Today's Microsoft press briefing at Grauman�s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard included a surprise appearance by Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect, a host of new games, and a two minute trailer for Halo� 3.

The action kicked off with a Gears of War� video and a demo from Cliffy B. Peter Moore followed him onstage and hit the crowd of media attendees with some pretty astonishing numbers: Xbox 360� is off to the fastest start in console history�by the end of June, 5 to 5.5 million Xbox 360 consoles will have been sold. That�s quicker than the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Super NES, or any other console.

Next up was a dazzling trailer for Forza Motorsports� 2 which will feature 300 cars and the ability to race on Xbox Live with up to 11 other people. Even better, we�ll be able to play the next Forza game with a wireless force feedback steering wheel!

In addition to the wireless steering wheel, other awesome Xbox 360 accessories due out this fall are a wireless headset and the Xbox Live Vision camera. Later in the briefing, Moore announced that the HD DVD player will be available this holiday for $199.