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Less than a week after officially unveiling the system on MTV, Microsoft released more information about its next-generation console, the Xbox 360, at it's Pre-E3 press conference. Like their competitor, Sony, who pulled the wraps off their own next-generation system hours earlier, Microsoft also had a message they wanted to convey to those in attendance: Gamers first.
In order to showcase their philosophy of putting the gamer at the center of the experience, Xbox Corporate VP J. Allard profiled three ?typical? gamers and described just what the system would offer each of these diverse personalities. For the hardcore gamer, Allard touted amazing experiences and the Gamer Card, which would act as an ?online ID?, letting everyone know about accomplishments, reputation and favorite games. The Gamer Card will also allow gamers to always be able to find players of their own skill level, from hardcore players right on down to weekend warriors.
In order to fully showcase what the Gamer Card would offer, Allard showcased the Xbox 360 Live experience. As revealed last week, Live will come in two variations: Silver and Gold. The Silver package, which will come free with every Xbox 360 purchase, will feature basic features like voice and text messaging as well as the ability to download game demos and other media. Live Gold, which is the system?s premium service, will expand the online experience will allow for spectator modes, online tournaments and 24/7 access to online multiplayer gaming.
For the casual gamer, a demographic Allard earmarked as ??the ones we want to get back?, the Xbox 360 will offer more of a community-based experience. Once again showing off what Live had to offer, Allard showcased features like the Xbox Arcade and Live Marketplace, a sort of eBay for Live that would not only allow players to download in-game items from developers, but would also allow players to sell their own digital wares. To further illustrate the point, Allard described a gamer who has never stepped a digital foot in Tony Hawk designing their own skateboards or parks and making them available for download via the marketplace.
The final group Microsoft is targeting is the ?early adopter? or tech-head. Or, as Allard put it, ??the guy who knows the future is happening in high-def.? For this tech-savvy group, Allard showcased the 360?s Media Center, which allowed for downloads through programs like Napster, as well as the ability to download movies on demand and even watch shows.
Allard?s core message to all these gamers was that with the Xbox 360 they were always connected and always at the center of their experience. This grand vision of putting the gamer first was all part of Microsoft?s bold plan with Xbox 360 ? to reach one billion gamers.
Although no further details about price or launch date were confirmed (though Microsoft did give a vague ?Holiday ?05? date), they did answer one of the more lingering questions surrounding the system, backwards compatibility. After a brief demo reel showing some of the 200 games being released for the Xbox, Microsoft confirmed that the Xbox 360 would be backwards-compatible. However, this announcement was tinged with ambiguous wording, suggesting that the backwards-compatibility would be limited. Microsoft also announced that in addition to great Xbox games, the company expects to have between 25 and 40 titles available for the 360 by year?s end.
Microsoft began by showing off the trailer for Dead or Alive 4, which showed off impressive arena details such as breakable walls and traffic. A new survival horror game from designer Keiji Inafune called Dead Rising was also shown, as were Gears of War a futuristic shooter from Epic Games and Ghost Recon 3 from Ubi Soft. One of the highlights was a trailer for the next game in the Elder Scrolls series, Oblivion, which will provide a full-fledged RPG experience at launch and feature a living, breathing world complete with dynamic AI that reacts to the situations surrounding it.
EA was also on hand to pledge support for the Xbox 360, and announced that the publisher currently has 25 titles in the works for the system and planned to have at least six available at launch include Madden NFL 06, FIFA, Tiger Woods PGA 06, The Godfather and Need for Speed Most Wanted, which was shown as a real-time demo.
The biggest story coming out of the press conference was Microsoft?s announcement that Square Enix would bring Final Fantasy XI to the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. Final Fantasy XI will be the first Square Enix game to find its way to a Microsoft system and would allow Xbox 360 players to interact with PC gamers already enjoying the game.
At the close, Microsoft?s Senior VP of Games Robbie Bach reiterated that the 360 was all about putting the gamer at the center of the experience and stating that the next generation of gaming begins now. |
