Microsoft Preview Event: 2009 Holiday Showcase

Earlier this week Microsoft held an event to showcase some upcoming holiday products including Windows 7, Zune HD, and numerous Xbox 360 titles.  We've already written up some extensive coverage of Halo 3: ODST, which if you haven't already, you should go check out.  Despite ODST being a highlight of sorts, there were other interesting things worth mentioning

The Beatles: Rock Band was at the center of attention as event goers cycled in and out of the different positions in the band.  All the new instruments were on display, and while the drums didn't look all that different the guitars really stood out in both style and size.  

I got to play the long neck bass, which felt really solid in my hands.  The game itself was as familiar as the previous Rock Band titles, but is over loaded with plenty of Beatles style.  People were actually singing using the wireless Lips microphones, and at one point I believe there were three separate people singing the same lines in harmony.  

I honestly think this game will be a bigger party game than any of the other music games, simply because people relate and know almost all of these songs.  Whether it's from TV commercials, movies, or radio I didn't hear a song played that I didn't know from the great band.

There's not much to say about EA's upcoming Madden title.  I found out the online co-op mode is relegated to only single games - there's no way to play a career or franchise online.  And while it's limited to only two players, EA is looking to bring the action to around six concurrent players.  The reason?  Who wants to do blocking patterns in a video game?

Graphically the game looked really slick, and there were a few new animations that stood out to me.  One nice touch was on a fumble the game starts a scrum, and you'll need to time button presses to successfully collect the ball.  

Overall it should be another solid football title.

Racing simulator Forza 3 was on display in what can only be described as a amusement park ride.  Sporting three HDTV screens, surround sound and a "car" that moved, jerked and jumped with your movements - you didn't play Forza 3, you drove a car.

The game's graphics have been upgraded from the previous version and look quite realistic now.  Damage modeling has been upgraded, and players are now able to flip their cars over if they aren't careful enough.  

One feature this kind of game has been sorely lacking has now been added - rewind!  Have you ever been in a 10 lap race, leading the entire time only to crash at the last turn of lap 9?  Yeah, it sucks.   Thankfully using TiVo style functionality players can rewind time at any point and continue on their way.  Sweet!

Forza 3 will continue to be the ultimate car game on the Xbox 360, and now it's more accessible thanks to a few new features.  Looks like I better buy some Turtle Wax and get ready to take out my Audi!

 Lips hasn't changed much in terms of gameplay, but there are some stylistic differences.  For one the game supports Avatars now, adding a bit of personality to the game.  The interface was also updated to appear more integrated into the NXE.  

Other than that you've got your standard Lips action going on here - which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I can't say much about the ZuneHD because it was behind lock and key - but I will say this.  So preeeeeeeeety!  

I've never seen a screen so gorgeous on a device.  Microsoft had videos playing on 52" HDTVs and the Zune screen and they were equally as impressive.  Not only that the device was incredibly thin - about as thin as an iPod Touch.  If Microsoft can get the Xbox 360 integration and Live stuff working on this device, sign me up!

Wrapping things up I saw Resident Evil 5 on the PC.  The game was being displayed in 3D using Nvidia's GeForce 3d Vision technology.  The $200 set can turn any game into a full 3D experience with visuals that jump off the screen.  The effect was quite impressive.  

The best part about it, there's no special software required.  The 3D effects can be applied at a driver level so it works in tons of your existing games.