Game Stooge

TGS ‘08: Major Nelson’s Live Blog of Keynote

• Scribbled on October 8th, 2008 by Jonah Falcon
• Filed in Microsoft Xbox 360, Shooter, Tokyo Game Show

Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) is blogging Microsoft’s Tokyo Game Show ‘08 keynote live here. We’ll try to report what happens as it comes. Fortunately, unlike E3, this will be the only keynote from the Big Three, as Sony and Nintendo have opted out. Less toil by me.

This will be abridged. No need to copy everything.

Major Nelson (Larry Hryb):  THE LAST REMNANT video is now playing

* * *

John Schappert, Corporate Vice President of Xbox LIVE, Services and Software is on stage now:The Last Remnant launch will be November 20, 2008. Major now reports Schappert is giving the usual platitudes to his hosts. And bragging about developing SNES games. Now talking about how online has changed the face of gaming. Is this a dig at Sony? “finally, the price of the console needs to be right”. What a burn.

He’s talking about how sales are up for the 360 around the world, including 5x in Japan (which shouldn’t be too hard since it’s easy to multiply a low number.) “At retail, worldwide consumer purchases of Japanese games on our platform are up 60 percent from the last generation, selling more than $800 dollars million to date.” I’d imagine the 360 is doing better than the Xbox.

Major Nelson (Larry Hryb):  
Xbox 360 has emerged as the console for RPGs. We’re seeing compelling titles like Tales of Vesperia, Infinite Undiscovery, Fable 2, Fallout 3, and The Last Remnant, which you saw kick off the show.

* * *

Major Nelson (Larry Hryb):  A Star Ocean: The Last Hope trailer is now playing

Larry says it looks great. Judging from the videos that were already released, we know it does.

The release date will be February 19 in Japan, March 3 in North America.

* * *

Biohazard 5, er, Resident Evil 5 being shown off now.

Major Nelson (Larry Hryb):  (trailer looks….well…scary)

Release date: March 12th, 2009

* * *

Major Nelson (Larry Hryb):  99 Nights 2 is coming to the Xbox 360

Did you enjoy the first 99 Nights? Let us know.

BLOCKBUSTER NEWS:

Now we know what happened to Tekken 6 for the PS3 - it’s coming to the Xbox 360!

Talk about a body blow to Sony.

* * *

XBLA titles now - as expected months ago, Space Invaders Extreme confirmed for XBLA.

Now the updated version of Arkanoid - Arkanoid Live. Both titles are coming Winter 2008.

King of Fighters ‘98 UM is mentioned - it was already announced a while ago. “The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match, is also coming to Xbox Live Arcade with new characters and game modes. Battle your favorite King of Fighters characters to determine the ultimate champion. The Kingdom of Fighters Ultimate Match will launch in Spring 2009.”

Major Nelson (Larry Hryb):  
John is talking about the major Japanese Universities that are using XNA Tools.

That should be interesting - you have to wonder what the Japanese will do with XNA.

* * *

Schappert is showing off the New Xbox Experience and Avatars. Showed off the Party channels and all the other stuff.

* * *

Halo Wars LIVE demo being shown off. Halo Wars date: early 2009.

* * *

A… new… Halo… video…???

HALO 3 RECON.

This is probably the expansion we’ve heard so little about with that teaser “Keep it Clean” video - it’s a prologue to Halo 3 and it’s in the shoes of a Marine ODST.

Show’s over! Tip the waiter.

Oh, forgot to mention: November 19 is the official date of the New Xbox Experience. Circle the date on your calendar.