10:25, Los Angeles Convention Center

Things are definitely off to a slow start, as thousands of journalists from around the world wait patiently in anticipation. A few minutes later Don Mattrick, SVP of Microsoft, approaches and instantly begins boasting of Microsoft’s dominance in the video game market, citing titles like Grand Theft Auto IV, Halo 3, and Call of Duty 4 as proof.

10:35

New Fallout 3 trailer runs, showing off classic commercials for various products, including a nuclear bunker. Bethesda Softwork’s Todd Howard then walks out to an enormous applaud. He now begins with the first live demo of Fallout 3. 

The level on display takes place in post-apocalyptic Washington DC.

Todd instantly Enters vault 101, which no one dare enter, or leave for that matter, he explains.

He then launches the handy Pipboy 300, a menu interface useful for viewing attributes, listening to numerous broadcasts, viewing weapons, etc. Some enemies appear in the distance, and in response Howard equips his VaultTec sniper rifle and proceeds to decapitate several enemies. His shotgun and grenades also prove handy as he continues to dismember multiple enemies.

“This game is huge” says Howard. “You can climb all the way to the top of the Washington Memorial if you wish” as he pans the camera to show exactly what he is talking about. Impressive to say the least.  “Players can expect up to 100 hours of gameplay” says Howard as he quickly decommissions a turret with the help of a few pulse grenades. 

Suddenly a group of enemies known as the Enclave spot him, and in response he whips out a portable nuke, and blows up the Enclave helicopter. Todd Howard leaves, and promises downloaded content in the future.

(Fallout 3)

10:45

Resident Evil 5 producer June Tokiuchi approaches the stage, and continues to show the first live demo of Resident Evil 5.

After forcing his way through several enemies and up a dusty staircase, he then shows us online co-op for first time. Chris and his female companion work together to collectively cross a broken bridge. Moments later she is tossed across, where she must make her way to a locked door to allow Chris entrance.

 A giant, Chainsaw-wielding maniac suddenly approaches the duo, and the playable demo ends.

(Resident Evil 5)

10:50

Peter Molyneux walks out from Lion head Studious. “Fable 2 is finished” boasts Molyneux. And we’re about to see a live demo. It starts with a breathtaking cinematic sweep of the city, set through the eyes of a single bird.

Story then begins, and quickly shows a small child before he has blossomed into a full-blown hero.

Co-op is announced. Molyneux explains that any friends currently playing Fable 2 will be represented by floating orbs throughout the world, and can be instantly warped to your location by activating them.  Each players world is unique…invite players into your world for different experiences.

The main character and a friend walk to his home, complete with wife and kid. Demo ends as friend and family interact and enjoy each other through various gestures. October release date is confirmed.

(Fable 2)

10:55

Gears of War 2 premieres to a dimly lit room.  Huge battle rages in the distance to the voice of a narrator. Cliff Blesenski walks out…with a controller nonetheless. 

He will be showing off 2-player co-op. Marcus and Dom traverse a Locust sinkhole. Sink whole is enormous in size.

Game freezes and /Cliff looks astonished.

He quickly restarts and continues to enter the massive sink-hole. Moments later a gigantic Brumak and several hundred smaller companions appear. The demo then ends with a huge applause as they suggest actually riding the Brumak.

A new mode called Hoard is announced, which features 5-player co-op. November 7th release date. 

(Gears of War 2)

11:05

Don Mattrik re-appears and talks about the prominence of the video game industry…rattle off numbers making the box-office and music sales look abysmal. Compares notes and sales numbers over random times…like the last 12 months. The crowd nearly falls asleep…waiting patiently for what they really care about. The games.

Mattrik announces NBC as video content partner.

Brings John Schaappert out to speak about Xbox Live’s new updates.

System update available on screen, and a video kicks in. Shows “My Xbox”,new dashboard, new experience. Looks a lot like Apple’s Cover Flow system.

Xbox Live Primetime is shown. Xbox users can now play 1 vs 100 using avatars and friends. Player can star in multiple shows using their avatars. Win real prizes from the game show. 

(Xbox 360's new dashboard layout)

11:20

New version of Geomatry Wars announced. Exclusive to Xbox Live. Shows intense multi-player.

Galaga Legions…sequel announced. Available next month.

Portal Still Alive is announced exclusively for Xbox Live Arcade. New Levels and achievements.

Exclusive partnership with NetFlix is announced. No additional costs to watch on Xbox Live if you’re a subscriber. Share your movies with Live Party….not sure if they must have memberships or not. 

(Galaga Legions for Xbox Live Arcade)

11:30

Shane Kim, Head of strategy and development comes out.

Announces new Rare title - Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts and Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise. Original Banjoe Kazooie will be released on Xbox Live as well.

You’re In The Movies announced, which includes Xbox Live vision camera in the package. About making short b-movies where you and your friends are the stars. Lets you act out various scenarios while the footage is captured, which is then converted into a short film.

Kai Huang, Presiedent of Red Octane approaches.

Announces Guitar Hero World Tour. Wireless Drum Kit will be available, along with a Touch Slide Guitar. Ship with 85 songs on disc.

New music studio in the game, which lets players create and share music. Also allows community members to post their titles online for purchase. REM titles are now exclusive to World Tour. Metallica’s Death Magnetic will be a full download through World Tour as well.

11:40

Lips, a dual-Karaoke title, is shown. Lets you stream songs from your Zune or iPod and use them in the game. Microphone has movement built in. Duffy walks out and starts singing Mercy. 

(Lips, and in-game artist Duffy)

 

11:50

Alex Rigopulos walks out.

Announces that Rock Band 2 will appear exclusively on Xbox 360 this November.

Rush, Steely Dam, Jimmy Eat World, Rage Against the Machine, Social Distortion, Bob Dylan, AC-DC, Pearl Jam, Modest Mouse, Beck, Interpol, Jane’s Addiction, Talking Heads, Bon Jovi, Mastadon, are a few of the artists.

All tracks from original Rock Band will carry over without disc swapping. 500 songs before end of year.

11:55

Yoichi Wada, President of Square-Enix approaches the stage.

Announces Three titles - The Last Remnant, Infinite Undiscovery, Star Ocean The Last Hope. Star Ocean Demo is now available on Xbox Live.

Last Remnant footage appears. Quick 30-second trailer.

Wada comes back out and says he has a surprise for us. Final Fantasy XIII trailer appears on the Xbox 360. The new trailer is absolutely unbelievable. The audience cheers as the conference comes to a close.  

(Final Fantasy XIII will be the second game in the series to appear on a Microsoft console)

 12:00

Conference ends.