Microsoft opens E3 with Halo 4 announcement

Microsoft has kicked off a round of video game conferences at this year's E3 with the headline reveal of Halo 4, the first title in a brand new trilogy.

Although the game had been confirmed by a leak on the official Xbox.com website hours before the event, the reveal trailer closed a press conference packed with big game announcements, and beginning with a live demo of Modern Warfare 3 and the new Tomb Raider reboot.

Following those games, EA Sports boss Peter Moore took the stage to reveal that four new EA Sports games, including FIFA, Tiger Woods and Madden will feature Kinect support.

Moore's time on stage was brief, where he was quickly replaced by BioWare's Ray Muzyka, who revealed that Mass Effect 3 on Xbox 360 will feature voice activated commands via Kinect.

Following a demonstration of Mass Effect 3 was Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot discussing the publisher's forthcoming Tom Clancy title: Ghost Recon Future Soldier. A wide suite of Kinect controls were demonstrated for the shooter, including aiming, shooting, zooming and weapon customisation.

As a commitment to the motion-sensing tool, Guillemot also announced that every future title in the Tom Clancy franchise will feature Kinect support.

Also featured in the conference with demonstrated Kinect support were Turn 10's Forza 4, Fable: The Journey from Lionhead, Ryse from Crytek - presumably the title formerly known by the codename of Kingdoms, and the 10th anniversary remake of the original Halo.

Later on came children's titles Disney Adventure and Double Fine's Sesame Street game, Once Upon A Monster. Harmonix was also onstage with Dance Central 2, a sequel to the studio's successful Kinect dance title. Finally, a sequel for Kinect Sports was announced, with a definite swing towards American centred sports like American football.

Rounding off the presentation was a brief in-game movie from 343 Industries' Halo 4, showing the Master Chief waking up from suspension in a disintegrating ship.