Warp Zoned Presents
All Articles: E3 2012
MS @ E3 12: New Tomb Raider will kick your butt
Crystal Dynamics showed up at the Microsoft Press Conference to show off some of the new Lara Croft game, and Lara kicks some serious butt. At first, I was just sort of like, wow, Lara brought a bow and arrow to a gun fight, but then she proceeded to take out every enemy in sight with it, in true Lara style. She goes from enemy to Quick Time Event to wielding a shotgun to a brutal adventure down a river, ending up in a plane lodged on a waterfall.
Simply entitled Tomb Raider, this is an origin story for Lara, which explains why her breasts aren’t busting out all over the place and her pants are actually comfortable instead of fashionable. I guess she hasn’t gotten to that part of her character development yet.
Croft is definitely at her badass-est here, taking a headshot and walking it off. This game feels a lot like Uncharted 2, and it’s funny to watch everything come full circle – all the Tomb Raider fans out there are probably grateful now that Naughty Dog raised the bar and Crystal Dynamics is answering the challenge.
In true Microsoft style, the first piece of DLC will be available exclusively on Xbox 360.
Posted in News, Xbox 360
Tagged E3 2012, Tomb Raider
MS @ E3 12: Internet Explorer finally coming to Xbox 360
Years after Nintendo and Sony brought web browsing to their consoles, Microsoft has just announced that Internet Explorer (with Kinect-browsing options and a special Bing search engine) will be released for the Xbox 360 this year. And it actually looks pretty slick.
The browser also connects with the Xbox SmartGlass app on your browser or phone for touchscreen-like control.
MS @ E3 12: Xbox SmartGlass will make your life better
Can you imagine your life without your smart phone or tablet? Neither can anyone at Microsoft. They’ve developed Xbox SmartGlass, which will marry your smart devices to your television in a way that’s almost uncomfortably intimate. Watching a movie on your tablet or phone but you’re home now and want to switch it to your television? Just one button press will do it. Your device now has information about the movie, such as the cast and crew and other details.
Going even further, you can watch “Game of Thrones” on your television while you follow the characters on a map of Westeros on your smart phone or tablet. That’s a level of intimacy I’m not sure I’m ready for.
On top of that, game developers showed what they would do with this kind of technology, including a neat program that lets you draw out plays for Madden NFL 13.
“Everything is better with SmartGlass,” which will be ready this Fall, compatible with “the TV, phone, and tablet you already own.” Now your TV can be smart, too!
Posted in News, Xbox 360
Tagged E3 2012, Madden NFL 13
MS @ E3 12: Xbox Music promises 30 million tracks
Microsoft is planning to launch a new music service for the Xbox 360 (another one?) called Xbox Music. According to , Xbox Music will include “more than 30 million tracks.” The service will offer all the features of a standard music player including your most played songs, recommendations, and what your friends are listening to.
The service will also be usable across Xbox 360, Windows Phones, and Windows 8 desktops and tablets.
Isn’t this just Zune Music with a new name?
MS @ E3 12: Your Xbox is about to get more bro-friendly with new sports options
Now, Microsoft is rolling out even more Xbox “entertainment” features, like a new Kinect-enabled voice-activated search option with Bing. You can even search in multiple languages, as Spencer showed us by searching genres and films in both English and Spanish.
They’ve also added more content, with Nickelodeon, Paramount, Spanish-speaking Univision shows, and, “for the core gamers,” Machinima. Sports is also getting better on the Xbox (thank goodness!): the Xbox will have the NBA and the NHL Game Center, and will also have more ESPN than ever before with 24/7 access to live games via ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, and ESPN U.
Microsoft is also changing the way you exercise with a new fitness option, Nike+ Kinect Training. Congratulations, Xbox! You are now one step closer to being the Wii.
MS @ E3 12: Forza Horizon will blow your mind
Microsoft showed off the latest in the Forza racing franchise, Forza Horizon. It’s ludicrously gorgeous. The cars are beautiful and smooth, the backgrounds are breathtaking, and while it’s not yet showing off the lighting and weather effects of Gran Turismo 5, it was just a quick trailer. Add in some dubstep and any game instantly becomes more appealing, making this trailer one of the best we’ve seen so far.
Forza Horizon will be released on October 23.
Posted in News, Xbox 360
Tagged E3 2012, Forza Horizon
MS @ E3 12: Gears of War: Judgment coming next year
Microsoft just showed the debut trailer for Gears of War: Judgment at their E3 Press Conference. The game is looking pretty sharp as we see Augustus “Cole Train” Cole and Damon Baird lay waste to a whole horde of Locust.
We’ll have the trailer up soon, but we did learn that Gears of War: Judgment will launch sometime in 2013.
Posted in News, Xbox 360
Tagged E3 2012, Gears of War: Judgment
MS @ E3 12: EA Sports brings Kinect to FIFA 13, Madden NFL 13
Microsoft has ceded the stage of their E3 Press Conference to EA Sports, and the publisher is showing off the Kinect features of FIFA Soccer 13 and Madden NFL 13.
In FIFA, players will be able to set up passes and formations and even talk to their players on the field. But watch the potty mouth, as the Kinect sensor will pick up bad words and the on-screen referees won’t hesitate to hand out a red card for the offense.
The publisher showed off Madden with a little help from Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana (who’s apparently a traitor to his Sega roots). Players will be able to call plays, audibles, and targeted receivers. They’ll even be able to hike the ball with a “Hut, Hut, Hike!”
Montana was impressed.
Posted in News, Xbox 360
Tagged E3 2012, FIFA Soccer 13, Madden NFL 13