Just want to start off by saying this is my first post on here. I've been visiting the site for over a year and I've gotta say that the community here is great! I often find news on here easier and faster than anywhere else and based on other people topics I've gone and and bought some great games I wouldn't otherwsie have known of, so great job!!

Anyway, now I've finished sucking up, I just wanted to offer a few thoughts on the Microsoft conference (or what I can remember!) from the perspective of a Playstation fan. Also, this is a pretty long post so you may get bored!

So it began with a showing of multiplat titles. I have to admit I wasn't overly impressed at this point as I prefer the Big 3 to focus on their exclusive stuff in their conferences. Saying that, both FFXIII and MW2 looked impressive and I wasn't too disappointed with the timed exclusive of DLC maps for MW2 going to the 360. I can wait for them, if I even get them at all.

Then out came Epic and I was expecting a big announcement but thought that their showing was pretty lacklustre. Maybe if I owned a 360 I would download the game but didn't look anything to be excited about. Another XBox Live title then appeared which again looked very underwhelming.

So, not a great start. We are then told that everything here on in is 360 exclusive. This sounds more interesting. First off, Crackdown 2. I've never played the first so can't really comment on this. L4D 2 follows and personally I wasn't a big fan of the first so again I'm not too worried here. Finally something grabs my attention as they begin to show Splinter Cell. I have to admit, the graphics (IMO) looked amazing and the gameplay very exciting. This would be a definite buy for me if it was on PS3.

We then move on to Forza 3. Wow, this guy REALLY rates his game! Looks impressive graphically but the definitive racing title this gen...? Let's wait for GT5 first (although I did enjoy Forza 1 + 2).

Halo comes up next and the less said by me here the better as personally, I've just never been a fan. Alan Wake was also shown in there and this was another game I wished was coming to the PS3 since I'd seen some early footage. I was slightly disappointed with what was shown as the graphics didn't quite seem as good as early footage and I wasn't convinced of the little gameplay we saw. That said, it still looks interesting and I love a good story so this is still a game which could push me to get a 360.

I thought the facebook/twitter was a waste of time. I can check these much easier on my laptop/iPod. The sky deal was interesting and I would take advantage of that as living in a rented flat it can be difficult to get a dish put up.

We are then told that all but 1 major franchise is on the 360 and that will soon change. Ohhhh, what could it be.... Wait.. what? No, Hideo? What are you doing there? No, no you must be lost?! GET OFF THE STAGE!! Major announcement for all 360 owners, although it seems it's too soon to really know the depth of this reveal. Is it a spin off? Is the PS3 still going to get any MG exclusives? As long as it coming to playstation I can live with this.

To wrap up we finished with Natal. At first glimpse this looked really cool but after the initial awe of seeing things move with no controller I thought that these are all going to be Wii style games just with no remote so no interest there really (although I expect this could really help 360 sales).

So, sorry for the long post but that conference went on for ever! All in all it was a pretty impressive showing but there was definitely too much time spent on the more casual side for my taste. So, was it enough to make me want a 360? Yes. Was it enough to make me buy a 360? Not yet. Think I'll hold out for a price cut on the Pro model or at least until Alan Wake is released next year.

Now bring it on Sony (and please don't spend too much time on the PSP)!!

Very fair post with no PS fanboy bias. Respect.

You just made me feel a little bit better though I may have to go into exile for a few weeks in order to recover

Not a bad post...

I enjoyed the Alan Wake demo much more then you did though... I thought it was great.

Halo and Left 4 Dead are about taste... I like both a lot... And getting another Left 4 Dead this year is going to be awesome.

i agree fair post i havent seen the video yet but from what i read not to impressed either....the MGS thing was cool i hope MS does get MGS4 because its a great game everyone should get to experience. and i agree please dont spend 2 much time on psp

Nice post. Sony will be firing back. They havent won 2 generations to lose it now.

Very fair post. If only all PS fans were like you :).

I thought it was still very interesting but I just felt slightly disappointed. However, this was probably due to my own expectations as from what I had originally seen and heard, this game would have been number 3 on my most wanted list if it was on PS3 (after the two FFXIII's of course!)

Ima sony fanboy and i have to say i disagree.

1.I love halo and 2 halo games coming is awesome (as long as they are good)

2. Left 4 dead is one of the best games for co op and still is that game is nuthin but hot.

3 Forza looks sick and even tho GT5 looks better, seeing forza was a nice thing because now i might get it (even tho i have forza 2 i dunno if i need 2 games that are alike GT5 and Forza 3 but who knows)

4 the motion sucks im not getting up and standing allday so that i dont like.

5. facebook and whatnot is fun but i want games so i dont really care.

All in all good showing from M$

(all just my opinons)

Hate to be a pessimist, but I'm willing to bet serious internet glory that the PSP is going to be the main feature of the presser tomorrow. They are unveiling brand new hardware plus a slew of games we haven't seen yet (Metal Gear, Gran Turismo, LBP, Guitar Hero, and perhaps others). Expect at least half the show to be focused on the PSP.