Well, after producing two lackluster years with no hype or excitement to drive consumer sales the wise minds behind the industry even readmitted the actors/models/waitresses to the show floor with this year.

In honor of their return, and because I figure there are at least a few folks out there who might have missed the various image roundups, I present G4TV’s Booth Babe roundup video for your viewing pleasure.

And don’t forget – when judging eye candy quality, often the most scantily dressed, revealing outfits go to support the worst designed, pointless products.

VGChartz has put a new angle on this conspiracy theory. Author Jacob Mazel cites an article published in the Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing in 2005 on Reliability of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in People With Dark Skin Pigmentation to support his theory that Microsoft knew the prototype Natal system had trouble distinguishing N’Gai’s motions because of his melanin rich skin. He says he saw N’Gai later that day wearing light colored shoes. He believes this is the reason the Natal demo was so restricted and videos demos of black celebrities trying out the system, like the one following the break, were shown.

The glitch experienced during his demo could have been a known problem that Microsoft couldn’t avoid because of N’Gai’s re pore with the Games Industry. It could also have been a fluke in an otherwise well tested system…

So what do think readers? Is this fact or fiction?

I think that there would be a formidable risk of money and reputation for Microsoft if there was a known problem with the Natal system not responding to a good chunk of the world’s population and it couldn’t be corrected before launch. I’ve also failed to find any recent articles on problems relating to near infrared tech and dark pigmentation.

I’m sure that somewhere Microsoft PR is chuckling to themselves over the furor, congratulating each other on the exposure Natal is getting.

Check out the plus-sized E3 trailer for this upcoming PlayStation Network game. Fat Princess, while marginally offensive to some, seems like (and pardon me for my cross platform comparison) the PS3 answer to The Behemoth’s Castle Crashers on the surface except its got a lot more of everything you’d expect.. more blood (if that’s possible), more mindless hack-n-slash action, and more princess.. markably more princess.

The game is scheduled for release later this month and looks like a lot of fun with its massive gory combat and support for up to 24 players online.

You can check out the E3 trailer which introduces the character classes and the game’s very basic premise after the jump.

First up is the Rabbids Go Home E3 2009 Trailer which gives gamers a closer look into a lunatic world overrun with rabbids.

I love that the devs wasted no time in getting the US president to contribute to the rabbids’ march to the moon.

The RGH Inside the Wii Remote Trailer features gameplay elements as rabbids invade your Wiimote, unwittingly putting themselves at you mercy. This is one of the funnier more memorable moments from E3. It reminds me of JoeCartoon’s gerbil. Torturing and customizing your own rabbid to use inside the game? Definitely a win. Catch it after the break.

Although Spore didn’t sell as well as EA had hoped, mostly due to it’s draconic SecureROM DRM, the life simulator has been wildly popular. The Spore Galactic Adventures E3 Trailer proves that it’s all fun and games even after the flying monkeys arrive. Check out the video after the break for quest examples and glimpses of gameplay.

Shawn mentioned all of this when he was talking about his PrE3 Blues. I mentioned then that I was unfortunately agreeing with him.

So, in the face of this crazy E3 week, how do I feel now?

Well, I’m pleasantly surprised. Even staying home this year, I found myself more interested in E3 than I have been in a while. Big announcements were rolling out one after the other, both from the ‘Big 3′ and others. Even the announcements that were leaked beforehand (yes, I mean you, PSP Go) were exciting to see.

It seemed that publishers and developers placed some bets on E3 this year, holding some announcements just for this week. It really helped to make this week feel important to everyone involved, from those of us here at FileFront to everyone at the conference. The ESA can stand tall and smile after the conclusion of this week.

I have to admit, it was nice. The industry appears to be coming together behind E3, and that’s a good thing. It’s great for the industry, and for gamers as well. The industry needs a central conference to feature its hottest wares, and E3 has long been it. With gamer-centric conferences like PAX becoming larger every year, it’s refreshing to see it coming back into its own.

Now, it’s time to start talking about next year’s E3, right?

With E3 2009 in full swing Gaming Today is swimming in trailers for so many awesome games, you’ll forget how slow the first five months of 2009 were. I’ll try to fire off as many as I can in short bursts. Enjoy the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker E3 trailer after the break.

Kojima promises he’ll do his best to use the PSP to it’s full extent to make this a riveting edition to the Metal Gear Solid storyline. It looks good so far and obviously his sense of humor is quite intact. Gotta love those boxing moves.

Gamers can expect to see Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker on the shelves in 2010.

The Sony press conference for E3 2009 is set to prepare gamers for the return of a juggernaut. Sony’s had a tough year for its PS3 console, but things are looking up. This is Sony’s year to make the most expensive console on the market profitable. With God of War III, Heavy Rain, Batman Arkham Asylum, Modern Warfare 2 and MAG on the horizon, this year’s E3 press conference promises to give gamers a reason to pick up a PS3. I’ll be blogging live as Sony wows gamers with 364 new PS3, PSP and PS2 titles. Check out the running commentary after the break.

2:11 EST – The Sony intro has One Vision of Queen which has me excited already. After looking at Wii games, the PS3 graphics are fantastic.

2:18 EST – PS2 has 100 new games headed its way in 2009.

2:19 EST – Playing inFamous nonstop since last week? Guilty as charged, except when Shawn gets it first.

2:20 EST – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves multiplayer starts tonight at midnight. It’s intense action multiplayer in the most gorgeous game I’ve seen on a console.

2:26 EST – MAG is unveiled for the first time with 256 man multiplayer running on the game floor.

2:34 EST – PSP getting makeover for younger audience with a Hannah Montana bundle. Rock Band is also in the works.

2:35 EST – PSP is going pocket sized with the PSP Go. It still has integrated WiFi and plays all PSP games on disc or downloaded from the PSn network. It does not replace the PSP 3000 or the UMD which will continue to be supported.

2:40 EST – New application for the PSP is Sense Me which matches your music to your mood.  Sony is also lowering the tool kit price which means more, less expensive PSP games on UMD and digital distribution.

2:41 EST – PSP Go launches October 1st in NA and Europe and November 1st in Japan.

2:42 EST – Video service will be native to the PSP. Showtime, Starz TV,  T.N.A. and tons of anime launch today.

2:44 EST – The full Gran Turismo game will run on the PSP Go at 60 FPS. It includes legacy cars and the works. PSP exclusive features include 4 player multiplayer and the ability to trade cars with your friends.

2:45 EST – Surprise! Hideo Kojima makes an appearance to announce Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for the PSP. It takes place in 1974, ten years after Metal Gear Solid 3, so it’s a true sequel. Peace Walker will use all the PSPs capabilities.

2:47 EST – Fantastic trailer I’ll have to get up soon. Solid Snake becomes the world’s next deterrent for peace. You’ll love the box at the end. It’s an inside joke.

2:58 EST – Resident Evil coming to PSP with an original game. Little Big Planet, Hannah Montana, Harry Potter, Persona and many more are on the way.

3:05 EST – Final Fantasy VII is available PSN as of today!

3:11 EST – The sheer number of games both exclusive and cross platform is mind numbing. Brutal Legend, Ghostbusters, Dragon Age, and Singstar Queen for the PS3 are just a few I’m looking forward to. There are quite a few kid friendly games mingles with God of War, and Modern Warfare.

3:15 EST – Rockstar bringing Agent to the PS3. The shadowy world of the super spy is coming at you.

3:18 EST – Assassins Creed 2 Renaissance Italy and Florentine noble Enzio take flight with DaVinci’s flying machine gliding through Italy to reach new heights. New assassination techniques are smooth as silk with the double blades and distractions like smoke bombs. New A.I. archetype Seeker. 30 weapons in your arsenal.

3:22 EST – Final Fantasy XIII this spring combines man, machine and magic in an adventure that has a distinctively Sci-fi touch. Familiar summons are back including Shiva. It’s as beautiful as FFXII but feels more traditional.

3:26 EST – Final Fantasy XIV is coming in 2010 exclusively for the PS3 as a new online adventure.

3:28 EST – Motion control gaming gets a boost with the Playstation motion controller. Live technology demo of  the motion controller engineering prototype working with the PlayStation Eye. One to one movement that brings virtual peripherals into the game itself. Use flashlights, rackets, swords, and golf clubs. First person mode allows guns, and whips. You’ll be able to draw, write, and spray paint.

Character control is demoed in an arena type melee battle with Sword and shield style gladiator combat. The most impressive demo is the one for archery using full body motion. I can imagine an MMO using this. People could get a good work out.

3:40 EST – The Playstation motion controller launches Spring 2010.

3:42 EST – William Ho introduces ModNation Racers. Think LittleBigPlanet with race cars only the track environments are much more realistic looking. Design your terrain, track, obstacles and weapons. You can manipulate lighting and it looks like weather as well.

3:50 EST – Following Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, The Last Guardian is on the way. The main character is a boy with his very own luck dragon that looks like a four legged bald eagle with a hyena head. Very bizarre.

3:56 EST -  Gran Turismo 5 gives you racing anyway you want it; on the track, in the dirt, through city streets and cross country.

3:59 EST – Concluding with a live demo of God of War 3.

• Not as visually stunning as Uncharted but intensely violent on a mythically massive scale.
• Harpies with middle aged boobs. Hope they censor that.
• Hey when did Kratos sprout wings?
• Awesome Chimera design. However the Titan looks great but didn’t do much in the demo.

Still GoW3 seems to be everything you want from a series finale.

The Big Wrap up… no price break too bad but all in all an incredible showing by Sony. The motion control demonstration was the highlight.

12:15 EST – Introducing Wii Balance Board as a new platform. Wii Fit Plus introduces 15 new balance games including  juggling, skateboarding and Perfect Ten, an unholy union of balance game and Brain Age for your bum. It’s comes bundled or as a stand alone so you don’t have to re purchase the Wii Balance Board.

12:20 EST – Reggie introduces the next innovation in the Wiimote. It’s a good thing Wii MotionPlus doesn’t have to be seen to be believed because the tiny extension to the Wiimote doesn’t make a difference until you power up your console. This is the answer to correcting the problems with the way the Wiimote senses motion aka makes it work the way it should.

12:23 EST – Wii Sports Resort takes advantage of Wii Motion Plus allowing you to skydive. I thought the idea of Wii Sports was fun fitness, but I guess Resort takes that right out of the equation.

12:24 EST – Hey WSR Archery is up. Use the Wiimote with the nun chuck to hit the target without the risk of skewering your buddies in gym class!

12:28 EST - WSR Basketball has will have you shooting competitively against your buddy in a game show type set up.

12:30 EST – Wii MotionPlus is applied to the new Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 and Grand Slam Tennis as well as Red Steel 2 which will be a Wii exclusive.

12:32 EST – Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles introduces The Crystal Bearers

12:34 EST – New Kingdom Hearts coming to the DS. Looks pretty decent graphically for a DS title.

12:36 EST – Mario & Luigi Bowser’s Inside Story RPG coming to DS  in NA and Europe this fall.

12:38 EST – Golden Sun DS is coming out 2010.

12:39 EST – James Patterson  and THQ bring Women’s Murder Club: Games of Passion to the DS. It reads and plays like a Patterson novel.

12:40 EST – Cop: The Recruit has CCD cop Derrick going  undercover to prove his partners innocence for the DS

12:42 EST – Girls Club for the DS has been renamed Style Savvy for NA. Fashion plates for todays teens and early 20 something girls.

12:45 EST – Mario vs. Donkey Kong:  Minis March Again comes out this Monday, June 8th downloadable only for the DSi. It features a level creator for the ambitious.

12:48 EST – DSi getting capability to upload pics to Facebook.

12:50 EST – Flip Note Studio comes out this summer.

12:52 EST – Iwata talks marketing trends and future of gaming…

1:00 EST – Mario Galaxy sequel on it’s way to the Wii in 2010. Graphics and gameplay look pretty similar to the original but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It does bring Yoshi into the mix.

1:02 EST – Exclusive Third party Wii titles:

• Sega’s  The Conduit out in 3 weeks;
• Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles Wii zapper title and sequel to the Umbrella Chronicles.
• Dead Space: Extraction

1:09 EST – New edgier games coming from Nintendo.

• Team Ninja
• New Metroid Other M in 2010

That’s a wrap look for trailers up soon! Don’t forget to sign up for Gaming Today on Twitter for all the latest updates.

The Hearts of Iron series is based on the battlefields of World War II and have a special focus on the rise of the tank as a cornerstone to cavalry based combat. The game handles not only the armchair general battlefield tactics but the broader strategic elements of logistics, territory and campaign planning. Recently Hearts of Iron III was announced by Paradox Interactive with a fall 2009 release planned.

In preparation for the launch, Paradox Interactive sat down with Hearts of Iron III producer Johan Andersson for a video Q & A based around questions submitted by fans of the series and to get an update on the game, its evolution and new features from previous iterations.

You can watch the interview after the jump and find out more about Hearts of Iron III. While it doesn’t offer the same visceral action of a modern shooter, war is a thinking man’s game and these games offer a view no muddy foot soldier can appreciate.

The E3 2009 video shows off, the new blur motion options. It also gives gamers a glimpse of the new character customization options. Watch the Tekken 6 E3 Trailer after the jump.

Tekken 6 is due out this fall for the PS3, Xbox 360, PSP and the Arcade.

After all the teasers for Guitar Hero 5, Activision is finally offering gamers some juicy chunks of the latest game in the GH series. The full line up is out, naming a good mix of classic, new and Indie bands and solo artists including Bob Dillon and Iggy Pop as well as Queens of the Stone Age and Wolfmother. You’ll notice many of the usual suspects and several bands that have released big track packs. I’m thrilled to see Muse, Rush, 3 Doors Down, Iron Maiden, and Kiss on the list as well. Whether you’re into The Man in Black or The Killers, you’re bound to find something to like about this line up listed.

Hit read the full article for all the Guitar Hero 5 goodness to look forward to until the September 1st release.

The complete list of solo artists and bands featured on Guitar Hero 5 are:

· 3 Doors Down

· A Perfect Circle

· AFI

· Attack! Attack!

· Band Of Horses

· Beastie Boys

· Beck

· Billy Idol

· Billy Squier

· Blink-182

· Blur

· Bob Dylan

· Bon Jovi

· Brand New

· Bush

· Children of Bodom

· Coldplay

· Darker My Love

· Darkest Hour

· David Bowie

· Deep Purple

· Dire Straits

· Duran Duran

· Eagles Of Death Metal

· Elliott Smith

· Elton John

· Face to Face

· Garbage

· Gorillaz

· Gov’t Mule

· Grand Funk Railroad

· Iggy Pop

· Iron Maiden

· Jeff Beck

· Jimmy Eat World

· John Mellencamp

· Johnny Cash

· Kaiser Chiefs

· King Crimson

· Kings Of Leon

· Kiss

· Love and Rockets

· Megadeth

· Mötley Crüe

· Muse

· My Morning Jacket

· Nirvana

· No Doubt

· Peter Frampton

· Public Enemy Featuring Zakk Wylde

· Queen & David Bowie

· Queens Of The Stone Age

· Rammstein

· Rose Hill Drive

· Rush

· Santana

· Scars On Broadway

· Screaming Trees

· Smashing Pumpkins

· Sonic Youth

· Spacehog

· Stevie Wonder

· Sublime

· Sunny Day Real Estate

· T. Rex

· The Bronx

· The Derek Trucks Band

· The Duke Spirit

· The Killers

· The Police

· The Raconteurs

· The Rolling Stones

· The Sword

· The White Stripes

· Thin Lizzy

· Thrice

· Tom Petty

· Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

· TV On The Radio

· Vampire Weekend

· Weezer

· Wild Cherry

· Wolfmother

EA also revealed a The Beatles: Rock Band Xbox 360 exclusive track, “All You Need is Love”. Proceeds from the DLC go to the Doctors Without Borders charity. “All You Need is Love” will be ready for download on Xbox Live June 9th.

For more details on The Beatles: Rock Band career mode and the new peripheral set styled after the instruments used by the band, see the press release excerpts after the jump. You can also watch the video of the E3 The Beatles: Rock Band Demo and see the new peripherals in action in case you missed the live streaming video coverage of E3 earlier today.

?All You Need Is Love? To Be Released Exclusively as Downloadable Song
Through Xbox LIVE on 9/9/09 with Charity Proceeds to Benefit Doctors Without
Borders

New York ? June 1, 2009 ? Original band members Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, came together today to kick off the 2009 E3 Media & Business Summit with the world premiere of The Beatles: Rock Band. The first-of-its-kind music-based video game offers a revolutionary tour of The Beatles’ music, career, and legacy. Presented by Apple Corps, Ltd., and MTV Games? Harmonix Music Systems, a part of Viacom?s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), The Beatles: Rock Band will be released worldwide on 9/9/09, as will the release of the entire, original, digitally re-mastered Beatles CD catalogue.

Unveiled at Microsoft?s E3 press conference, the game represents the first time fans will be able to experience The Beatles? musical career for themselves. From the early touring days in 1963 Liverpool to the immortal, final performance on the Apple Corps rooftop, fans can follow in the band?s footsteps as they traverse the globe during the height of Beatlemania. Adding to the experience is the introduction of three-part vocal harmonies to game play, allowing gamers to revel in the unparalleled vocal stylings of
the Fab Four. Beatles fans will also be thrilled to hear previously unreleased authentic voice recordings from John, Paul, George and Ringo chatting between takes during studio sessions recorded at Abbey Road more
than four decades ago.

It was also announced today that ?All You Need Is Love,? will be released exclusively on Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft as a downloadable song for The Beatles: Rock Band through Xbox LIVE on September 9, 2009 with all Apple Corps Ltd, MTV Games and Microsoft proceeds benefitting Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, personally selected the international emergency medical humanitarian
organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971 as the beneficiary of the proceeds from the sales of ?All You Need Is Love? for The Beatles: Rock Band. Doctors Without Borders provides aid in more than 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. The organization is
committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.

The Beatles: Rock Band story mode will take fans on an interactive, experiential journey through The Beatles career. Along the way, venues, set lists, clothing and instruments will relive the band?s rise to fame,
represented in The Beatles’ touring period from 1963 to1966 and their studio days from 1966 to 1969.

The game begins during the band?s earliest days at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. Gamers will then travel across the Atlantic to experience the band?s unforgettable 1964 performance on The Ed Sullivan
Show, the sold-out concert at New York?s Shea Stadium in 1965, and conclude at The Beatles? memorable concert at Budokan in Tokyo, Japan in 1966. The Beatles? studio years will come to life in legendary Studio 2 at Abbey Road Studios. Highlighting the studio years are inspired artistic visual expressions known as Dreamscapes, intended to transport players to imaginative environments that capture the essence of The Beatles? genre-busting musical and fashion transformations during their later years. The game follows The Beatles to 1969 where story mode culminates with their final performance on the rooftop of the Apple Corps Headquarters. The Beatles: Rock Band will be displayed during the 2009 E3 Media & Business Summit in the MTV Games booth in the South Hall # 2023.

As previously announced, The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a new set of hardware representing the instruments made famous by John, Paul, George and Ringo. Featured in the set are the Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet guitars?hailed as two of the celebrated, signature instruments played by John Lennon and George Harrison throughout their careers. Also included is a Höfner bass controller?a large-scale version of the bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney. Rounding out the set is a Ringo Starr inspired, Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drum set with a classic pearl finish and vintage remake of a Beatles kick drum head.

The Beatles: Rock Band will be available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox®360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system from Sony, and the Wii? home videogame console from Nintendo on September 9, 2009. The game will be compatible with all Rock Band? instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero® and other third party music video game peripherals and microphone.

The Beatles: Rock Band marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Harrisongs Ltd and Startling Music Ltd has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. The Beatles: Rock Band will be published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix,
the world?s premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) will serve as distribution partner for the game. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of
The Beatles innovative LOVE album project, is providing his expertise and serving as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

Of course L4D2 is a mature rated game so I’ve put the new video after the jump. Check out the Left4Dead2 E3 teaser trailer after the jump.

Look for the zombie invasion on the Xbox 360 and PC this fall as Left4Dead2 hits stores November 17, 2009. I know what I’ll be doing on my Thanksgiving break.

I’ll attempt to do a liveblog of the event in the same post as well if you’re interested in my insight into the whole thing.

You can see the embed and the liveblog after the jump.

Liveblog:

4:45 – Watching on G4TV and on the web.. lets see which is more convenient shall we…

4:57 – Did you know the government is authorized to seize foreclosures in your area? Call now!

5:04 – Lights going down.

5:05 – Visceral Games, Dante’s Inferno Teaser.. still not sure how EA will make this a winning game.. but we’ll see. It looks like
they’ve excised all the political commentary from the original.

5:06 – Dante sure knows a lot of people in Hell.. I wonder what will happen as he makes his way up the ladder..

5:07 – Sims 3 launch at Midnight… showing a little preview.. the whole town concept is looking interesting but I’m still not sold on doing it without micromanagement.

5:08 – 12 games to show off today

5:09 – EA loves Wii.. whoopeee.. sigh.. pardon me for being a fallen member of the Nintendo Faithful. Littlest Petshop.. glad my daughters are getting older now… I won’t have to worry about these titles much.

5:11 – EA getting into the Webkinz market – 5 years too late.

5:11 – EA has such a good arrangement with Hasbro, wonder what will happen when the Atari D&D deal ends in a few years.. now that Bioware is an in-house studio.

5:13 – EA Girls branding – nice to see finally.. I just worry about the stereotypical promotion of popular bitchy girls with these games – “What’s great about being a girl” – pajama parties, shopping.. sigh… I know quite a few girls and women who would find that conceit a bit patronizing.

5:15 – Need for Speed: SHIFT – 2 year dev cycle.. redefines racing experience.. sounds like Forza 3.. the definitive racing game of this console generation..

5:17 – How you drive on the track defines who you are – Drive like a pro and you have a great experience hit top speed, pull corners.. etc. Aggressive drivers – bump, pull general dick moves.. whatever you want and we’ll reward your play style… drive like an idiot and we’ll delete your save game! Ok so he didn’t say that.. but wouldn’t it be cool? You define your own profile.

5:19 – Live race footage. Nice cockpit view.. but its still just a racing game guys.. you drive around in circles trying to take first place..

5:20 – Dragon Age Origins – I wonder if it’ll look less like a bad Lord of the Rings in the cinematic this year.

5:22 – Another world saving fantasy game.. wow! That’s a great and original idea Bioware!

5:24 – Wow.. its The Witcher by Bioware:)

5:24 – Boobies! Looks like another sex rile is on the horizon..

5:25 – Mass Effect 2 – continues story as we know.. surrounds a suicide mission.. intense shooter action.. that worries me.. but we’ll see.. I hope we can drive around for no reason on even more generic rock planets!

5:25 – Gameplay Trailer.. same one that’s been out on GameTrailers plus some. Great soundtrack and pacing.. just a big big tease. Poor poor Normandy…

5:27 – EA Sports is up to bat.

5:28 – Peter Moore on deck. Fight Night Round 4… why do I not care? I mean its a gorgeous game, but I prefer fighting games like Marvel vs. Capcom to Boxing or Wrestling games.

5:30 – I don’t really care about the games but man is Peter Moore a good PR guy.. I always enjoy his segments – last year was great also.

5:32 – Fight Night Rd 4 – June 25th

5:33 – Mixed Martial Arts.. how is this different from UFC or the others?

5:33 – Sports games at the forefront of connected entertainment? I’m not sure I can agree to that.. especially after the EA DNA stuff with NBA Live this year. Though FIFA has awesome online modes.

5:36 – Ok.. the online tie in is actually very impressive.. NCAA 10 looks great.. and TeamBuilder might just make me pick it up.

5:37 – Online Franchise for Madden 10.. wow.. online drafts.. trades.. message boards.. funny teaser.. ok.. Madden just went back on my want list..

5:38 – EA Sports Active – more coming.. which is great.. one real reason to use a Wii.. far better than Wii Fat.

5:40 – Really need to pick it up now that the Wii is free in the mornings..

5:42 – over 600,000 units in 2 weeks! Now how is supply Peter? Expansion pack coming this holiday season. 30 more activities.. and tropical presentation.

5:44 – EA Sports Wii Grand Slam Tennis – Why has SEGA not done this with their Tennis title? Sampras showing up is typical Peter Moore:)

5:46 – “Let me explain how to play tennis Pete”.. lol awkward.

5:48 – EA Sports done.. now to hope for SW:KotOR … nope Pandemic is up with their next game The Saboteur.

5:50 – WWII Splinter Cell.. Paris.. sandbox game.. nice. Hmm… maybe its more Mercs WWII than Splinter Cell

5:52 – EAPartners – usually the most dry part of the show.. id, Epic, and Valve ;p (I’m kidding)

5:54 – Brutal Legend! Nice. Tim Schafer is one funny dude.. as always.

5:56 – “He has fabulous hair.. so nice he can fly with it.” Quote of the show so far.

5:57 – Ok.. the Lita Ford comment beat the last one..

5:58 – Ozzy? Awesome! Not that I could want the game more? Of course he’s playing Ozzy himself… the god of metal:)

5:58 – New trailer – full trailer Tuesday.. I’ll be waiting with bated breath.

6:00 – Brutal Thoughts Part 2 – Tim is the best part of these promos.. How could Activision dump this game??

6:02 – Crytek – Crysis 2 announcement.. am I the only person who doesn’t think Crysis is that interesting a concept.. yet its cranked out 3 games in 2 years.. its a very pretty engine tech demo.

6:04 – New team – RealTimeWorld – APB is going to EA.. rumor confirmed.

6:05 – Now if only APB was merged with inFamous or Crackdown.. then I’d be sold.

6:07 – Star Wars: The Old Republic trailer… prepare to be amazed visually and disappointed in reality.. I am.

6:08 – Ok.. cheezy.. Bioware Jedi.. sigh..

6:09 – Did Lucas forget Sony exists.. lol.. ‘When we wanted to make a Star Wars MMO we thought of Bioware of course’.. lol

6:10 – Fully voiced game.. nice. This worries me.. based on the limited voice pallet of the other Bioware games.

6:10 – Empire class? Republic Class? Does he not know the history of the setting? There is no Empire in the Old Republic.

6:11 – Exclusive cinematic trailer – The music always makes me giddy.. John Williams rocks.

6:13 – The Sith uprising.. destruction of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Massive Jedi on Sith action.. what about the Mandos?

6:15 – Exciting trailer.. I only worry about how it’ll play and how much it will cost. Especially with the false “Your Republic shall fall” line.. we know that does not happen for a few thousand more years.

Show over.. what do you guys think? Will SW MMO be a good MMO?

Left4Dead is less than a year old. It shipped with a very slight amount of content, only got added value with the later Survivor patch and is only now getting mod support from the community and rather than expand it and give us a more reasonably sized game.. we’re being fed a sequel.

More Zombie killing is a goal I subscribe to religiously. I love Left4Dead, I played the heck out of it for months until the 4 basic scenarios wore dry and even the injection of new content with the recent patch didn’t work to vary or sate that apathy much. The original gang isn’t done, I want more adventures, more maps and scenarios and frankly more value from that initial purchase – just as Valve promised.

The trailer and accompanying press release also worry me because the features they tout for the upcoming continuation don’t seem earthshaking or innovative, or like additions that don’t belong in a patch for the original game. What I’m referring to is the addition of more melee-centric weapons and combat, and an upgraded AI Director. Then there is this statement:

“Featuring new Survivors, boss zombies, weapons, and items, Left 4 Dead 2 offers a much larger game than the original with more co-operative campaigns, more Versus campaigns, and maps for Survival mode available at launch.”

Who is responsible for L4D not having a great selection of content, modes or characters?

Well the same people who are now expecting us to shill out full price yet again to support their hype machine. I’m an ardent supporter of Valve over the years but this move really bugs me. We’re still waiting on Half-Life 2 Episode 3 to wrap that story up – 4 years later – and yet they can crank out another money grab in the form of an L4D sequel. Valve doesn’t patch or fix problems with the 360 version of the Orange Box, yet they can produce an entirely new L4D product? Something smells here and while the “freeness” of the Survivor patch is a great move in an industry increasingly based on selling you parts of their completed game after release as a continued revenue stream, I am afraid with the current information in hand I may have to change my position on Valve and its formerly consumer friendly posture.

The new title is scheduled to ship on November 17th for Xbox 360 and PC, just in time for the Christmas rush, and features an apparent Southern US setting and characters including “Inbred Tank” and a multi-ethnic survivor team. I’m sorry but I think I’m going to take a pass here.. until I see something that shows a sequel was needed to the game, and this is not just more than a simple tech upgrade with new maps and re-skinned characters. You can view the full details of the press release after the jump.

VALVE ANNOUNCES LEFT 4 DEAD 2

Sequel to Best-Selling Co-op Thriller Coming This Holiday

June 1, 2009 – Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2), the sequel to the best-selling and critically-acclaimed co-operative multiplayer thriller.

Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 and PC, L4D2 promises to set a new benchmark for co-operative action games and become one of 2009’s marquee titles.

“A large part of how Left 4 Dead became 2008’s top-selling new IP on Xbox 360 and the PC was the custom-tailored gameplay made possible by the AI Director,” said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. “With the knowledge gained from creating the original, new technology, and a passionate team, L4D2 will set a new benchmark for cooperative action games.”

Set for release on November 17, the title adds melee combat to enable deeper co-operative gameplay, with items such as a chainsaw, frying pan, axe, baseball bat, and more.

Introducing the AI Director 2.0, L4D’s dynamic gameplay is taken to the next level by giving the Director the ability to procedurally change weather effects, world objects, and pathways in addition to tailoring the enemy population, effects, and sounds to match the players’ performance. The result is a unique game session custom fitted to provide a satisfying and uniquely challenging experience each time the game is played.

Featuring new Survivors, boss zombies, weapons, and items, Left 4 Dead 2 offers a much larger game than the original with more co-operative campaigns, more Versus campaigns, and maps for Survival mode available at launch.

Supported by a $10+ million marketing campaign, Left 4 Dead has sold over 2.5 million retail copies since it was released in November of 2008. Left 4 Dead 2 is targeted for release on Xbox 360 and the PC on November 17, 2009, and will be launched worldwide with a multi-million dollar marketing campaign across TV, Outdoor, and Online.

“Left 4 Dead was backed by our most aggressive advertising campaign to date, and resulted in a top 5 showing on two platforms during holiday 2008,” said Doug Lombardi, VP of marketing at Valve. “Left 4 Dead 2 is a larger game and will be supported with even more consumer and retail advertising programs than the original.”

Left 4 Dead 2 will be featured as the cover story on PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazines this month. For more information, please visit www.l4d.com

Thanks to the folks at G4TV for the JustinTV link.

1:35PM – The feed appears to be rather jerky.. hmm.. maybe JustinTV isn’t ready to handle the load.
1:38 – Exclusive Track Downloads.. hmm I guess if you have to get a piece of a multi-platform title like The Beatles that is one way to do it.
1:39 – Good news for Beatles Fans on the selections.. bad news on the cost associated with owning Rock Band full records.. but nothing new there. You have to buy a lot of the catalog – only 40 songs on RB: The Beatles with All you Need is Love as an exclusive DL fro 360 version.
1:40 – Paul & Ringo endorsing it.. of course they are.. they stand to make some money here folks..
1:43 – Tony Hawk coming on to talk Ride – another multi-platform title… and his new plastic instrument – the skateboard controller.. sigh.
1:45 – So is the board compatible with Skate 2? I wonder.. I hate single use specialized controllers!
1:48 – Modern Warfare 2 Trailer – SO… where are the Microsoft announcements int he Microsoft conference?
1:50 – Demoing MW2 live.. nice Ice Climber sequel so far lol, wonder if Hudson/Nintendo knows;)
1:52 – Snow missions look nice.. white out effects are impressive.
1:57 – Two exclusive early releases of MW2 map packs – selling on the 360 success of MW1.
1:58 – Square Enix on the stage – FF XIII news incoming…
2:00 – First look at XIII on 360. Trailer footage inbound. Same fight scene with afro guy we’ve already seen demo’d.
2:00 – Lightning and Suds fighting lightning beast. 4 Active Time gauges.. more integrated team tactics.
2:01 – Summons are back.. Odin is being shown off.
2:02 – Spring 2010 release on 360.. good news.
2:03 – everything from here in is exclusive.. and Epic takes the stage.
2:04 – Shadow Complex – mic trouble for the presented. He’s calling on classic titles for comparison.
2:04 – 3rd Person “Bionic Commando: Redux” style visuals so far. Looks like a modern 2D platform action title.
2:05 – Joy Ride – Avatar based games.. who thought these were good ideas? A Stunt/micro machines style racer.
2:07 – Free to buy/play.. microtransaction to support it with tracks and cars for purchase.
2:08 – Crackdown 2.. NICE!!
2:09 – Ok 2 announcements I can get excited about so far.. Crackdown 2.. and southern Left 4 Dead…
2:11 – Splinter Cell: Conviction.. hmm.. does anyone still care?
2:11 – Michael Ironsides apparently is back as well.. nice to see.. still don’t really care.
2:15 – Realtime ghosting of information to “maintain immersion”.. not sure I buy that.. but its an interesting concept.
2:16 – When did they switch to playing Batman: Arkham Asylum? Or Riddick? Oh.. its still Splinter Cell.
2:18 – SC:Conviction – Fall release.
2:19 – Racing is new frontier in the battle? Forza 3? GT is still unannounced with a real release date.. hmm.
2:20 – Calling it the definitive racing game of this generation is a bit of early hyperbole don’t you think MS?
2:22 – Forza car painters.. interesting. Totally didn’t realize that was a gamer subculture.
2:24 – Carobatics.. odd but funny.
2:25 – Halo:ODST is on.. now to see what to expect. Drop scene… no real sell in.
2:26 – Good way to frell a place – jump into hyperspace above it.
2:27 – Halo 1 type pistol.. I like the Halo universe.. I’m happy its not fixed around Master Chief and is using other techniques to tell the story.
2:30 – Real life interferes.. more comments on the rest of the conference later. Battery is going down on the laptop.. sigh.

However I can’t help wondering why E3 excites anyone anymore.

Sure, Microsoft, Nintendo and to some extent Sony all hold their big announcements for the first few days of E3 week, but after seeing these events in person the last three years I can safely say I’m not missing much by watching the Internet televised versions live. You can look back at the coverage of the last few years but I am beginning to wonder if all the hype, all the constant media controlling isn’t just a giant waste of time and energy.

Nintendo will no doubt offer their usual performance – claim great plans and a renewed sense of energy and announce more of the same. The Wii was a lifesaver for the company but it feels a bit like they are resting on their laurels waiting for the rest of the game space to mimic them. This is a big difference from the Nintendo I recall of 2005/2006 when the Gamecube was wilting away and the Wii was an unproven concept. Sure, we get it.. the Wii is popular, lots of people who normally do not play games bought one.. but from the perspective of someone who has long supported Nintendo I guess I’m jaded and tired. This isn’t a new sentiment – lots of “fanboys” cried foul as Nintendo went from underdog to overachiever the last few years, and frankly I’m happy that the company has succeeded.. I just feel like Nintendo is that friend I hung out with for years who went away one summer break and came back 50 lbs lighter and with double D breasts that suddenly everyone was paying attention to. Sure we’re ostensibly still acquainted, but I’m not sure I’m happy with the relationship as it stands now between us. Its great for Nintendo I’m sure.

Sony and Microsoft seem to be mimicking Nintendo and lets face it, business 101 says if you see something working for someone else you should adopt a similar strategy and personalize it to maximize your success in an industry. Microsoft’s news the last two years has been mostly focused on attracting the Nintendo goldmine.. games like Lips, You’re in the Movies and SceneIt! received more play than they deserved frankly (not because I dislike these games.. but because they didn’t really work to capture their target audience and didn’t attract the die hard gamers either.) Sure Microsoft had Fable II, the Final Fantasy XIII announcement, Fallout 3 DLC exclusivity for a short while and GTA IV DLC… but in the end it all felt aimless to me. The one area they seem to be making their mark is on media center functions like the Netflix player and this year the rumored Hulu integration through Xbox LIVE. I spent the better part of my gaming year on my 360 in 2008 but I’m just not catching the same fever this year I guess.

Sony is reliable these days – they will go after every market, they have the most expensive system with some of the best exclusive games but again something just feels off to me. Maybe I’m jaded. Ratchet & Clank’s online experiment seemed a success, PlayStation Home is a confusing failure from what I a can tell.. and LittleBigPlanet is still one of the most innovative pseudo-games ever made. I feel like Sony is lacking identity. It has the big media ties, the better hardware and the most fresh intellectual properties but I have no idea where it is headed this year.

Rumors abound before every E3. Motion controllers and new cameras are rumored for the 360 and PS3 to compete with the Wii. A new slim PS3 design and UMD less PSP both make sense. The message of the event just feels more diluted as the 3rd party publishers who largely abandoned the event the last two years in favor of media days and events where they could control the message and attention of the enthusiast press became the rule. I wonder if there is a need for E3 anymore. We’re in a competitive 24 hour news cycle every day, announcements have different impact than they did even 3 years ago because so many outlets exist and so many opinions exist. I feel lost in the fog, wondering what makes E3 week any different than the week of Activision’s Gamer’s day event or Square Enix’s big solo junket.

Maybe its fatigue. This industry can wear on you I guess.. the endless hype cycles, the ceaseless hyperbole from enthusiast press and public relations folks alike.. I just wonder, as we prepare for E3 2009’s coverage, what you really want from us? You can and will get exclusives elsewhere thanks to the access of sites like Kotaku and IGN and GameTrailers that we can’t offer. I’d like to think you want perspective, analysis and insight with the news, and maybe that is why you read a particular bit of text over another. We’re not diving in with quite the gusto this year personally but we’re committed to posting the news that resonates with our staff. While we do write these posts for our own edification, it’s important that we understand what you, our readers, value in the coverage we deliver.

Please, take this opportunity to let us know.

I can’t speak for Steve, Ron or Eva but I want Gaming Today to accomplish the task of entertaining and informing without taking itself too seriously. This isn’t a website covering a major diplomatic conference or world-changing social program here.. its about games and it should be fun.

Music fans have new bands and features to bump and grind to with Guitar Hero 5 and can explore new genres with DjHero. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is ready for show and sci-fi buffs can get their fill with Singularity and PROTOTYPE. I’m putting Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in with sci-fi because I can’t quite make the leap to call them superheroes. Get the full list complete with details on each game after the break.

Activision’s Full E3 Game Slate Includes:

Blur is set to revolutionize the racing genre as the ultimate wheel-to-wheel racing action experience with spectacular power-ups, real-world locations and over 60 licensed cars. The pick-up and play game drops players into heart-pumping, electrified racing action with 20 cars on track all targeting the finish line and battling each other as they trade paint and collect intense power-ups, including the ability to blast other cars out of the way with huge bursts of energy, boost their speed and more. Gamers can also engage in competitive and team-based multiplayer with up to 20 racers online, or on a single console via 4-player split-screen; plus create custom groups to design their own complete game mode. (Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows®; not yet rated by the ESRB).

In DJ Hero, faces in the crowd are transformed into the life of the party as the game’s turntable controller – created exclusively for DJ Hero and featuring familiar DJ tools including a fully-rotating turntable, sample buttons, effects dial and cross fader – immerses fans into the authenticity of DJ culture and a sea of music. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems and Wii™ system from Nintendo; not yet rated by the ESRB).

Guitar Hero 5 features the strongest, most varied set list to-date comprised of master tracks from 85 of the hottest bands of today and the biggest classic acts including Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Santana, Vampire Weekend, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of music genres that will be making their music video game debut. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii and PlayStation 2 system; not yet rated by the ESRB).

The greatest Super Hero™ action/RPG of all time is back with the world’s largest army of heroes and villains in Marvel™: Ultimate Alliance 2. Incorporating elements of the acclaimed Marvel Civil War storyline, the game allows players to choose their side and team up with revered heroes and villains, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, Deadpool, Venom, Green Goblin and Captain America. Players can combine characters’ powers and unleash astonishing new attacks. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii, PlayStation 2 system, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system and Nintendo DS™; not yet rated by the ESRB).

On November 10, 2009, Infinity Ward will make its return with the release of Modern Warfare 2, the most-anticipated game of the year and the sequel to the best-selling first-person action game of all time, Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™, which has sold more than 13 million copies to date. Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing saga with an unprecedented level of action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows; not yet rated by the ESRB).

An all-new, third-person open-world/action game, PROTOTYPE lets gamers feel the power of being the ultimate shape-shifting weapon. You are the PROTOTYPE: Alex Mercer – a genetically mutated man without memory, armed with amazing shape-shifting abilities, hunting your way to discover what created you and determined to make those responsible pay. As Alex, gamers tear through a densely populated contemporary New York City with Parkour-style agility, consuming anybody that gets in their way…assuming their physical identity, memories and abilities. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows; the game is rated “M” by the ESRB).

Singularity pits shooter and sci-fi fans against a devastating fracture in time. As players attempt to unravel a conspiracy, they must fight their way through ever-shifting epic sci-fi environments, occupied by Russian soldiers and time-ravaged creatures, while sudden time waves hurl them back and forth between 1950 and the present day. Use time as a weapon as you attempt to unravel the mystery and prevent a catastrophic event that threatens all humanity. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows; not yet rated by the ESRB).

Featuring an innovative skateboard-shaped controller, Tony Hawk: RIDE redefines the sports genre by offering a dynamic hands-free gaming experience. Using full motion sensing technology, players physically control the action by performing various movements and gestures on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game in a variety of settings and half pipes. The new wireless skateboard controller provides an accessible and social gaming experience that allows players to feel what it’s really like to skate. Without complex button combinations or analog sticks, gamers can literally step on the board to play the game. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Wii; not yet rated by the ESRB).

Based on Hasbro’s legendary TRANSFORMERS property and Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures’ upcoming feature film, Transformers™: Revenge of the Fallen, the video game thrusts players into a battle for supremacy across the globe as either AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS to drive, fly, fight and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels. Delivering more control than ever before, players can select from an extremely diverse range of playable TRANSFORMERS characters and jump straight into action as they instantly switch between robot, vehicle and weapon modes to fight for the preservation or annihilation of all mankind. Players can also fight the epic war between the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS online in explosive, multiplayer combat. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii, PlayStation 2 system PSP system, Nintendo DS and Games for Windows; the game is rated “T” for the console and PC versions and “E10+” for the handheld versions by the ESRB).

Wolfenstein™ brings the Nazi’s dark obsession with the occult to life, by intertwining fast-paced, intense story-driven combat with a diverse sci-fi experience. As BJ Blazkowicz, a highly decorated member of the Office of Secret Actions (OSA), you are sent on a special mission into the heart of the Third Reich to investigate evidence that the SS hierarchy may possess a new and mysterious power. Wolfenstein is scheduled to be on store shelves on August 4, 2009. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows; not yet rated by the ESRB; the game is rated “M” by the ESRB).

Over at the Konami website, there’s a shiny new countdown page (seen in the screenshot above). There’s no word on exactly what it’s a teaser for just yet, but if you visit the site, you’ll see it’s located in the Kojima Productions directory of the Konami site.

Each time the lightning flashes in the Flash driven countdown page, it reveals the outline of the number five. Whether this refers to Metal Gear Solid 5, or some other title, we’ll just have to wait and see. Maybe E3 will bring all the answers we seek.

Let’s just hope that if it is MGS5, it’s not featuring Raiden. I just don’t think I could take that.