I'm also extremely intrigued to find out more about Rock Band 3, especially in regards to the keyboard/keytar (hopefully keyboard) and the other new peripherals. Oh, heck, I'm just as interested in the game and the new setlist, too.

"Valhalla Game Studios(Itagaki New Studio)' latest game will be exclusively revealed on Friday 11th June at 8:30pm Pacific Time on Spike TV's pre-E3 show as well as in exclusive interviews on Eurogamer, Famitsu and Kotaku. (June 11, 2010)"

Ahead of next week's E3 in Los Angeles, two new titles for Microsoft's motion-control peripheral, Project Natal, have been revealed.

Those hoping for a wave-your-arms version of Halo or Fable are out of luck, though, as the two games are simple party titles (ie glorifed tech demos), similar to the kind we've seen for the system so far.

One is Living Statue, which according to a piece on the LA Times "lets players record their avatars dancing and singing karaoke-style, then e-mail the video masterpiece to their friends".

The second is Obstacle Course, in which "players pull, dodge and jump their way through a series of levels resembling what you would find at summer camp, sans the mosquitoes."

Of more interest to those hanging out for proper games is the final line of the report, which says "there will be about a dozen more Natal-licensed titles from other game developers unveiled Monday and Tuesday". A dozen games from companies that aren't Microsoft? Add those to the titles Microsoft itself will have ready and that's quite a launch lineup. Hopefully not all of them involve jumping around like a maniac.

Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today confirmed that it has partnered with Playboy magazine to have content from the iconic publication featured in its forthcoming title Dead Rising 2, scheduled for release later this year for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC platforms.

Players that discover the Playboy magazine in the game will receive a unique and special upgrade for Chuck Greene, the main character in Dead Rising 2. Furthermore, players will come across Playboy ads and billboards that will feature specially selected issues from the magazine's 57-year history.

The new magazine system for Dead Rising 2, which will feature Playboy along with various other publications, is an evolution of the popular book system from the original Dead Rising game. Along with the special Playboy issue, there will be a variety of different themed magazines that Chuck will be able to pick up for bonuses to use to help fend off the zombie hordes along the way.

"The Sin City-type environment in Dead Rising 2, Fortune City, is a natural playground for the Playboy Bunnies," said Seon King, Senior Director of Licensing for Capcom Entertainment, Inc. "We have integrated the Playboy brand throughout the game in ways that bring even more life to Fortune City and add to the user experience."

The Playboy thing is so totally Metal Gear Solid. Speaking of which... KONAMI TEASER SITE!!

http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/e3_2010/

MGS 5 please. Not getting my hopes up though. Just like I'm not getting my hopes up for Kingdom Hearts 3 or a Final Fantasy VII remake for PS3 to show up at E3 this year. Those would be the big surprises for me, but I guess the realistic one I'd like to see would be something interesting from Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep.

^ if God of War Epilogue is released it will be Free. Developers already stated they ran out of time to finish it.
Do People still Care about Dead Rising? DR 2 should been released back in 07 or 08.

Yeah, but those who don't have PSN won't be able to download it.

Why do you care if you don't have a PS3 and don't have God of War III, which the DLC will require?

Unless I completely missed what you were trying to say.

If I DID have a PS3, I'd be pissed.
WHEN I eventually get one, I don't not want the DLC.

As for DR2, HELL YEAH I CARE! That's probably my most anticipated game. Granted, I don't have any next-gen systems, only a PC, but hells yeah I'm psyched

River Rush: What Shaun White would want in real-life river rafting, players instead can indulge in the vicarious thrill on their living room rug. Steering a virtual raft past waterfalls, rocks and other obstacles requires lots of jumping and leaning. The graphics are similar to what you’d find in snowboarding games, with giant visual cues telling players where they can go so they won’t get lost. The mini-game is designed to encourage anyone to jump in and play without having to read a manual.

Ricochet: Prepare to break a sweat. Players use their arms, legs, feet and head to block a frantic barrage of soccer-sized balls. Microsoft showed an early version of this game during last year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo. The latest iteration lets two people play simultaneously. Using facial recognition software, the camera checks who is playing and pulls up their personal avatars on the screen. The feature would, for example, let parents control which games their kids can play. If the console sees that the person playing is associated with a profile with parental controls, it will restrict the types of games that can be played.

Living Statue: One small step for Xbox, one giant leap for Microsoft’s social media strategy. This game lets players record their avatars dancing and singing karaoke-style, then e-mail the video masterpiece to their friends. The company has long nurtured its ambitions for its Xbox Live online game service, which has 23 million active users, to become a virtual watering hole for people who play video games. Living Statue is the latest attempt to encourage its players to check into Xbox Live and make friends.

Obstacle Course: This imaginatively named title is exactly what it suggests. Players pull, dodge and jump their way through a series of levels resembling what you would find at summer camp, sans the mosquitoes.

New Xbox 360 Coming, Project Natal Renamed to Kinect And More
Microsoft to unveil a smaller black Xbox 360 this week: Not only have a number of our sources been telling us that a mini-Xbox 360 is coming, but now ads for the device appear to be popping up on some international sites. The ads say it is compatible with "Kinect", has built-in Wi-Fi and that it sports a 250GB harddrive. (The ad had been running on this Italian site, linking to the official Xbox Italy webpage, but it was pulled a few minutes after this posted was published.)


New Xbox 360 Coming, Project Natal Renamed to Kinect And More
Project Natal is now called Kinect: We're hearing that Microsoft's motion-sensing Project Natal add-on for the Xbox 360 will be officially renamed Kinect. While it's possible that the news won't hit until tomorrow, our money is on the name popping up tonight during Microsoft's big show. There is a trademark for the term filed by Microsoft in late April for "computer software, computer hardware, and computer peripherals." The term Kinect appears in an Italian Xbox ad, and while it could refer to something other than the bound-to-be-renamed Project Natal, the prominence in the ad suggests it is the new name for the new Xbox hands-free control system.

So What's Inside The New Xbox 360?It appears, going by some advertisements popping up online just before E3 kicks off, that Microsoft plans to unveil a new model of the Xbox 360. What, then, does this new console bring to the table?

For starters, as you can see, the most immediate difference is in the look of the machine. Gone are the smooth lines of the current model, replaced by something that looks sharp, and angry. It's definitely not the path I thought Microsoft would take in trying to make the Xbox 360 more "family focused", and I'm not a fan of its "PC case mod" design.

So What's Inside The New Xbox 360?

Advertisements say that, in terms of storage, this new Xbox has 250GB storage. A good amount, but there are already 360s available with that capacity, so it's hardly a game-changer.

A more promising new feature is the inclusion of a built-in wi-fi adapter, something gamers have been crying out for since the original Xbox 360 does not include one and Microsoft's add-on device is priced extortionately.

So What's Inside The New Xbox 360?

The original rumours, some of which took to calling this the "Xbox 360 Slim", everyone assuming that becase the PlayStation 3's second model got smaller that Microsoft would follow suit. But looking at the size of this console's disc tray and power button (itself newly-designed), it doesn't appear to be significantly smaller than the existing Xbox 360. A little thinner, perhaps, but nothing drastic.

Assuming that the advertisements are 100% legitimate (and Microsoft obviously isn't going to clarify this ahead of its E3 press conference), that's all the stuff we know. So what can we assume?

Well, we can assume it's a new console designed with two things in mind: to cut production costs and give the Xbox 360 a mid-life facelift to coincide with the launch of Project Natal and a fresh new image for Microsoft's game machine.

While this means it'll likely have the same level of performance as existing Xbox 360s (same horsepower, same memory, etc), you'd think it will also have an all-new internal design (like, say, this one, spotted a few months back), utilising smaller, more efficient chips and better heat management. It would be great if it was also quieter.

This would in turn lead to a price cut on the console, perhaps down to the $199 mark of the existing Arcade model, while "older" Xbox 360s would presumably go on sale to clear out old stock. A cheaper price point would certainly help new consumers deal with the sticker shock of having to buy an Xbox 360 and Project Natal to get in on the next big thing.

The only pictures we've got so far of this supposed refresh don't seem to show anything else; or at least nothing else drastic, like Project Natal somehow being built into the console. The one minor thing I can see is that there doesn't appear to be any USB ports on the front of the console, which if correct would be a pain for anyone that plays Rock Band regularly.

There are two final things I'd like to know: one, whether the Xbox 360 controller has seen a redesign as well; it was built to complement the curves of the original Xbox 360 design, so if the new 360 is sharp and angry, will a new controller follow suit? I hope not. I like the current control pads just the way they are.

Secondly, the last few times we've seen Project Natal, it was white. Maybe this new Xbox 360 will be available in two colours?

One last thing before we get too carried away, remember: this isn't confirmed. And likely won't be until Microsoft's E3 press conference.

So the Microsoft Kinect is official, and we've seen a list of exciting new titles making their way to the Xbox 360 motion control device, but where's the innovation? Is Kinect changing the game, or delivering more of the same?

USA Today's story (since pulled) on the newly renamed Kinect highlights several of the titles we'll be seeing for the eagerly anticipated device when it launches later this year.

Unfortunately, it's a pretty disappointing list.

We were expecting some sort of revolution, but then we were expecting a revolution from Nintendo, before they renamed the Revolution to the Wii. Perhaps that explains the similarities between the games.

Let's take a look at what's been revealed so far.

Kinectimals let's you train and play with 20 different virtual cats. Or perhaps that's Catz. With tigers and lions in the mix, this is hardly Microsoft's version of Nintendogs, but the Petz series from Ubisoft has touched on tigers before.

But wait, we're interacting with them on a screen, without use of any sort of controller! That's new and exciting, right?

No, that's EyePet, already released in several regions, but retooled for North American release alongside the PlayStation Move.

Then there's Kinect Sports, with its boxing, bowling, beach volleyball, track and field, soccer and table tennis. It's Wii Sports, without holding anything. Hell, during the early days of the Wii, Wii Sports often turned into Wii Sports without holding anything, albeit while gaping at your newly cracked television screen and wondering where your Wii remote flew off to.

Kinect Adventures contains river rafting and an obstacle course. They probably should have included this with Kinect Sports and called it Kinect Sports Resort.

Dance Central from MTV Games brings the So You Think You Can Dance? experience home. Just like Just Dance did, only slightly different.

Surely there is some innovation? What about Joy Ride? The avatar-based, co-operation-fueled driving game was a big hit at last year's E3, promising an amazing community experience that would be a free download to all Xbox Live users. It sounded amazing!

And now it's a Kinect game, where players hold an imaginary steering wheel in the air, tilting forward and back to accelerate and brake. It sounds like they've taken BigPark's game, integrated the controls they showed off last year for a Natal-powered Burnout, and might be selling it instead of giving it away. I guess that counts as innovating and new.

Of course these are just the first games announced for Kinect, and it might not be a complete list. Microsoft could still have some surprises up their sleeves. Something that capitalizes on the promise of Lionhead's Milo, for instance.

We're not excusing Sony from creating Wii game clones here. Sports Champion for the PlayStation Move is pretty much Wii Sports Resort. The difference here is we were expecting Wii clones with the Move. Both systems have wands? Bring on the clones!

We were expecting more from Kinect.

We'll wait and see what E3 has in store for Microsoft's Kinect, but right now we're not that impressed.

The spec reveal same weight, same size, new case that's black to make it look thinner and old accessories don't work with it. just a new look to try to attract new shoppers.

Gears of War 3 Gameplay Demo

f*cking wicked looks good

Gears of War 3 has a very exciting new online mode, revealed for the first time at E3 2010. Building on the success of Horde mode, Beast mode is an arena-style battle where you try and kill off waves of enemies. The catch? You play as the Locust, killing COGs. Epic is going all out with this--it's not just you playing as wretches. You're going to be playing as a lot of different Locust, from Tickers to Cantus Priest's to Berserkers. It's going to be insane.

Beast Mode offers the mirror side of Horde mode. You and up to three friends play as Locusts, wiping out the entrenched Gears on the various multiplayer maps. The map layout can greatly change your strategy, since the Gears will have a strong advantage if they start with the high ground or, say, a bunker to take sniper shots.

Unlike Horde mode, you have more than one life. After all, playing as a Ticker, your goal is to get close to a Gear and explode. Wouldn't be very fun if that was the end of the round for you. Killing COGs earns you tokens, which can be spent to respawn into different characters. This rewards you for your successes in a match, but avoids punishing you for dying at the hands of a Gear. After all, that's what Locusts do, right?

When you pick up a copy of Gears of War 3 in April 2011, you won't be playing as a Berserker in Beast mode right off the bat. The different playable locusts are earned through a leveling up system. Epic Games promises that this won't be too prohibitive. You'll be able to unlock the Locusts you want quickly enough, but you'll appreciate the Berserker a touch more if you've earned it with superior Beast mode play.

The different Locusts are essentially like multiplayer classes. The Berserkers are your brute class, the Cantus are your healer class, etc. Playing as the different Locust looks like an absolutely blast.

The Ticker is kind of like a little bumper car, steering around the environment, bumping into walls and such in search of a some Gear. And when the Ticker finds victims? Hit the B button to explode. The Cantus is the healer and can even raise the dead. Of course, he also is a fine long-ranged combatant, so don't think of him as some kind of wuss who hangs in the back of the battlefield looking for Locust to heal. The Berserker is a hulk. She has myopic vision, meaning you'll see a little bit less of the field. She's a tank, basically, slowly turning and then plowing forward. She has a charge move that is devastating as well as a powerful ground slam. I saw a Berserker crush a Gear in an exo-suit. It's something else.

We'll have a chance to dive full on into Beast mode later this week. From the looks of it, this will be even better than Horde mode.

You can see the first video of Gears of War 3 on IGN's Live Show Tuesday at 2pm PST.

DO WANT!

Looks like a complete chaos and mess to me not impressed.

Looks like a complete chaos and mess to me not impressed.

IGN sure seemed to like id's new game Rage. From the footage I've seen it looked pretty awesome. Definitely on my buy list.

right now, kinect only works when you stand. This includes menu navigation. All the cool options to grab a slider and advance through frames of a movie you are watching only work when you are on your feet. kinect, we've been told, has problems handling your skeletal frame while sitting. The voice commands still work, but every game we've seen and even simple menu navigation have to be done with you out of your seat. That's not exactly how i want to watch my movies. If the focus for kinect is creating games like dance central that naturally would require you to be off your couch, that's great. But i have to say, no one thinks "i am driving a car!" while standing up in their living room.

edge reported devs' concerns on this exact problem - parsing out the player from furniture - a couple of issues ago. It seems entirely believable when you take a moment to think about the challenges involved vs dealing with people standing 'free'.