Just because I can’t go to E3 doesn’t mean you can’t! I’m summarizing the big news and delivering my take on it to you!

Microsoft Press Conference
My Overall Ranking: 7/10
Watch it here on GameTrailers.com

Game #1 – Call of Duty: Black Ops
Treyarch Studios developed this new one since Infinity ward got canned.  It’s trailer was pretty impressive.  The gameplay really looks fairly standard for an FPS.  It feels kinda like half-life, with how the characters interact with you.  It has beautiful lush environments, and the helicopter scenes look really fun.  Along with this reveal all Call of Duty expansions temporarily exclusive to the Xbox initally through 2012.

Game #2 – Metal Gear Solid 4: Rising
The swordplay in this looks fantastic. If you though Raiden was a whiny little b!tch in MGS2 or didn’t play MGS4, PLAY IT! In my opinion, Raiden IS the Slap Chop!
The tagline for the game is “Lighting Bolt Action” so don’t expect to be stealthy in this one. Raiden slicing the watermelon was pretty funny.

Game #3 – Gears of War 3
Marcus Fenix never looked more badass. It has the Same great coop multiplayer. Other characters can share guns that they find with you.  These creatures are insane looking, and the game is delightfully gory.  You can play it on April 4th 2011.

Game #4 – Fable III
The trailer looks phenomenal! I didn’t play Fable II, but now I totally want to because this game looks awesome. Comes out Fall 2010.

Game #5 – Codename: Kingdoms (working title)
Not much to say, it’s a hyper-realistic trailer for a game with no official game.  They look like Spartans or something.

Game #6 – HALO: Reach
Standard Halo fair.  Never played any of those games, but this one looks really interesting to me. Action is all over the screen. You get to take off into outerspace and participate in dogfights!

The Kinect is not really that impressive at first glance.  You can control the Xbox menu similar to the Wii menu, except with voice controls similar to an iPhone.  Kinect will have a video chat that works with Windows Live Messenger. You can also watch videos together using the video chat.

They announced an interactive video on demand ESPN channel, it will also have voice activated controls via the Kinect.  It will provide real time scores, and allow you to take part in polls and such.

Then they reviewed Kinect games:

Game #1 – Kinectimals
It seems like eyetoy bred with  nintendogs. It’s too cute for words.  Hardcore gamers beware, it’s strictly casual (reminds me of a nintendo idea.)

Game #2 – Kinect Sports
Clearly a Wii Sports knockoff. It features 6 games: Soccer, Track and field, Volleyball (and 3 wii knockoffs) Boxing, Bowling, Ping Pong.  The Track and field is like a running pad-less version of the NES game.

Game #3 – Kinect Joy Ride
To sum it up, it’s Excite Trucks meets Mario Kart Wii minus the Wheel

Game #4 – Kinect Adventures!
It looks like minigames from Wii Fit.  People can jump in at any time for multiplayer.  You can share game photos on facebook.

Game #5 – Your Shape Fitness Evolved
By Ubisoft.  It’s like Wii Fit on steroids. It really shows off Kinect’s true power.

Game #6 – Dance Central
By Harmonix. The game uses Kinect to track body movements. It teaches actual dance moves! It beats the hell out of DDR! Features downloadable music (like Rock Band.)

Game #7 – untitled Star Wars game
This game, developed by LucasArts is exclusive to the 360. I can’t wait for this one! Coming 2011

Game #8 – Forza Motorsports (Kinect)
It uses Kinect with invisible wheel. Turning your head actually alters the camera’s POV! Coming 2011

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EA Press Conference
My Overall Ranking:  7/10
watch the whole thing here on GameTrailers.com

Game #1 – Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
Looking to bring some PvP to the racing genre. Comes out on November 16.  They’ve added a new social network mode (AutoLog.)  One of my favorite features is the little cutscenes leading up to gameplay.

Game #2 – Dead Space 2
Features a new city environment – the skrall – EPIC!!!!!  Looks to be gory, frantic, and a real contender to the J-horror genre. There are lots of light/dark effects. Same intuitive HUD from the original game.  Comes out on January 25, 2011

Game #3 – Medal of Honor
built by DICE (known for Battlefield franchise) & EA LA.  The series has been absent for 3 years.  The new setting will be Afghanistan (the first modern MoH game ever.) They featured a 24 player online demo live on stage.  Maps based on real world areas (the one demonstrated map was based on Kabul.)  On June 21 the  beta test goes live on 360, ps3, pc

Game #5 – EA Sports MMA
They’re proud to be working with Strikeforce to bring MMA fights live to EA.  Each fighter will fight with their own signature style. It will feature fighters, rulesets, etc. from venues around the world. Introduces EA Sports LIVE Broadcast – new online service. It involves creating your own character and promoting them, then broadcasting your smacktalk that you make yourself.  It will feature live fights against other opponents online with prizes. Real commentators talk during the broadcast (Sounds a bit to me like 1 vs 100 on XBL.)  Comes out on October 19 2010.

Game #6 – EA Sports Active 2
The game features live, wireless and new biometric technology. Includes a heart rate monitor, and a progress tracker online. It’s available November 16 on Wii, ps3, 360.

Game #7 – Madden 2011
HILARIOUS FREAKING TRAILER! Features new 3 on 3 co-op online with quicker and easier gameplay than ever.
EA Partners
2 new partners – Insomniac Games (Ratchet & Clank, Spyro) & Respawn Entertainment (formerly Infinity Ward), as well as iD software.
previous companies involved in the partners program include Epic Games, Valve, Double Fine

Game #9 – Crysis 2
Features a lot of guns, grenades, a nanosuit, and lots of fun bang-bang.  It looks freaking epic, although it does look like all the other FPS games that come out.  The action reminds me a bit of Cloverfield.  This will be the first 3D game to come out on the PS3.  Bloggers at E3 say they aren’t that impressed.  It comes out Holiday 2010.

game #10 – Bulletstorm
Developed by Epic Games & People Can Fly. Releases on Feb 22 2011. The gameplay looks pretty intense.  You get to drop kick guys into powerlines and stuff.  The preview had lots of BLEEPS.  Featuring the voice of Steven J. Blum (Spike Spiegal)

Game #11 – Star Wars: The Old Republic
I can’t wait for this game.  They announced that every player will get a starship. PvP experience happens in warzones such as Alderaan.  They debuted a new trailer, “Hope.”  Spoiler: it features characters from Knights of the Old Republic.

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Ubisoft’s Press Conference
My Overall Ranking: 4/10
Watch the whole thing on GameTrailers.com

Game #1 – Child of Eden
Tetsuya Mizuguchi created game that looks and plays like Rez with Kinect controls.  It looks amazing!

Game #2 – Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Really epic trailer. Ezio stands out like a sore thumb, one white clothed guy among all the red, lucky for him, he’s got friends now. Templars chase Ezio as he leads a group of killers.  The sheer chaos on screen reminds me of the beginning of Super Mario Galaxy 1.  BTW, this is IN GAME! You can play PvP online.  The game releases on November 16 2010.

Game #3 – Shaun White Skateboarding
this is really interesting… “Change the world through skateboarding” anything goes, no limits gameplay. The demo level is quite bland at first. Your skating brings things to life. Gameplay mechanic called shaping, making your own skate lines off of select items, and then reshape it whenever. There is lots of dual sticking. Good music choices in game. This game will also be playable in 3D.

Game #4 – Battletag
Is not actually a video game.  Features real life accessory packs like ammo. The PC runs a gamemaster who challenges you and keeps score. It looks pretty fun, and comes out at the end of the year. It comes with 2 guns, 4 tags, one ubi connect, 2 harnesses. You can play 4 vs 4.

Game #5 – Innergy
It’s a “game” about stress. An energy sensor tracks your vitals (think the wii vitality sensor.) Puts an emphasis on cardiac coherence. You can plug into any computer, play it anywhere.  Proves that an impact on blood pressure can boost immune system, even lose weight.

Game #6 & 7 – Motion Sports & YourShape Fitness Evolved
Motion Sports is another Wii Sports knockoff.  YourShape was featured earlier in the Microsoft event, and this is the exact same shpeal.  REPEAT!

Game #8 – Raving Rabbids Travel in Time
Wii exclusive set to come out on November 9th

Game #9 – Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
Pretty badass, the game goes futuristic obviously. The soldiers are a highly trained precision unit. Developers worked with military consultants and agencies to take prototypes of tomorrow into the game. I’m reminded of the cloaking device in perfect dark. The game deals with different viewpoints – sometimes soldier, sometimes sniper.

Game #10 – Driver: San Fransico
Has this kinda retro, Tarantino-y feel about it. Pre-rendered gameplay video. It’s based heavily on 70’s car chase movies like The French Connection and Bullit.
Tanner doesn’t realize he’s in a coma, he can shift from one car to another, an interesting new dynamic.

Game #11 – Project Dust (working title)
digital distribution title on pc, xbla, psn
pretty freakin’ epic, but I have no idea what it’s about

Game #12 – Rayman Origins
another digital distribution title, very creative sounding game. This looks like fun, very cartoony and storybook in design. Very humorous trailer. Beautiful hand drawn style. Made by only 5 people!

Game #13 – Mania Planet
MMO gaming on the internet between questing, shooting and racing.

Game #14 – Michael Jackson (working title)
Nothing was shown except for a dance group performing.

And that about sums up Day 1’s big announcements!  Stay tuned here tomorrow for my coverage of all big announcements from my couch at home while watching E3!