E3 2008 Rumor Mill

Posted by Deadly Cyclone at 6:22 AM

There have been some rumblings around the internet with leaks of news from next month's E3. Mainly from the Microsoft front we have four news items that are still rumored at this point so don't get your hopes too far up. Check out the following for what has been heard so far.

First, X3F reports that Forza 3 development is in full swing and the game is going to require two discs. Why two discs? Well the rumor is that F3 will contain over 400 cars and 100 tracks. The game is also rumored to have some sort of an assist system and car deformation.

Next, according to NeoGAF, Guitar Hero World Tour is set to have a touch sensitive guitar.
"New touch-sensitive guitar Neck Slide opens up the entire guitar neck for unbound solos - shred how you want."
The story also has the bundle with instruments priced at $179.99 and lists a few artists already signed on, "
Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, System of a Down, Ozzy Osbourne, Interpol, Muse "and dozens more."

NeoGAF is also reporting that "Lips" from Microsoft is a singing game (think Singstar) and includes "30 songs, 2 wireless interactive microphones, the ability to use and sing your own music or downloaded songs from an online service." The interesting part of the story is where it mentions "Take songs from a CD or your ipod, and upload them into the game. The game will reduce the vocals so you can sing along and be heard, and score on whether you're in tune. Lyrics can also be added directly into the song to sing along." This would be a step forward past games like Singstar and could help Microsoft gain market share in the Karaoke side of gaming.

Finally, the last rumor shows Microsoft's answer to the Wii's Mii. Details given to Joystiq state that ""Avatars", mentioned in an independent survey for Microsoft (as taken by an X3F tipster), will supposedly be used in place of gamer pictures, and will give Xbox Live subscribers an animated, customizable online persona." It seems Microsoft does believe that Sony's Home and the Nintendo Miis are posing a threat to their online service.

Remember, take all of this news lightly so far. Until E3 actually hits these are nothing more than rumors. Hit the jump for an image of the Avatars from Microsoft.