metallica, Van
Halen and the Eagles. 85 songs, all master tracks, on the disc at launch.

- Lips. Microsoft's karaoke game, ships this holiday season. Ships with two
wireless mics, allowing for duets. Comes with music on the disc, but will
also let you use your own tracks from a Zune or an iPod.

- Rock Band 2. Will release first for the 360 in September. Comes with 84
tracks on the disc, but you'll be able to DL 20 more when it's released for
the other systems in November for free. You'll also be able to transfer
"most' of the on-disc songs from RB1 into RB2, as well as using all of the
DLC in the new game. Bob Dylan and AC/DC will be in the game, as will a new
song off of the new Guns n' Roses album, Chinese Democracy. They also
announced the full setlist.

- Square Enix. Infinite Undiscovery September 2nd. Last Remnant November
20th. Star Ocean 4 Spring 2009.