In the company's E3 press conference Monday, Microsoft's SVP of interactive entertainment Don Mattrick unveiled a new 360 dashboard, a comprehensive family consumer strategy, and products and partnerships that will help the Xbox 360 "outsell the PS3 in this generation".

Microsoft will be unveiling the new dashboard as part of its fall software update. As well as having a completely new look and interface, Microsoft will also use this update to introduce the long rumored Avatar system. These 3D avatars will be completely customizable and will be "integrated across the Xbox experience," according to Microsoft's John Schappert.

 

The update will also include the new LIVE Party feature, which will allow a group of up to eight players to have a consistent online system that will allow both game experiences and data, including photos, to be shared. Also unveiled was Xbox LIVE Primetime, a collection of scheduled game show-like experiences where real prizes will be offered to players.

 

Along with this update comes an exclusive partnership with Netflix, which will allow Xbox LIVE subscribers to view over 10,000 movies and TV episodes in the Netflix library, "at no additional cost." Netflix functionality will also integrate with the Xbox LIVE Party feature, allowing up to eight people to watch videos together even if they're not on the same couch.

 

Microsoft’s E3 press conference has also revealed many new details about major upcoming 360 games, including release dates for Resident Evil 5 and Gears of War 2.

At the press conference Monday was Bethesda’s Todd Howard, who announced that Fallout 3 would see “substantial” exclusive downloadable content for the Xbox 360 and PC.
 

Announced as an Xbox LIVE Arcade exclusive for the Fall was Portal: Still Alive, a new Portal experience with multiple new puzzles.

 

Capcom’s Jun Takeuchi also took the stage to show off a playable demo of Resident Evil 5. During this presentation, it was announced that the game would have online co-op play and would see a worldwide release of March 13, 2009—though Japan would actually get the game a day early on March 12.

 

Cliff Bleszinski was on hand at the conference to announce a November 7th release date for Gears of War 2. Lionhead Studio’s Peter Molyneux confirmed Fable II for an October release as well. Square Enix likewise revealed several 360 release dates--Infinite Undiscovery will launch on September 2, Star Ocean: The Last Hope in early 2009, and The Last Remnant on November 20th worldwide. While Final Fantasy XIII was announced as appearing on the 360, no release date was confirmed.

 

As part of its more cohesive family strategy, Microsoft announced Scene It? Box Office Smash, a sequel to the original Scene It? Also announced was You're in the Movies, a collection of camera-based minigames that will record player's gameplay and mix the footage into a short, silly film. The family lineup was bolstered by a series of announcement for games in the music genre.

 

Microsoft finally officially announced Lips, the karaoke game by Elite Beat Agents creator iNiS. The game will feature wireless, motion-sensitive microphones and will hit retail this holiday. Rivals Harmonix and Red Octane were present to make several announcements related to upcoming games in each of their franchises as well: Harmonix showcased the complete Rock Band 2 set list, while Guitar Hero announced that Van Halen and The Eagles are locked in to Guitar Hero exclusivity. Guitar Hero: World Tour will also see the release of the next Metallica album DLC will be day and date with that album's launch.