Highlights from Microsoft at E3 2011

Press conferences for the "Big Three" at E3 (Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo) tend to be ablaze with spectacle and major announcements that set the stage for the rest of the year in gaming, and this year is shaping up to be no exception. Microsoft was the first in line at E3 2011 to debut a number of new titles, show off gameplay for upcoming releases, tease what's on deck for 20102, and more.

Major themes at this year's Microsoft E3 press conference included Kinect support coming to both new titles and classic franchises alike, a continued push for Xbox Live as the interactive entertainment hub in the living room, family-friendly motion gaming, and as usual, new editions of beloved franchises both console exclusive and cross-platform. Let's take a look at the highlights.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Microsoft opened with a gameplay demo of the next up in its popular military-themed first-person shooter, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The demo saw the protagonist planting a bomb on an underwater submarine, coming topside to launch missiles from a commandeered vessel, then undertaking a harrowing, fast-paced raft ride through the missile-besieged harbor en route to an escape by air.

Fans of the COD franchise appear to be in store for another epic campaign later this fall; the Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games title is set for launch later this year on November 8.

Tomb Raider

Developer Crystal Dynamics took the stage next to show off the world premier of a new title in the Tomb Raider series. The new game, simply dubbed Tomb Raider, goes back to Lara Croft's origins to detail how the young 21-year-old girl becomes a hardened tomb raider through an unexpected epic journey.

In the demo, we find Lara shipwrecked and captive on a strange island, where she must use her survival instincts to escape through a cavern of perils. Featuring fast-paced single-person adventure and reportedly vast open world environments, the new Tomb Raider is slated to hit the streets in fall of 2012.

EA Sports adds Kinect support

President of EA Sports, Peter Moore, took the stage (the former Xbox exec quipped "this feels kind of familiar") next to announce that four upcoming EA Sports titles would be Kinect-enabled: Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Madden NFL, FIFA, and a fourth game to be announced at a later date. In addition, other family-friendly EA titles like the Sims 3 Pets and Family Game Night 4 will also get Kinect support this year.

Mass Effect 3

Bioware co-founder Ray Muzyka hit the stage next to show off the latest assets for Mass Effect 3. The biggest new feature for the upcoming final installment of the sci-fi epic trilogy is voice control support via Kinect: you'll be able to navigate Mass Effect's iconic dialogue trees simply be speaking aloud the option you wish to select.

Along with voice recognition for character dialogue, you'll also be able to employ voice control to command your team members. Simply by invoking a squad member's name and issuing a command, for example, "Move up," will allow you to fluidly launch tactical assaults against your enemies. As a big fan of the Mass Effect franchise, I was particularly impressed by the demonstration of voice control; gamers definitely have something to look forward to in what is shaping up to be the most epic title of the trilogy.

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