Tell Me What I Want to Hear, Microsoft
So far, all we really know about Microsoft's plan for the Xbox 360 in 2008 is that the planned Marvel Universe MMO has been canceled. With February nearly half over, it's high time the folks at Xbox HQ laid out what they have in store for the platform this year. Here's what I want to see:
1) Announce Gears of War 2. We know it's coming, but it's time to confirm it, and tease us with a little trailer at the very least. The franchise continues to thrive, remaining in the fourth slot on the most recent list of most-played games on Xbox Live. Sure, Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 continue to thrive, but the online shooter community is always hungry for the next big thing.

2) Confirm a 2008 release for Fable 2 (pictured above). You may not remember now, but Fable was the highest-selling original Xbox game that didn't have the word "Halo" in the title. And not only does Fable 2 look set to be a bigger and more epic adventure -- essentially what Molyneux promised the first game would be -- but Xbox 360 owners buy software at a much higher rate than V1 Xbox owners did. Thus, Fable 2 could and easily become a huge title. Maybe not a true system-seller, but a massive hit nevertheless. We know that Molyneux and Fable 2 will have some kind of presence at GDC. Let's hope we can get Molyneux pinned down to a 2008 date.

3) Talk more about Alan Wake (above). In development for at least three years, Remedy's Max Payne follow-up has drawn the interest of just about everyone with its survival-horror theme and gorgeous open-world setting (at least, it was pretty gorgeous when I saw a tech demo of it at E3 2005). Nary a peep has been said about it since. The world is curious, so here's hoping Microsoft at least gives an updated look at what the Finnish developer is up to.
4) Reveal more about Banjo 3. Thanks for the teaser at E3 2006, guys! You know that to most industry watchers and Xbox gamers you still haven't justified the purchase price of Rare yet, right? We all want to believe in Rare. All we need is a reason...
5) Lower the price. Okay, so they're not going to do this at GDC, but GTA IV is coming and it will be moving hardware. If Microsoft wants to win the biggest and most important third-party battle of the year, they need to get the premium unit down to $300 before April 29.
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FATALITY7089
February 20, 2008 at 5:23pm
I think that out of Ninja Gaiden 2, GOW 2, and Fable 2. One or two of those will be pushed back. Like Team ninja are known as perfectionists, so are lionhead. I think if all 3 of these come out on time it'll be great for the 360, if not. 360 might as well hide. BTW, how come there was nothing said about helping the large amount of people suffering the red lights of death! If they don't fix that soon then no one will have a 360 to play these games on!
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DodgeThis
February 20, 2008 at 12:48pm
Dear diary, JACKPOT. I can't wait for Fable 2. Giggidy Giggidy, Giggidy Goo.
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Dreyvius
February 13, 2008 at 10:34pm
Why do I feel that the 360 price wont get cut until the holidays? M$ M$ M$ M$
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AzBat360
February 13, 2008 at 1:36pm
Ryan, you forgot about XNA games available to everybody. XNA makes the most sense at a _Game_Developer_ conference. Especially with Home and Little Big Planet coming just around the corner. -Tommy
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Steakslave
February 12, 2008 at 10:59pm
The Banjo series has been the only platformer on par with 3-D Mario games IMO. But I have this sinking feeling that we'll never see a part 3. The wind has been out of RARE's sails for a long time and we all know it.
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Rayfasa
February 12, 2008 at 7:52pm
I'd really hate to see MS lose all that ground it gained on Sony just because they don't wanna drop the price on their SKU's. The 120gig 360 should be 300 bones, with the 20 gig unit following at 250(same price as th Wii, then bring in the Arcade or base SKU at 225(yes cheaper than the Wii). They also need to drop the price of the insanely high priced wireless internet adapter and the over priced 120gig hard drive.
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JAG2_1977
February 12, 2008 at 11:44am
Exploit the crap out of Sony dropping it's 80GB PS3, and backwards compatibility along with it, since 40GB version doesn't support BC. Better advertisements all around for system and library. Announce the MMORPG line, even if the majority of titles are still in development stages. Down the road is better than nothing at all.
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Grognard66
February 12, 2008 at 5:55am
Agreed - a $50 price drop on all SKU's just before GTA IV releases is critical. MS did go out of their way at the last E3 to say that they weren't going to talk about '08 games because the '07 line up was so strong. However, they quickly need to ramp up the marketing NOW to blunt the criticism that the pipeline is now dry. It looks like MS is "over managing" their game library now and needs to start getting some news out there.
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Eviltattoo
February 12, 2008 at 4:42am
Why is MS dropping the ball here? Corporate greed? PS3 is looking to gain serious momentum in 2008, and they are clearly out-marketing MS. Every commercial for multi-platform games, Devil May Cry 4, Call of Duty 4, etc, always ends with a PS3. If you didn't know better, you'd think they were PS3 exclusives. MS had better start making BIG announcements, lower the price ASAP, and up the ante on their marketing. Another thing, where are all the "good" XBLA titles? I've been pretty damn disappinted waiting for Castle Crashers.
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Silent_Samurai
February 12, 2008 at 2:07am
I'm most excited to hear about Alan Wake and Fable 2, both have had my attention since they were first announced. But on OT note. Does the 360 really nead subscription based MMOs? Of course, this is only my opinion, because I really have no desire to get into the whole MMO scene. It seems to me like an MMO on the 360 is more of a failing proposition with all the other games that you can play for free.
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Quitsquirrel
February 11, 2008 at 4:28pm
not even just banjo i want rare to have a blowout i want xbla games announced i want pd 2 ki 3!!! come one rare
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Quitsquirrel
February 11, 2008 at 4:27pm
definitely need to hear about banjo its been so long i miss my baby.














