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[B E N K E]

Looks like I might be going there, last minute change of plans. Should be a lot of fun... High hopes for the Bioware game, even if Jade Empire didn't live up to my expectations. I've heard Peter Molyneux will be there (not entirely sure I can trust this information however), but I think Fable 2 is much more likely than Dimitri. Anyway people who are dismissing Forza 2, it all depends on Microsofts strategy. They can't save all of next year's title until E3 and Forza 2 could very well be a Q4 2006 title. I don't think we'll see Halo 3, however as it would eclipse everything else no matter how little they showed. It's the kind of thing you want to use to "win" E3 with or you make a special separate announcement for it. But we'll see soon enough.

 

[Prine]

Fable 2 announcement with some movies would be fucking huge for me. Come on! Make it happen Peter!!

 

[MightyHedgehog]

An X360 version of BC would also be nice to see.

 

[Amir0x]

I would love a list of what is backward compatible at the X05 event. Would be a nice surprise if it's a bit more fully-featured than I assume.

 

[PhatSaqs]

Hope we get some footage of Crackdown.

 

[Sathsquatch]

IGN has recently posted a story about the final dev kits and X05. I am not done reading the whole article yet, but they say this about X05:

"What will you see? On Tuesday, October 4, Microsoft will deliver a keynote speech packed with several announcements. First, we should expect to hear about BioWare's first 360 game, concrete and detailed news on Silicon Knights Too Human, and the first details on Crackdown Real Time Worlds' GTA-inspired action-adventure game. We'll be in Amsterdam covering the event -- and playing all these Xbox 360 games. Oh, and don't even think you'll see anything on Halo 3 yet. It's a little too early for that.

Microsoft will have all its first-party titles, Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo: Elements of Power, and Project Gotham Racing 3, in playable form. Most of the third-party companies - Tecmo, EA, Activision, THQ, Namco, 2K Games, Ubisoft, and Sega - will be there with playable builds. None of it is embargoed, so you will receive hands-on impressions, screenshots, and movies of all these games - all at once on Tuesday and Wednesday. As of this writing - at Gate 45 in the San Francisco airport, Saturday, October 1 -- Microsoft has yet to announce its launch titles; but we expect this announcement to be made at X05.
"

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Almost game time

 

[newsguy]

I read that article. The scary part is that they say od the games they've played the most "next-gen" looking one was CoD2. Although I'm really looking forward to it, it's certainly not what anyone expects from next-gen.

 

[GashPrex]

According to one developer who spoke with IGN anonymously, the Final Kits provide a 15%-20% difference in output power, or an increase from 2.8 to 3.2 GHz. "The difference has been huge. The Final Dev Kits have helped tremendously."

IGN learned that all developers have submitted their final code to Microsoft's Quality Assurance team, and the final stages of development - tweaking, polishing, bug-fixing, and optimizing -- has commenced.

interesting

 

[Sathsquatch]

I read that article. The scary part is that they say od the games they've played the most "next-gen" looking one was CoD2. Although I'm really looking forward to it, it's certainly not what anyone expects from next-gen.

Yeah, I thought that was a weird statment. They say that they haven't played PGR3 or a number of other games, and we know that PGR3 looks next gen. I wouldn't worry about anything based on that statment alone.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

interesting

Link?

 

[newsguy]

Here's the link for those interested. Not much new stuff, but it's an article on a sunday which is out of the ordinary

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/655/655273p1.html

 

[GashPrex]

Link?

Last, IGN has learned that many Xbox 360 games will ship to retail stores at least one week prior to launch. Meaning that many retailers will receive games 360 games Tuesday, November 15. Will they sell them early too? Several, but not all, publishers had indicated yes.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/655/655273p3.html

 

[newsguy]

from Tony Hawk's American Wasteland to Call of Duty 2 to Peter Jackson's King Kong

Oh, so these were the games they were comparing when they said CoD2 was the only one that looked next-gen :lol Tony Hawk on the XBOX looks next gen compared to THAW.

 

[Fuma]

I read that article. The scary part is that they say od the games they've played the most "next-gen" looking one was CoD2. Although I'm really looking forward to it, it's certainly not what anyone expects from next-gen.

I agree that statement is odd. The hd vids, not to mention the pc demo, didnt have that next gen wow factor to me. However, all the websites that got recent hands on of the 360 version of the game were raving about the graphics. Maybe X05 will change my opinion of the game.

 

[newsguy]

I want to see part 4 at X05. that would make my tuesday.

 

[Fuma]

I bet the talented guys at UBI will one up the metal gear series again in the graphics department.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

I agree that statement is odd. The hd vids, not to mention the pc demo, didnt have that next gen wow factor to me. However, all the websites that got recent hands on of the 360 version of the game were raving about the graphics. Maybe X05 will change my opinion of the game.

Like I stated eariler, my local Gamestop manager went to a conference with the games playable, with the exception of PGR3. The people in charge played it. He said that the games ranged from great to holy shit

 

[newsguy]

Like I stated eariler, my local Gamestop manager went to a conference with the games playable, with the exception of PGR3. The people in charge played it. He said that the games ranged from great to holy shit

well if these past couple of days are any indication, I believe that 100%. Looks like the Final kits have made a bigger difference than anyone could've imagined.

 

[Joe]

looks like ill be buying a bunch of xbox360 games before or on november 19th when mine comes in the mail

should be pretty cool. only contest winners, journalists, developers, publishers, and MS employees will be on xbox live the couple days prior to launch?

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

looks like ill be buying a bunch of xbox360 games before or on november 19th when mine comes in the mail

should be pretty cool. only contest winners, journalists, developers, publishers, and MS employees will be on xbox live the couple days prior to launch?

If this is how it's going to go down. I'm going to try to avoid the whole hoopla and get it early

 

[Mrbob]

I read that article. The scary part is that they say od the games they've played the most "next-gen" looking one was CoD2. Although I'm really looking forward to it, it's certainly not what anyone expects from next-gen.

Yeah CoD2 doesn't exactly scream next gen so this is a concern.

However, the comment is really transparent. He mentions he has played certain games and only seen others. Said CoD2 is the best looking game he has played. It also sounds like he hasn't played any MS stuff yet either.

 

[newsguy]

Yeah CoD2 doesn't exactly scream next gen so this is a concern.

However, the comment is really transparent. He mentions he has played certain games and only seen others. Said CoD2 is the best looking game he has played. It also sounds like he hasn't played any MS stuff yet either.

Yeah, it turned out he was only comparing it to King Kong and Tony Hawk :lol Not that KK won't rock, but it's a port. Tony Hawk, well, that's a lost cause.

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

From Next Generation :

XO5: Microsoft Says 'We Have the Power'

Microsoft Games Studios GM, Shane Kim (pictured) chatted with Next Generation about what we should expect from X05. He's promised vast improvements to known games and the unveiling of new ones.
X05 in Amsterdam this week will be the last significant opportunity for Microsoft to showcase the Xbox 360 prior to its worldwide launch in November/December. Unlike other events like E3, Leipzig, or the Tokyo Game Show, this event is all Microsoft's. So it controls the message and has no competition for coverage.

Says Kim, "Until this point we've not been able to demonstrate the power of Xbox 360 as clearly as we like. At X05 people will see that the next generation undoubtedly begins with Xbox 360."

He added, "In addition to the titles third parties are showing, we'll be showing off Kameo: Elements of Power, Project Gotham Racing 3, Perfect Dark Zero and Gears of War at X05."

When asked what's going to be so significantly different about these titles given that we've seen them at E3, Kim replied "It's been a long time since E3 and these games have had significant improvements made in that time. Back then we were still running on early kits. Now we're running on finished hardware. Also, PGR, Gears of War and Perfect Dark Zero were only shown behind closed doors at E3 and Kameo was our only title on the floor. Even [at the Tokyo Game Show], the games shown there were more representative, but we still held a lot of stuff back. At X05 there's going to be a lot more shown."

On the topic of new games, Kim was forced to play coy by his handlers, but confirmed that some new projects will be announced at X05. Further prodding as to whether these were going to be internally developed projects or external (such as PGR or Gears of War), was unfortunately also muted. However, on that note Kim did seek to clarify that roughly 50% of MGS's projects were internal and 50% external. Perhaps that means that the announcements will have projects from both camps.

According to a Microsoft spokesperson, the company will also be outlining more of the specifics of what software that will be available during the 'release window' in the first announcements on Tuesday. Hopefully that means more visibility on titles to be released day-and-date with the hardware.

 

[boutrosinit]

didnt they already say they werent going to allow for keyboard and mouse control, only for typing IIRC

Yes they did, though they left it open and said "if the demand is there, we will change this"

 

[Prine]

hype +100


GO GO GO MS!!

 

[Lakitu]

Wish it was today

 

[Ceb]

I hope Shadowrun + that rumored Team Silent game are shown and kick ass. Actually, my wallet is hoping for the opposite...

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

Honestly, X05 is going to make or break my launch purchase. Don't let me down!

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

I don't know if it's already been told and I don't want to browse the entire topic: does anyone know at what time will be the conference tomorrow, in Amsterdam time?

 

[boutrosinit]

I remember asking Shane Kim about Shadowrun a while back and he gave me a very knowing smile, while keeping schtum. Maybe this will be announced for 360. What have we heard on FASA studios' 360 entry so far?

Also, I recall it being developed then put back on PC a while back. Perhaps this is changing.

 

[Blimblim]

I don't know if it's already been told and I don't want to browse the entire topic: does anyone know at what time will be the conference tomorrow, in Amsterdam time?

4 PM
Posting this from my hotel room in Amsterdam
Forgot my laptop mouse though

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

Posting this from my hotel room in Amsterdam

Be damned PPPPP

Enjoy the event ;-)

 

[eso76]

Blim, they say 2k games will have playable builds of their games; i assume Oblivion will be there too...please, do something for us if you get the chance to play it: walk to the top of some tall mountain, look down and take pictures, that way we'll stop bitching about bethesda not showing us how good is the draw distance : )

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Was this event held in Amsterdam last year?

Everyone is gonna be at the coffee shops I bet :lol

Screw the games!

 

[Pug]

Nothing goes better with an Espresso than a bit of wacky backy, Blim keep your head clear stay off the Espresso.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Nothing goes better with an Espresso than a bit of wacky backy, Blim keep your head clear stay off the Espresso.

Blims probably toasted already. :lol

 

[Blimblim]

Blims probably toasted already. :lol

Blim is posting some news. Weeee.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Blim is posting some news. Weeee.

Enjoying yourself out there man? Or do you not partake of the forbidden herb?

 

[bitwise]

Was this event held in Amsterdam last year?

Everyone is gonna be at the coffee shops I bet :lol

Screw the games!

they didnt have an X0 event last year IIRC

previous years i think it was in different places

 

[TTP]

4 PM
Posting this from my hotel room in Amsterdam
Forgot my laptop mouse though

Which hotel?

Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky?

Do they have wireless or wired connections in the room?

 

[Uncle]

Was this event held in Amsterdam last year?

They didn't have an event last year. IIRC X03 was at Cannes.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Oh yeah, prostitution is also organized and legal there. Get some action too Blim!

 

[Blimblim]

Which hotel?

Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky?

Do they have wireless or wired connections in the room?

Renaissance Hotel. They have wired connections, but I can't believe how expansive it is. 20 euros per day, and it's slow as hell. I'm pissed.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

I see Blim is actively ignoring me.

OK, that's cool

 

[Gc-Freak]

Renaissance Hotel. They have wired connections, but I can't believe how expansive it is. 20 euros per day, and it's slow as hell. I'm pissed.

I think 20€ isn´t expensive. At the GC in Leipzig we paid 27€ a day. And a littl tip. Go to the bathroom with your laptop. We´ve got a very slow connection at the desk, arround 30kb and then we tested it in the bathroom and wuuuushhh, 200-300Kb... :lol

 

[Kai]

Is that link to the game list on the first page real or confirmed? I thought True Crime 2 was in New York, not Hong Kong.....

 

[eso76]

Renaissance Hotel. They have wired connections, but I can't believe how expansive it is. 20 euros per day, and it's slow as hell. I'm pissed.

See, you should have stayed at that Catholic/Christian hostel in the middle of the red light district.
It's quite entertaining walking in those corridors in the evening, looking at all those guys with red eyes staring at the wall.
Funny place.

 

[bitwise]

Is that link to the game list on the first page real or confirmed? I thought True Crime 2 was in New York, not Hong Kong.....

its not a confirmed list of anything.

 

[Ceb]

Amsterdam is a gorgeous city. It's a shame this isn't the main draw for North American tourists. I'm not against drugs, but pothead "jokes" always getting brought up in the context of Amsterdam is pretty tiring - I vote for the next comedian to be temp-banned. :lol