Xbox Live on Xbox 360 Speeds Past 10 Million Downloads
REDMOND, Wash., March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp.
(Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced the broader availability of Xbox 360(TM)
consoles and provided details about the new games and entertainment
experiences available to gamers this season.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
Beginning this week, Microsoft will distribute two to three times the
number of Xbox 360 consoles to the retail channel weekly. With component
supplies in full production and third manufacturing partner Celestica Inc. now
producing the next-generation console along with partners Wistron Corp. and
Flextronics Corp., Microsoft is producing more Xbox 360 consoles than ever.
"Today we have turned a major corner," said Peter Moore, corporate vice
president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and
Devices Division at Microsoft. "With more consoles on their way to retail,
80 games available by June, and new content and experiences coming to Xbox
Live(R) all the time, there has never been a better time to own an Xbox 360."
Blockbuster Games on the Way
The Xbox 360 games portfolio expands this spring with new next-generation
titles from leading developers and publishers that cater to every genre, age,
skill level and budget. Gamers can choose from a range of truly
next-generation games such as "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" (Bethesda
Softworks/2K Games), an Xbox 360 console exclusive with beautiful
next-generation graphics and a huge world to explore; "Ghost Recon Advanced
Warfighter" (Ubisoft Entertainment SA), the latest version of the successful
Tom Clancy series that once again pushes the boundaries of multiplayer
boundaries on Xbox Live; and "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend" (Eidos
Interactive Ltd.), the next-generation debut of the very popular Lara Croft
series.
In addition, new titles are coming to Xbox Live Arcade all the time,
including "Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting," "Uno" and the free full version
of "Texas Hold 'Em Poker" by Riverbelle. Great titles that gamers can expect
this season include these:
* "2006 FIFA World Cup(TM)" (EA SPORTS)
* "Battlefield 2: Modern Combat" (Electronic Arts Inc.)
* "Blazing Angels" (Ubisoft)
* "Burnout Revenge" (Electronic Arts)
* "Dynasty Warriors(R) 5 Empires" (KOEI)
* "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" (Bethesda Softworks/2K Games)
* "Far Cry Instincts Predator" (Ubisoft)
* "FINAL FANTASY(R) XI" (Square Enix Inc.)
* "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter" (Ubisoft)
* "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend" (Eidos)
* "Major League Baseball 2K6" (2K Sports)
* "The Outfit(TM)" (THQ)
* "Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis" (Rockstar Games)
* "Rumble Roses XX(TM)" (Konami)
* "Top Spin 2" (2K Sports)
* "X-Men: The Official Game" (Activision)
In addition to new games, consumers can extend the experience of existing
Xbox 360 titles with new downloadable content available on Xbox Live
Marketplace. Microsoft Game Studios confirmed new content for "Project Gotham
Racing(R) 3," including exciting cars and achievements. Fans of "Perfect Dark:
Zero(TM)" will have access to additional content, including downloadable
multiplayer maps. In addition, the unique experience of "Kameo(TM): Elements
of Power(TM)" will be extended through new online cooperative gameplay options
and exciting new costumes for Kameo and her warriors.
Xbox Live Digital Content Distribution Sets Records
Xbox Live Marketplace, a digital download center freely accessible to any
Xbox 360 owner with a broadband connection, has reached more than 10 million
downloads faster than iTunes did when it launched. In fact, more than
85 percent of connected Xbox 360 consoles have already downloaded content from
Xbox Live Marketplace -- everything from game demos and arcade titles to
premier movie trailers and music videos.
Xbox 360 will continue to deliver new online gaming and entertainment
experiences including the "Battlefield 2: Modern Combat" game demo (Electronic
Arts), the "Burnout Revenge" game trailer (Electronic Arts), and the "The
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" Horse Armor Pack (Bethesda Softworks/2K Games),
which will all be available this spring on Xbox Live Marketplace.
About Xbox and Xbox 360
Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with the November 2001 launch
of Xbox(R) (http://www.xbox.com), its first-generation video game and
entertainment system, now sold in 26 countries. Microsoft introduced its
next-generation system, Xbox 360, in the 2005 holiday season in Europe, Japan
and North America, and has launched the system in Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea,
Mexico, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. The system will be launched in Australia
and New Zealand March 23, 2006. Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com/xbox360) is the
most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games,
the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique
digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Project Gotham Racing, Perfect
Dark: Zero, Kameo, Elements of Power, Xbox and Rare are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. or Rare Ltd. in the United States
and/or other countries.
Rare Ltd. is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.microsoft.com
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CONTACT:
press only, Denise Gocke of Edelman,
+1-323-857-9100, or denise.gocke@edelman.com, for Microsoft; or
Cinthia Portugal of Microsoft, +1-425-705-9525, or
cinthiap@microsoft.com
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