Official MS E3 press conference thread

[patsu]

Okay I will but I'm kinda tied up right now. T_T

I just watched Miss Universe yesterday night... so any guy presentation is going to take a hit.

here is a list i found while not complete, highlights most points

Summary posts like this should be consolidated and move to post #1

 

[Arwin]

How does the new interface work without an HDD? All those Avatar designs, game icons, etc. is surely dependent on HDD.

It doesn't seem like it would really require a lot of memory. The avatars are 3d, extremely simple, low on animation. If you can do it on Wii, this doesn't look a lot more demanding. A memorystick should go a long way.

 

[silhouette]

Why does Microsoft need Netflix?

They don't... But now, all netflix users are potential 360 customers..

 

[liolio]

Oh The Internets! People always say they can do better.

I'm not terribly impressed with this conference. No new, high-profile game announcement. Once again MS is focusing on "right here right now" but Sony will steal the spotlight with promises of tomorrow.

I wonder how much does MS have left for Games Convention.

That is exactly what I was thinking.
MS has kept things in its sleeves
And they focus on a lot of american centric announcement.

For me the real huge news are:
Mii/dash boad update
games instal
FFXIII
RB2 (/how long the exclusivity last).

As usual MS focus on what is coming in near future.

 

[expletive]

This is all giving me a terrible vibe that makes the 360 look like what we associated Japan with decades ago - copy, copy, copy.

Don't you think that's a bit harsh considering the 2.41 XMB update is essentially a carbon-copy of Live! features (minus a few)? Seriously, if we came up with a list of "first on the block", and "implemented later" between all 3 consoles I don't think any of them shine as trailblazers.

I havent seen the video yet but i'm sure your characterization is spot-on in terms of the delivery. I think we all knew this day would come when we heard about the Moore resignation. Truth be told though, it wont make a bit of difference how this message was delivered, in the end its the message that counts, however creepy the presentation was.

They don't... But now, all netflix users are potential 360 customers..

I think when you are trying to become a media and entertainment hub for a household, in this day and age you need to build the content library piece by piece, similar to iPod. Those iPod users all use it for music but there are niches within that use population that watch their TV or movies through the device now. This is just another piece of the puzzle that will resonate strongly with some, and be just a 'nice to have' for others. In the long run however, diversified content is what is needed to build the userbase for these media services.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

It doesn't seem like it would really require a lot of memory. The avatars are 3d, extremely simple, low on animation. If you can do it on Wii, this doesn't look a lot more demanding. A memorystick should go a long way.

Textures count for a lot. Game icons will add up. It might not need a huge amount of storage, but I don't recall the XB360 having an abundance of flash free, which I understood in part explained the low definition blade graphics to date.

Just watching the Lips footage. The placement of the text under the note indicators is better than SingStar where you have to look away from pitch markings to see the lyrics. Otherwise it's another glorious 'me too' follow the market move

 

[woundingchaney]

I found it to be a very worthwhile presentation. The features for Live and the console are a considerable improvement along with a very solid 2008 Fall lineup. Im not overly sure what is missing. If anything the presentation needed more punch, but that would be the delivery and not the content.

MS is really coming through with the Xbox as a platform. Everything from the games library to the services has vastly improved even above their sophmore level.

 

[AzBat]

Textures count for a lot. Game icons will add up. It might not need a huge amount of storage, but I don't recall the XB360 having an abundance of flash free, which I understood in part explained the low definition blade graphics to date.

You'll get the basics for avatars without a hard drive just like you did before with Gamerpics and dashboard themes. If you want more to choose from, then you'll a need a storage device, the bigger the device the more you'll be able to store. You will only need one outfit for your avatar. So, browse Live Marketplace and find one you like and download it and store it on your storage device of choice. You won't need any others. I don't see what's so difficult about that.

Tommy McClain

 

[RobertR1]

There are some people in this presentation that make Kaz Hirai look like a complete non-gaming smooth-talker ... my goodness. Why not just hire some actors? It's scripted to death anyway.

This is all giving me a terrible vibe that makes the 360 look like what we associated Japan with decades ago - copy, copy, copy. There are some great bits of news in here for (us) 360 owners, like Netflix (if you're in the U.S.) and Final Fantasy XIII, or Gears of War 2, or the new Dash (which I'm thinking actually doesn't look as nice as the old one, and I hate the avatar style).

All in all Microsoft did a great job commercially, but inspiring? Jeez. I'm sincerely depressed. This is probably the worst presenting I've ever seen.

So going by you, when the PS3 got in game XMB, they copied MS. When they launch their movie service, it'll be copying MS? Sixaxxis trying to copy the Wii? Copying is a part of business. When someone is successful with something the competition copies and tries to make it better to take away some of that marketshare.

Presentations are about content, not about impressing you with a smoke and mirrors show. I rather see what's coming that I can play vs a lights and costume show that's weak on actual content. MS, as usual, had a laughable presentation but with great content.

 

[expletive]

Textures count for a lot. Game icons will add up. It might not need a huge amount of storage, but I don't recall the XB360 having an abundance of flash free, which I understood in part explained the low definition blade graphics to date.

Just watching the Lips footage. The placement of the text under the note indicators is better than SingStar where you have to look away from pitch markings to see the lyrics. Otherwise it's another glorious 'me too' follow the market move

Well today people store their gamercard on a HD or memory card don't they? I imagine this will be an extension of that profile which wouldnt eat into any internal memory.

 

[Inquisitive_Idiot]

The change in the Dashboard is quite significant! I would argue that based on stylistic changes alone the Fall Update is something I would have expected to see launched alongside a new console. I am very impressed that Microsoft seems committed to improving the functionality of the dashboard, along with adding new features.

Overall I found the initial stage demos very impressive (Gears was very fucking beautiful), and although the mass market games were presented in an awkward manner I think it speaks to Microsoft's commitment to expanding its userbase.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

So, browse Live Marketplace and find one you like and download it and store it on your storage device of choice. You won't need any others.

You need everybody else's avatar costumes though for when you meet up with them or play against them online. If that data isn't stored on locally, you'll have to download it, which probably isn't a huge issue. Alternatively the actual array of costumes is going to be pretty limited, just selecting a colour for a few different meshes. I noticed there weren't any Hawaiin Shirt patterns in his selection!

 

[AzBat]

So going by you, when the PS3 got in game XMB, they copied MS. When they launch their movie service, it'll be copying MS? Sixaxxis trying to copy the Wii? Copying is a part of business. When someone is successful with something the competition copies and tries to make it better to take away some of that marketshare.

Presentations are about content, not about impressing you with a smoke and mirrors show. I rather see what's coming that I can play vs a lights and costume show that's weak on actual content. MS, as usual, had a laughable presentation but with great content.

Do yourself a favor and don't watch the presentation. Only reason why you would is if you were looking for something to complain about. I got all the news/content of everything announced without watching the keynote. Much better that way if you ask me.

Tommy McClain

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Enough with the 'Who-Copied-Who' talk. It's boring and unproductive. There's plenty of content here to talk about. If you don't want to discuss the actual titles and services MS are offering, regardless of whether their innovating or following, then don't post here.

 

[AzBat]

You need everybody else's avatar costumes though for when you meet up with them or play against them online. If that data isn't stored on locally, you'll have to download it, which probably isn't a huge issue.

Isn't an issue now with downloading Gamerpics or any of the other Gamercard info like games played, achievements or bio info. I think the 360 has enough RAM to handle the new stuff. LOL

Tommy McClain

 

[Dominik D]

You need everybody else's avatar costumes though for when you meet up with them or play against them online. If that data isn't stored on locally, you'll have to download it, which probably isn't a huge issue.

You'll see your friends only if you're online, so download on demand seems like a good idea for a storage-limited SKUs.

 

[22psi]

I really happy that you can install the game 100% on the HDD and play it from there instead of the disk drive. Reduction in drive noise is important and it'll likely speed up loading as well.

16:10 support is also very good. FINALLY!

 

[RobertR1]

Here's a good game summary:
Fallout 3
Fable 2 (Exclusive)
Gears of War 2 (Exclusive)
Viva Pinata : Trouble In Paradise (Exclusive)
Banjo (Exclusive)
Lips (Exclusive)
Resident Evil 5
Rock Band 2 (Exclusive, briefly)
Geometry Wars 2 (Exclusive)
Portal 2 : Still Alive (Exclusive)
Infinite Undiscovery (Exclusive)
The Last Remnant
Final Fantasy XIII

Out of those:
Banjo
Gears 2
Fallout 3
Fable 2
Geometry Wars 2
Rock Band
are a must for me this year.

 

[Dominik D]

Here's a good game summary:
Fallout 3 (+ exclusive DLC)
Exclusive GTA4 DLC
(...)

Fix + patch.

In other news: EA conference started.

 

[betan]

Netflix sharing is interesting. Sony's download sharing has been excellent - you can even share RockBand tracks between accounts. Streaming a movie across several people is an unexpected step in that direction, but quite an odd one. Who really wants to watch a movie with other people while at the same time on your own?

I haven't watched the press conference, but I can see value on community movie experience, especially with voice chat (???), or is it just like PSN sharing but simultaneous.

BTW, can you guys clarify the Netflix deal as well? Netflix online catalog is free to gold members now, even without a Netflix account?