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Console Gaming Gear at E3 2010
Samir Makwana, Jun 17, 2010 1821 hrs ISTMajor announcements related to gaming consoles at this year's E3
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Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010 had loads of new game announcements and new console gaming gear to offer. While last year's E3 was mostly about demonstrating gaming console gear, this year Microsoft officially launched Kinect for Xbox 360 (previously, Project Natal) and a brand new slimmer Xbox 360 console just a day before E3 started. Sony on the other hand announced the availability of PlayStation Move, a motion controller pair for PlayStation 3 console. But what really stole the show was Nintendo's new 3DS handheld console. Let's take a quick look at major announcements related to gaming consoles at this year's E3.
Microsoft's Ball-game: New Xbox 360
Microsoft finally displayed their "killer" controller-free gaming device that was earlier known as Project Natal. This device is branded as Kinect and we presume it has been inspired from Microsoft's KIN smartphones. Nevertheless, what we're really interested is the new slim Xbox 360 that has 45nm fabrication process integrated microprocessor and graphics unit. As of now we don't have the exact detail on what hardware is inside the new, slimmer, angular, glossy black chassis. The buttons on the face of the console are touch-sensitive.
Microsoft has paid attention to the noise and heat levels of the gaming console. At the sides, one can notice the vents. Instead of two small fans, the new Xbox 360 comes with one large fan. The new Xbox 360 console is quieter (call it 'Whisper quiet') than its predecessors despite having a smaller enclosure. Microsoft has added smaller 135W power supply that consumes 1W in standby mode. For storage a 250GB HDD is located at the bottom of the console below the vent. We wouldn't term it as a design marvel but this new Xbox 360 is surely a refresh over the previous generation model.
Major improvements are noticeable in connectivity options as Wi-Fi (802.11n) module is integrated inside the console and no longer a separate accessory. This Wi-Fi module is capable of establishing single band 2.4GHz wireless connections. Apart from that the new Kinect for Xbox 360 device connector port lies on its back and also integrates HDMI for the first time. However, Microsoft hasn't included HDMI cable in the gaming console bundle.
Microsoft has removed memory card ports, so no more buying those cards separately. However, you got to dump previously saved data on to a portable hard drive or flash drive to transfer on new Xbox 360's hard drive.
Now Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg noted at the E3 Expo that the new Xbox 360 is "fully 3D capable". However, the HDMI port on the back isn't an HDMI 1.4. Even the rival PlayStation 3 Slim has an HDMI 1.3 port. But we certainly believe that Microsoft Kinect will take most of your time instead of 3D games. On November 4, Microsoft Kinect will hit stores and so will the library of compatible games.
We know what your main concern with Xbox 360 is - the Red Ring of Death. That being a specific hardware issue, Microsoft has taken good care of that in the new Xbox 360 console. As per the info sheet provided to Joystiq, the new Xbox 360 is physically incapable of RRoD, but even if it does, you won't see a red light. Instead, the console will show a green light by default. We really hope Microsoft's Xbox hardware team has taken uttermost care with the new 45nm integrated CPU-GPU chipset. Still, we've our fingers crossed and the console is already on sale for $299 (Rs. 14,000 approx.) in US.
Rival Sony did show PlayStation Eye with motion sensing last year at E3 but the company went overboard with their new lollipop stick like gaming motion controller - PlayStation Move.
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