NIDZUMI+

We’ve had a lot of leaks and rumours surrounding this years E3 as per usual but it is believed that a large majority of Microsoft’s big announcements have already been leaked. News of a new motion sensitive Wii-esque controller, a rival to Sony’s Singstar entitled Lips & Forza Motorsport 3. I really can’t remember the last time we knew nearly every announcement before the actual announcement although there are a few more rumors floating around to dissect.

Gears of War 2 should be featured heavily and there is the possibility of a well kept secret about it to be released. What we’ve seen seems very similar to the original and a major new feature should dispel those rumours. Big Gears announcement aside expect a release date for November 9th to be talked about.

Bungie also appear to have something up their sleeve. They’ve been dropping small hints on podcasts & websites that have caused rumours to spread like wildfire. A Master Chief-less Halo game, XBLA title or something else entirely. Take note that with Halo Wars & Peter Jackson’s Halo project also looming, it could just be information on those although if we know Bungie it isn’t.

Geometry Wars 2 to land on consoles tonight seems to be on the cards with the list of achievements easily available. Microsoft have had a history of XBLA themed announcements dropping at press events. They released Doom on the XBLA two years ago at X06 although that time it was a well kept secret. Talking of the Arcade, DukeNukem 3D is expected to finally be announced after rumours stemming back from January.

Spring has passed and Summer is here so, so much for the Spring update. The rumours following this were that Microsoft are planning a new GUI to replace the dashboard. If true, E3 would be the place to show it off.

I’m going to put myself out on the line and say that the 3rd party Xbox 360’s won’t be happening despite how cool that Samsung Xbox 360 TV looked. I have a feeling that the only SKU we will hear about is the new 60GB one that has already been confirmed. Although stranger things have happened.

With all these rumours about it will be hard for Microsoft to have many surprises left but even if half of these are true they are lining themselves for a fairly decent presser.

Microsoft E3 Odds:

Motion Controller 12/7
Geometry Wars 2 Evens
No More Dashboard 3/1
Fable 2 Delay 11/1
Xbox Live Now Free 33/1
3rd Party Xbox 360’s 50/1
Alan Wake Mentioned 200/1

Stay tuned for Nintendo & Sony’s Previews and the live blog from the Microsoft Conference it’s self.