Advertisement

Halo 4 premiere leads Microsoft’s game offerings during E3 keynote

As promised, there was no mention of the new Xbox gaming system at Microsoft's keynote presentation at E3 2012, but they still managed to bring a number of exciting new games and interactive experiences to the Xbox 360.

One of the most highly anticipated games of this E3, Halo 4, kicked off this year's press conference. Although a new studio will be tackling the Halo franchise for the first time (Bungie has handed off the reins to 343 Industries), the short video highlighting both gameplay and cinematics shown at the expo offered promise of new alien foes and the guaranteed return of Master Chief in a jungle environment.

Canada's own Ubisoft Toronto, formed just a few years ago, premiered the new Splinter Cell game. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Black List takes place along the Iran/Iraq border, allowing the player to step into the shoes of a soldier caught in the highly-charged conflict. The gameplay demonstrated what Ubisoft describes as "killing in motion," allowing the player to move through the environment seamlessly while taking down enemies. The Ubisoft team also demonstrated the use of Kinect voice commands — arguably one of the best uses that first and third-person shooters can make of the Kinect hardware. The game will be shipping Spring 2013.

Both Madden NFL 13 and FIFA 13 will be getting the Kinect treatment, too, EA Sports announced. In FIFA 13, players won't need to enter a menu in order to make on-the-fly changes to their team, offering "enhanced voice commands" as a way to switch up their soccer players in the middle of a game. Madden NFL 13 will also allow players to call commands to their team, giving those who fancy themselves budding quarterbacks the chance to prove it on the field.

The motion capabilities of the Kinect were not neglected, with games like Fable: The Journey and Xbox Live's Wreckateers showcasing players using their bodies to interact with the in-game environment.

Trailers for a number of games were also shown, although it is difficult to judge what they will be like until players have a chance to see gameplay. Popular series including Gears of War and Forza will be getting new installments (Gears of War: Judgement, to be released in 2013 and Forza Horizon, due October 23, 2012). Three short world-premiere teaser trailers were also included for Ascent: New Gods, LocoCycle and Matter, the latter of which is designed specifically for Kinect.

Usher was on hand to announce Dance Central 3, where players will be able to learn the moves from the artist himself (or at least a computer-generated version of him). But two more celebrities, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, seemed as excited as many in the audience likely were about South Park: The Stick of Truth. The RPG puts the player in the town of South Park, seeking to become cool enough to join the four most well-known kids from the quiet mountain town.

Microsoft closed the show with Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. No gameplay was demonstrated, but the fast-paced action sequence showcasing a special operative in his mission to protect the president in an urban landscape should be enough to excite fans of the franchise. Giving the player the ability to drive and shoot from helicopters and x-ray vision on the gun scope will make that November 13, 2012 release date seem that much further away.

For all the latest gaming news this week, check out our E3 2012 page.