E3 2007 Reveals Big Holiday Season for Gamers
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye! This year's E3 has come and gone, setting the tone for an amazing Xbox 360 holiday gaming season and the future of gaming in general. Xbox 360 game titles announced and demonstrated indicate this could be the greatest holiday season for gamers … ever!
Games, Games, Games
If you've been hunkered down playing games all this week, and missed some of the E3 coverage, you can catch up by watching highlights of the Microsoft Briefing.
The future for Xbox 360 gamers is brighter than ever with the Holiday 2007 lineup. All of these titles will be available before or during the holidays, and with games like Halo 3, Grand Theft Auto IV, Madden NFL 08, and Rock Band, how can a gamer not have the best holiday ever? And Xbox 360 is the only console where gamers can play ALL of these top titles.
Just in time for the season.
Blockbuster games were in evidence everywhere at the show. Attendees could take some of the titles for a spin at Microsoft's game demo area, and we were witness to a few embarrassing displays of folks trying out Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, mashing the buttons on Virtua Fighter 5 and BioShock, or trying out the newly released Blue Dragon demo or the hot demo for ACE COMBAT 6: Fires of Liberation.
We also spent some time investigating Assassin's Creed,and drooling over the hi-def Halo 3 trailer, and the trailers for Mass Effect, Lost Odyssey, and Project Gotham Racing 4. We even saw a little bit of pizzazz with a live-action short devoted to Halo 3. But that wasn't all.
Thrilling action gameplay in Assassin's Creed.
Xbox LIVE Arcade fans will have plenty of fun, addictive games to choose from going into the holiday season. Sonic the Hedgehog and Golden Axe were released during the show, and titles coming soon include Bomberman Live, Hexic 2, Marathon: Durandal (check out our preview) , Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, and Undertow.
And still, there were more games to be announced.
Jump On In, It's Party Time!
Xbox 360 is one of the most versatile entertainment platforms available, featuring new games, accessories, and other entertainment that appeals to the whole family. Games that can be played with the family are a great way to get everyone together and have fun.
One way to do this is to pick up the new Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action, and bring the classic DVD party game to your console. The game's expanded format features new high-def movie content, new challenge types, and the really cool Big Button Pads that are used just like a buzzer at a game show. Oh, and the pads don't cost any more, they come right in the game.
Bzzzt! Buzz in with the Big Button Pads.
Calling the whole family together for jam sessions will be Rock Band, featuring two guitars, a drum kit and a microphone to turn your family into an ensemble. And if you're not musically inclined, everyone can enjoy a party with Viva Piñata: Party Animals. Our look at this game at E3 revealed all your favorite piñata characters participating in over 40 mini-games and a dozen foot races, perfect for any gaming party.
And You Thought We Were Done
There are even more games we haven't mentioned. But we also had to point out some of the hot new accessories unveiled at the show.
Master Chief would be proud.
Perhaps the most exciting hardware announcement of E3 was the Halo 3 Special Edition Console, designed by Bungie Studios and bundled with top-tier accessories having the look and feel of Halo 3. The introduction of two new controller colors in pink and blue gives gamers even more avenues to express themselves.
And if you need to express yourself, use the new Messenger Kit. Microsoft is offering this as an add-on to existing controllers to take greater advantage of Xbox LIVE and Windows Live Messenger integration.
The Future of Gaming
Whew! What a lineup. We only briefly touched on all the cool things that were talked about at E3. For Microsoft, the past year was marked by upward trends all around. Xbox 360 has maintained its lead in console sales while games sales and accessory attach rates continue to set the standard for the industry. Xbox is thriving everywhere. Can you imagine? A new person signs up for Xbox LIVE every eight seconds, meaning you can always find a good game, any time, on Xbox 360.
The show closed this year with more excitement than ever before. The holiday 2007 lineup is stunning. There has never been a lineup of this magnitude before. With new action games, party games, fun accessories, thrilling living room entertainment options, and a hugely successful platform, Microsoft and Xbox 360 promise to bring the good times to you and your family in the coming months.
By Kevin Paul
