Xbox 2 exposed

In what appears to be Microsoft's attempt to maximise the positive spin on the launch of Xbox 2 (or Xbox 360 as it is almost certain to be known), a half-hour special on MTV Europe tomorrow night at 8pm will provide the first official glimpse of the new console.

Recorded last week (and remarkably leak-free given the number of drunken celebs who were in the audience), the special is presented by Lord of the Rings star (and, reputedly, Xbox fan) Elijah Wood. We're promised previews of the big games for the next-gen console and obviously revealing details of the hardware itself.

The special is being broadcast first tonight on US TV, so expect pictures all over the papers on Friday and Saturday, together with fawning stories repeating the spin from the TV special. Nice one, MS.

Never fear, though, for Log On will be reporting from E3 in Los Angeles next week, where more detailed insights on Xbox 360 will be delivered but this time filtered through a jaundiced journalistic eye.