GamingNovice.com

This week was the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in LA, and Microsoft made some big news with some killer announcements for the Xbox.

First are some Dashboard updates that are actually pretty cool. Facebook, Twitter and Last.FM are coming to the Dashboard.

• · Facebook allows you to view status updates, photos and make your own updates right from the dashboard. Games will soon start supporting Facebook updates, allowing you uber geeks to take screenshots, and post right to your wall.
• · Twitter will be allow you to view your tweet following and make your own twits along with replies. No word yet on if you can auto-tweet you game status or not
• · Last.FM is a free internet radio service much like Pandora (if you are familiar with them). You can create your own custom radio station lists featuring you favorite music types or titles. Very cool addition for expanding the dashboard as a one stop shop for music listening.

Other dashboard improvements will add “Direct Download” of retail games to the Xbox. If you hate actually having to keep track of a disc, you will soon be able to purchase online and skip the next Madden midnight madness. It is said game purchases will support both MS Points and direct Credit Card purchases. Netflix will get an update to support browsing and updating your Instant Queue right from the dashboard, no more running to the computer to add new content. Finally party sharing of music and movies will happen, allowing you to party up and listen to tunes, movies and photos together while still being apart. A revamped video marketplace is coming lead by the Zune team and the Zune HD. They are also (connection dependant) planning on providing 1080p Instant On movie viewing.

Now for some cool upcoming Game announcements. Hopefully no one has any plans for November. Following are the new announcements, release dates for some anticipated games and few misc title updates.

• · Crackdown 2 announced
• · Assassin’s Creed II coming Winter 2009
• · Forza Motorsport 3 coming October 2009
• · Splinter Cell Conviction coming sometime yet this year (2009)
• · Beatles Rock Band 09/09/09
• · Halo 3: ODST 9/22/2009 (includes a multiplayer beta code for the next Halo game, Halo Reach which is coming Fall 2010)
• · Bioshock 2 11/03/2009
• · Modern Warfare 2 11/10/09
• · Left 4 Dead 2 11/17/2009
• · * Didn’t I say your November was shot!!
• · Mass Effect 2 coming Spring 2010
• · Alan Wake coming Spring 2010
• · Final Fantasy coming early 2010
• · Metal Gear Solid Rising announced for Xbox 360

The last announcement of the Microsoft Press Briefing has to the coolest. Project Natal is a controller free full body Motion Control for the Xbox 360. There were no pricing or availability announcements, but plenty of demos to show its potential. Dashboard integration included Facial recognition allowing the Xbox to auto log you into your gamer profile simply by walking in front of the sensor bar. Also full dashboard navigation buy simple hand gestures and voice recognition. Feel like turning the Xbox off after watching a late night movie? Just tell it “Goodnight”.

Some game demos included soccer, car racing, and a full body brick breaker game. The final demo was called “Milo”. The player fully interacted with the Milo AI character, and environment. The player was able to splash around in a water puddle, while their reflection could be seen in the water, and Milo saying you name, and commenting on your color of clothes or facial expressions.

Again no announcements on when the Motion Controller will hit retail, but actual demos given to the gaming press proved it was working really well and has a ton of potential. My guess, at least Spring 2010 at the earliest, but I hope I’m wrong. It looked really cool.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) kicks off next week.  Microsoft has there big announcement event on Monday June 1st.

Get ready Microsoft says there will be some big announcements, that change the way we think of entertainment on a gaming console.

Stay tuned……

Okay as of Friday the 24th of October I am sitting on the verge of 20,000 gamerscore. Only a mere 195 points away. What happens once I pass that glorious 20k mark? Nothing. But was it fun to get there. Heck yeah.

Has Microsoft changed the way people (I know some, not all gamers) play video games? Achievements and now Trophies in PS3, reward players for doing something a particular way, or reaching a certain stage/level/mission in the game. Some reward you for playing a game multiple times. Has it changed the games and the way we play them? Sometimes. Is it for the better? I think that answer is both yes and no.

Look for a followup coming. I want to talk more about achievements and what it has done to gaming, but right now I need to see if I can squeeze out 200 more points from Fable 2.