LOS ANGELES \u2014 June 2, 2009 \u2014 The future of home entertainment has a new name: Xbox 360. Today, Microsoft Corp. opened the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) with a historic Xbox 360 briefing that rocked, tweeted, revved and awakened the world to a new era of fun and entertainment. In addition to premiering 10 exclusive new games, revolutionising the way we watch movies, and making it easier than ever to connect to friendsXbox also welcomed visionary filmmaker Steven Spielberg to introduce \u201cProject Natal\u201d and controller-free gaming.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday with cultural visionaries at our side and controller-free gaming on our horizon, Xbox 360 authored a new page in home entertainment history,\u201d said Don Mattrick, senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. \u201cFor us, this E3 is about breaking down barriers \u2014 between generations, between games and entertainment, and most importantly, between video game players and everyone else \u2014 in a way that only Xbox 360 can.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProject Natal\u201d: No Strings (or Controllers) Attached<\/p>\n
Unveiled for the first time to the public was \u201cProject Natal,\u201d pronounced \u201cnuh-tall\u201d a code name for a revolutionary new way to play: no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak, you and your friends can jump into the fun. The only experience needed is life experience.<\/p>\n
Compatible with any Xbox 360 system, the \u201cProject Natal\u201d sensor is the world\u2019s first to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software all in one device. Unlike 2-D cameras and controllers, \u201cProject Natal\u201d tracks your full body movement in 3-D, while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in your voice.<\/p>\n
In addition, unlike other devices, the \u201cProject Natal\u201d sensor is not light-dependent. It can recognise you just by looking at your face, and it doesn\u2019t just react to key words but understands what you\u2019re saying. Call a play in a football game, and players will actually respond. Want to log onto Xbox LIVE? Simply step in front of the sensor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next step in interactive entertainment is to make the controller disappear,\u201d said Steven Spielberg, visionary director and producer. \u201cWith \u2018Project Natal,\u2019 we\u2019ll see games that bring everyone together through technology that actually recognises us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Movies in an Instant<\/p>\n
Continuing a pioneering effort that began with the introduction of the industry\u2019s first video marketplace in November 2006 and broke new ground with the announcement of the first live TV straight from a gaming console last week in the U.K., Microsoft today announced that Xbox would deliver yet another first-to-the-world: instant on 1080p movies with 5.1 surround sound \u2014 direct to consoles connected to compatible HD TVs through the Xbox LIVE social entertainment network. The service also scales to suits different broadband speeds so there are no interruptions to movie viewing*.<\/p>\n
Starting this spring, a broad selection of movies will be available to start and stream instantly, in the highest video quality and at the push of a button1.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No discs, no waiting for downloads and no delays. Get the selection of a video store, the best video clarity available and the convenience of on-demand, only on Xbox 360.<\/p>\n
In addition, Microsoft announced it will more than double the number of markets where Xbox LIVE offers\u00a0 movies, growing from eight to 18, by adding Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. Xbox LIVE members in these markets will have access to instant on 1080p video 1.<\/p>\n
The Best of the Internet, Custom-Made for Your TV<\/p>\n
Groove, party or connect with a friend. Xbox 360 today announced that one of the Internet\u2019s biggest phenomena \u2014 Facebook \u2014 would be tailor-made for your TV, brought straight to your couch only on Xbox LIVE. \u201cWe are always asking ourselves how to make the TV more social,\u201d said John Schappert, corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Studios at Microsoft. \u201cBy bringing Facebook to Xbox LIVE, we\u2019re not only extending the walls of your living room beyond your home to your friends in different corners of the world, we\u2019re creating the definitive social network, uniting more than 200 million people to share status updates, pictures, thoughts on music and the world\u2019s best online gaming experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
The addition of Facebook to Xbox LIVE means friends are always connected, anytime, anywhere \u2014 from virtually any couch. But updating your status and sharing photos won\u2019t be the only things you can do. Using Facebook Connect, you can share your greatest moments in gaming by posting updates and screenshots from supported games directly to Facebook. Don\u2019t let your moment of glory fade away \u2014 make sure everyone sees it with Facebook Connect, starting with the future version of the premier EA SPORTS golf franchise \u201cTiger Woods PGA TOUR\u00ae.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Games for Everyone<\/p>\n
Get behind the steering wheel of the sleek Audi R8. Rock out with your friends to the latest music and party games. Discover a new chapter set in the iconic universe of \u201cHalo.\u201d Xbox 360 has the most celebrated, highly anticipated games and experiences in the industry. With more than 1,000 titles to date, there\u2019s more than just one for you.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Get behind the wheel. Hit the straightaway in more than 400 cars on the world\u2019s most beautiful tracks in the definitive racing game for this console generation, \u201cForza Motorsport 3.\u201d Or get your avatar in the driver\u2019s seat as you tear up the track with your friends in \u201cJoy Ride.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Adrenaline-rushing exclusives. Xbox 360 is your top destination for the biggest exclusives this year and beyond, including \u201cHalo 3: ODST,\u201d \u201cCrackdown 2,\u201d \u201cAlan Wake,\u201d \u201cTom Clancy\u2019s Splinter Cell Conviction\u2122\u201d and \u201cLeft 4 Dead 2.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tap into your inner musician. Discover the magic of music and The Fab Four with \u201cThe Beatles: Rock Band\u201d or start a spontaneous singing party with \u201cLips: Number One Hits.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The best blockbuster experiences. Pairing must-have titles such as this year\u2019s blockbuster from Infinity Ward, \u201cModern Warfare 2,\u201d with Xbox LIVE, Xbox 360 offers more friends to play with and an exclusive collection of Game Add-ons.<\/p>\n
1 Users will need a 1080p-compatible HD TV, an HDMI cable and broadband speeds greater than 8 Mbps for instant viewing at 1080p and 5.1 surround sound. The service accounts for varying broadband speeds, using multibit streaming to adjust image quality to suit the user\u2019s connection so there are no interruptions to the movie they are watching.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOS ANGELES \u2014 June 2, 2009 \u2014 The future of home entertainment has a new name: Xbox 360. Today, Microsoft Corp. opened the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) with a historic Xbox 360 briefing that rocked, tweeted, revved and awakened the world to a new era of fun and entertainment. In addition to premiering 10 exclusive<\/p>\n