Category Archives: CES 2009

Major Nelson‘s hosting the full audio of Microsoft’s CES 09 Keynote at the Vegas Convention Centre last night,

If there’s more in there than the Kodu announcement, Halo Wars release date and Bach’s re-confirmation that Primetime is coming this Spring, please let us know.

Fill your boots.

By Mike Bowden

Console peripheral firm, Nyko, unveiled a new Wii-mote at CES 09 in Las Vegas last night called The Wand.

Although looking like a tarted up version of the original, The Wand will apparently use Trans-Port technology which, according to CNet, will allow “compatible devices to take advantage of functionality not always available in current Wii remote accessories” like featuring full force feedback and other wonderful things like that.

The Wand will go on sale in the US in April. No price has been given.

More the link.

By Mike Bowden

Microsoft’s president of the Entertainment and Devices Division, Robbie Bach, told a news-hungry – read: starved – crowd at CES 09 last night that Xbox Live Primetime would be arriving in the Spring.

However, Microsoft had already announced that the service (including the game quiz game 1v100 where you can apparently win real prizes) would be delayed delayed until Spring back in October last year, so let’s call Bach’s “announcement” another confirmation of that fact.

Tough crowd.

Thanks, Destructiod.

By Mike Bowden

During last night’s CES 09 keynote, Microsoft’s president of the Entertainment and Devices Division, Robbie Bach, unveiled a new Community game entitled Kodu.

The official blurb reads:

“Kodu” is a pick-up-and-create game where anyone can build their own unique world in just minutes using a simple image-based creator menu that makes game creation simple for anyone, from ages seven to 70. “Kodu” created playgrounds are expressed in physical action-reaction terms, using basic concepts like vision, hearing and time to control your character’s behavior.

Bach apparently demoed the game live on stage with a 12 year girl called Sparrow.

Full release after the break.

By Mike Bowden

More »

By far the most popular piece of news to emerge from last night’s CES 09 Microsoft Keynote was that Ensemble’s 360 exclusive RTS, Halo Wars, will be released on February 28 with a demo scheduled to hit Live on on the 5th of the same month.

Microsoft told the world last year that the US would get the game in March whilst Europe could grab it on Feb 27. This new date now brings parity between the regions.

Microsoft will close Ensemble Studios post Halo Wars release.

By Mike Bowden

The Prototype website‘s got a counter in it that finishes during CES. That’s it. This would appear to suggest there’s going to be some kind of reveal for the actioner at CES. Wouldn’t it?

Please stop PRing videogames, publishers. It’s Christmas. Just stop.