Rather than use E3 to pile on the mountains and mountains of hype of the big-budget titles, I’ve elected to sprinkle through our coverage the small little gems that might otherwise go unnoticed. First on the docket is AAA: Héroes del Ring a lucha libre (Mexican-style higly-flying pro-wrestling) game that’ll hit your Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and PSP on August 10 of this year. I had some quality time with it this morning and I can say this: I left the booth absolutely shocked at how thorough the game is.

The game, developed by Immersion Games and published by Konami in the U.S. and Slang south of the border, lets you play as one of 30 luchadores from Mexico’s AAA promotion. (AAA is sorta the WWE of Mexico.) All the big names are there, from Konnan to Cibernético to La Parka—that’s AAA’s La Parka and not LA Park, mind you. Or, if you want to create your own luchador you’ll find an incredibly detailed create-a-wrestler mode. You can customize your guy’s physical characteristics to your heart’s content (you can even create your own mask!) as well as their move-set. Very much reminds me of the golden days of Wrestlemania 2000 and No Mercy on the N64 back in the day!

Controls also remind me of those games. Everything revolves around your luchador’s popularity. In order to use your guy’s big special move you need to build up said popularity meter, which you do by striking your opponent, taunting your opponent, etc. There’s weak and strong grapples: weak grapples lead to weaker (but quicker) moves, and strong grapples lead to stronger (but slower) moves. Pretty easy to follow.

There’s a story mode that you can play, either as a técnico (babyface or “good guy”) or rudo (heel or “bad guy”). The storyline, naturally, is different depending on you’re técnico or rudo. In the build I was shown, Konnan, featured in a recent outstanding Wrestling Observer bio, narrates the cutscenes.

There is, in fact, a mask vs. mask (or mask vs. hair) match mode. If you lose your match or hair in an online match, you’ll have to win three ranked matches to get your mask/hair back. Phenomenal.

The game has the authentic AAA commentators for the Spanish-speaking audience as well as English commentators, which I believe will also be Konnan. The point is, the game’s developers thought to include English dialogue (again, in addition to Spanish) throughout&mdas;that’s pretty key if the game is to do well here in the U.S.

So yeah, like I said, walking in to the game this morning I though, “Meh, hopefully it’s halfway decent.” I’m pretty sure I can say it’s quite a bit better than “halfway decent.” It’s fairly arcade-y (as in a single big punch can send one guy over the ropes), but then again lucha libre itself is pretty arcade-y, too.

Pleasantly surprised by this.

Do you want to see the same Portal 2 trailer that Matt and I saw a few moments ago during Sony’s press conference? Of course you do! Also: the game’s official site isn’t live yet, but it’ll be here when it is.

Here’s the whole press release:

STEELSERIES INTRODUCES NEW AUDIO PRODUCT LINE AT E3: STEELSERIES SPECTRUM FOR XBOX 360® GAMERS

Three New Products Will Expand the Xbox 360® Line – SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb, SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb and the SteelSeries Spectrum AudioMixer

LOS ANGELES – E3 – June 15, 2010 – Kicking off the Entertainment Electronics Expo (E3), SteelSeries, the leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories introduced a new audio line specifically created for Xbox 360® gamers. Since 2001, the gaming peripherals from SteelSeries have been used by competitive gamers to win world championship tournaments and millions in prize money, all thanks to the extensive testing and product development exclusively done with the best gamers on the planet. It’s with this knowledge and expertise that SteelSeries introduces the first three products of the SteelSeries Spectrum line. The SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb, a premium headset with refined gaming audio designed for both comfort and convenience; the SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb, an entry-level priced headset packed with outstanding sound quality and functionality; and the SteelSeries Spectrum AudioMixer, an accessory that extends Xbox 360 gameplay and communication to any headset with 3.5mm jacks.

“For more than a decade, SteelSeries has created peripherals to meet the needs of the most discerning PC gamers and provide a competitive advantage based on comfort, technology, and design,” said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. “With the new Spectrum line, we’re leveraging what our award-winning PC headsets are known for, which are superior levels of comfort and sound quality. We’ve added unique features, specific to Xbox 360 gaming, in order to meet the demand for premium console headsets.”

SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb and 4xb headsets present players with an advanced soundscape, providing the ability to pinpoint the directional sounds of footsteps and grenade drops without them being drowned out by deep bass sounds from explosions or in-game chat. Comprised of new features intended to enhance a gamer’s audio experience, the headsets include:

• Easy access to independent audio and voice controls provides players with complete and intuitive control of volume levels for in-game audio and Xbox LIVE® communication.
• SteelSeries LiveMix offers players the quick-button option to improve the balance and mixing of Xbox LIVE chat and in-game audio, so that voice communication is mixed perfectly with or over the sounds of gunfire and explosions, without having to increase the volume of the headset and risk hearing damage.

SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb
Designed as a premium quality, wired headset for Xbox 360 gamers, the SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb has XL-sized, hear-through cloth ear cushions that fit comfortably around the ear. With the custom-built soundscape via 40mm SunDancer (SCS) units, gamers can pinpoint the direction and locations of noises and movement throughout the game. The SteelSeries Spectrum 5xb features a durable double-braided nylon cord and dismantles into 3 separate parts, at the headband and at each earcup making it compact and easy to fit into a carrying case for storage and/or travel.

A retractable, unidirectional microphone is featured on the entire SteelSeries Spectrum headset line, making the voice communication for Xbox LIVE users adjustable, convenient and clear. As a familiar SteelSeries feature, the microphone can be stored in the left earcup when not in use, while a control on the included Spectrum AudioMixer independently adjusts in-game audio and microphone volume.

SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb
As the entry-level, wired headset designed for Xbox 360 gamers, the SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb is a lightweight headset featuring XL-sized, cloth covered foam ear cushions that surround the outside of the ear for long session comfort. The circumaural design enhances the gaming experience through carefully adjusted sound reproduction. Similar to the Spectrum 5xb version, the Spectrum 4xb also features the signature retractable microphone and an optimized soundscape for gaming.

SteelSeries Spectrum AudioMixer
SteelSeries introduces a new Xbox 360 mixer alongside the introduction of the Spectrum headsets. When sold separately, the Spectrum AudioMixer allows any headset with a microphone and 3.5mm jacks to function with Xbox 360 gameplay and Xbox LIVE chat. The mixer is also included in the box for the SteelSeries Spectrum 4xb and 5xb headsets.

The new SteelSeries Spectrum product line will be available in Q3 2010. Be sure to check out SteelSeries.com and follow us on both Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on retailers that will carry Spectrum, as well as promotions, giveaways, and who in professional gaming will be using SteelSeries Spectrum headsets to help them win tournaments.

What’s the hottest story on Twitter right now? Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the World Cup? Nope. Brazil? Sorry. Work or shoot: Bryan Danielson and WWE? Nein. No, friends, the hottest story right now is the goings-on over at Nintendo. The company is on stage giving its E3 presentation, and people are sorta all over the place. Has Nintendo’s fan service worked this time around?

Um, yeah. There will always be room for a company that’s not focused on creating pointlessly violent games and roided-up super soldiers.

So, here’s a brief Twitter reaction. (Note that I have no idea who any of these people are, they’re just random tweets I thought were fun.)

Twitter speaks…

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That last one made me laugh quite heartily for some reason.

YouTube will be live streaming the main press conferences (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, EA, Ubisoft) and content from IGN’s E3 booth which will include game demos and interviews. All of this will be available on the channel YouTube.com/E3.

IGN has of course been covering E3 for as long as I can remember. But this is new territory for YouTube, which has been gradually ramping up its live streaming efforts in the last year or so. YouTube live streams used to primarily focus on political events, but it’s since streamed a handful of concerts, the Tiger Woods press conference, and the Indian Premier League’s cricket tournament.

We also recently found evidence of a live stream button available on some YouTube accounts, though the shot in question was of CitizenTube which regularly broadcasts livestreams. Still, Max Haot, the CEO of Livestream, felt that the button was “strong evidence” that YouTube was planning to launch a live streaming feature.

I’ll be surprised if YouTube launches a live streaming option for individuals in the near future (it would be a huge liability). But clearly the site isn’t afraid of working with trusted partners, and I expect we’ll continue to see more deals like this one.

Update: It’s also worth pointing out that Ustream will be broadcasting content from E3 through partnerships with G4 and 1UP. Their channel is ustream.tv/e3.

Here we have what is allegedly a “confirmed” E3 lineup. Let’s see… Guitar Hero 6, big surprise there… Call of Duty: MMO… KI3, maybe that’s Killer Instinct 3? And what’s Mass Effect 3 doing under the Sony heading?

Needless to say, the list is fairly suspicious. Like, what is “Project Xfree”? I doubt Microsoft is bringing XFree86 to the 360.

One other thing that stands out is a new Twisted Metal game. The last one, Twisted Metal: Black, came out for the PS2 back in 2001, so it’s been a while.

I wouldn’t lose sleep over this list.

We’re live at Konami’s press conference at E3 in Los Angeles…

• 6:15 PM: Doug Aamoth Just a moment and we’ll be underway…
• 6:19 PM: ThePeterHa And here we go.
• 6:19 PM: ThePeterHa I’d like to say that T-Mobile’s network stinks.
• 6:20 PM: ThePeterHa Konami promises that we won’t leave this press conference disappointed.
• 6:20 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:21 PM: ThePeterHa Sony is adding MGS 4 to their list of greatest hits on June 16th
• 6:21 PM: ThePeterHa I think that’s what the Konami exec just said.
• 6:22 PM: Doug Aamoth
• 6:22 PM: ThePeterHa Something from Kojima is coming
• 6:22 PM: ThePeterHa Looks like the Raiden teaser we’ve all been seeing.
• 6:22 PM: ThePeterHa Hideo Kojima is now on stage
• 6:22 PM: ThePeterHa Oh boy
• 6:23 PM: ThePeterHa Kojima is talking about the economic recession and swine flu
• 6:23 PM: Doug Aamoth Metal Gear: Swine Flu?
• 6:23 PM: ThePeterHa Four new titles from Kojima
• 6:24 PM: ThePeterHa Metal Gear Arcade!
• 6:24 PM: ThePeterHa Coin ops MGS!
• 6:25 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:25 PM: ThePeterHa Special goggles will be worn for 3D gaming
• 6:26 PM: ThePeterHa Kojima is aiming to launch in Japan this year
• 6:27 PM: ThePeterHa The second title is….
• 6:27 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:27 PM: ThePeterHa Trailer first
• 6:27 PM: ThePeterHa “Nuclear deterrants”
• 6:27 PM: ThePeterHa “Cuban missile crisis”
• 6:27 PM: ThePeterHa 1974 in Costa Rica
• 6:28 PM: ThePeterHa Now we’re in Colombia
• 6:29 PM: ThePeterHa “The Legendary Missing Link” in the Metal Gear Saga
• 6:29 PM: ThePeterHa “Outer Heavens”
• 6:30 PM: ThePeterHa Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
• 6:30 PM: ThePeterHa coming in 2010
• 6:31 PM: ThePeterHa Snake is back on the PSP
• 6:31 PM: ThePeterHa But we already knew that
• 6:32 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:32 PM: ThePeterHa Naked Snake is back with clones (at least that’s what was in the video), takes place 10 years after MGS3.
• 6:32 PM: ThePeterHa Kojima has taken full control of the project
• 6:33 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:33 PM: ThePeterHa The team from MGS4 is currently working on MGS: Peace Walker for the PSP.
• 6:33 PM: ThePeterHa The next trailer is…
• 6:34 PM: ThePeterHa What we saw during the Xbox 360 press conference
• 6:34 PM: ThePeterHa Rising
• 6:34 PM: ThePeterHa For PS3 and Xbox 360
• 6:35 PM: ThePeterHa This title is for the next gen consoles as the next series for MGS
• 6:36 PM: ThePeterHa Kojima is creating Rising in the style of the NA and European studios
• 6:36 PM: ThePeterHa Rising is being built by the “young bloods” at Kojima Productions
• 6:36 PM: ThePeterHa Rising is also coming to PC
• 6:36 PM: ThePeterHa Here comes a surprise
• 6:37 PM: ThePeterHa The mask that was on the Kojima site is now being revealed
• 6:37 PM: ThePeterHa Patrick Stewart voice over
• 6:37 PM: ThePeterHa Robert Carlyle
• 6:38 PM: ThePeterHa Jason Isaacs
• 6:38 PM: ThePeterHa Castlevania, I think
• 6:38 PM: ThePeterHa Natasha McElhone
• 6:38 PM: ThePeterHa Gabriel is battling all manner of beasts
• 6:38 PM: ThePeterHa including giant werewolfs
• 6:39 PM: ThePeterHa huge spiders
• 6:39 PM: ThePeterHa a giant ice creature
• 6:39 PM: ThePeterHa Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
• 6:39 PM: ThePeterHa 2010
• 6:40 PM: ThePeterHa “2010 reborn”
• 6:41 PM: ThePeterHa This particular Castlevania title will be like nothing we’ve seen before
• 6:42 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:42 PM: ThePeterHa Spanish dev mercurysteam is working with Kojima Productions on this upcoming Castlevania title
• 6:42 PM: ThePeterHa Xbox 360 and PS3
• 6:43 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:44 PM: ThePeterHa Dave Cox from Konami Europe is heading up the project
• 6:44 PM: ThePeterHa Kojima has full faith that Cox will deliver
• 6:44 PM: ThePeterHa Sounds like there will be multiple Castlevania titles from Dave Cox and mercurystream
• 6:44 PM: ThePeterHa *mercurysteam
• 6:46 PM: ThePeterHa “Forget what you know about Castlevania…this game will deliver on what you’d expect from a next gen console Castlevania”
• 6:46 PM: ThePeterHa Kojima intentionally added lots of stormy images and lightning on his site because that’s the current state of our world
• 6:46 PM: ThePeterHa “We’re in an era of economical crisis and as entertainers we’re here to clear up the storm”
• 6:47 PM: ThePeterHa That’s it for Kojima
• 6:47 PM: ThePeterHa Trailer for the Saw game
• 6:47 PM: ThePeterHa Doesn’t appear to be anything new since the title has been on the show floor
• 6:48 PM: ThePeterHa Bell is here
• 6:52 PM: ThePeterHa He’s creepy in person as well
• 6:52 PM: ThePeterHa Not just as Billy or Jigsaw
• 6:52 PM: ThePeterHa Bell has been working closely with the folks at Konami to create a perfect addition to the Saw franchise
• 6:53 PM: ThePeterHa He’s thanking all the folks involved with Saw
• 6:53 PM: ThePeterHa Fun fact: I’ve never seen any of the six Saw movies
• 6:54 PM: ThePeterHa or however many there have been
• 6:55 PM: ThePeterHa Saw the game is coming out in October
• 6:56 PM: ThePeterHa John Williamson, the producer of the Saw game is now on stage discussing the game
• 6:56 PM: ThePeterHa The reverse bear trap, which was showcased in the first movie is the first contraption in the game
• 6:56 PM: ThePeterHa “Every room and every hallway will have clues”
• 6:57 PM: ThePeterHa Mini games are abundant and allow you to progress through the game
• 6:58 PM: ThePeterHa Throughout the game you’ll encounter characters from previous Saw movies
• 6:58 PM: ThePeterHa Xbox 360, Ps3 and downloadable for the PC
• 6:58 PM: ThePeterHa Karaoke Revolution is up net
• 6:58 PM: ThePeterHa *next
• 6:58 PM: ThePeterHa I think we’re about done with Konami
• 6:59 PM: ThePeterHa ROFL
• 7:00 PM: ThePeterHa Looks like my text is being delayed
• 7:00 PM: ThePeterHa Saw will be on the Xbox 360, PS3 and downloadable for the PC
• 7:00 PM: ThePeterHa Karaoke Revolution will be available for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii
• 7:00 PM: ThePeterHa A robust selection of 50 remastered tracks
• 7:01 PM: ThePeterHa Like those from Pat Benatar and Lady Gaga
• 7:01 PM: ThePeterHa Customizable avatars
• 7:01 PM: ThePeterHa “lavish stages, like a rockabilly themed stage”
• 7:01 PM: ThePeterHa oh jeez
• 7:02 PM: ThePeterHa “hardcore social gamers” can play with up to 16 players
• 7:02 PM: ThePeterHa “highly anticipated release”
• 7:02 PM: ThePeterHa No thanks, buddy.
• 7:02 PM: ThePeterHa DanceDance Revolution
• 7:03 PM: ThePeterHa Too bad I’m stuck in the middle of my row or I’d bail right now
• 7:04 PM: ThePeterHa My BioShock 2 demo awaits!
• 7:04 PM: ThePeterHa DDR will blow our minds, people!
• 7:06 PM: ThePeterHa Oh yay
• 7:06 PM: ThePeterHa You can use the balance board in DDR for the Wii
• 7:07 PM: ThePeterHa OMG
• 7:07 PM: ThePeterHa get me out of here
• 7:08 PM: ThePeterHa Mr. DDR Producer please stop dancing
• 7:08 PM: ThePeterHa enough with the hip thrusts
• 7:09 PM: ThePeterHa Even his translator is mimicking his movements
• 7:10 PM: ThePeterHa and he’s not even on a balance board

We’re live at Nintendo’s press conference at E3 in Los Angeles…

• 10:50 AM: Doug Aamoth Conference starts at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern. Stay tuned for live updates…
• 12:03 PM: Doug Aamoth and away we go…
• 12:04 PM: Doug Aamoth various shots being shown of people playing Wii bowling, DS(i), etc.
• 12:04 PM: Doug Aamoth “Every generation, the game in everyone, everyone’s game — Nintendo”
• 12:04 PM: Doug Aamoth Cammie Dunaway takes the stage
• 12:05 PM: Doug Aamoth everyone here at E3 has one thing in common — a professional connection to video games
• 12:05 PM: Doug Aamoth how are we trending?
• 12:05 PM: Doug Aamoth last year video games were just as big as home video, toys, and music + movie box office put together
• 12:06 PM: Doug Aamoth video games are different now
• 12:06 PM: Doug Aamoth maybe you’ve noticed a woman on the plane playing the DS, or your uncle asking you for tips
• 12:06 PM: Doug Aamoth it’s now “everyone’s game”
• 12:06 PM: Doug Aamoth Nintendo’s goal: create, surprise
• 12:07 PM: Doug Aamoth today we will bring you innovation in the next leap forward in game control and surprises in games where you may have thought there was no surprise left
• 12:07 PM: Doug Aamoth video playing showing old NES, Super NES, footage
• 12:07 PM: Doug Aamoth Mario
• 12:08 PM: Doug Aamoth Everyone remembers Mario in 3D
• 12:08 PM: Doug Aamoth we admit we haven’t quite figured out how to move Mario into the fourth dimension
• 12:08 PM: Doug Aamoth but the number four is the key to Mario’s next adventure
• 12:08 PM: Doug Aamoth Myamoto is working on new Super Mario Bros for Wii
• 12:09 PM: Doug Aamoth all new
• 12:09 PM: Doug Aamoth more players
• 12:09 PM: Doug Aamoth four people holding Wii-motes take the stage
• 12:09 PM: Doug Aamoth simple play control
• 12:09 PM: Doug Aamoth one to four players, item boxes generally produce one item for each player
• 12:10 PM: Doug Aamoth looks like a sidescroller, like Mario 1 or 3
• 12:10 PM: Doug Aamoth seriously, looks like Mario 1 with Wii graphics
• 12:10 PM: Doug Aamoth warp pipes, coins, etc.
• 12:10 PM: Doug Aamoth players are holding Wii-mote sideways
• 12:10 PM: Doug Aamoth like old school NES controller
• 12:11 PM: Doug Aamoth you can play single player or co-op with up to four players
• 12:11 PM: Doug Aamoth new item: propeller suit
• 12:11 PM: Doug Aamoth shake Wii-mote to go up in the air
• 12:11 PM: Doug Aamoth screen zooms out if players spread out
• 12:12 PM: Doug Aamoth propeller suit makes players look like Teletubbies
• 12:12 PM: Doug Aamoth flagpole at end of levels
• 12:13 PM: Doug Aamoth launches holiday 2009
• 12:13 PM: Doug Aamoth “New Super Mario Bros. Wii”
• 12:13 PM: Doug Aamoth seriously looks like four-player Super Mario 1 for the NES
• 12:13 PM: Doug Aamoth now onto the Wii Balance Board, Wii Fit
• 12:14 PM: Doug Aamoth Wii Fit best selling fitness game in the world
• 12:14 PM: Doug Aamoth 15 million Balance Boards sold
• 12:14 PM: Doug Aamoth looking at ways to make Wii fit more attractive to household
• 12:14 PM: Doug Aamoth Wii Fit Plus
• 12:15 PM: Doug Aamoth next version moves in added direction from “something for everyone”
• 12:15 PM: Doug Aamoth main menu, you enter Locker Room
• 12:15 PM: Doug Aamoth six new strength and yoga activities
• 12:15 PM: Doug Aamoth key is how you mix and match individual elements
• 12:15 PM: Doug Aamoth can omit interludes between exercises so your routine can move fluidly
• 12:15 PM: Doug Aamoth (thank god)
• 12:16 PM: Doug Aamoth looks more like an extension to Wii Fit, not an entirely new game
• 12:16 PM: Doug Aamoth 15 new balance games
• 12:16 PM: Doug Aamoth juggling, skateboarding, one called “perfect ten”
• 12:16 PM: Doug Aamoth swing hips between numbered balls to equal “10″
• 12:17 PM: Nicholas Deleon Nicholas/Carlos here, just checking in. I’ll add color commentary where appropriate.
• 12:17 PM: Doug Aamoth one game where you leap from platform to platform dodging swinging balls
• 12:17 PM: Doug Aamoth “so you can feel what it’s like to be Mario”
• 12:17 PM: Doug Aamoth available as package with Balance Board or standalone for current Wii owners
• 12:17 PM: Doug Aamoth no price given
• 12:17 PM: Doug Aamoth Fall 2009
• 12:18 PM: Nicholas Deleon There really should be a drinking game revolving around the word “innovative”
• 12:18 PM: Doug Aamoth Reggie Fils-Aime takes the stage
• 12:18 PM: Doug Aamoth Nintendo is great, etc.
• 12:18 PM: Doug Aamoth Nintendo has good word of mouth
• 12:18 PM: Doug Aamoth the interface is key
• 12:18 PM: Doug Aamoth Wii-mote and nunchuck changed the game
• 12:19 PM: Doug Aamoth Balance Board has opened up a separate path for millions of players
• 12:19 PM: Doug Aamoth the next advance in game control is…
• 12:19 PM: Doug Aamoth Wii MotionPlus
• 12:19 PM: Doug Aamoth new sense of realism in gameplay
• 12:19 PM: Doug Aamoth Not one that looks more real, but feels and plays more real
• 12:20 PM: Doug Aamoth Wii MotionPlus adds precision control
• 12:20 PM: Doug Aamoth video demo showing spinning Wii mote with MotionPlus adapter
• 12:20 PM: Doug Aamoth ping pong player hitting slo-mo ball
• 12:21 PM: Doug Aamoth basketball player taking slo mo shot, ball turns into Wii mote
• 12:21 PM: Doug Aamoth samurai sword turns into Wii mote
• 12:21 PM: Doug Aamoth as a Wii owner and an Xbox 360 owner, Microsoft is winning so far
• 12:22 PM: Doug Aamoth Mario looks like a dumbed down movie remake, Wii MotionPlus has already been announced
• 12:22 PM: Doug Aamoth more slow mo sports shots for Wii MotionPlus
• 12:22 PM: Doug Aamoth video over, polite applause
• 12:23 PM: Nicholas Deleon Very polite applause
• 12:23 PM: Doug Aamoth golf claps, really
• 12:23 PM: Doug Aamoth some guy here to demo Wii MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort
• 12:23 PM: Doug Aamoth “it knows all there is to know about where and how you’re holding your controller.”
• 12:24 PM: Doug Aamoth shot of a Mii on an airplane getting ready to skydive
• 12:24 PM: Doug Aamoth Wii MotionPlus superimposed over Mii
• 12:24 PM: Doug Aamoth I can position my Mii to grab other skydivers, twist, etc.
• 12:25 PM: Doug Aamoth guy is using Wii mote as Mii, tilting, tipping, spinning, etc.
• 12:25 PM: Doug Aamoth “as you can see, it’s a lot of fun”
• 12:25 PM: Doug Aamoth it does not, in fact, look that fun
• 12:25 PM: Doug Aamoth I own a Wii and like it, by the way
• 12:26 PM: Nicholas Deleon Who else got all the gold metals in Pilotwings 64 in 1996?
• 12:26 PM: Doug Aamoth so if I come off as negative, it’s because I want the Wii to be awesome. If I were a parent right now, I’d be saying to my kid (named Wii), “I’m not mad, I’m disappointed.”
• 12:26 PM: Doug Aamoth demo of guy shooting bow and arrow
• 12:26 PM: Doug Aamoth even minor shakes push the arrow off target
• 12:27 PM: Doug Aamoth showing that the MotionPlus is very accurate
• 12:27 PM: Doug Aamoth “it’s not about learning the control, it’s about doing what comes naturally”
• 12:28 PM: Doug Aamoth Fils-Aime and the demo guy are “vamping”
• 12:29 PM: Doug Aamoth now they’re going to play basketball together
• 12:29 PM: Nicholas Deleon That’s an incredible amount of awkward laughter right there
• 12:29 PM: Doug Aamoth three point contest
• 12:29 PM: Doug Aamoth shooting with Wii mote in hand like a basketball
• 12:30 PM: Doug Aamoth Reggie wins 19-17
• 12:30 PM: Doug Aamoth for those of you keeping score
• 12:30 PM: Nicholas Deleon And yet not as fun as NBA Jam was
• 12:30 PM: Doug Aamoth I would let my boss win, too, though
• 12:30 PM: Doug Aamoth Wii Sports Resort launches on July 26th
• 12:31 PM: Doug Aamoth EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 demo coming up
• 12:31 PM: Doug Aamoth I have high, high, high hopes for this one
• 12:31 PM: Doug Aamoth Grand Slam Tennis will use MotionPlus, too
• 12:31 PM: Doug Aamoth Sega’s Virtua Tennis will have MotionPlus, too
• 12:31 PM: Doug Aamoth “every little mistake you make in the real world will be faithfully reflected in the game”
• 12:32 PM: Doug Aamoth “you’ll mutter the same bad words in real life”
• 12:32 PM: Nicholas Deleon And as we all know, Virtua Tennis was a fine, fine game for the Dreamcast
• 12:32 PM: Doug Aamoth available in the next few weeks
• 12:32 PM: Doug Aamoth Red Steel 2 will only work with MotionPlus (Ubisoft)
• 12:33 PM: Doug Aamoth RPGs coming up
• 12:33 PM: Doug Aamoth Square Enix
• 12:33 PM: Doug Aamoth Final Fantasy
• 12:33 PM: Doug Aamoth exclusively for Wii
• 12:34 PM: Doug Aamoth Final Fantasy: The Crystal Bearers
• 12:34 PM: Doug Aamoth Kingdom Hearts to DS on September 29th (exclusive to DS)
• 12:34 PM: Doug Aamoth graphics look pretty good for DS
• 12:35 PM: Doug Aamoth shot of Bowser
• 12:35 PM: Doug Aamoth “Bowser really does suck, and I mean that in a good way”
• 12:35 PM: Doug Aamoth Bowser’s Inside Story: Mario RPG
• 12:35 PM: Doug Aamoth for DS
• 12:36 PM: devin Hmm
  Signal is blowing it. Pictures incoming.

  /sent from my G1

• 12:36 PM: Doug Aamoth Mario and Luigi go to work exploring Bowser’s pipes
• 12:37 PM: Doug Aamoth Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story available this fall
• 12:37 PM: Doug Aamoth in North America and Europe
• 12:37 PM: Doug Aamoth one more piece of important news for RPGs
• 12:37 PM: Nicholas Deleon I’d like to see a Mario plumbing simulator. Dealing with homeowners, paying unions dues, etc.
• 12:37 PM: Doug Aamoth a franchise that’s been gone for quite a while…
• 12:37 PM: Doug Aamoth Golden Sun DS
• 12:38 PM: Doug Aamoth graphics look great
• 12:38 PM: Doug Aamoth demo over, more money talk
• 12:39 PM: Doug Aamoth DS is a great platform, lots of people have it, good money, etc.
• 12:39 PM: Doug Aamoth October 13th, James Patterson interactive novel
• 12:39 PM: Doug Aamoth Why join a book club when you can join the Women’s Murder Club?
• 12:39 PM: Doug Aamoth Women’s Murder Club: Games of Passion
• 12:40 PM: Doug Aamoth uncover hidden clues, analyze evidence
• 12:40 PM: Doug Aamoth you play a lady detective of some sort
• 12:40 PM: Doug Aamoth for Nintendo DS
• 12:40 PM: Doug Aamoth new stuff from Ubisoft…
• 12:40 PM: Doug Aamoth Cop: The Recruit for DS
• 12:41 PM: Doug Aamoth young NY cop forced undercover to unravel the conspiracy that’s gotten his partner in trouble
• 12:41 PM: Nicholas Deleon And, really, who doesn’t love grittiness?
• 12:41 PM: Doug Aamoth looks like GTA
• 12:42 PM: Nicholas Deleon That woman’s pants are straight out of Saturday Night Fever
• 12:42 PM: Doug Aamoth run your own boutique, customize your shop
• 12:42 PM: Doug Aamoth works with DS Wi-Fi
• 12:43 PM: Nicholas Deleon I can’t imagine too many of you guys are interested in a clothes/modeling simulator
• 12:43 PM: Doug Aamoth “Style Savvy”
• 12:43 PM: Doug Aamoth should have called it Teen Girl Squad
• 12:43 PM: Doug Aamoth no onto the DSi
• 12:44 PM: Doug Aamoth interviewing tweens, etc.
• 12:44 PM: Doug Aamoth “it’s a very on-the-go system”
• 12:44 PM: Doug Aamoth “the internet’s gonna be awesaaahme”
• 12:44 PM: Doug Aamoth lots of middle schoolers drawing out their vowels
• 12:44 PM: Doug Aamoth the camera is greeeaaate
• 12:44 PM: Doug Aamoth etc.
• 12:45 PM: Doug Aamoth DSi sales have surpassed one million units since launch
• 12:45 PM: Doug Aamoth plus 400,000 DS lites
• 12:45 PM: Doug Aamoth the lady speaking has a handsome pantsuit
• 12:45 PM: Doug Aamoth it’s all white
• 12:46 PM: Doug Aamoth nice two-button blazer, white bell-bottom pants
• 12:46 PM: Doug Aamoth okay, back to business
• 12:46 PM: Doug Aamoth animation game for DSi
• 12:46 PM: Doug Aamoth simple movie maker
• 12:46 PM: Doug Aamoth FlipNote Studio
• 12:46 PM: Doug Aamoth like a flip animation video maker
• 12:46 PM: Nicholas Deleon Oh God, enough with user-generated content
• 12:46 PM: Doug Aamoth Mario Donkey Kong level creator
• 12:47 PM: Doug Aamoth yeah, DSi = personalization basically
• 12:47 PM: Doug Aamoth Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again
• 12:47 PM: Doug Aamoth available only as a download on DSi on June 8th
• 12:47 PM: Doug Aamoth “that’s right, this coming Monday”
• 12:47 PM: Doug Aamoth WarioWare DIY
• 12:48 PM: Doug Aamoth “as in, do it yourself”
• 12:48 PM: Doug Aamoth every element is user controlled
• 12:48 PM: Doug Aamoth characters, storyline, meaning, etc.
• 12:48 PM: Doug Aamoth when your micro game is completed, you can share it with other WarioWare owners
• 12:49 PM: Doug Aamoth DSi camera
• 12:49 PM: Doug Aamoth automatic photo uploads to Facebook coming this summer
• 12:49 PM: Doug Aamoth because if you have an electronic product, it MUST connect with Facebook
• 12:50 PM: Doug Aamoth new game
• 12:50 PM: Doug Aamoth The Legend of Zelda, Spirit Tracks
• 12:50 PM: Doug Aamoth playable on the show floor this week
• 12:50 PM: Doug Aamoth but little information beyond that
• 12:50 PM: Doug Aamoth the crowd is eerily subdued, your thoughts Nicholas?
• 12:51 PM: Nicholas Deleon Everyone’s game indeed
• 12:51 PM: Nicholas Deleon I’m trying to think if this woman has improved over last year
• 12:51 PM: Doug Aamoth Satoru Iwata, Nintendo president takes the stage
• 12:51 PM: Nicholas Deleon Because she was dire last year
• 12:52 PM: Nicholas Deleon Now this guy I like, Iwata
• 12:52 PM: Doug Aamoth the global gaming population has greatly expanded
• 12:52 PM: Doug Aamoth Nintendo has been doing a lot of research
• 12:52 PM: Doug Aamoth three population groups
• 12:52 PM: Doug Aamoth active game players, people who say they’ll never play, and people who say they might play
• 12:52 PM: Doug Aamoth future growth has to come from the “maybes”
• 12:53 PM: Doug Aamoth 295 million active players
• 12:53 PM: peterha
• 12:53 PM: Doug Aamoth in Japan, US, and six European countries
• 12:53 PM: Doug Aamoth 149 million “maybes”
• 12:53 PM: Nicholas Deleon That may be, but you’re annoying your Active fans with all this casual hogwash
• 12:53 PM: Doug Aamoth you don’t like Cooking Mama?
• 12:54 PM: Doug Aamoth “we still have a long way to go to expand the gaming population”
• 12:55 PM: Doug Aamoth previously the best games were considered those that required the most advanced skills
• 12:55 PM: Doug Aamoth makes it harder for newcomers to join, though
• 12:55 PM: Doug Aamoth if we lower the bar, we won’t satisfy highly-skilled players, though
• 12:55 PM: Doug Aamoth hard to determine experienced player vs. novice
• 12:55 PM: Doug Aamoth we were all new gamers once, though
• 12:56 PM: Doug Aamoth need to be intuitive enough to be enjoyed by everyone
• 12:56 PM: Doug Aamoth make both skill levels happy simultaneously
• 12:57 PM: Doug Aamoth MarioKart with Wii Wheel is a good example of a game that’s easy to pick up yet appeals to experienced gamers as well
• 12:57 PM: Doug Aamoth Wii Sports Resort will be a similar game
• 12:57 PM: Doug Aamoth “Everyone’s game”
• 12:58 PM: Doug Aamoth Brain Age and Wii Fit have attracted the most new players
• 12:58 PM: Doug Aamoth what’s next? sneak peek…
• 12:58 PM: Nicholas Deleon mind, body and soul?
• 12:58 PM: Doug Aamoth Wii Vitality Sensor
• 12:58 PM: Doug Aamoth you put your finger in it like a pulse monitor
• 12:58 PM: Doug Aamoth is it April Fool’s Day?
• 12:59 PM: Nicholas Deleon I dare him to test the audience’s vitality!
• 12:59 PM: Doug Aamoth measures nervousness
• 12:59 PM: Doug Aamoth the sensor, on any audience member, would register outrage
• 12:59 PM: Doug Aamoth use the Vitality Sensor to achieve greater relaxation
• 1:00 PM: Doug Aamoth so fire up the Wii, stick the sensor on your finger, and try to get your stress level to fall
• 1:00 PM: Doug Aamoth I’m assuming there’d be some sort of breathing exercises
• 1:00 PM: Nicholas Deleon Unless Nintendo has a game where Link and Abraham Lincoln team up to race the Indy 500
• 1:00 PM: Doug Aamoth that’s all we get to see, though, just the Vitality Sensor
• 1:01 PM: Doug Aamoth lady back on stage
• 1:01 PM: Doug Aamoth “We still have some stimulation to show you.”
• 1:01 PM: Doug Aamoth there’s more Mario news…
• 1:01 PM: Doug Aamoth for the first time ever…
• 1:01 PM: Doug Aamoth a SECOND FULL 3D MARIO TITLE
• 1:01 PM: Doug Aamoth on a single Nintendo console
• 1:01 PM: Doug Aamoth this one looks much better than the first one they showed
• 1:02 PM: Doug Aamoth more like Mario Galaxy
• 1:02 PM: Doug Aamoth may be Mario Galaxy 2, there’s a fair amount of space stuff
• 1:02 PM: Nicholas Deleon Well this is more like it
• 1:02 PM: Doug Aamoth running sideways across globes, etc.
• 1:02 PM: Doug Aamoth similar to Mario Galaxy
• 1:03 PM: Doug Aamoth wait for it… wait for itttttt.
• 1:03 PM: Doug Aamoth Super Mario Galaxy 2
• 1:03 PM: Doug Aamoth Reggie Fils-Aime back on stage
• 1:04 PM: Doug Aamoth SMG 2 looks a lot like the first one
• 1:04 PM: Doug Aamoth but the first one was a good game, so that’s okay
• 1:04 PM: Doug Aamoth “I read the blogs, too” — Reggie
• 1:04 PM: Doug Aamoth people are saying “I want more”
• 1:04 PM: Doug Aamoth and more is generally publishers not named Nintendo
• 1:05 PM: Doug Aamoth exclusive titles from third-party publishers
• 1:05 PM: Doug Aamoth three weeks: The Conduit – Sega
• 1:05 PM: Doug Aamoth first person shooter
• 1:05 PM: Doug Aamoth was that Will Smith’s voice?
• 1:06 PM: Doug Aamoth The Conduit
• 1:06 PM: Doug Aamoth looks like a futuristic, apocalyptic FPS
• 1:06 PM: Doug Aamoth Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles
• 1:06 PM: Doug Aamoth graphics look superb
• 1:06 PM: Nicholas Deleon Does Leon punch boulders? I think not
• 1:07 PM: Nicholas Deleon Yeah, this looks pretty good
• 1:07 PM: Doug Aamoth guns + Wii MotionPlus = good
• 1:07 PM: Doug Aamoth Deadspace…
• 1:07 PM: Doug Aamoth Dead Space Extraction
• 1:07 PM: Doug Aamoth exclusive to Wii
• 1:08 PM: Doug Aamoth kind of a prequel to Dead Space
• 1:08 PM: Doug Aamoth graphics look great
• 1:08 PM: Doug Aamoth people finally clap
• 1:08 PM: Doug Aamoth politely, again
• 1:09 PM: Doug Aamoth end of third-party publisher announcements
• 1:09 PM: Doug Aamoth an edgy game coming from Nintendo? absolutely says Fils-Aime
• 1:09 PM: Doug Aamoth preview of…
• 1:09 PM: Doug Aamoth Team Ninja + Nintendo
• 1:10 PM: Doug Aamoth yama hama, this looks nice
• 1:10 PM: Doug Aamoth Metroid: Other M
• 1:10 PM: Doug Aamoth a grittier, darker Metroid
• 1:10 PM: Nicholas Deleon Satisfied, hardcore gamers?
• 1:11 PM: Doug Aamoth I still didn’t see any blood
• 1:11 PM: Doug Aamoth maybe in the future, people don’t bleed
• 1:11 PM: Doug Aamoth coming 2010
• 1:11 PM: Doug Aamoth people finally clapping normally
• 1:11 PM: Doug Aamoth sort of
• 1:11 PM: Doug Aamoth “Passionate Metroid fans may have found surprise in that trailer” — Reggie
• 1:12 PM: Nicholas Deleon Speculate: what does M stand for?
• 1:12 PM: Doug Aamoth deeper into Samus’ story
• 1:12 PM: Doug Aamoth MURDER, muwahahahaaaa
• 1:12 PM: Doug Aamoth no idea
• 1:12 PM: Doug Aamoth Mintendo
• 1:12 PM: Doug Aamoth MotionPlus?
• 1:12 PM: Doug Aamoth Myamoto?
• 1:12 PM: devin /sent from my G1
• 1:12 PM: devin
• 1:12 PM: peterha
• 1:13 PM: Doug Aamoth “We remain committed to making Nintendo everyone’s game.”
• 1:13 PM: Doug Aamoth thank you and good bye
• 1:13 PM: Doug Aamoth wow, that was… um… not all that great
• 1:13 PM: Doug Aamoth where’s the Wii Zelda?
• 1:13 PM: Nicholas Deleon They should have just showed the last 10 mins
• 1:14 PM: Nicholas Deleon Instead of all that other nonsense that I’ve already forgotten about
• 1:14 PM: Doug Aamoth they should have had James Cameron come out and talk about his new movie for an hour and a half
• 1:14 PM: Nicholas Deleon Oh that was really great
• 1:14 PM: peterha
• 1:14 PM: Doug Aamoth okay time to wrap it up, thanks for stopping by everyone
• 1:14 PM: Nicholas Deleon With his Meryl Streep haircut
• 1:15 PM: Doug Aamoth we’ll let all of Devin and Peter’s late-ass photos trickle in
• 1:17 PM: peterha
• 1:18 PM: peterha
• 1:18 PM: peterha
• 1:20 PM: peterha
• 1:20 PM: peterha
• 1:21 PM: peterha
• 1:22 PM: peterha
• 1:24 PM: devin
• 1:26 PM: Doug Aamoth Quick Update: Super Mario Galaxy 2 won’t be available until 2010

We’re live at EA’s press conference here at E3 in Los Angeles…

• 4:42 PM: Devin Coldewey Yo. We’re Live at EA’s press conf. Still a while before it goes live. Looped animations, Clif bars and an asset drive full of stuff we’ve already seen. Get ready for some Mass Effect 2 footage though, we’ll get it up as fast as is humanly possible.
• 4:42 PM: Devin Coldewey
• 4:50 PM: ThePeterHa Devin, any power outlets in there?
• 4:50 PM: ThePeterHa ROFL
• 5:02 PM: Devin Coldewey Damn, this wifi is spotty as hell
• 5:04 PM: Devin Coldewey Lights are dimming. I’m so excited! And I just can’t hide it!
• 5:05 PM: Devin Coldewey starting right off with a trailer. Looks like Dragon Age: Origins.
• 5:05 PM: ThePeterHa test
• 5:06 PM: Devin Coldewey Neeeever mind. Dante’s Inferno.
• 5:06 PM: ThePeterHa EA and Visceral want us to “Go to Hell”
• 5:07 PM: Devin Coldewey Can’t get any sense of gameplay. Cinematic trailer. John Riccitiello is talking about the people here, etc…
• 5:07 PM: ThePeterHa Didn’t Sims 3 get leaked the other week?
• 5:08 PM: Devin Coldewey John is EA’s CEO. Showing Sims 3 now, which of course leaked onto torrent sites last week
• 5:08 PM: ThePeterHa I think NA downloaded it
• 5:08 PM: ThePeterHa 12 games will be showcased today from EA.
• 5:09 PM: ThePeterHa “The Wii is a spectacular platform.”
• 5:09 PM: ThePeterHa Chip Lang from Hasbro is on stage
• 5:09 PM: ThePeterHa *from the Hasbro division
• 5:10 PM: ThePeterHa Littlest Pet Shop. Over 2 million girls played the previous title. Three new adventures are coming: Country, City, Beach.
• 5:10 PM: Devin Coldewey
• 5:10 PM: ThePeterHa Coming to the Wii and DS.
• 5:11 PM: ThePeterHa Devin, wake me up when this press conf gets exciting.
• 5:11 PM: Devin Coldewey Got a daughter? Want her to spend all her time with a pretend plush dog? This is the game for you.
• 5:11 PM: Devin Coldewey
• 5:12 PM: Devin Coldewey You too, reader, can make friends in Littlest Pet Shop Online. Fall 2009. twee!
• 5:12 PM: ThePeterHa Charm Girls Club
• 5:12 PM: ThePeterHa BFFs
• 5:13 PM: ThePeterHa Are we at the right press conference?
• 5:13 PM: ThePeterHa “EA Girl”
• 5:14 PM: Devin Coldewey Speed hair teasing! on the wii!
• 5:15 PM: ThePeterHa Is this Sweet Valley High?
• 5:15 PM: ThePeterHa LOL
• 5:15 PM: ThePeterHa Now onto Need for Speed Shift
• 5:15 PM: ThePeterHa 3 things to remember from this presentation
• 5:16 PM: ThePeterHa Cockpit view completely redefines the driving experience
• 5:16 PM: ThePeterHa New driver profile in Shift
• 5:16 PM: Devin Coldewey BFF games – Charm Girls Club being previewed so the girls they brought can clear out before the Dead Space expansion trailer.
• 5:16 PM: Devin Coldewey Are we at the EA press conference Peter, or Toys R Us
• 5:17 PM: ThePeterHa Video died and they’re restarting
• 5:18 PM: Devin Coldewey No matter what you stay in the race. Nobody loses!
• 5:19 PM: ThePeterHa Demo with an M3 from the cockpit view
• 5:19 PM: ThePeterHa Is this bumper cars or street racing?
• 5:20 PM: ThePeterHa The gentleman playing just crashed into a railing
• 5:20 PM: Devin Coldewey Nice framerate… looks good. Better than Prostreet anyhow.
• 5:20 PM: ThePeterHa Oh jeez. EA is giving away a BMW M3.
• 5:20 PM: ThePeterHa Now we’re onto Dragon Age Origins
• 5:21 PM: ThePeterHa Violence, lust, betrayal are what we can expect from DAO
• 5:21 PM: ThePeterHa New in-game footage coming up
• 5:23 PM: ThePeterHa Sex scenes
• 5:23 PM: ThePeterHa How naughty
• 5:23 PM: ThePeterHa We’ll have video coming up
• 5:23 PM: ThePeterHa October 20th launch date
• 5:23 PM: ThePeterHa Mass Effect 2 is coming up
• 5:24 PM: ThePeterHa Shepherd is a “kickass hero”
• 5:25 PM: ThePeterHa ME2 is coming early next year
• 5:25 PM: ThePeterHa New trailer is being shown now.
• 5:25 PM: ThePeterHa “chances of survival are slim.”
• 5:26 PM: ThePeterHa The soundtrack sounds pretty righteous
• 5:26 PM: ThePeterHa This looks like a cleaned up version of what was leaked at GDC
• 5:27 PM: ThePeterHa Now onto EA’s bread and butter
• 5:27 PM: ThePeterHa football, tennis, golf, basketball
• 5:27 PM: ThePeterHa and hockey
• 5:27 PM: ThePeterHa and boxing
• 5:27 PM: ThePeterHa and soccer
• 5:27 PM: ThePeterHa Peter Moore now on stage
• 5:28 PM: ThePeterHa applause
• 5:28 PM: ThePeterHa cheers
• 5:28 PM: ThePeterHa The most diverse product portfolio is coming up
• 5:28 PM: ThePeterHa To start things off is Fight Night Round 4
• 5:29 PM: ThePeterHa Visuals and gameplay have been updated
• 5:29 PM: ThePeterHa Demo on the Xbox 360 coming up
• 5:29 PM: ThePeterHa Moore says his dream fight would be Tyson vs Ali
• 5:29 PM: ThePeterHa 60fps as opposed to 30fps from FNR3
• 5:30 PM: ThePeterHa updated physics engine
• 5:30 PM: ThePeterHa Ali just knocked out Tyson
• 5:31 PM: ThePeterHa Reach and height make a big difference in FNR4 because of the new physics engine
• 5:31 PM: ThePeterHa everything is “dynamically driven”
• 5:31 PM: ThePeterHa “sweat, blood spray, muscle contractions”
• 5:31 PM: ThePeterHa demo over
• 5:32 PM: ThePeterHa FNR4 is coming a week earlyu
• 5:32 PM: ThePeterHa launching June 25
• 5:32 PM: ThePeterHa EA is coming to MMA
• 5:32 PM: ThePeterHa Coming in 2010. Well under development at Tiburon.
• 5:33 PM: ThePeterHa
• 5:34 PM: ThePeterHa
• 5:34 PM: ThePeterHa FIFA 09 Ultimate Team had 1.3 million downloads
• 5:34 PM: ThePeterHa Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online coming this fall
• 5:34 PM: ThePeterHa no disc needed
• 5:35 PM: ThePeterHa EA Sports World launched today to track stats
• 5:35 PM: ThePeterHa “Connected Features”
• 5:35 PM: ThePeterHa Lots of user generated content
• 5:35 PM: ThePeterHa All from your desktop
• 5:36 PM: ThePeterHa customize stadiums, uniforms, etc.
• 5:36 PM: ThePeterHa “Team Builder”
• 5:36 PM: ThePeterHa for NCAA Football 10
• 5:37 PM: ThePeterHa Get started now so you can have you custom team ready to go when the game launches next month
• 5:37 PM: ThePeterHa Madden 10 online franchise
• 5:37 PM: ThePeterHa iPhone App for Madden 10
• 5:38 PM: ThePeterHa And now onto the Wii
• 5:38 PM: ThePeterHa Active was launched two weeks ago
• 5:39 PM: ThePeterHa Moore is extremely proud of EA Sports Active.
• 5:41 PM: ThePeterHa Allison Sween or whatever her name from Biggest Loser is now on stage to talk about EA’s “new platform”
• 5:41 PM: ThePeterHa She’s now a size 4
• 5:41 PM: ThePeterHa She’s thanking EA Sports Active for that
• 5:42 PM: ThePeterHa Moore and Sweeney are chatting about nonsense now
• 5:42 PM: ThePeterHa EA moved 600k units of Active
• 5:42 PM: ThePeterHa This coming holiday is the first DLC for Active
• 5:43 PM: ThePeterHa 13 new exercises and activities
• 5:43 PM: ThePeterHa currently in development
• 5:43 PM: ThePeterHa Paddle boarding
• 5:43 PM: ThePeterHa squash
• 5:43 PM: ThePeterHa
• 5:43 PM: ThePeterHa
• 5:44 PM: ThePeterHa Grand Slam Tennis launches next week
• 5:44 PM: ThePeterHa I played GST a few weeks back
• 5:44 PM: ThePeterHa And it works great with WiiMotion Plus
• 5:44 PM: ThePeterHa You can slice your shots
• 5:44 PM: ThePeterHa Throw up a lob
• 5:45 PM: ThePeterHa Pete Sampras is walking on stage
• 5:45 PM: ThePeterHa Pete is standing behind Moore
• 5:45 PM: ThePeterHa Moore doesn’t know he’s there
• 5:45 PM: ThePeterHa And now Moore sees him
• 5:46 PM: ThePeterHa Sampras is now strapping in and playing against the GST producer
• 5:46 PM: ThePeterHa Wimbledon is in GST, which is a first
• 5:47 PM: ThePeterHa Moore asks Sampras how this compares to the real thing
• 5:47 PM: ThePeterHa Pete says, “it’s easier.”
• 5:48 PM: ThePeterHa
• 5:48 PM: ThePeterHa Now onto The Saboteur
• 5:48 PM: ThePeterHa
• 5:48 PM: ThePeterHa
• 5:50 PM: ThePeterHa WWII game from Pandemic in case you don’t know what’s goin on
• 5:50 PM: ThePeterHa The particular demo we’re seeing takes place in Paris
• 5:51 PM: ThePeterHa There’s a vast world that Pandemic built for this game
• 5:51 PM: ThePeterHa It’s mostly black and white with spots of color
• 5:51 PM: ThePeterHa We’ll have video later tonight
• 5:52 PM: ThePeterHa The objective in this demo is to blow up a gas depot of some sort
• 5:52 PM: ThePeterHa there are various hiding spots, like the redlight district
• 5:53 PM: ThePeterHa Coming this holiday season
• 5:54 PM: ThePeterHa Tim Schafer from Double Fine productions is now on stage to talk about Brutal Legend
• 5:55 PM: ThePeterHa Tim’s talking about all the rock legends that he wanted to see in this game
• 5:56 PM: ThePeterHa Lenny Kilmister’s character is being shown
• 5:56 PM: ThePeterHa he’s a Killmaster
• 5:57 PM: ThePeterHa Ozzy is the “Guardian of Metal”
• 5:58 PM: ThePeterHa
• 5:58 PM: ThePeterHa
• 5:59 PM: ThePeterHa *Lemmy Kilmister. may bad.
• 5:59 PM: ThePeterHa Lita Ford will also be in the game
• 5:59 PM: ThePeterHa Jack Black is the voice of Eddie Riggs
• 6:00 PM: ThePeterHa Brutal Legends comes out on October 13
• 6:02 PM: ThePeterHa Cevat Yerli from Crytek is now on stage
• 6:02 PM: ThePeterHa Crytek is working with EA on Crysis 2
• 6:02 PM: ThePeterHa Crysis 2 will be coming to the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3
• 6:03 PM: ThePeterHa All thanks to CryEngine 3
• 6:03 PM: ThePeterHa More details to come later this year
• 6:03 PM: ThePeterHa No demo or video of C2
• 6:04 PM: ThePeterHa EA has inked a new partnership with Realtime Worlds
• 6:04 PM: ThePeterHa All Points Bulletin is the new title
• 6:04 PM: ThePeterHa “online city full of life, streets full of vehicles, thousands of pedestrians”
• 6:05 PM: ThePeterHa Customizable characters
• 6:05 PM: ThePeterHa This is an MMO
• 6:05 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:05 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:06 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:06 PM: ThePeterHa
• 6:07 PM: ThePeterHa Trailer for APB being shown
• 6:07 PM: ThePeterHa We’ll upload this video as well soon
• 6:07 PM: ThePeterHa Star Wars!!!
• 6:07 PM: ThePeterHa WHoa
• 6:07 PM: ThePeterHa Lots of Jedis on stage
• 6:08 PM: ThePeterHa With varying lightsabers
• 6:08 PM: ThePeterHa Two jedis are walking down the aisle to the stage
• 6:08 PM: ThePeterHa Bioware and Lucas are showing off Star Wars The Old Republic
• 6:09 PM: ThePeterHa PC MMO
• 6:10 PM: ThePeterHa TOR will be the first fully voiced MMO
• 6:10 PM: ThePeterHa Thousands of lines of dialogue
• 6:11 PM: ThePeterHa The first cinematic trailer is now being shown
• 6:12 PM: ThePeterHa There’s a lady boba fett
• 6:12 PM: ThePeterHa bounty hunter, i mean
• 6:14 PM: ThePeterHa Wow
• 6:14 PM: ThePeterHa The Jedis just got pwned
• 6:15 PM: ThePeterHa And that’s a wrap
• 6:16 PM: ThePeterHa We’ll be back in two hours from the Ubi press conf
• 6:16 PM: ThePeterHa Devin and I will be uploading video in the meantime

[PSGallery=6mv3wnppr5]

We’re live at Microsoft’s Xbox 360 press conference at E3 in Los Angeles.

No need to refresh the page — everything updates automatically.

• 1:10 PM: Doug Aamoth Peter is waiting in line for the conference to start. I’m sitting in a comfy faux-leather office chair in Boston ready to help him post stuff. How do we simultaneously cover an event when we’re in two different places? THE FUTURE IS NOW!
• 1:13 PM: Doug Aamoth The show starts at 10:25 Pacific, 1:25 Eastern, so you have time to run out and grab a Mr. Pibb before everything gets underway.
• 1:22 PM: Doug Aamoth
• 1:26 PM: ThePeterHa And away we go!
• 1:27 PM: ThePeterHa The Beatles animated clip is playing.
• 1:29 PM: ThePeterHa A really long animated The Beatles Rock Band clip is being played.
• 1:29 PM: ThePeterHa Oh, it was the opening cinematic
• 1:30 PM: ThePeterHa The Beatles launched a tech revolution?
• 1:30 PM: ThePeterHa On 9/9/09 the entire Beatles catalog is being rereleased/remastered
• 1:31 PM: ThePeterHa The Harmonix team is playing A Hard Day’s Night
• 1:32 PM: ThePeterHa
• 1:32 PM: ThePeterHa Maybe not a hard day’s night
• 1:32 PM: ThePeterHa i don’t know
• 1:32 PM: ThePeterHa
• 1:34 PM: ThePeterHa
• 1:34 PM: ThePeterHa 10 of the 45 songs are being announced today.
• 1:34 PM: ThePeterHa The first official trailer is going up now
• 1:34 PM: ThePeterHa I Saw her standing there
• 1:34 PM: ThePeterHa I want to hold your hand
• 1:35 PM: ThePeterHa Looks like Rock Band to me
• 1:35 PM: ThePeterHa but with beatles
• 1:35 PM: ThePeterHa “i’m in love with her and i feel fine” that song
• 1:35 PM: ThePeterHa Day Tripper
• 1:35 PM: ThePeterHa Taxman
• 1:35 PM: ThePeterHa I am the Walrus
• 1:36 PM: ThePeterHa Back in the USSR
• 1:36 PM: ThePeterHa There was something about a “unison bonus” on screen. Is that a normal RB thing?
• 1:36 PM: ThePeterHa Here Comes the Sun
• 1:36 PM: ThePeterHa “Octupus’ garden” that song
• 1:36 PM: ThePeterHa Get Back
• 1:37 PM: ThePeterHa The game will also feature DLC, like full albums
• 1:37 PM: ThePeterHa Abbey Road will be the first album to download in its entirety
• 1:37 PM: ThePeterHa All You Need is Love will be an exclusive Xbox song and proceeds from that song will go to Doctors Without Borders
• 1:38 PM: ThePeterHa Danny Harrison is on stage
• 1:38 PM: ThePeterHa and then he just left
• 1:38 PM: ThePeterHa Lots of shout outs to Apple Corps
• 1:38 PM: ThePeterHa Yoko Ono and Olivia Lennon ar eon stage
• 1:39 PM: ThePeterHa But I’m in the nosebleed section so I can’t get a clear shot
• 1:39 PM: ThePeterHa Paul and RIngo are here!
• 1:40 PM: Doug Aamoth
• 1:40 PM: ThePeterHa
• 1:40 PM: Doug Aamoth There’s your shot of Yoko, buddy.
• 1:40 PM: ThePeterHa Ringo says, “the game looks good, the graphics look great…”
• 1:40 PM: ThePeterHa “We love it!”
• 1:41 PM: ThePeterHa “God bless, peace and love”
• 1:41 PM: ThePeterHa hahahahha. Thanks, Doug.
• 1:41 PM: ThePeterHa John Sschappert is coming on
• 1:41 PM: ThePeterHa he’s the corp vp for xbox
• 1:42 PM: ThePeterHa ‘Everyone wants to have fun now’
• 1:42 PM: ThePeterHa ‘from the living room’
• 1:42 PM: ThePeterHa YES! No actual numbers talk
• 1:43 PM: ThePeterHa 10 world premieres today!
• 1:43 PM: ThePeterHa ‘new ways to connect with your friends’
• 1:43 PM: ThePeterHa ‘revolutionary new experiences for everyone’ he says
• 1:43 PM: ThePeterHa Tony Hawk Ride
• 1:43 PM: ThePeterHa Tony Hawk is here!
• 1:43 PM: ThePeterHa Here come the numbers
• 1:44 PM: ThePeterHa accelerometers on the board
• 1:44 PM: ThePeterHa detects your hands if you’re going for a nose grab or whatever
• 1:44 PM: Doug Aamoth
• 1:45 PM: ThePeterHa world exclusive trailer is going up
• 1:45 PM: ThePeterHa Sheckler, Hosoi, and other skaters are in the video
• 1:45 PM: ThePeterHa They’re just talking about how much they love to sakte
• 1:45 PM: Doug Aamoth fun fact: Tony Hawk is 41 years old
• 1:46 PM: ThePeterHa Robomodo made the board
• 1:46 PM: ThePeterHa crazy
• 1:46 PM: ThePeterHa the board senses everything you do on it
• 1:47 PM: ThePeterHa it even mimics the player pushing off
• 1:47 PM: ThePeterHa Activision will ahve them available to play on the show floor
• 1:47 PM: ThePeterHa Next game is…
• 1:48 PM: ThePeterHa a shooter
• 1:48 PM: ThePeterHa surprise
• 1:48 PM: ThePeterHa Something from Infinity Ward
• 1:48 PM: ThePeterHa Can’t tell if it’s first or third person shooter yet
• 1:49 PM: ThePeterHa it looks badass whatever it is
• 1:49 PM: ThePeterHa Modern Warfare 2
• 1:49 PM: ThePeterHa 11/10/09
• 1:49 PM: ThePeterHa Jason West and Vince Zampella are on stage
• 1:50 PM: Doug Aamoth
• 1:50 PM: ThePeterHa from IW
• 1:50 PM: ThePeterHa Gameplay now
• 1:50 PM: ThePeterHa Captain MacTavish is traversing an ice cliff
• 1:51 PM: Doug Aamoth
• 1:51 PM: ThePeterHa
• 1:51 PM: ThePeterHa So you actually climb up the face of this ice cliff
• 1:52 PM: ThePeterHa with ice axes and the whole lot
• 1:53 PM: ThePeterHa
• 1:54 PM: ThePeterHa
• 1:54 PM: ThePeterHa A lot of the same thing we’ve seen from shooters
• 1:55 PM: ThePeterHa shoot, move on
• 1:55 PM: ThePeterHa rinse and repeat
• 1:55 PM: ThePeterHa It looks good
• 1:55 PM: ThePeterHa But nothing new
• 1:56 PM: ThePeterHa Ohhhhhh
• 1:56 PM: ThePeterHa Now you can snowmobile and shoot your pistol like a gangsta
• 1:56 PM: ThePeterHa you know, tilted to the side
• 1:57 PM: ThePeterHa Two map packs for MW2 for the xbox
• 1:57 PM: ThePeterHa Square Enix folks are coming on stage
• 1:57 PM: ThePeterHa producers from Final Fantasy
• 1:58 PM: ThePeterHa
• 1:58 PM: ThePeterHa FF has been around for over 20 years
• 1:58 PM: ThePeterHa 85 million copies sold
• 1:59 PM: ThePeterHa They’re about to demo FF13 on the Xbox
• 1:59 PM: ThePeterHa i
• 2:00 PM: ThePeterHa i’ll have video later
• 2:00 PM: Doug Aamoth
• 2:00 PM: ThePeterHa but i’m sure it will be available soon
• 2:00 PM: ThePeterHa “four active time gauges”
• 2:01 PM: ThePeterHa Oden
• 2:01 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:02 PM: ThePeterHa Spring 2010 release for FF13
• 2:02 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:02 PM: ThePeterHa Epic is coming up
• 2:02 PM: ThePeterHa Cliffy B1
• 2:03 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:03 PM: ThePeterHa Cliffy B is wearing a Bill Gates mug shot t-shirt
• 2:03 PM: ThePeterHa Shadow Complex
• 2:04 PM: ThePeterHa You’re meant to use all of the environment
• 2:05 PM: ThePeterHa Campaign is over 10 hours
• 2:05 PM: ThePeterHa “cool boss levels” says Cliffy
• 2:05 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:05 PM: ThePeterHa XBLA title coming this summer
• 2:06 PM: ThePeterHa Joy Ride
• 2:06 PM: ThePeterHa Avatar adventures!
• 2:06 PM: ThePeterHa yay
• 2:06 PM: ThePeterHa NOT
• 2:07 PM: ThePeterHa “new social experience”
• 2:07 PM: ThePeterHa free
• 2:07 PM: ThePeterHa You can share race tracks you’ve purchased with friends
• 2:07 PM: ThePeterHa regardless of whether or not they’ve purchased the track
• 2:07 PM: ThePeterHa coming this winter
• 2:08 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:08 PM: ThePeterHa Another shooter coming up
• 2:08 PM: ThePeterHa Whoa
• 2:08 PM: ThePeterHa Crackdown 2
• 2:09 PM: ThePeterHa Zombies!
• 2:09 PM: ThePeterHa not in crackdown
• 2:09 PM: ThePeterHa IS this Left 3 Dead 2?
• 2:09 PM: ThePeterHa * Left 4 Dead
• 2:09 PM: ThePeterHa coming November 17
• 2:09 PM: ThePeterHa set in NOLA
• 2:10 PM: ThePeterHa Ubi world premiere coming up
• 2:11 PM: ThePeterHa shooter
• 2:11 PM: ThePeterHa Splinter Cell Conviction
• 2:12 PM: ThePeterHa Sam’s pissed
• 2:12 PM: ThePeterHa going after his daughter’s killers
• 2:12 PM: ThePeterHa He’s fighting some dudes in a bathroom
• 2:13 PM: ThePeterHa The story unfolds in real time
• 2:14 PM: ThePeterHa Sam is the “ultimate predator”
• 2:14 PM: ThePeterHa your options in infiltrating are vast
• 2:14 PM: ThePeterHa there isn’t one set path
• 2:15 PM: ThePeterHa darkness is Sam’s friend and where he is strongest
• 2:15 PM: ThePeterHa he likes to sneak up on ppl and shoot them in the face
• 2:15 PM: Doug Aamoth
• 2:15 PM: ThePeterHa EMP grenades are some of sam’s new gadgets
• 2:16 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:17 PM: ThePeterHa exclusive this fall on xbox 360
• 2:18 PM: ThePeterHa a new racing game is coming up
• 2:18 PM: ThePeterHa In October, Forza Motor Sport 3 is shipping
• 2:19 PM: ThePeterHa “definitive racing game of this generation:
• 2:20 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:20 PM: ThePeterHa New graphics engine
• 2:20 PM: ThePeterHa 60FPS
• 2:20 PM: ThePeterHa over 400 cars
• 2:20 PM: ThePeterHa one-button driving
• 2:21 PM: ThePeterHa player created content through XBLZ
• 2:21 PM: ThePeterHa *XBL
• 2:21 PM: ThePeterHa Mister Cartoon!
• 2:21 PM: ThePeterHa he’s a tattoo artist
• 2:21 PM: ThePeterHa he’s tricking out forza cars
• 2:22 PM: ThePeterHa create and upload HD video
• 2:23 PM: ThePeterHa MS is really pushing ‘community’ features on publishers
• 2:24 PM: ThePeterHa Forza 2 was the highest rated racing game
• 2:24 PM: ThePeterHa biggest online community for Forza 3
• 2:24 PM: ThePeterHa Halo 3 ODST
• 2:24 PM: ThePeterHa Joe Staten is on stage
• 2:25 PM: ThePeterHa “buckle up and prepare to drop”
• 2:26 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:26 PM: ThePeterHa dropping bombs
• 2:26 PM: ThePeterHa You’re a rookie ODST separated from his team
• 2:26 PM: ThePeterHa there’s “unexpected help” along the way
• 2:27 PM: ThePeterHa ODST’s have sound suppressed weapons and visors that others don’t
• 2:28 PM: ThePeterHa The story seems pretty compelling
• 2:28 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:28 PM: ThePeterHa you can flashback to other ODSTs and play as them
• 2:29 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:29 PM: ThePeterHa the visors appear to highlight enemies, ammo, etc. for you
• 2:30 PM: ThePeterHa 9.22.09
• 2:30 PM: ThePeterHa That’s not all!
• 2:30 PM: ThePeterHa new bungie project
• 2:31 PM: ThePeterHa Oh, it’s Halo Reach
• 2:31 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:32 PM: ThePeterHa when you buy ODST
• 2:32 PM: ThePeterHa you get a multiplayer beta invite for Reach
• 2:33 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:33 PM: ThePeterHa Sam Lake is on stage
• 2:33 PM: ThePeterHa Alan Wake
• 2:35 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:36 PM: ThePeterHa in game footage being shown
• 2:36 PM: ThePeterHa rather
• 2:36 PM: ThePeterHa it’s being demoed
• 2:37 PM: ThePeterHa Alan is looking for Alice
• 2:37 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:38 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:38 PM: ThePeterHa Demo over
• 2:39 PM: ThePeterHa Alan Wake is coming in spring 2010
• 2:39 PM: ThePeterHa Now onto Xbox Live updates
• 2:39 PM: ThePeterHa music is coming to Xbox Live
• 2:39 PM: ThePeterHa Last.fm is coming to xbox
• 2:40 PM: ThePeterHa Launching later this year for Gold members
• 2:40 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:40 PM: ThePeterHa Netflix update
• 2:40 PM: ThePeterHa browse and add to queue from your xbox!
• 2:40 PM: ThePeterHa finally!!!
• 2:41 PM: ThePeterHa Sky TV is bringing content to the UK and Scotland this Fall
• 2:41 PM: ThePeterHa Live TV from Sky on your Xbox
• 2:41 PM: ThePeterHa like, cricket and footy
• 2:42 PM: ThePeterHa something about HD videos
• 2:42 PM: ThePeterHa HD video library is being updated to full 1080p
• 2:42 PM: ThePeterHa All movies and TV shows are being streamed instantly
• 2:43 PM: ThePeterHa More countries are being added
• 2:43 PM: ThePeterHa launching this Fall
• 2:43 PM: ThePeterHa One more feature to Xbox Live
• 2:43 PM: ThePeterHa You can share movies, TV shows, music with your friends
• 2:43 PM: ThePeterHa Live Party
• 2:43 PM: ThePeterHa Didn’t they announce this last year?
• 2:44 PM: ThePeterHa Partnership with Facebook
• 2:44 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:44 PM: ThePeterHa Felicia Day is here
• 2:45 PM: ThePeterHa to talk about Facebook on XBL
• 2:46 PM: ThePeterHa Friend Linker showcases FB and XBL friends in one view
• 2:46 PM: ThePeterHa View photos
• 2:46 PM: ThePeterHa see updates
• 2:47 PM: ThePeterHa FB connect
• 2:47 PM: ThePeterHa upload screen shots and such
• 2:47 PM: ThePeterHa Twitter is also coming
• 2:48 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:48 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:48 PM: ThePeterHa Both are coming to XBL this fall
• 2:50 PM: Doug Aamoth Don Mattrick takes the stage
• 2:50 PM: Doug Aamoth “we’re missing one crucial piece of the puzzle”
• 2:50 PM: Doug Aamoth Metal Gear Solid! Hideo Kojima sneaks onto the stage
• 2:51 PM: Doug Aamoth Metal Gear Solid franchise coming to Xbox 360
• 2:51 PM: Doug Aamoth Metal Gear Solid: Rising
• 2:51 PM: Doug Aamoth development currently underway for Xbox 360
• 2:51 PM: Doug Aamoth no Solid Snake?
• 2:52 PM: Doug Aamoth “completely new Metal Gear experience”
• 2:53 PM: Doug Aamoth the next wave for Xbox…
• 2:54 PM: Doug Aamoth can you add a motion controller? of course we can
• 2:54 PM: Doug Aamoth but here’s the problem
• 2:54 PM: Doug Aamoth for far too many people, the controller is a barrier separating players from everyone else
• 2:54 PM: ThePeterHa Motion controllers are coming!
• 2:54 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:54 PM: Doug Aamoth can we go beyond the controller to deliver games that everyone can enjoy?
• 2:54 PM: Doug Aamoth can we make YOU the controller? we can
• 2:56 PM: Doug Aamoth demo video of people controlling games just by leaning and driving cars with invisible steering wheels, etc.
• 2:56 PM: Doug Aamoth looks WAY too responsive to be true
• 2:56 PM: ThePeterHa You can “scan your own gear”
• 2:56 PM: ThePeterHa like a skateboard
• 2:56 PM: ThePeterHa
• 2:56 PM: ThePeterHa you can video chat with friends
• 2:56 PM: ThePeterHa WTH is going on?!
• 2:57 PM: ThePeterHa voice recognition
• 2:57 PM: ThePeterHa swipe through your netflix queue with your hands
• 2:57 PM: ThePeterHa you don’t need a controller for anything
• 2:58 PM: ThePeterHa Project Natal
• 2:58 PM: ThePeterHa that’s what the motion controller is currently called
• 2:58 PM: ThePeterHa tracks 3D movements, recognizes voices
• 2:58 PM: ThePeterHa works with every 360 sold when it launches
• 2:58 PM: ThePeterHa No new consoles
• 2:59 PM: ThePeterHa Steve Spielberg is on stage
• 3:00 PM: ThePeterHa
• 3:01 PM: ThePeterHa Spielberg was shown Natal two months ago
• 3:01 PM: ThePeterHa They’re discussing how you can bring gaming to everyone
• 3:01 PM: ThePeterHa ‘It’s not about reinventing the wheel. It’s about not needing the wheel.’
• 3:02 PM: ThePeterHa Natal means Christmas in Portugese
• 3:02 PM: ThePeterHa says Nicholas Deleon
• 3:02 PM: ThePeterHa our resident linguist
• 3:03 PM: ThePeterHa Facial recognition that automatically signs you into your Xbox account
• 3:04 PM: ThePeterHa swipe through the entire deck by using your hands
• 3:04 PM: ThePeterHa up, down or side to side
• 3:05 PM: ThePeterHa ricochet is like 3d brickbreaker
• 3:05 PM: ThePeterHa virtual dodgeballs are being thrown at the girl demoing Ricochet
• 3:05 PM: ThePeterHa she’s flailing around with arms and legs
• 3:05 PM: ThePeterHa batting back balls
• 3:05 PM: ThePeterHa OHHHHH
• 3:06 PM: ThePeterHa they just knocked on Nintendo
• 3:06 PM: ThePeterHa saying you have to stand up and be active and not on the couch
• 3:07 PM: ThePeterHa Natal recognizes how fast you’re moving
• 3:07 PM: ThePeterHa so the faster you kick the faster the ball goes
• 3:07 PM: ThePeterHa Now they’re demoing some sort of art game
• 3:07 PM: ThePeterHa there’s a big canvas that you can throw paint at
• 3:08 PM: ThePeterHa the voice recognition brings up whatever color of paint you want
• 3:09 PM: ThePeterHa
• 3:09 PM: ThePeterHa By saying “pose” you can take a snapshot of yourself in any position to embed into your painting
• 3:10 PM: ThePeterHa
• 3:11 PM: ThePeterHa Here’s an elephant
• 3:11 PM: ThePeterHa Peter Molyneux is now on stage to show you what you can do the Natal
• 3:13 PM: ThePeterHa The Fable guys have created an interactive boy named Milo that recognizes players
• 3:13 PM: ThePeterHa and interacts with them
• 3:13 PM: ThePeterHa it’s quite astonishing
• 3:13 PM: ThePeterHa Milo reacts to tone of voice
• 3:14 PM: ThePeterHa the lady in the video just asked Milo if he had finished his homework
• 3:14 PM: ThePeterHa he sheepishly walked away and said no
• 3:15 PM: ThePeterHa Milo just virtually threw Claire a pair of goggles and she reached for them and ‘put them on’
• 3:15 PM: ThePeterHa they’re at a lake
• 3:15 PM: ThePeterHa and she’s looking into the water
• 3:15 PM: ThePeterHa she’s making ripples in the water by just using her hands
• 3:15 PM: ThePeterHa now they’re both drawing something
• 3:16 PM: ThePeterHa WHOA
• 3:16 PM: ThePeterHa Claire just drew a picture of a fish onto a piece of paper
• 3:16 PM: ThePeterHa She put the image in front of Natal
• 3:16 PM: ThePeterHa and Natal scanned it and passed it onto Milo
• 3:17 PM: ThePeterHa Molyneux says Natal is a landmakr in entertainment
• 3:17 PM: ThePeterHa I think we’re wrapping up
• 3:17 PM: ThePeterHa All in all, nothing surprising has come out of the press conference
• 3:18 PM: ThePeterHa everything was leaked ahead of time
• 3:19 PM: ThePeterHa and that’s a wrap
• 3:19 PM: ThePeterHa we’ll back at 2PT with the EA press conf
• 3:19 PM: ThePeterHa thanks for tuning in

Time sure does fly. It’s been a whole year since Devin and I popped our E3 cherries and we find ourselves back in LA for what is expected to be a return to glory for the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Not much going on today except for a few parties, but I did pass the convention center on my way to the hotel and noticed that Ubisoft and Sony dropped crazy money on signage.

Draping one section of the CC was a rather large Assassin’s Creed 2 banner, but I’m not entirely sure what Sony’s banner was all about. It was a shot of someone’s arm from the elbow down holding up a Sixaxis controller. There was one other banner going up but I couldn’t make out what it was from the van.

Anyway, Microsoft, EA and Ubisoft will hold press conferences tomorrow at 10:25AM PT, 2PM PT and 5PM PT, respectively. The Xbox 360 press conference was originally scheduled for 10:30AM, but an e-mail went out a couple hours ago with the following statement:

Please be advised that due to a very special addition to our Media Briefing tomorrow, we will be starting 5 minutes early at 10:25am.

Whatever you say, Microsoft.

Nintendo’s press conference is on Tuesday at 9AM PT with Sony going on at 11AM PT. Konami’s press conference is scheduled for 3PM PT on Wednesday and we’ll be at everything getting the lowdown for you guys. In between all of those shenanigans the CG team will be playing tons of video games that you guys won’t get to play for months. Heh.

And how cool is my hotel keycard? It was the Bats or Mr. J mouthing off about being exclusive on the PlayStation 3.

E3 starts next week, and while I’ll be celebrating by, I don’t know, listening to Ron and Fez all day long, Peter, Devin, and Greg will be rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Adam Sessler and the girl who used to host “Cheat.” One thing the guys might run into in between chatting up G4 production assistants: SplitFish‘s new controllers, the Dual SFX Evolution and Dual SFX Frag Pro. Both are for the PS3.

The SFX Frag Pro, as the name suggests, is primarily for first-person shooters. It’s said to provide “PC-like” accuracy—I’ll let resident PC gamer Devin be the judge of that.

In other news, I’m all nerves watching the Champions League final. Now I know why people drink during big games: to numb the nerves!

So what do we make of this? Check out Konami’s updated “mystery” Web site, and you’ll see a few letters and familiar faces flash across the screen. P, S, P, E, R, E. Write it down, because you will be tested on it later.

There’s already plenty of speculation on what the letters stand for. Perhaps and enhanced remake for the PSP is on the way?

And is that Big Boss or Snake? And what’s Militaires Sans Frontiers (Militaries/Armies Without Borders), the name of the organization on the beret? And is that Pangaea, in the logo there?

And if it is a PSP remake, I think I can speak for a large number of people when I say, “meh.”

UPDATE

I was told to embed these two videos. I don’t know what to make of them, other than that, yes, cardboard boxes are a venerated part of MGS canon.

Will Metal Gear Solid be the big news story to come out of E3 this year? Konami is certainly doing its best to feed the hype monster, unnecessary beast that it is, what with this countdown timer it just published. And, of course, as soon as someone publishes a countdown timer, someone else has to deconstruct the flash file(s), ruining the surprise. Long story short: there’s five (5!) countdown clocks, and the first one expires on June 1, the same date as Microsoft’s E3 press conference. So let’s speculate!

That first one, the June 1 date, is obviously an allusion to Metal Gear for the Xbox 360 in some capacity. Now is that Metal Gear Solid 4, or some other game?

Second, the page contains all sorts of keywords such as “MGS” and “NEXT.” That means whatever it is you want it to mean; in the meantime, I’ll continue to listen to a FLAC of Armand Van Helden’s “Mother Earth” on loop, spinning uncontrollably.

There’s also references to “April 2007.” I asked my brother, who’s something of a Metal Gear fan, if that means anything in the series’ lore, and he said, “I don’t know, Metal Gear is hard to follow.” Maybe one of you might know?

Never mind the gigantic “5” that’s visible in the storm clouds. That’s probably just a coding error.

So here’s to 12 days of Metal Gear hype. Lovely.

Is a fancy new controller enough to “save” the PS3? We’ll find out at E3 (which is in June; several of us will be there), when Sony is now rumored to debut its motion-sensing controller.

The device, which is related to that patent that’s been floating around the Internet, has been in development for about two years. It’s supposed to be more accurate than the Wii remote, owing to the way the console tracks the controller. Something to to do with LEDs and a small camera. It’s even supposed to be halfway decent at tracking along the Z axis—that is, detect controller movements to and away from the TV.

Now, if Sony can cut the price of the PS3 by, say, $50-$100, then yeah, maybe this new controller could help it sell a few more consoles. Sony probably shouldn’t expect crazy, Wii-like sales, but any good news is good news, right?

Photo: Flickr

Come June, we will face a different E3 than recent years, and if you believe the planners, different than even the old days. The confusing, “invite only” nature of the show recently has taken such withering criticism from industry heavies that the planners have moved back to the old format, and the most outspoken critics are now effusive in their praise.

Attempts by the planners to adapt E3 — such as the separate “E for All” event — have been rendered moot, and were probably non-starters anyway. It seems that E3 has a role to play, and that roll is a colossal cluster…well, you know. It’s got to be huge, it’s got to be expensive, and once again companies will have to structure their development schedules around it. Why do I get the feeling the swag won’t be as ridiculous next year?

It was rumored for a few days but now it’s official: the E3 we all know and love is coming back next year.

While the Entertainment Software Association says pretty much anyone will be allowed to attend, E3 2009 won’t suffer from the excess that plagued previous expos. Journalists will still be able to meet publishers behind closed doors without having to stand next to strippers, for example.

Speaking of strippers, here’s the status of booth babes, as told to Edge:

Here’s the thing. Our publishers will have the maximum ability to drive energy and excitement around their titles and their products. I would expect that you’re going to see models there, but there will be controlled guildelines, just like we’ve had previous years.

Sure, “controlled guidelines.” What does that mean, no full-frontal?

Anyone, to recap: E3 will be fun again. Lots of folks tangentially involved in the industry running around the Convention Center; publishers spending an incredible amount of money for a blurb in a magazine or 100-word post on a blog; young models showing off their bodies in the hope of being “noticed.”

Real America, in other words.

Nintendo’s E3 performance didn’t please the hardcore types, the guys and girls who were by the company’s side since the days of the NES. Now Nintendo has admitted that it should have done an overall better job at the show, that it should have done a better job at catering to its fans.

Says the head of marketing, Cammie Dunaway:

I would say the message is we were disappointed with our performance at E3. There were titles like Wario which we think will be really fun titles that we should have show cased. We were excited that Mr. Miyamoto made the commitment that Pikmin is coming. It would have been nice if we could have said that on stage. But, we think it was a good recognition for us that we care for our core fans, and not just the new people who are now discovering Nintendo.

There’s a lot going on in that quote, but most striking (to me, at least) is the fun notion of paying attention to the company’s actual fans. The person buying Mario Does the Dishes from Wal-Mart isn’t watching E3 on G4, nor reading Web sites for up-to-the-minute information. E3 could just as well have been used to announce or show off games that appeal to these real life gamers. In other words, do casual gamers even know that E3 exists?

This is largely “who cares?” material, but it’s nice to see Nintendo recognize that, yes, it still has fans, and these fans weren’t exactly happy with what went down at E3.

via Edge Online

Quick, someone get Columbo on the phone, we’ve got ourselves a veritable mystery that needs solvin’.

Well, that may be a bit of a stretch, but some folks are wildly speculating over the fact that Microsoft withheld a Bungie trailer that was supposed to end its press conference last week at E3. Now, the only way that could happen, the only sway Microsoft has over Bungie, is if there’s a Halo game involved.

The trailer was pulled, with Microsoft saying it’ll instead debut at its own dedicated event.

Perhaps Microsoft felt the incredible amount of excitement generated by E3 would have overshadowed Halo.