The Mole: E3 Microsoft Press Conference

Microsoft honcho Bill Gates made his first E3 apperance and headed his company's annual E3 press conference with some bold statements.

Gates stated that the Xbox 360 should have a 10 million unit head start by the time the PS3 comes out this November.

Gates also announced plans for "Live Anywhere", an online gaming system that makes Xbox Live available to PC (with Windows) and Mobile gamers. This would allow PC, Mobile and Xbox console owners to go head-to-head online. He said there will be 160 titles available on the Xbox 360 by the end of the year and stated he expected there to be 6 millon online gamers by this time next year.

Gates was then joined by VP Peter Moore and announced a number of upcoming Xbox 360 and Windows Vista (coming out January 2007) titles.

For the 360, Microsoft showcased “Gears of War”, “Fable 2” and “Forza Motorsport 2”. Ubisoft’s next-generation version of “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent” will also debut on Xbox 360. In addition, Microsoft Game Studios showed “Alan Wake” and “Shadowrun”, both slated for Xbox 360 and Windows Vista. A "Halo 3" clip was also shown but no real information (release date, new features) was discussed.

For Windows Vista, Microsoft showed off "Crysis”,“Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures” and “Flight Simulator X”.

For Xbox Live Arcade “Pac-Man,” “Galaga,” “Dig Dug”, “Rally-X”, “Frogger,” “Track & Field", “Contra”, “Super Contra”, “Defender,” “Paperboy,” “Root Beer Tapper”, “Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3”, “Sonic the Hedgehog™ High Speed” and new title “Lumines Live” are future downloadable games.

Microsoft also announced new cross-platform accessories such as the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel and Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, to be used on Xbox 360 and Windows. The new Xbox Live Vision video camera will allow gamers to customize their gamer picture, send photo messages, and video chat with friends and family over Xbox Live.