Guitar Hero changed the way we play video games by allowing us to actually feel like we’re playing instruments with a real band. Even non-gamers appreciate the social aspects of the game.

With several titles across all consoles, the game has evolved into one of the best selling franchises ever.

To promote the new “Guitar Hero Smash Hits” game, Activision has put on a interactive award show in which people vote online for their favorite riffs, vocals, breakdowns, and more. All in all there are 9 categories and 48 nominees in the “Guitar Hero Smash Hits Music Awards 2009“, based on the songs on the game (which comes out June 16th).

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Microsoft showed new Xbox 360 games (including Metal Gear Solid) and exciting new features for Xbox Live at a very impressive E3 Press Conference today.  Here are the highlights (and a few images!). Note: No Hulu integration, but who knows, maybe next year..

Xbox Live integration with Twitter! This has to be the best part of the announcement. Twitter on all 3 screens is fantastic for everyone.

Integration with Facebook! Customized Facebook experience for the living room. Integrates Facebook Connect. Real-time. Great design.

Integration with last.fm!  (more…)

There are several hints about Hulu streaming on the Xbox 360 (remember that Microsoft used the 2008 E3 to announce Netflix streaming) and this rumor is running on a few comments made by Microsoft itself.

Don Mattrick, Microsoft’s senior VP for Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, made an interesting statement about the upcoming E3 in an ESA press release last month:

“Microsoft is gearing up for a big presence at E3 which will completely transform how people think about home entertainment. We’re excited about the momentum that is building in the industry in anticipation of our June 1st media briefing, which will kick off E3 in blockbuster style.”

Back in December, Microsoft’s Shane Kim told The New York Time’s Bits that the Xbox does not have an Internet browser as that would make them just another pipe delivering content in different ways, and that people watching video online are concentrating on sites like YouTube and Hulu. He also said:

“Netflix is the first major strategic partnership to open up the platform. We are just beginning to scratch the surface.”

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