Well, we’re a little late this week but it can’t be helped, can it? Better late than dead!

So, this week was E3 week, which obviously means that I got swamped with E3 material to sort through and report on, which kind of is a major bummer because I also received three brand new games to play (and review) since Thursday but haven’t even had time to free them from their wrappers yet.

It’s been a crazy busy week!

By the way, I am right now sitting at J.Co (Tampines 1) having a frozen yoghurt while working on this column. But that’s a long story which has no bearing on games.

So… onward with the goodies!

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Table of Contents

1. Project Natal – Changing the face of gaming
2. Facebook and Twitter on Xbox LIVE
3. Xbox 360 exclusive games announced at E3
4. More Xbox 360 games coming up
5. Cute, mini PSPgo!
6. Results of last week’s contest
7. Win a silly looking mouse!!

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Project Natal – Changing the face of gaming

The most exciting announcement made at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo, June 2-4) this year came from Microsoft – the revolutionary Project Natal!

Now, this is very, very important. Natal is pronounced nuh-TALL. Please say it right because you don’t want to sound silly saying it wrong.

Utilising a sensor which combines a camera, depth sensor, microphone and custom processor, Project Natal is virtual reality as we’ve never seen it before. Without clunky equipment!

In layman’s term, Project Natal is playing video games without a controller because YOU are the controller.

Besides being able to detect full body movements and voice commands, the AI is so advanced that it can even detect changes in our facial emotions and respond accordingly. Cool, ne?

Watch the demo videos OMG OMG OMG watch them.

Steven Spielberg was at E3 2009 to present Project Natal.

“The next step in interactive entertainment is to make the controller disappear,” he said. “With ‘Project Natal’, we’ll see games that bring everyone together through technology that actually recognises us.”

Don Mattrick, head of Xbox 360 (left) with visionary filmmaker Steven Spielberg

There is no ETA on a release date yet. Microsoft is keeping very mum.

But Project Natal pwns!

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Facebook and Twitter on Xbox LIVE

Social networking is coming to our TV screens!

Xbox LIVE has teamed up with Facebook and Twitter to bring both applications to the TV through the Xbox 360 console.

Seems like this is going to give us more reasons to be couch potatoes.

Twitter:

Facebook:

Should be happening by the end of the year!

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Xbox 360 exclusive games announced at E3

Alan Wake (Mar 2010)

An intense psychological action thriller from the developers of the Max Payne series. Riveting plot, cinematic, engaging and suspenseful, twists, innovative combat, realistic environment. I’ve got my eye on this!! But it’s a darn long wait.

Crackdown 2 (2010)

Sequel to the award-winning Crackdown. Be the judge, jury and executioner for a vast, infected city. Multiplayer co-op and versus (up to 16 players) available and better than ever!

Forza Motorsport 3 (Oct 2009)

Drive your dream car in this definitive racing game that allows you to experience the most realistic racing experience ever. From an Audi R8 V10 to a Nissan 370Z, there’s a car waiting for every enthusiast!

Gears of War 2: Dark Corners (Jul 28, 2009)

Expansion pack to the best-selling Gears of War 2, which has already sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Dark Corners features a new campaign chapter as well as seven brand new multiplayer maps.

Halo 3: ODST (Sep 22, 2009)

Experience the events leading up to the epic story in Halo 3 through the eyes of a special forces ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper). Includes a brand new campaign and three new Halo 3 multiplayer maps.

Left 4 Dead 2 (Nov 2009)

After the success of the critically acclaimed Left 4 Dead, this sequel looks set to raise the benchmark for co-op action games. Left 4 Dead 2 introduces a different set of survivors, new boss zombies and weapons, and melee combat.

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction (Sep 2009)

Sam Fisher has been betrayed! And he must race against time to thwart a deadly terrorist plot! Well, that’s you. Expect improved features, interactivity, immersion and brand new multiplayer modes with this latest instalment of the multimillion selling franchise.

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More Xbox 360 games coming up

Final Fantasy XIII

Apparently, this eagerly anticipated title will only be released in North America and Europe. What??!

Metal Gear Solid: Rising

MGS comes to the Xbox 360 for the first time! Woohoo. Welcome!

Modern Warfare 2 (Nov 10, 2009)

Sequel to the ever-popular Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Xbox LIVE gamers will be the first to get their hands on two MW2 map packs.

The Beatles: Rock Band (Sep 9, 2009)

The world’s leading music game meets the greatest band in history! Well, that’s what the official website says, anyway. I’m inclined to be very excited about this release.

Tony Hawk: RIDE (Sep 2009)

This game uses a skateboard controller with full motion sensor so you get to physically do your skateboard stunts. Woo! Broken furniture, anyone?

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Cute, mini PSPgo!

Another delight unveiled at E3. The pocket-sized PSPgo is the next-gen PlayStation Portable which promises to make our gaming lives even more convenient.

For the download happy, the PSP’s UMB drive has been replaced with a 16GB flash memory to store all your digital entertainment needs, which can be downloaded from the PlayStation Network.

It’s smaller and lighter and has an easy sliding display panel.

The PSPgo will be available from Oct 1, 2009, at a recommended retail price of US$249. Comes in Piano Black and Pearl White. I don’t mind having a white one! =)

Hmm… but they neber gimme me peekture of the white one.

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Results of last week’s contest

Sorry for the overdueness of this, but we have two winners for the inFAMOUS postcards and posters!

ahtiong wins himself an inFAMOUS poster AND a set of grungy postcards!

Sacrelicious wins a set of postcards!

Awesome blossom! Thanks for particpating in this giveaway. Please e-mail me to claim your prize, okay guys? =)

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Win a silly looking mouse!!

Well, you won’t quite believe this, but someone won this mouse last year but was too shy to collect his prize, so it’s been sitting around in my home for more than half a year now, looking silly.

Recently, the winner requested to give it out as a prize again, so that’s what I’m doing.

If you would like to win this cute brinjal, please post a comment to sign up for the giveaway. A draw will take place and the brinjal will have a new owner.

It could be you!

Or not.

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In fact, what I’ve published today isn’t even half of what I’ve got for E3 but I’m not able to process everything, so maybe I’ll do a continuation next week.

Depends. Maybe no one will be interested anymore by next week.

Also depends on whether I have time to touch the new games I’ve got.

Life is so full of depends.