I am insanely jealous of those that are in Spain to cover the X06 conference in Barcelona. Spain in my favoritest place in the world ever and I would love to return and soak in its gloriousness.
Enough of that, let’s get to the meat of the conference. Dealing with Microsoft’s future plans, there is a lot to digest. You can read the full press release here.
What I’m excited about:
An RTS, based on the Halo Universe, built by Ensemble Studios? Yes, please! Halo will transition perfectly into an RTS — the units are balanced but different, Heroes (Master Chief, The Arbiter) are built in, an entire back story, everything. I’m nervous about an RTS on the 360, but I’m still excited.
Forza 2 cannot get here soon enough. I’m still playing Forza on my 360 any chance I get.
Peter Jackson (and Fran Walsh) working with Bungie Studios is an interesting pairing. I’ll reserve my judgement on that for now.
I’m not sure how I feel about DOOM on XBox Live Arcade. I love Doom. My first online (modem to modem, actually) gaming experience was with Doom. Some of my favorite gaming memories are playing Doom with a friend at night, hearing his chainsaw roaring in the background, stalking me. But that was twelve years ago. I’m not sure how it will translate on Live. Split-screen co-op and deathmatch could be fantastic, however.
Microsoft is definitely delivering on some quality items right now. Good for them.
Co-op is difficultly amazing.
Deathmatch is just too dang fast. It’s a race to who can catch someone in a corner so they can’t strafe and get to also the baddest weapon first.
Single-player is all it ever was and will be.
Yeah, I heard about the Halo RTS a few days ago, did you know that the Halo franchise was originaly going to be an RTS? I don’t know how it will work, I don’t really like the idea, but I’m waiting untill I play it first hand to give judgment.
ag – I still don’t know what I’ll do about Doom. Co-op is difficult, huh? Difficult to coordinate or just harder, period?
FS – Bungie has made a handful of RTS games before Halo (the Myth series) so I think they’ll do a great job with it.