MCV reports that Microsoft has been rumored for a long time to be talking about next-generation console plans at the show. MCV also notes that Microsoft has hinted to partners that it will be talking about the next gen hardware at the show. Rumors have been hinting that we will see two next-gen Xbox consoles.

Sony is also tipped to be teasing next gen hardware this year at E3. MCV claims that Sony has been telling third parties that it won’t be left behind in the next gen console wars this time around. The details offered at the show are expected to lack things like launch details and pricing on the future PlayStation and Xbox devices. I hope they aren’t too expensive.

[via MCV]

If using the Wiimote was like waving a sword during gameplay, the new Wii U controller is like smashing your shield around. Demanding to be held in two hands, the dual analog sticks, D-pad and A/B/X/Y buttons are pushed apart by a 6.2-inch touchscreen; underneath are select, home and start buttons, along with a microphone, power button, battery indicator and stereo speakers, while along the top is a front-facing camera. On the corners there are shoulder buttons as well as two triggers on the back, while inside there’s a gyroscope and all the other motion-sensing tech from the Wii.

Hands-on, it’s an odd sensation initially. The display on the controller encourages you to look down at it, while the gameplay is of course mainly happening on your TV. In fact, the Wii U controller will work alongside the old Wiimote: Nintendo has games – which it’s describing as “samples” – where those with Wiimotes can play using a traditional split-screen view, while those with Wii U controllers get their own individual view on the unit’s touchscreen. No word on pricing yet, but we’re guessing the new controllers won’t be as cheap as the older ones, so that mixed environment makes better financial sense.

Gameplay is in HD, a welcome change from the Wii, though the controller’s panel itself doesn’t run at HD resolution. Connectivity from the core box, which looks like a slightly swollen Wii, is predominantly HDMI, with a slot-loading drive and a prominent “sync” button to get the controllers paired up. Old Wii games will work too, and there’ll be downloadable titles as well Nintendo tells us. No word on exactly how much internal flash storage there is, but there’s an SD card slot and USB ports for adding more. Meanwhile, the controller can also be used on its own, with the welcome coming into play as a video calling tool, and some titles playable on the controller alone.

The actual involvement of the Wii U controller’s various buttons and touchscreen depends on title. In Shield Pose, for instance, everything but the internal motion-sensors are bypassed, with the controller held up to block incoming arrows. Players have to periodically shake it to get rid of them. At other times, the gyroscope was used to change viewing angle, while the controller’s display showed a game map or a selection of tools and status updates, rather than cluttering up the TV. That initial odd feeling quickly subsides, with the Wii U feeling like a cross between an iPad game and the old Wii.

It’s still very early – Nintendo doesn’t expect the Wii U to go on sale until sometime between Q2 and Q4 2012 – but already the console’s unusual potential is clear. We’ve seen controllers with integrated screens before – SEGA’s DreamCast, for instance – but the sheer scale of the Wii U’s touch panel and the implementation of motion-control and HD visuals adds up to a degree of flexibility we’ve not seen from Microsoft or Sony. Nintendo’s own game demos have promise, but we can’t wait to see what third-party studios come up with too. The Nintendo Wii U may have delivered the HD upgrade we were hoping for the Wii, but more importantly it still keeps that splash of oddness that differentiates the company from its rivals. 2012 can’t come soon enough.

Nintendo Wii U Hands-on at E3 2011

Miyamoto notes that there are two brand new games coming out from the Zelda series: Ocarina of Time 3D, Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword, Link’s Awakening, and Four Swords, which will be a cooperative game. “For the 25th anniversary we have prepared a Zelda gaming system for each of our systems,” notes Miyamoto. Skyward Sword will be released this winter holiday season for the Wii. Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is the first title in the eShop Virtual Console, available today. Legend of Zelda 3D will launch for Nintendo 3DS starting next weekend (that being the 11th-12th of June, 2011.) Legend of Zelda Four Swords will be ready for free download in September 2011 on DSiWare.

And Skyward Sword will be available with a fancy golden Wii controller! Oh it is so pretty, just look at it! Also there’ll be two new music CDs for you nerds who love the music of Zelda so much that you need to play it in your vehicles and on your home stereo systems. It’s actually surprising to your humble narrator that they’re releasing them in physical form on a disk. They’ll be the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D Official Soundtrack, available as a gift for those who first register the game with Club Nintendo, the second will be an album of music from Skyward Sword. Available soon!

Stick with us here on SlashGear for more coverage of this event and the further events contained inside the already fabulous E3 convention 2011 – games and games and games!

The great thing about E3 is that it gathers every major game developer under one roof. It’s easy to see the big winners, and who’s really struggling to impress. For weeks leading up to E3, and even several weeks after, we get flooded with updates about our favorite games. But then the hype dies down, the updates stop, and we’re left wondering when we’ll actually get to play the stupid thing!

E3 is supposed to be a chance for people to get excited about what’s coming out and to let them know to start saving their quarters so they can pony up sixty George Washington’s on the latest and greatest. But when many games that are showcased are so far off, the hype eventually dies and kids spend their quarters on a bag of Jolly Ranchers instead. Now I’m stuck without a game to play, and a bag of candy I don’t really like. Why can’t E3 do it differently?

E3 should focus more on actually game play and innovation, rather than just shock and awe. Yes, it’s exciting to see what’s coming down the pipeline, but does the pipeline have to be so long? I’m much more interested in what I can play this summer and fall, not in what comes out a year from now. That’s what next year’s E3 should be for!

It would benefit everyone if E3 focused on the near future. You would get to see and play practically finished games, instead of just seeing a 30 second trailer that “may not represent actual game play”. The hype would actually last until the game comes out as well! It would be a win win for the developers as well as the consumers. So who’s with me? Should E3 showcase what your grandkids will be playing, or should they showcase what comes out in the next few months?

ALSO note that we will be at E3 this year running around like our heads are on fire, so let us know if you want us to keep an eye out for anything. What would you like us to help you see? You can stay up to date with everying [E3 2011] by simply hitting the portal!

Modern Warfare 3

Sequel to the best selling game in history, expect this game to raise the bar yet again. If you’ve even spent half the hours I have playing Black Ops, you know that Infinity Ward knows what’s up. They recently released an awesome reveal trailer, which can be seen here. Expect more details and some game play footage at E3. This game will be a no brainer for any FPS fan.

Rage

Another game that is shaping up to be a real game changer. Made by id software (of Doom fame), this game is packing a great story, and gorgeous graphics. Set in the near future, an asteroid smashes into earth leaving destruction, monsters, and lots of weapons, which in turn are used to get rid of those pesky monsters! The story and game mechanics might just be enough to give it an edge on the competition. In anticipation for E3, they’ve also released a bunch of new game info and screenshots (along with a hilarious commercial), which can be seen here.

There’s going to be a lot of games coming down the pipe, and we’ll keep you posted on which ones to look out for and which ones to lob a grenade onto.

ALSO note that we will be at E3 this year with bells on, so let us know if you want us to keep an eye out for anything. What would you like us to help you see? You can stay up to date with everying [E3 2011] by simply hitting the portal!

The June 7 date corresponds with E3 where Nintendo has new wares and games to show off each year. The eShop will come by way of an update to the portable console that will add the feature. Once the eShop is installed, gamers will be able to download titles directly to the 3DS. 3DS owners in Japan will get the update a day before the rest of us can get it. The upside to that is if there are any major issues, we will hear about them before installing the update ourselves.

The Japanese update will also feature Virtual Console emulation and a 3D movie player. That would make for some interesting usage with Netflix, if Netflix comes as well. Those of you that like the 3DS, but haven’t purchased, will the addition of the eShop finally get you to break out your wallet? I wonder what else will be in store for E3 this year.

[via Engadget]

There have been hints for a while now that a new HD resolution Nintendo Wii would be landing at E3 this summer and those hints have now been confirmed by multiple sources according to Gameinformer. The sources claim that Nintendo is already showing the HD console off to developers to gather interest and get the game development underway. The new console is expected to debut at E3 with a launch set for 2012.

The sources didn’t offer any details on specs so it’s not clear if the graphics will be on par with the Xbox 360and PS3 or still worse than what those consoles offer. If Nintendo really wants the thing to be popular they had better be on par or better if it wants my money. One source told Gameinformer, “Nintendo is doing this one right. [It's] not a gimmick like the Wii.”

[via Gameinformer]

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that every show is great. In fact, 2009 was arguably a somewhat subdued affair with few major announcements. At the time, game critics said that the big E3, and the one that would come to define the start of the next decade, would be happening in June 2010.

Well, now we’re here. And although we have a pretty good idea of what will be shown, and what will not, it’s quickly becoming clear that E3 2010 won’t be as exciting as some pundits and analysts are saying.

Will it be fun? Sure. Will it have some surprises? Of course. But it won’t be the single savior of the gaming business for the year. It will be a show that, in about a month, we’ll forget all about.

The main reason why is motion gaming.

I’ll be the first to admit that I just don’t like motion control. Although I have owned a Nintendo Wii since launch, the console has never appealed to me. Call me old school, but the way I see it, controlling on-screen action with a remote just isn’t all that exciting. It not only limits what I can do (just try playing a first-person shooter on the Wii), but it makes the game feel gimmicky. And all that fails to mention the fact that third-party developers, so far, have been unable to deliver many viable Wii experiences.

And yet, both Sony and Microsoft plan to unveil their motion-gaming devices at E3. Microsoft’s Project Natal is arguably the more interesting of the two technologies, but I just don’t see that many people caring all that much. Yes, it will be nice to control on-screen action with my body when I have a group of friends over, but I like being able to relax on the couch and just play a game. I don’t want to jump around. I like that the Xbox 360 doesn’t require me to do that.

On the Sony side, the same can be said. But I, and perhaps many gaming fans, will have a little less affection towards the PlayStation move than Natal. Move seems like another Wii experience, since it requires users to hold a wand to control on-screen action. And like Microsoft, I’m concerned that Sony will try to hype it too much, and lose sight of the value of its console.

The main redeeming quality of Natal and Move is that they aren’t required to play games on either console. In other words, there will be both standard PS3 games and Move titles. Not every game will require Move to play. That’s awfully welcome, when one considers that Nintendo requires developers to make games using the Wii Remote.

There’s little debating that motion gaming will lead the E3 charge. But given the recent decline in Wii sales and the fact that most folks just aren’t buying Wii titles that aren’t made by Nintendo, it’s not a stretch to say that, when all the hoopla subsides and we need to take an objective look at E3, we’ll find that motion gaming really isn’t as exciting as we originally thought.

But it’s not just motion. It stands to reason that with Nintendo unveiling the 3DS at the show, 3D gaming will also share some of the limelight of E3. Call me crazy, but 3D gaming seems rather gimmicky. Yes, some gamers will like to play with characters flying around their heads, but for now, save for the 3DS, reportedly, we will be required to wear glasses when trying to play. That’s not convenient. After a while, don’t you think it will get a bit old to have 3D all over the place?

And considering so few people have 3D TVs right now, there will likely be a small portion of the gaming community that will even care that developers are offering up 3D titles for their favorite consoles. It will make all the headlines for sure, but it won’t matter to most.

That’s what I fear most about E3 this year. Rather than focus on the games that players really care about, it will be headlined by motion gaming and 3D — two areas that most players probably won’t care that much about.

The announcement of major titles and brand-new consoles would make E3 exciting; some 3D games and two peripherals that we already know a lot about just aren’t going to do it.

Sorry, but don’t expect much out of E3 this year.

According to a “senior global publishing source,” it looks like the two main video game consoles are all set for another price drop. It hasn’t been all that long since the last one, for both systems, but both of them are going to be featuring some new hardware, so perhaps dropping the price of the console, and maybe even bundling the new stuff with the old, wouldn’t be that bad of an idea at all.

There is a chance though, amidst all the announcements for upcoming games, and handhelds, that there will be an announcement from corporate executives from each company, telling the world that their systems will be slashing their prices for the holidays. Now all we have to do is wait for some leaked images, and we’ll know that all is right with the world. No word on what those prices might be, but there’s plenty of speculation. Also, with a price cut, will that mean there will be other variations of the hardware as well? Only time will tell.

[via Tech Radar]

The Nintendo President took part in a Question & Answer session with investors recently, over there in Japan, and he managed to drop some very tasty tid-bits about the life of the upcoming 3D-based gaming handheld. Iwata noted that they did admit that the company will launch the handheld this term, but that the name of the device hasn’t been determined. He added that because it’s launching this year, that it won’t be long before we all do find out what it’ll be called, but that 3DS isn’t necessarily going to be the title. Of course, this could just mean that they haven’t officially said that 3DS is going to be the name, but that they’ve already decided it will be.

Also, he wanted to point out that development for 3D games won’t incur extra development costs just because they’re 3D games. In point of fact, he believes that the development for the games, especially the ones that already take place in a 3D plane within the game itself, will be relatively easy. He says that the development charges might go up strictly due to trial and error in the games themselves, as adding 3D graphics doesn’t automatically mean a game will be great. It will be up to Nintendo and developers to figure out ways to make the games interesting, worthwhile endeavors, and that’s probably where the extra costs will come from. Additionally, he noted that the 3DS will indeed have a 2D mode, designed for those with health concerns.

There’s no doubt that the Nintendo 3DS, or whatever it’s going to be called, will make an unveiling at E3 this year, where Nintendo will do it some major justice. The big questions still need to be answered: what’s it going to look like, and how many games will it launch with later this year? All in due time, we imagine. Is anyone out there looking forward to it?

[via 1up]

Apparently, developers can start making their own content for the new technology via the PS3 Software Development Kit. This SDK sports head tracking and face tracking abilities, giving developers quite a bit to work with just right there.

The new motion controller will also have force feedback rumble, voice input and voice recognition. Likewise, the PlayStation Eye can track four controllers at once. We still don’t know pricing or anything like that, but the new motion controllers are still expected by spring of next year.

Sony EyePet video demo after the cut

Announced back in August last year, EyePet uses the PlayStation Eye webcam to monitor the face and body of anyone in frame, using that knowledge to allow the monkey avatar to play with you.  That can range from rolling a ball and having him scamper after it, to waving your fingers to make him laugh, or even poking him with a stick to make him jump (one of the things SlashGear specifically recommends not doing to a real monkey).

You can also clothe the monkey, draw new toys for it to play with, and collect more than 250 different objects for it to interact with.  There are also mini-games and plenty of lifelike animations.  No word on when we can see EyePet for the PS3 released, unfortunately.

[via electro^plankton]

Video demo after the cut

The controller-stick also has a trigger and other buttons, though the full controls are unclear at present; still, the system is in prototype stage so all that could change by the time it hits the market.  Sony demonstrated a first-person shooter and a drawing app using the controller, which seems to offer above-Wii accuracy.

According to Sony, the PlayStation Motion Controller for PS3 will launch in Spring 2010, which is around about the same sort of timescale we’re expecting Project Natal for Xbox 360 to arrive.  No word on pricing as yet, though we reckon a stick with a bulb on the end is probably cheaper for Sony to produce than Microsoft’s complex camera, sensor and microphone array.

Videos after the cut

From this point on, PSP games will be launched in both UMD and digital formats, through a new desktop app called Media Go that will sync with the PlayStation Network, as well as directly to the PSP Go! itself.  Video will also be supported, with more than 9,400 TV shows and 1,900 movies on offer, together with an automatic music playlist borrowed from Sony Ericsson’s cellphones, called Sense Me.

The Sony PSP Go! will hit shelves in the US and Europe on October 1st, followed by a November 1st launch in Japan.  It’ll be priced at $249 and €249, and available in white and black.

Press Release:

PSP go® PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) Evolves To Match the Digital Lifestyle

With an Ultra-Portable Design and Digital Content Focus, PSPgo to Hit the Worldwide Market This Fall, Further Enhancing the User Experience Along with PSP-3000

LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 2, 2009 –Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today unveiled PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) go (PSP-N1000), a new evolution of PSP handheld entertainment system, specifically designed to suit the digital lifestyle of consumers who enjoy downloadable content on the go. PSPgo will become available in stores on October 1, 2009, in North America, Europe/ PAL territories and Asian countries and regions at a recommended retail price (RRP) of US$249 and €249, and on November 1, 2009, in Japan at a RRP of 26,800 yen (including tax). With both the existing PSP-3000 and new PSPgo, the company will further enhance the ultimate gaming and entertainment experiences on the go while providing consumers with the opportunity to choose the PSP system that’s right for them.

PSPgo is ideal for today’s on-the move consumers who prefer not to carry around disc-based content and are looking for on-demand entertainment. With the steady expansion of broadband network infrastructure, the number of users who download and enjoy digital entertainment content has been increasing remarkably. To address this growing trend, PSPgo replaces the UMD drive*1 with 16GB of flash memory to store a variety of digital entertainment content, offering users unlimited possibilities of portable digital entertainment delivered through PlayStation®Network. PSPgo, smaller and lighter than ever with a sophisticated design featuring an easy sliding display panel, is truly pocket-sized and can be taken everywhere. PSPgo will be available in Piano Black and Pearl White*2, two of the most popular colors since the launch of the PSP system in 2004. Along with PSP-3000, PSPgo will further enhance the unmatched portable gaming and entertainment experience by offering users more opportunity to enjoy their favorite entertainment content such as games, videos, music and photos anytime, anywhere.

In order to meet the needs of the growing number of PlayStation®Network users looking for digital entertainment content, SCE along with third party developers and publishers will continue to enhance the content line-up within PlayStation®Store for the launch of PSPgo, scheduled this fall. More and more new and attractive titles will become available for download from PlayStation®Store as well as on UMD™. This broad content offering across all genres includes new games, free-demos, PS one® classics for PSP, add-on items for game titles, and trailers.

In addition to accessing PlayStation Store directly from PSP using the built-in wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) feature or through the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system, users will also be able to access and download a variety of entertainment content via their PCs using Media Go*3, a new software application. Media Go will enable users to access and download entertainment content on PlayStation Store via their PCs as well to easily manage PSP content on PCs, including games, videos, photos, and music. This easy to use software application will be available on a CD-ROM bundled with PSPgo.

Also this fall, a new music application specific to PSP that uses the “SensMe™ channels”*4; music recommendation feature, developed by Sony, also becomes available for download on PSP. With this music application, users will be able to enjoy their favorite music stored on their PSP through a rich user interface, designed exclusively for PSP. “SensMe channels” is a mood based music recommendation system that categorizes music content into channels such as “Relax,” “Dance” and “Upbeat,” and recommends music playlists for users.

Other features are:

Easy Sliding Display Panel and Original Applications
PSPgo offers a variety of exciting entertainment options by taking advantage of the sliding panel. When the panel is open, users will be able to enjoy various entertainment content with the familiar button control as PSP-3000, when closed, original applications for PSPgo, such as a clock and calendar is displayed on the screen. Users can also enjoy video and music when the panel is closed.
Game sleep function
PSPgo has unique features such as game sleep function which enables users to operate XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) while pausing gameplay temporarily.
Bluetooth® function
Bluetooth function will also allow users to connect Bluetooth standard peripherals such as head-phones and head-set *5 as well as PS3 wireless controller (DUALSHOCK®3 and SIXAXIS®) *6 to be used when watching video content on TVs via PSP at home*7.
Peripheral line-up
One of the products within PSPgo’s peripheral line-up is a new Cradle (PSP-N340) *7 that will become available in stores worldwide concurrently with the release of PSPgo. This new Cradle enables users to charge the PSPgo battery and also enjoy watching video and listening to music. Also included in the peripheral line-up are video-out port cables that enable users to enjoy games and videos on their TVs at home.
With the introduction of PSPgo, SCEI will continue to vigorously expand PlayStation Network’s digital content and services and build a stronger software line-up along with various marketing measures that match each region, while creating the world of computer entertainment only available on the PlayStation platforms.

*1 Content on UMD cannot be played back on PSPgo.

*2 Color variations may differ by countries and regions.

*3 Media Go also supports PSP-1000/2000/3000. For those PSP users, the software is available for download from PlayStation Store official site (http://store.playstation.com)., “Media Manager for PSP” will not support access to PlayStation Store, and it is required to use “Media Go” for accessing PlayStation Store.

*4 SensMe channels also supports PSP-1000/2000/3000. Details will be announced at a later timing.

*5 Head-phone and head-set supporting A2DP, HSP, AVRCP profile can be used. Some head-phones and head-sets may not be supported.

*6 PS3 wireless controller can be used. To register PS3 wireless controller on PSPgo, PS3 is needed. Some buttons and rumble feature will not be supported.

*7 Video-out cables and Cradle are sold separately in stores. Details will be announced at a later timing. Video-out cable and cradle for PSP-2000/3000 cannot be used on PSPgo.

The joystick gives directional, proportional feedback rather than merely vibrating or rumbling, and has a two-stage metal trigger, mini-stick and analog trim controls.  Meanwhile the dual throttle system can be locked into single-throttle mode depending on aircraft and comes with 80 pre-designed button legends for different titles.

Finally, the pedals have a four-bar mechanism, open frame design and feature rudder controls and toe brakes.  Pedal-force adjustment lets gamers tailor resistance to their preferred level.

The Logitech Flight System G940 will land in Europe this September, with an MRSP of £279 ($457) plus VAT.  It’ll launch at the same time in the US, priced at $299.99.

Press Release:

The Sky’s the Limit: Logitech Introduces Its First Force-Feedback Flight Simulation Controller

Logitech Flight System G940 Delivers Simulator-Grade Flying Experience, Authentic Controls, Realistic Force Feedback

Los Angeles – E3 — Jun. 2, 2009 — To provide flight simulation enthusiasts with a realistic experience, Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today unveiled the Logitech® Flight System G940. The latest addition to the acclaimed Logitech G-series line of gaming peripherals and the company’s first force-feedback flight simulation controller, the design and controls of the Flight System G940 were inspired by military and commercial planes and helicopters.

“There’s nothing ordinary about a G-series gaming peripheral, and the G940 is no different,” said Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech’s director of product marketing for gaming. “We approached this project with the goal of redefining the flight sim experience. Whether you’re flying an A380, an F/A-18 Hornet or a Comanche helicopter, when you want to feel the wind on your wings, control engines together or independently or master tricky manoeuvres, the G940 behaves and feels like the real thing – from takeoff to landing.”

For an immersive experience, the three-component Logitech Flight System G940 features a force feedback joystick, dual throttle and rudder pedals. And, with more than 250 programmable button options integrated into a fully featured HOTAS (or Hands On Throttle-and-Stick) design, you’re able to access critical aircraft systems without taking your hands off the controls.

The system is also easy to set up; just connect the throttle and the pedals to the joystick cable, and plug the USB connector into your computer. And all components feature mounting hard points, making it easy to secure them to a surface. The Flight System G940 is compatible with most popular PC flight simulators, including Microsoft® Flight Simulator X, IL-2 Sturmovik™: 1946 and Lock On: Modern Air Combat X-Plane 9.

Force Feedback Joystick

For added realism, the Flight System G940 joystick features Logitech’s award-winning force feedback technology, which allows you to control your aircraft with confidence as you feel its movement as well as its reaction to air, turbulence and g-forces. Unlike vibration feedback or rumble technology, force feedback is directionally precise and tactile, so you get an accurate simulation of the forces experienced in the game.

Featuring a two-stage metal trigger, six programmable buttons, mini-stick, 8-way hat and three analog trim controls, the Flight System G940 joystick is designed to put you in complete control of your aircraft. And to ensure comfort during long flights, the joystick has a wide, solid base, a palm rest, a slight forward tilt of the stick and soft touch surface.

Programmable Dual Throttle

To give you realistic control over any aircraft, the Flight System G940 features a split throttle design, for easy control of multi-engine aircraft. When flying a single engine aircraft, a push-button interlocks the throttles for a more comfortable experience.

The interactive, programmable throttle-base buttons integrate with your favourite flight simulation software and illuminate red, green, amber or off to indicate the status of critical aircraft systems – just like they would in a real cockpit. For your convenience, Logitech includes 80 pre-designed legend inserts that slip into the buttons, making it easy to create an authentic switch panel with, for example, GPS, autopilot and landing-gear controls.

In addition to the eight programmable base-buttons, the Flight System G940 provides two eight-way hat switches, four programmable grip buttons and two rotary analog-controls. The included Logitech® Gaming Software allows you to assign virtually every possible control to the G940 in just a few steps.

Authentic Pedals

The pedals – the four-bar mechanism, inspired by the designs of current jet fighters – feature an open frame design with rudder controls and toe brakes, giving you true-to-life control, especially when performing defensive manoeuvres or crosswind landings, or piloting helicopters. An adjustable pedal-force knob lets you change the resistance to fit your flying style. And for added comfort, the pedal base has carpet grips and heel rests to keep the pedals and your feet in place even during the most difficult manoeuvres.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech Flight System G940 is expected to be available in Europe in September for a suggested retail price of £279 plus VAT.

About Logitech

Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

Each of the titles will be digital copies of the full, retail game, as if you’d queued up in the rain waiting for your local store to open on launch day.  New games will be added weekly, and the pricing will be the same as for a boxed, physical copy.

As for game rentals, an unnamed Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that they won’t be available in August but that it “sounds great for the future”.  Whether that pans out to an actual launch remains to be seen, of course.

Update: Video after the cut

Unlike rival systems, Natal can track full 3D movement rather than 2D, and requires no controller to be held (as the Wii demands).  It relies on proprietary recognition software rather than simple light tracking, allowing it to log into an Xbox LIVE account through facial recognition as well as tracking several limbs independently.

Similarly, the voice recognition apparently has some degree of comprehension, rather than just picking out key-words.  It can even discriminate intonation and emotion.  Unfortunately Microsoft don’t intend Natal to reach the market anytime in 2009 

Press Release:

“Project Natal”: No Strings (or Controllers) Attached

Unveiled for the first time to the public was “Project Natal,” pronounced “nuh-tall” and a code name for a revolutionary new way to play, no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak, you and your friends can jump into the fun. The only experience needed is life experience.

Compatible with any Xbox 360 system, the “Project Natal” sensor is the world’s first to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software all in one device. Unlike 2-D cameras and controllers, “Project Natal” tracks your full body movement in 3-D, while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in your voice.

In addition, unlike other devices, the “Project Natal” sensor is not light-dependent. It can recognize you just by looking at your face, and it doesn’t just react to key words but understands what you’re saying. Call a play in a football game, and players will actually respond. Want to log onto Xbox LIVE? Simply step in front of the sensor.

“The next step in interactive entertainment is to make the controller disappear,” said Steven Spielberg, visionary director and producer. “With ‘Project Natal,’ we’ll see games that bring everyone together through technology that actually recognizes us.”

The HD video downloads service now gets Zune branding, and thanks to some nifty buffering technology title playback is now “nearly instantaneous”.  Various bitrates will be offered, ranging from low quality for speedy downloads, and all the way up to 1080p with 5.1 surround sound.  Microsoft also promise a “disc in the drive” user experience, with glitch-free fast forward and rewind.  The US, UK and Ireland get full Netflix access or on-demand Sky TV, region permitting, while general movie and TV downloads are available in the existing eight countries together with ten new: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

As for Facebook integration, not only will Xbox 360 users be able to access their profiles, update statuses, view pictures and leave comments, the system will integrate with Facebook Connect to share updates, achievements and even screenshots from games.  The first title to support the functionality will be Tiger Woods PGA TOUR.  Finally, Last.fm will deliver streaming music through free, personalized radio stations, and share them with other contacts.  Users will require Xbox LIVE Gold membership to access it.

Meanwhile, Sony Ericsson announced the Satio – the phone formerly known as Idou – together with the Yari and Aino, and we went hands-on with all three at their London launch.  With just a week to go until the Palm Pre hits shelves, our sibling-site My Pre offered up the user-guide, Getting Started and Features Guide documents.  We also saw camera samples from the phone, plus heard it will have push-GMail support and native iTunes compatibility. 

In netbooks, it’s been a week of newly polished systems and slightly more unusual hardware.  HP unveiled their Mini 1101, 110 XP and 110 Mi machines, while we saw the first full review of the SmartQ 7 MID and heard that UMID’s mbook M1 will get a few more interesting variants over the next month or so.  With Computex kicking off this week, Viliv have dropped some heavy hints about what they might be announcing, including what sounds like a version of the S5 MID with a QWERTY keyboard.

E3 is just around the corner, and what’s likely to be Sony’s pride and joy, the PSP Go, has leaked.  A compact handheld gaming system almost half the weight of the PSP-3000 and dropping the UMD system in favor of digital download, the PSP Go looks set to go on sale alongside the existing console.

Also suffering leaks a-plenty are Apple, whose next-gen iPhone and iPod nano 5G were both tipped this week.  The former is expected to have Google Latitude support as standard, among other things, while the latter is said to bundle a new camera. It’ll go up against PMP heavyweights like iriver’s P35, which will land in the US sometime this fall, and Microsoft’s new Zune HD.

Finally, we brought you the second part of our behind-the-wheel test drive of the Lincoln MKS, together with reviews of Seagate’s Showcase DVR Storage Expander and the Hantech Siso Tablo.  That just left enough time to slot in a review and video demo of the Tonium Pacemaker Pocket DJ.

The mole suggests that the PSP Go will go on sale alongside the existing PSP, offering a potentially lower price-tag together with a lighter body and reduced power consumption.  Some game titles are expected to switch to completely digital distribution, but others will be released both on UMD and as downloads.

As for the slimline PS3, that’s expected to begin filtering out to retailers by the end of September 2009.  This will give them time to reduce stock levels of the current model; though price cuts aren’t likely, they are a possibility.

Wii Fit Plus could be an add-on pack to the original Wii Fit, using the same wireless balance board and introducing new games and other features.  Alternatively, it could bring with it a new board controller – likely with higher accuracy – or even different types of exercise-related peripherals.

It’s possible that the company could use the imminent E3 gaming convention to either announce Wii Fit Plus or at least drop some serious hints regarding its development.  The original game has sold in excess of 18 million copies.

[via Kotaku]

Using the ZCam would mean that Microsoft could map gamer movement into gameplay without relying on a motion-controller such as the Wii’s Wiimote.  According to the WSJ sources, while an announcement may be imminent, release of the hardware is unlikely to take place until 2010.

No word on pricing has been given, though one source suggested that, while it would likely initially be sold as a separate peripheral, Microsoft might later bundle it with the 360 console itself.  Microsoft declined to comment on the rumors, while 3DV’s CEO Zvika Klier told the newspaper that “unfortunately I can’t comment on the rumors surrounding this deal. …We will provide more information when we can.”

While there’s unsurprisingly no word from Sony themselves regarding the new controller, the rumor-mill maintains that the company is contacting “key third-party publishers” and pushing for support in their upcoming titles.  That would give the company the catalog of compatible games needed to properly launch the new peripheral. 

By using LEDs, the webcam can better track proximity to the screen (i.e. movement across the Z-axis) which the Wiimote has been criticized for its poor handling of.  Shape and angle can also be recognized, together with different colors, and those who have seen the prototype – which currently has a large bulb housing the LEDs at the end – say it is more precise than the Nintendo system.

[via Engadget]

As you can see in the render, the D-pad, analog controller and game buttons are shifted to a slide-down section, with minimal controls present on the outer face of the device.  No talk about whether the display is a touchscreen, as has been separately rumored.

According to the sources, Sony is planning a suffix-based name for the new handheld, rather than calling it the PSP 2 or PSP-4000.  Possible titles include PSP Slide, PSP Flip and PSP Go!, with speculation that the Go! branding may tip an integrated camera.

Launch is suggested as September in Japan, followed by the US in late October or early November, and Gran Turismo Mobile will lead in excess of 100 classic and new games made available to download.  We’re told to expect more details at E3 in early June; right now Sony are keeping very quiet.

[via Engadget]

I try hard not to use term like Epic Fail, however, I really think it applies in this situation. Konami’s senior product manager started things off well enough by picking up a real bass and playing Blitzkrieg Bop with a cover band. She can play a real instrument, cool. Then when they were over, she proceeded to pick up a guitar controller (yes, that’s a Les Paul from Guitar Hero III) and it all goes downhill.

Here’s a tip, if you’re the senior product manager for a game that you’re going to demo at E3, learn how to play the damn game. Not only did she play terribly, but she actually failed the song. Seriously, if you can’t play it, then find someone else who can. I won’t even go into the boring DDR-like interface that they’re using for the game, or the fact that they could have picked a song that wasn’t in a competitor’s game. Oh, and busting out a Guitar Hero controller is a great way to promote your game too.

[via Joystiq]

To give you an idea, only two years ago at E3 2006 there were over 400 companies showing off the latest and greatest in the world of gaming. So what happened? Well the ESA decided that they no longer needed a “mega-show” and decided to “refocus”. At the rate things are going, the show will be completely dead in another year or so.

So where do we turn to now for our gaming con fix? Honestly, I can see more companies moving to PAX, which is hosted by the guys from Penny Arcade. Also Gen Con has started accepting video game companies to their exhibitor list as of last year in an effort to provide a home to wayward gaming companies.

[via MaxConsole]

The kit does differ slightly from the mock-up that we saw before, but the overall look is about the same. One major question was answered, you’ll be able to use any old pair of drumsticks on the pads. I kind of assumed that this would be so, but a small part of me has wondered if they wouldn’t somehow make the drumsticks special. Looks like I’m going to have to dig out my old sticks from high school.

Overall, they felt that the drums were of superb quality, and that with a bit of practice, you’ll be rocking out with the rest of the band.

Hands-On, Rock Band Drumset [via gizmodo]

I must clarify a bit, the best hardware announcement was probably the WiiZapper from Nintendo. However, Microsoft and Sony are going to have to duke it out for the most boring announcement yet. Microsoft managed to put the crowd to sleep when they announced their special Halo 3 box. But Sony may have taken the cake with their announcement of a newer, slimmer PSP.

Yes, it’s 19% slimmer and 30% lighter, that’s cool and all, but are people really going to shell out $199 for one? What if they gave it video out? No? They’re even going to speed up the load times a little.

Yes, I’ll admit, those are some good features, and perhaps people would have been more interested in them had they been there from the start. The PSP community isn’t exactly thriving, so I don’t see anyone trading in their old PSP for one of these, nor do I see a whole slew of new users jumping on board because it’s a little smaller and they can play it on their TV.

If you’re really excited about it, you’ll be happy to know that it comes in three colors: “Piano Black”, “Ceramic White”, and “Ice Silver.” Look for these to go on sale in September.

New PSP Slim Coming September, Kinda Looks the Same [via gizmodo]

They have just announced that Metal Gear Solid 4 will be the final game in the series, and will be one of the consoles exclusive titles. Check out the full press release after the jump.

KONAMI DEBUTS NEW METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS TRAILER AT ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EXPO 2007
Trailer Reveals Significant New Details About Hideo Kojima’s Upcoming Masterpiece for the PLAYSTATION®3 System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) – July 11, 2007 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today debuted a new trailer for Metal Gear Solid® 4: Guns of the Patriots, the newest game in Hideo Kojima’s legendary tactical espionage action series for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Featuring the first-ever presentation in English as well as displaying stunning real time graphics and new revelations in the ongoing Metal Gear saga, the trailer offers a glimpse into one of the most anticipated video games of all times.
Setting the stage for an unforgettable story, this latest Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer depicts the desperate state of the future as seen through the eyes of an older Solid Snake. With the world in a state of crisis, Old Snake must infiltrate a variety of locations across the globe, including the Middle East and South America. The trailer features a variety of returning characters from previous Metal Gear Solid games, including Meryl Silverburgh and Raiden. The new footage also confirms the return of iconic Metal Gear Solid 2 boss character – Vamp.
Returning to voice Solid Snake in an original script by Hideo Kojima, David Hayter will be joined by returning voice actors Paul Eiding, Quinton Flynn, Phil LaMarr, and Pat Zimmerman who will continue their work as the voices of Roy Campbell, Raiden, Vamp, and Liquid Ocelot respectively. Kris Zimmerman will also return to the Metal Gear Solid series to direct the voice acting sessions for the game.
“With an immensely talented staff of editors, voice over directors, sound designers, and voice talent, I’m confident that Metal Gear Solid 4 will set a new standard in stylized localization for games coming out of Japan,” said assistant producer, Ryan Payton at Kojima Productions. “This E3 trailer is just the first taste of our efforts, and we can’t wait to show it off.”
A simultaneous worldwide launch of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is set for early 2008. For more information on Metal Gear Solid 4 and the Metal Gear Solid series, please visit: www.konami.com.

Metal Gear Solid 4 Is PS3 Exclusive – Last In Series [via kotaku]

The Balance Board looks like a plain old board, or perhaps a scale, but when combined with the Wii Fit game, it can be quite useful and entertaining. I’m not one that gets into playing games strictly for fitness, but if I can play a game and it happens to be good for my health, I’m all for it.

The Wii Fit seems to be more of a fitness workout that also happens to be a game, not the other way around. It will likely provide a measure of entertainment that you wouldn’t normally find down at your local gym. Look for these in the first half of 2008.

Wii Fit and Balance Board Accessory [via gizmodo]

There are dozens of announcements that have already been made thus far, and the guys over at tgdaily have compiled these into a nice, manageable list. Check it out:

2K

BioShock – Xbox 360, PC – 8/21/2007
Civilization Revolution – Xbox 360, PS3, DS, Wii – Spring 2008, Fall 2008 (Wii)
All-Pro Football 2K8 – Xbox 360, PS3 – 7/2007
NHL 2K8 – Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 – Fall 2007
Top Spin 3 – Xbox 360, PS3 – Spring 2008

Activision

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – Xbox 360, PS3, PC – Fall 2007
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock – Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii – Fall 2007
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – Xbox 360, PS2, Wii, PC, PSP, DS – Oct 2007
Bee Movie Game – Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PC, DS – Nov 2007
Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground – Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, DS – Q4 2007

Atari

Dragon Ball Z – Wii, PS2 – Christmas 2007
Godzilla: Unleashed – Wii, DS – Fall 2007
Jenga – Wii, DS – Fall 2007

Bizarre Creations/ Microsoft

Project Gotham Racing 4 – Xbox 360 – Sept 2007

Bioware

Mass Effect – Xbox 360 – Christmas 2007

Bungie Studios/Microsoft

Halo 3 – Xbox 360 – 9/25/2007

Capcom

Resident Evil 5 – Xbox 360, PS3 – 2008

Eidos

Tomb Raider 8 – Xbox 360, Wii – TBA

Electronic Arts

Madden NFL 08 – Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii – Aug 2007
Crysis – PC – Christmas 2007
NBA Live 08 – PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii, S2, PSP – Fall 2007
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 – PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii, S2, PSP, DS, Mac – 8/28/2007
NHL 08 – PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, PC – 9/11/2007
Nascar 08 – PS3, Xbox 360, PS2
The Simpsons Game – Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, PSP, DS – Q4 2007
Medal of Honor: Airborne – PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PC, Xbox – Nov 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PC, PSP, DS
Army of Two – Xbox 360, PS3 – Winter 2007
Boogie – Wii – 8/31/2007
Playground – Wii, DS – Fall 2007
MySims – Wii, DS – Fall 2007
Need for Speed ProStreet – Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP, DS – 10/31/2007
Skate – Xbox 360, PS3 – Sep 2007
The Sims Castaway – PC – Q4 2007
Burnout Paradise – Xbox 360, PS3 – Q1 2008
Hellgate: London – PC – TBA
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames – Xbox 360 – Q4 2007
Sim City: Societies – PC – Q4 2007

Epic

Gears of War – PC – Christmas 2007

Factor 5

LAIR – PS3 – Aug. 2007

Incognito

Warhawk – PS3 – Fall 2007

Koei

Fatal Inertia – PS3, Xbox 360 – 9/11/2007

Konami

Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles – PSP – Fall 2007
Contra 4 (working title) – DS – 2007
Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party – Wii – Fall 2007
Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA – PS2 – Fall 2007
Dewy’s Adventure – Wii – Fall 2007
Fishing Master – Wii – Fall 2007
Hellboy: The Science of Evil – PS3, Xbox 360, PSP – 2007
Konami Kids Playground – PS2 – Fall 2007
Silent Hill Origins – PSP – Fall 2007
Dance Dance Revolution Universe 2 – Xbox 360 – Fall 2007

Krome

Viva Pinata: Party Animals – Xbox 360 – Christmas 2007

Midway

Stranglehold – PS3, Xbox 360, PC – 8/2008
BlackSite: Area 51 – PS3, Xbox 360, PC – 9/2007
Unreal Tournament 3 – PC – Fall 2007
Ultimate Mortal Kombat – DS – 11/2007
Cruis’n – Wii – 11/2007
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am – PS2 – 10/2007
Game Party – Wii – 11/2007
Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders – DS – 11/2007
The Wheelman – PS3, Xbox 360, PC – Winter 2007
TNA iMPACT! – PS3, PS2, Xbox 360 – Spring 2008
The Bee Game – DS, Game Boy Advance – 11/2007
Hour of Victory – PC – Fall 2007

Mistwalker

Blue Dragon – Xbox 360 – 8/28/2007
Lost Odyssey – Xbox 360 – Fall 2007

MTV

Rock Band – Xbox 360, PS3 – Christmas 2007

Namco Bandai

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation – Xbox 360 – 10/23/2007
Beautiful Katamari – Xbox 360 – Fall 2007
Culdcept Saga – Xbox 360 – Q1 2008
Digimon World: Dawn/ Digimon World: Dusk – DS – Fall 2007
Digimon World Data Squad – PS2 – Fall 2007
Dynasty Warriors: GUNDAM – PS3, Xbox 360 – Summer 2007
Eternal Sonata – Xbox 360 – Sep 2007
.hack//G.U Vol. 3: Redemption – PS2 – Fall 2007
Namco Museum DS – DS – Fall 2007
Namco Museum REMIX – Wii – Fall 2007
NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes – PSP – 8/28/2007
NARUTO: Uzumaki Chronicles 2 – PS2 – Sep 2007
Smash Court Tennis 3 – PSP – 7/10/2007
SOULCALIBUR Legends – Wii – Q4 2007
Space Station Tycoon – Wii – Q3 2007
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology – PSP – July 2007
Time Crisis 4 – PS3 – Q4 2007

Naughty Dog

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune – PS3 – Fall 2007

Rockstar

Grand Theft Auto 4 – Xbox 360, PS3 – 10/16/2007

Screenlife

Scene it – Xbox 360 – Christmas 2007

Sega

Bleach: Shattered Blade – Wii – Fall 2007
Bleach: The Blade of Fate – DS – Fall 2007
The Club – PS3, Xbox 360, PC – Winter 2007
Condemned 2: Bloodshot – PS3, Xbox 360 – Feb 2008
Ghost Squad – Wii – Christmas 2007
The Golden Compass – PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PC, DS, PSP, Mobile – Dec 2007
Iron Man – Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PC, DS, PSP – Spring 2008
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games – Wii, DS – Christmas 2007
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams – Wii – Fall 2007
SEGA Rally Revo – PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, PC – Fall 2007
Sonic Rush Adventure – DS – Fall 2007
Space Siege – PC – 2008
Universe at War: Earth Assault – PC, Xbox 360 – Oct 2007 (PC), Q1 08 (Xbox)
Virtua Fighter 5 – Xbox Live – Fall 2007

Sierra

Crash of the Titans – Xbox 360, PS2, Wii, DS, PSP, GBA- Oct 2007

Sony

Everquest Online Adventures – PS2 – July 2007

Square Enix

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker – DS – Nov 2007
Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors – Wii – TBA
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates – DS – Spring 2008
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions – PSP – Oct 2007
Final Fantasy II – PSP – July 2007
Final Fantasy XI MMO Expansion – Wings of the Goddess – PS2, Xbox 360, Windows – Winter 2007
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings – DS – Nov. 2007
Front Mission – DS – Oct. 2007
Heroes of Mana – DS – Aug 2007

Ubisoft

Assassin’s Creed – PS3, Xbox 360 – 11/9/2007
Naruto: Rise of a Ninja – Xbox 360 – Oct 2007
Splinter Cell Conviction – Xbox 360, PC – Christmas 2007

Valve

Half-Life 2: Orange Box – Xbox 360, PS3, PC – 10/9/2007

THQ

Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon – PS3, Xbox 360 – Early 2008
Destroy All Humans! Big Willy Unleashed – PS3, Xbox 360 – N/A
de Blob – Wii, DS – Early 2008

Update 3: E3 2007 game announcements and lineup [via tgdaily]

Ok, so maybe the Wii Wheel isn’t as exciting as the new Zapper, but it sure beats Microsoft’s new Uber Edition Halo 3 Xbox 360. The big news here is that they’re working on Mario Kart for the Wii.

Mario Kart has been one of my favorite games since the first time I played it back on my shiny new Super Nintendo. Battle Mode was the shit. Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing the new title this year, but look for it in the early part of 2008.

Nintendo announces Mario Kart for Wii and Wii Wheel [via i4u]

Microsoft touted some big numbers for their Xbox 360 such as 7 million Xbox Live members thus far, which is a million more than they predicted, next year they are looking for a total of 10 million users. As for content, over 100 games are available on the Xbox Live Arcade, and over 45 million have been downloaded thus far.

They are currently working with Disney to bring their entire movie library onto Xbox live. Several of their titles including Tarzan and Hercules will be available starting tonight. Good news for European and Canadian users, they will be bringing the marketplace to your countries.

As for PC gaming, they announced that Viva Pinata and Gears of War will be showing up. They also announced that Sega, Eidos and THQ will be developing games for Windows Live. They showed off a lot of footage of games like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Splinter Cell, Grand Theft Auto IV and of course Halo 3.

Also announced was the release of a special edition Halo 3 Xbox 360 and controller. I guess the reaction wasn’t quite what they were expecting. Mostly “utter silence, and some sparse laughter.” Maybe that has something to do with the fact that they push the Halo franchise too much or that anyone that’s obsessed enough with Halo to buy one of these already owns a 360 and isn’t going to want to run out and drop some cash on a console that looks like it’s been spray-painted.

Gizmodo Live at Microsoft’s E3 Press Event [via gizmodo]