If you’ve been following me on Twitter, then you’re already well aware that I hold in my hand an invite to both the Microsoft media brief presentation and to E3 itself… both of which I had to turn down. I’m well aware the extents that many people would go through in order to obtain that which I have tossed aside but believe me, the decision was not easy.
About a month ago I began to loosely form a set of theories, or predictions, about what Microsoft would unveil at this year’s media brief. One of them, a new piece of hardware to compete with Apple’s iPhone as a grass-roots gaming platform, has mostly come true. We’ve seen the hardware, but we’ve yet to see the software and I do believe, from the rumblings I’ve heard, that it will have a significant gaming component to it and that it will be shown at the media brief.
Okay, that one is obvious, let’s keep it going.
- The next dashboard update will be revealed and will include expanded avatar customization options
- The motion controller will be shown
- You’ll be able to use a Zune HD as a controller for your Xbox 360 for specially made games (Maranda wants the world to know that this is her prediction, not mine, and if it comes true then she was right)
- Primetime Channel release date announce along with additional games.
- Game announcements, appearances:
- Crackdown 2
- Lord of the Rings Online
- PGR5 or Forza 2 or Both, with a new high-end racing wheel incl. six speed shifter
- Bungie’s new IP will NOT be shown
- This is obvious, since it’s shipping in six months, but we’re finally going to see ODST gameplay
- Mass Effect 2 will be shown and will time timed exclusive for Xbox 360
So those are mine, but what are yours? Do you think I’m crazy? Let me know in the comments.
~ Jeff
Disclaimer
While I have regular interaction with the community and product teams, I don’t know any more (most likely less) than everyone else. They’re all very careful never to let us know anything that we’re not supposed to know and only ever tell us anything after it’s been announced (we typically just get additional information on it).
RSS
I’m curious to see the Zune Marketplace integration with Live, not that most of it is likely to be available in Canada. I’m predicting that the Zune HD is going to be a big part of their presentation, as a media device and hand held games platform. I’m surprised it’s taken this long for them to come out with their iPhone competitor.
Looking forward to seeing Mass Effect 2, and I heard Dragon Age is getting dated also. Two Bioware games coming out in short succession, how awesome is that?!
Last year MS had quite a few casual market announcements (You’e In The Movies, Primetime and Netflix), so I’m sure we’ll hear more about Primetime and maybe something new on that front as well. They’ve GOT to have a motion controller and some kind of fitness software. They’d be crazy not to have a Wii Fit/EAS Active competitor coming out.
And yes, the Zune as a motion/touch controller! Might be enough to make me buy one
Zune + Marketplace, Primetime are for sure.
The rest of your predictions are pretty sound.
However I’m not sure @Hotelqueen is quite right on the ZuneHD as a controller. I just don’t see MS pulling that cool a thing off.
I’m happy to be wrong about that…
I’m also doubtful about any new major updates to the NXE. Small changes maybe.
Looking forward to it!
Okay, it’s probably a long shot but it would be way cool and would be one way to inspire people to buy the Zune. They have a lot of ground to make up with Apple. Maybe it will just have it’s own cool games. With achievements?
Cool stuff Jeff! I’d LOVE to see Crackdown 2!
PGR5, I don’t think that’ll happen, but Forza 2 WILL happen.
I actually haven’t given this much thought. And I have to say that the motion controller (while I believe will be officially announced) bores me to tears, as does anything Zune related. I hope they have more than that in their bag of tricks. But this late into the console’s life, you have to wonder how much more they’re willing to put into it. I would expect anything drastic to be held for the next gen, IE motion controls. But who knows? Microsoft have surprised me before.
Do you want to use an avatar on 360Prophecy.com? Use Gravatar! Setting up a Gravatar profile will allow you to use the same avatar on all WordPress powered blogs without the need to setup individual profiles. Setup takes seconds and is completely free!