Microsoft Motion Rig, Beatles Kick off E3

Getting back to the glitz and attention-grabbing glamour of past E3s, Microsoft kicked off the video game industry’s annual confab by reuniting the surviving Beatles and announcing a new motion-sensing camera.

The sensor-based technology, called Project Natal, was demonstrated at the software giant’s press conference and has the ability to recognize faces, voices and body movements to control a game without using a game pad or other controller.

The move is an attempt to challenge Nintendo’s Wii, the industry’s current top-dog console.

Microsoft also brought out musicians Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, to promote the Sept. 9 release of The Beatles: Rock Band video game. The event unveiled a trailer and confirmed details on the 45 Fab Four songs bundled with the game, with additional tunes available for download.

Here’s a look at the trailer for the game: