Using it’s keynote speech at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft unveiled big plans for 2010. Project Natal, the highly hyped and anticipated motion controller for the Xbox 360, was given a release date of Holiday 2010. Although this move was expected, there is now even more buzz about Natal’s showing at E3 in June. With exclusive titles like Fable 3 being released with Natal support, there is much to look forward to.
Also making headlines is Game Room, a virtual arcade for the Xbox 360 and for the PC. Classic arcade titles like Centipede, Asteroids and Combat (30 total at launch, more to follow) will be offered the way they came in the 80’s, without much re-tooling and staying faithful to the retro graphics. This is great for gamers who remember the good old days, but this also means that if you own the updated versions of these titles (meaning you’ve already purchased them from Xbox Live), you’ll need to buy the separate versions within Game Room. The games are 240 MS points (or $3) for one platform or 400 MS points ($5) for both the 360 and PC versions and will be downloaded into the Game Room, with each game having it’s own cabinet. Once more games are purchased, they can be moved around to customize your own arcade. It’s also worth noting that the achievements for Game Room will not be for each individual game. Instead, each game will offer individual rewards, and rewards added up among games will count towards the achievement. Also, while there is no online two player mode, there is a Ranked mode which allows you to challenge friends and beat their challenges. Friends can also play in your arcade; any game is free once, and subsequent plays are (you guessed it) 50 cents, or 40 MS points. Check out the official trailer HERE!
