Originally Posted by 1UP

X06: Banjo Kazooie Returns on 360
Rare's cherished platformer series is coming back.
by Patrick Klepek, 09/27/2006
For months (even years), rumors have suggested Rare would be returning to their acclaimed Nintendo 64 platforming series Banjo Kazooie, but nothing ever materialized. At X06 this morning, however, Microsoft and Rare announced the series would be returning on Xbox 360 with "new next-gen visuals and presentation as well as their sharp wit and hilarious sense of humor."

No release date has been announced for the latest Banjo Kazooie, though 2007 wouldn't be out of the question. Stay tuned for more as X06 continues.

Originally Posted by 1up

X06: Splinter Cell 5 Exclusive to 360
Ubisoft deals in exclusives with Microsoft.
by Matt Leone, 09/27/2006
According to a leaked press release detailing Microsoft's announcements at today's X06 press conference, the next Splinter Cell game -- i.e. Splinter Cell 5, not the about to be released Splinter Cell Double Agent -- will be exclusive to Xbox 360.

The official quote from the release is as follows:

"Ubisoft confirmed that the next Splinter Cell title, the installment after Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent, will be exclusive to Xbox 360, a testament to the ability of the powerful next-gen game console to deliver experiences no other console can match."

It's interesting to see this announcement come before the release of Double Agent, which ships to stores late next month. Could this be the rumored Splinter Cell: Conviction? We'll have to wait for more details to know for sure.

Originally Posted by 1up

News:
X06: Marvel MMO Coming to Xbox 360 and PC
Marvel, Cryptic and Microsoft bury the hatchet.
by Luke Smith, 09/27/2006
Marvel and Cryptic -- whose well-documented legal rivalry regarding City of Heroes alleged infringement on Marvel's characters -- in conjunction with Microsoft Game Studios announced their intention to release a Massive Multiplayer Online game that will take place in the Marvel universe.

The game, tentatively titled Marvel Universe Online will release for both the Xbox 360 and the PC platform and is expected to take advantage of Microsoft's Live Anywhere infrastructure.

This partnership between Cryptic and Marvel represents an interesting coup in the game industry -- in addition to teaming up despite previous bad blood between the two companies, the Marvel license is being used by a company who isn't Activision (see: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and X-Men Legends). "From an MMO perspective, it really made sense to go with Microsoft," Jack Emmert, creative director of Cryptic Studios told 1UP.

Bringing an MMO to the console space will be decidedly tricky, especially one that uses the Marvel license. While Marvel and Cryptic weren't talking about specific gameplay features at this time (why would they, the game is a long ways from release -- while no target release dates were being discussed, Cryptic studios told 1UP the game would ship "sometime this decade"), they were willing to talk about some things they see in other MMOs that they like: "World of Warcraft is a success because of accessibility to the user. It's a pick up and play MMO, same with City of Heroes. Having tried Final Fantasy XI and EverQuest, it was easier to jump in [to CoH or WoW] and customize your character and play," Ames Kirshen, Vice President of Interactive for Marvel Entertainment told 1UP.

"In CoH it was a goal that the game had to be fun to play," Emmert said. "But what CoH didn't engage in, that a game like WoW does, is an economy system. Playing the auction house in WoW is a game in and of itself, how does that interpret and how does that translate to the Marvel universe? We've got to figure that out."

The problems that face an MMO heading to the Xbox 360 are numerous and Cryptic and Marvel are aware of the difficulties ahead. First, the Xbox 360 currently has no keyboard and mouse support, and chat channels and guild chats are a huge part of the social aspects that make up an MMO -- does this mean a USB keyboard and mouse is on the way? Could be. Additionally, user interface customization is a huge part of massive multiplayer online games. Look at World of Warcraft: It's extensive user interface flexibility becomes a game of its own. Players are constantly trying to refine the UI to have a sleeker more streamlined playing experience. Is Xbox Live capable of allowing users to mold content and shape their own experiences? We haven't really seen any examples of that just yet and in order for Marvel Universe Online to succeed, we'll have to see some advances made by Microsoft and its Live service.

Originally Posted by 1up

X06: Ensemble Making Halo RTS Named 'Halo Wars'
Age of Empires makers get a grip on Bungie's universe.
by Luke Smith, 09/27/2006
Remember when Microsoft turned off a user-made real-time strategy mod that took place in Bungie's Halo universe? That mod was several years in the making when Microsoft and Bungie (who were well within their rights) decided to shut it down. In Barcelona, at their X06 media briefing, Microsoft announced that Ensemble Studios and Bungie are collaborating to make a Halo RTS -- the game will come to both PC and Xbox 360