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Jun 16th '08, 03:57 PM
<p><a href="http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/15/avatar415.jpg"><img title="Avatar415" height="199" alt="Avatar415" src="http://blog.wired.com/games/images/2008/06/15/avatar415.jpg" width="415" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Is Microsoft going to copy Nintendo's Mii idea? </p> <p>Moreover: Did a whole flood of information about the Xbox 360's lineup of announcements for E3 just flood out onto the Internets?</p> <p>Some sleuths at NeoGAF have dug up a marketing presentation that purports to spill the details on all manner of different major announcements, from Xbox 360 "Avatars" (right) to new details on <em>Tony Hawk </em>and <em>Guitar Hero World Tour</em>.</p> <p>And there could even be a video of Silicon Knights' game for Sega, if all this is true. Oh, it's just a maelstrom of intriguing tidbits today. Below, I'll run down the major maybe-megatons. Just take them all with a grain of salt.</p> <p><a></a></p> <ul> <li>Microsoft will roll out "Avatars", customizable characters that you create and who represent you when you're online with Xbox Live. </li> <li>The next <em>Tony Hawk</em> game comes with a motion-sensitive stand-on skateboard controller that sounds a lot like the<em> Wii Fit </em>board. </li> <li>The big innovation for <em>Guitar Hero World Tour</em>'s guitar controller is a touch-sensitive fretboard that lets you slide up and down for analog solos during songs. </li> <li><em>Forza 3 </em>for Xbox 360 is so gigantic -- over 400 cars and 100 tracks -- that it will be sold as a two-disc game. </li> <li>There's a <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=miHjgNc36ME">video for a game called <em>Crucible</em></a>, which some are speculating is Silicon Knights' game for Sega, which is rumored to be titled <em>The Crucible: The Evil Within</em>. </li> <li><em>Spider-Man vs. Marvel Zombies</em> is headed to 360, PS3, and Wii. </li> <li>The next <em>Call of Duty </em>game is subtitled <em>World at War</em>, has no number attached. </li> <li>Disney is bringing out a 360, PS3, and Wii game called <em>Ultimate Band</em>, which will be compatible with <em>Rock Band</em> instruments or played with normal controllers and Wiimote motion sensing. There's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUF-wL4r4lg&eurl=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/rumor-ultimate-band-coming-to-360-ps3-new-trailer-for-wii/">video of this</a>, too.</li> </ul> <p>Goodness! That's a lot. It's so much, and so intricately documented with cover artwork and videos, that it really does seem as if a major leak has just occurred. It'll be interesting to see how the publishers respond.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/06/rumor-microsoft.html">Rumor: Microsoft Copying Mii, Xbox E3 Plans Leaked | Game | Life from Wired.com</a></p> <br />