GameShark | PC | News | X06 Highlights

At X06 today Microsoft today thrilled attendees of this annual Xbox event with announcements and gameplay experiences by inviting everyone to play the next generation now on the Xbox 360 system. The announcements highlight how the world’s greatest game creators are developing games that feature high definition and online storytelling.

Microsoft announced a partnership between Academy Award-winning writer, director and producer Peter Jackson, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Fran Walsh, that will see Microsoft Game Studios create two new interactive entertainment series exclusively for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. The first series will be a collaborative effort with Bungie Studios to co-create the next great chapter in the Halo universe. The second series will be an entirely original property targeted at bringing new audiences into the world of interactive entertainment. In addition, Microsoft Game Studios will partner with Jackson and Walsh to establish Wingnut Interactive, a studio dedicated to the creation of interactive entertainment.

Microsoft also announced Halo Wars, an all-new real-time strategy game based on the legendary Halo universe and designed exclusively for Xbox 360 by Ensemble Studios, creators of the Age of Empires franchise.

Rockstar and Take-Two announced they will provide Xbox 360 gamers with exclusive access to two downloadable, epic episodes of Grand Theft Auto IV via Xbox Live, each with hours of entirely new gameplay and available only on Xbox 360 just months after the release of the title.

Ubisoft confirmed that the next Splinter Cell title, the next installment in the series after Splinter Cell Double Agent, will be a console-exclusive on Xbox 360.

2K Games confirmed that BioShock, an action RPG from Irrational Games, will be released exclusively on Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows next spring.

Project Gotham Racing 4, the latest addition to the best-selling racing franchise from Bizarre Creations exclusively for Xbox 360, was unveiled. Project Gotham Racing 4 promises to continue the Project Gotham Racing pedigree of innovation by introducing exciting new experiences to racing fans worldwide.

Rare's beloved Banjo-Kazooie franchise will breathe new, high-definition life on Xbox 360. The game promises astonishing next-generation visuals and presentation that reunite beloved characters Banjo, Kazooie and Gruntilda — among other fan favorites — with their sharp wit and hilarious sense of humor.

Microsoft Game Studios announced its highly anticipated new massively multiplayer online game, Marvel Universe Online for Xbox 360 and the Windows Vista operating system, developed by industry luminaries Cryptic Studios, creators of the smash hit “City of Heroes.”

Two additions to Xbox Live Arcade were announced: the first-person shooter that pioneered the network-gaming era, DOOM is available today for download via Xbox Live Arcade. The game includes the original four-episode, single-player game, four-player split screen (cooperative and deathmatch) and four-player cooperative and deathmatch over Xbox Live. Also coming to Xbox Live Arcade soon is Sensible World of Soccer from Codemasters. Based on the classic 1994 Amiga title, Sensible World of Soccer will let gamers choose between the original graphics or an updated, high-resolution look and feel — while still capturing the original’s entire world of football.

High-definition audio output not doing it for you? Can’t afford the luxury of a gigantic screen? In that case, the Gyroxus chair may be another option for becoming completely immersed in your favorite games.

Owing to the lack of an overarching storyline, Mount & Blade is a game that’s difficult to get into at first. If you can get past the growing pains, however, it offers a compelling, dynamic world that you are free to explore at your leisure and a combat model that is both frenetic and addicting.