By Tom Hoggins, Video Games Correspondent in Los Angeles
Published: 2:04PM BST 02 Jun 2009
E3 2009 opened with a bang in Los Angeles as Microsoft announced new technological developments and a formidable video game line up for the Xbox 360.
Well, what a start to E3 2009 that was. After last year's tedious, scaled-back conference, which one industry friend said resembled 'a car boot sale', Microsoft's glitzy pre-show media briefing was the perfect way to say “E3 is back.” Steven Spielberg was there, a super shiny Audi R8 adorned the back of the stage under bright lights and dry ice. Even Paul and Ringo showed up to mumble something about the new Beatles Rock Band before shuffling off again, clearly somewhat bemused by what us crazy kids get up to these days.
So the showbiz was most definitely back. But most importantly, Microsoft showed off a phenomenal line up of Xbox 360 exclusive titles and, of course, unveiled the new motion sensing technology 'Project Natal''.
Natal is a motion sensing camera and voice recognition system that completely does away with the need for any type of controller. The technology is certainly impressive, but how it is translated into enjoyable gaming experiences will be the real acid test. The preview reel we were shown threw us images of 'lifestyle' families trying out various types of games. Xbox head honcho Don Mattrick described the video as the 'vision' for the new tech, rather than games in development. We saw fighting games, shooting games, driving games all translated into body movements captured by Natal's camera.
A lot was said about the traditional controller being the 'biggest barrier to entry' for video games. But it shouldn't be forgotten that a gamepad offers an incredible amount of dexterity when creating games. With, Natal, it's going to take an incredibly talented developer to make a video game that offers the same depth as many 'traditional' titles. The tech can be as impressive as you like but, without the right direction, the games could end up as fun but ultimately shallow experiences. From a 'core' gamer's point of view, that's exactly what has blighted Nintendo's Wii since its launch.
This is where Lionhead's new project, Milo, comes in. Demonstrated by Lionhead director Peter Molyneux, Milo is an 'emotional AI' character, with whom you interact and talk to using Natal. Depicted as a young boy in a lush countryside, Milo can recognise an individual person, talk to them and even interpret emotions via tone of voice. A video showed a young lady standing in front of the screen, talking with Milo even passing a drawing 'through' the screen, scanned in by Natal's camera. The conversation and interaction flowed seamlessly. Which is, of course, where the suspicion sets in. If Milo works as well as the video suggested, then he is a staggering breakthrough in artificial intelligence. The video was clearly scripted, so it will be fascinating to follow Milo and find out just how well the so-called 'emotional AI' works under scrutiny.
The potential of Milo and the Natal technology is sky-high and it will be intriguing to find out what developers can make of the new tech. The danger of it being a novelty is a concern, despite the fantastic technical achievement, but conceptually the technology could be yet another step to making video gaming appeal to 'everyone', a word that was thrown about with gleeful abandon during the presentations.
Despite the grand unveiling of Natal, for me the real highlight was the exceptional Xbox 360 exclusive line-up. The conference hall rumbled with the explosions and gunfire of several more 'traditional' action games. First person shooters Halo 3: ODST and Modern Warfare 2 looked brilliantly thrilling, while the enigmatic and elusive survival horror Alan Wake also had an impressive showing. Since it was last seen, Ubisoft's long-delayed Splinter Cell Conviction has had a complete makeover and its brutal, Jack Bauer-esque, stealth action made it my early candidate for best game of the show.
Microsoft have opened E3 2009 with a fantastic showing, setting the bar and daring Nintendo and Sony to match them. With Sony rumoured to be unveiling its own new controller technology, it looks to be a fascinating match up. And of course, you underestimate Nintendo at your peril. There's no doubt, E3 is back with a bang.
news source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
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