What to expect from Microsoft's E3 presentation

Early signs are that Microsoft's E3 presentation will continue to push the Xbox 360 and its hands-free Kinect Sensor as an all-around destination for games, music, TV and movies.

Early signs are that Microsoft's E3 presentation will continue to push the Xbox 360 and its hands-free Kinect Sensor as an all-around destination for games, music, TV and movies.

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That means more services -- music, movies, sports and TV apps -- more uses for the Xbox 360's Kinect Sensor, and even some links with Windows phones and the upcoming Windows 8 operating system.

In terms of games, expect new material for shooter Halo 4, driving game Forza Horizon, and adventure Fable: The Journey, all of which have been confirmed for the show, and strong support for voice- or motion-controlled titles such as Harry Potter for Kinect.

Microsoft has traditionally enjoyed a cosy relationship with the Call of Duty games, and it would be one of the show's biggest surprises if Black Ops II didn't turn up on Monday.

GameTrailers' Geoff Keighley is claiming the inside line on six other publishers to be invited on stage, with "world premieres" given to Capcom, EA Sports, Harmonix, Square-Enix, THQ and Ubisoft -- premieres if only because Microsoft is first in front of the cameras, before EA, Sony, Ubisoft and Nintendo.

There'll be impressive statistics galore, with millions of new users, millions of Kinects sold, millions of hours spent on Facebook, YouTube, and watching film and TV via Xbox Live. Microsoft will be confident that the Xbox 360 reigns supreme, in the USA at least.

While an appearance for the next Xbox has been ruled out when the 360's still doing so well, there'll be a cheaper way in to the Xbox family on a mobile phone style contract: a $99 console with 2 years' Xbox Live membership at $15 per month.

The presentation takes place in Los Angeles, starting at 9:30 am local time, 12:30pm in New York, 5:30pm in London, 6:30pm in Central Europe and 1:30am the next day in Japan