Once again, Microsoft has screwed Canadian gamers with the news that the biggest and most hyped feature of the NXE won’t be available in Canada.  That feature is access to Netflix, an online service that allows users to stream over 12,000 movies and television shows from their PC straight to their Xbox.  That’s right, you will only be able to use the Netflix feature if you live in the U.S.   What is even worse though, is that there are currently NO PLANS to extend the Netflix service to Canada.

An Xbox news release claims that “The New Xbox Experience offers more online entertainment from one remote than you can find from any device that connects to the television.”  Sure, great, but only if you don’t live in Canada.  Thanks Microsoft.

So, instead of getting the full “new experience” that Microsoft has been marketing like crazy, Canadian will have to settle for silly Avatars (think Nintendo Miis) and a new dashboard interface.   Basically, this update provides nothing of any value unless you live in the US.  It will be very interesting to see what great new features Microsoft rolls out in the coming months that also completely ignores Canada.  I have a feeling it will be a lot.  If I were Sony, now is an opportune time to show a commitment to gamers in Canada who have clearly been ignored or brushed aside as an insignificant part of the Xbox “community.”

Well fellow Canadians, are any of you as pissed off as I am?  Are you sick and tired of being ignored by Microsoft?  Frankly, I think Microsoft has clearly demonstrated which gamers they really want to appease…and it’s not us.  It’s the US.

Check out just a few of the rumoured announcements that are making the rounds:

• PS3 and Xbox 360 have motion control on the way
• Halo 4 is in development already by Bungie
• Final Fantasy XIII will be there
• Alan Wake may be there
• the Xbox 360 will introduce a motion controlled dashboard (like seen in Minority Report)

And the list goes on.  This is the big industry event that sends game journalists into an over-stimulated frenzy.  Every year there are surprises that catch everyone off guard and the anticipation for the event can be felt throughout the gaming community.  You’d be hard pressed to find a gaming site that doesn’t have full blown, insane coverage of E3.

That being said, IGN has some awesome countdowns for the most exciting parts of E3….the press conferences for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.  Make sure you don’t miss them.  It would suck to miss Peter Jackson walk out with an assault rifle only to announce his next movie is Halo.

Microsoft E3 2008 Press Conference Coverage at IGN

Nintendo E3 2008 Press Conference Coverage at IGN

Sony E3 2008 Press Conference Coverage at IGN

So sit back and relax…or get more excited with each passing second. The countdowns certainly don’t hurt the anticipation…