Microsoft Keynote - E3 2011
E3 11: Quick recap and thoughts on the future of Microsoft and Xbox brand
Another E3 has arrived, and with it, we get the chance to see the latest and hottest upcoming games. Kicking thing off this year, much like previously, was Microsoft. After the announcement of 360 Slim and full Kinect reveal last year, MS didn’t have too many aces up its sleeve. Nontheless, the publisher was able to impress with a wide variety of titles for both hardcore audiences and casual gamers alike. And even somewhere in-between, with announcements such as Minecraft support and new TV functionality.
And as last year, things kicked off with a loud and explosion-filled demo of Call of Duty. Modern Warfare 3 is set to arrive this year, and the demo included a level that started off swimming alongside a submarine. Not long after, the demo took the audience inside the explosion on the submarine, and then a hectic chase through a harbor. It was more of the same really, action-filled setpieces and the usual “Follow” instructional marker on your ally. Call of Duty is known for their explosive, yet rather short campaigns, and the demo showed that MW3 is likely to be more of the same, though only time will tell.
Next up was a somewhat surprising showing of Tomb Raider. For the first time, a live gameplay demonstration was shown. Lara, finding herself trapped, escaped from the holding area and navigated a dangerous dungeon filled with enemies and puzzles. The path was linear, and with many QTE events. The couple of puzzles that were presented seemed quite straight forward as well. On the other hand, Lara’s new style seems to be working quite well and it’s intriguing to see what the developers will come up with.
Cliff B appeared on stage for Epic Games, to demo the latest level for Gears of War 3, though no further news came of it.
EA Sports came with a few announcements regarding widespread Kinect support for their titles. Not to be outdone, Ghost Recon Future Soldier and Mas Effect 3 also claimed their Kinect ability. Perhaps most impressive in the whole Microsoft conference was the Mass Effect 3 speech recognition announcement. Using voice and Kinect, ME3 players will be able to give basic commands to their squad during action, such as to move or to attack by calling out the name of the companion. As well, players will be able to use their voice to select conversation options in the game by pronouncing the desired response. This is easily the most technically intriguing feature of Kinect revealed to date for the hardcore gaming audience.
The second technological advancement was the announcement of Kinect FunLabs, which are tools that allow gamers and developers to use the peripheral for more than just party games. Originally announced as a feature, software was finally revealed that would allow Kinect to scan real-life objects and people, and bring them into a virtual world.
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