E3 has not even started yet, and a number of pretty big announcements have been made. EA, Microsoft, Ubisoft and Activision have already held their major events, and a number of interesting developments have surfaced, mostly from Microsoft.

Firstly, they announced that their motion controlled gaming device, previously known as Project Natal, now called “Kinect” will be launched globally in November. A new Xbox 360 console has also been revealed, and it is smaller, quieter and includes Wifi.

Microsoft also announced during its keynote address that the following countries will be getting Xbox Live “this summer”:  Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece,  Hungary, Poland, Russia and South Africa.

EA revealed a new Bad Company 2 expansion pack hinting at Vietnam, as well as Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 3. They also talked up Dead Space 2, Crysis 2, Medal of Honor, EA Sports Active 2 and some other sports stuff.

I have to shoot off to Activision’s keynote now. One would be forgiven for mistaking the entrance to the event for a rock concert, with huge crowds, bright lights, and loud music pumping from inside. But more on that later…