Tuesday 16-Sep-2003 11:00 PM Perfect Dark no-show underlines rock-solid if underwhelming Microsoft showcase, as Xbox Live reigns supreme Well, there we are then. After months of fevered speculation, rabid suggestion and, when all is said and done, perfectly decent wishful thinking, Microsoft's epic X03 conference has been and gone. And the most remarkable fact to report is that it happened without any kind of a bang.
Fighting our way through hospitality of a type which dreams are made of, catering of justice, free alcohol from heaven, and a beach-side, South of France resort to die for, we've literally just dashed to the nearest broadband terminal to bring you the full report on the biggest event in Xbox's European calendar.
The X03 conference was one of consolidation; an event designed to give Microsoft a - frankly well-earned - slap on the back for its achievements in Europe over the last 12 months. When Eduardo Rossini, head of Xbox Europe, initially took to the stage, he revealed the damning evidence that everyone has known for some time: GameCube has been brutally pushed back into third place in the console race, as Xbox has attained a deeply impressive 24 percent market share across the continent.
High-flown, sweeping phrases were in full effect as the Xbox phenomenon was described by Rossini as: "Expanding the definition of video entertainment." But ultimately, the overriding message from Microsoft was: "It's good to play together." But, in keeping with tonight's presentation, this was nothing we hadn't heard before...
The ever-loquacious Peter Moore, ex-Sega corporate VP of retail and marketing jumped on the stage to reinforce this point and also finally shatter the biggest Xbox myth of them all. Despite Microsoft's initial assertions that Xbox was all about the games, Moore, quite properly, poured libations to the god of "convergence".
Referring to Xbox users as the "digital hardcore," Moore expounded on Xbox's myriad uses as gaming platform, DVD reader and music player, illustrating - as far as we're concerned - some of the key reasons the console has pulled clear from the ultimately games-focused GameCube. But why couldn't they just admit that in the first place?
Xbox Live, according to Microsoft Europe, is the here, now and future of global gaming, shattering the well-worn image of gamers as "solitary misfits," while reinforcing Microsoft's brand new mantra: "It's good to play together." As mentioned above.
The Xbox Live orgy continued apace, with senior director of Xbox Europe Michel Cassius boldly referring to the service as "The most popular gaming service on Earth." Guys, we know it's freakin' brilliant - but what about the games?
Step forward Ubisoft main man Yves Guillemot, who presided over a world exclusive showing of a trailer to Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, sequel to crazy-cool stealth-action title of ultimate justice. The movie was cool, but rather confusing. Thankfully, we just happened to be standing next to a representative of Ubisoft Europe during the presentation, who informed us: "All the in-game footage you see there is from the online mode." It looks awesome, and we plan to go back to England and do dirty, filthy things to our broadband connection in celebration.
Next up, Cassius returned to the stage to reveal Austria, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Switzerland and Norway would be the next six countries to receive Xbox Live gaming on October 30. Rejoice!
And just as our concentration was wavering (heck, we're on a beach full of babes and free lager! Give us a break!) MS VP of Xbox games content, Ed Fries, took to the stage, beaming: "This is the strongest line-up in the history of videogames!" Holy cow, Batman! You're gonna show us Perfect Dark, right?
Wrong. The key impression show-goers received from X03's software showcase was: "Heck, we had some great games at E3 - d'ya wanna see them again?" And, boy, did we see them again. Footage of Namco's Breakdown - from E3; footage of Ninja Gaiden - from E3... you get the picture.
On the plus side, we were treated to a genuinely fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Halo 2, featuring pre-recorded interviews with key team members, but again, we were treated to footage pretty much already witnessed at E3. Bah!
Rare's Kameo was an exclusive treat, however. Brand new footage was shown, featuring amazing visuals, an incredible Sonic the Hedgehog-style spin attack, four-player split-screen multiplayer with a very distinctive Rare aesthetic in evidence.
Then - shock-horror - a new game announcement. (Ignoring last week's leak, of course). Rallisport Challenge 2, which, according to Cassius, is: "All about attitude." We'll take his word for that, but the trailer looked amazing, high on detail and thrilling action.
Then another announcement - be still our beating heart! Epic (developer of the Unreal series) dude Jay Wilbur took to the stage to reveal an exclusive publishing deal to bring numerous games to Xbox. "D'ya want some?" he screamed. Before refusing to announce any new titles. Ho hum.
Next up, gaming legend Peter Molyneux, to add voice-over to a world exclusive presentation of Big Blue Box's Fable, being played live and direct by BBB's co-founder Simon Carter. The game looks utterly, breathlessly, genuinely astonishing. We've said all along it sounded amazing, but, maaaaan, does it look incredible.
However, and it pains us to mention this, we could've sworn blind, in our previous meetings with BBB, that it argued vehemently: "Where is the fun of having numbers appear over someone's head? [in RPGs]". Which, hey, we agreed with. So, can someone please tell us why everyone now has numbers floating above their heads during combat? Hmm? It does look mint, though. A bona-fide classic in the making, we'd wager.
Other big surprises? Well, Codemasters had kinda already announced TOCA Race Driver 2, but it reconfirmed the game will be on show tomorrow, and, chatting exclusively to a Codemasters representative after the conference we were informed: "Race Driver 2 will be the most comprehensive driving game ever made, with 15 separate driving disciplines present.' We can also exclusively reveal the title will release for PC simultaneously next Spring.
So, X03 then? We simply cannot argue with the stunning quality of forthcoming titles, or the mind-bendingly brilliant possibilities of Xbox Live, but we knew all this before. Having announced its acquisition of Rare at last year's event, great things were expected of Microsoft this year. And a cynical observer may suggest its no coincidence that key US figures like J Allard and Robbie Bach weren't present at an event largely free of revelatory experiences.
All in all, a damn good call to arms, reaffirming the amazing potential of Xbox Live and the undeniable quality of Xbox games due over the next twelve months. But is it really too much to have expected the Europe to play host to the world premiere of a seriously major title - like the Europe-developed Perfect Dark Zero?
Stay tuned for more X03 revelations later this week, as we sit down exclusively with Rare, Bungie, Tecmo and everyone else who matters. But right now, it's time for us to go and get horrendously drunk. Sweet dreams.
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