Surprise appearance by Microsoft company founder wows gamers with unified
platform vision and first look at "Halo 3."
LOS ANGELES, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:
MSFT) Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates today staked the
claim that the Xbox 360(TM) system will have a 10 million-unit head start
by the time the competition enters the market and more than 160 games by
the end of the year. Gates went on to outline the company's bold new vision
to connect millions of Xbox 360 gamers with hundreds of millions of
Microsoft(R) Windows(R)-based PC and mobile gamers from around the world
through the Xbox Live(R) online entertainment network. Gates made the
announcements at a press conference to open the Electronic Entertainment
Expo (E3), the largest annual confab for the interactive entertainment
industry.
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Dubbed "Live Anywhere," the initiative puts gamers at the center of a
ubiquitous always-on world where their digital identities, games, friends
and digital entertainment are always accessible through the familiar Xbox
Live interface, regardless of location or device. The plan also clears the
way for groundbreaking cross-platform gameplay scenarios, with participants
using Windows-based PCs, mobile phones and Xbox 360 consoles to play
together simultaneously.
By this time next year, Microsoft expects more than 6 million gamers to
be connected to the Xbox Live network. In addition, more than 25 million
casual gamers are currently playing games on MSN(R) Messenger and MSN
Games. Envisioning a forward look to more closely align these powerful
communities, Gates outlined next steps to bring the Live Anywhere vision to
fruition:
-- Xbox Live experiences come to Windows-based PCs. Gamers will have the
ability to jack into the vibrant Xbox Live world from their Windows-
based PCs early next year to play games with friends. Answering the
call of millions of Windows gamers for a world that is always on, the
Xbox Live experience on Windows will give gamers a consistent online
game experience in which they have one identity, one friends list, one
set of achievements and voice communications across all games on the
network. These experiences will debut on Windows with the Windows
Vista(TM) operating system and "Shadowrun(TM)" this winter.
-- Microsoft's mobile offering. Spanning Windows Mobile(R), Java and BREW-
based handsets, the world-class mobile games service will give gamers
on-the-go access to cross-platform gaming communities at any time, from
any location. By this time next year, users will be able to send
messages, access friends lists, download the best of mobile game
content, and sample, purchase and play favorites such as "Bejeweled,"
"Zuma" and "Hexic(R)" as part of the integrated gaming world.
"By opening the Xbox Live entertainment network to the entire universe
of Windows and mobile gamers, we're creating unparalleled gameplay
opportunities that will drive incredible growth of the online community,"
said Gates. "Our vision is to deliver consistent, compelling experiences
that make it easy for consumers to jump in and play, from any device at any
time. It's a vision that only Microsoft can deliver."
Gates, making his first appearance at E3, joined Peter Moore, corporate
vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the
Entertainment and Devices Division, on stage to announce a barrage of new
game titles coming to the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista platforms.
Microsoft announced that it will have 160 Xbox 360 titles by end of
2006. The stunningly smooth high-definition graphics and sophisticated
level of gameplay in these titles are proof positive that the development
community is hitting its stride with the console's powerful hardware and
programming tools.
Gates and Moore dazzled the crowd with an initial look at "Halo(R) 3,"
the hugely anticipated sequel to the highly successful and critically
acclaimed "Halo" franchise. Enthusiasm for "Halo 3" has been building since
its predecessor, "Halo 2" -- launched by Microsoft Game Studios in 2004 --
rewrote history books by becoming the biggest launch in U.S. entertainment
retail history, with $125 million in sales and 2.4 million copies sold in
the first 24 hours. In this third chapter of the "Halo" trilogy, Master
Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the
Covenant, the Flood and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding
climax.
Microsoft Game Studios also showcased exclusive Xbox 360 titles "Gears
of War" (Epic Games Inc.), "Fable(R) 2" (Lionhead Studios) and "Forza
Motorsport(TM) 2" (Turn 10). Ubisoft's next-generation version of "Tom
Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent(TM)" will also debut on Xbox 360. In
addition, Microsoft Game Studios showed "Alan Wake" (Remedy Entertainment
Inc.) and "Shadowrun(TM)" (FASA Studio), both slated for Xbox 360 and
Windows Vista. Bringing the Microsoft vision of Live Anywhere to life,
"Shadowrun" is the first cross-platform Xbox 360 and Windows Vista-based
game featuring team- based combat that ushers gamers into a new dimension
with a revolutionary blend of modern weaponry and ancient magic.
For Windows gamers, the consumer launch of Windows Vista in January
2007 will continue the momentum and excitement for the Windows platform.
With Windows Vista, Microsoft will introduce the DirectX(R) 10 API,
showcasing astonishing new graphics as well as enhanced performance, better
hardware integration and new ways for developers to make the most of the
Windows game platform. Microsoft highlighted several games from major
publishers that will support Windows Vista and DirectX 10 technologies:
"Crysis(TM)" (Electronic Arts Inc.), "Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures"
(Funcom) and "Flight Simulator X" (Microsoft Game Studios).
In addition to these blockbuster titles on Xbox 360 and Windows Vista,
several new games are coming to Xbox Live Arcade. Gamers of all ages and
levels of experience are flocking to these quick, fun (and often
nostalgic), downloadable titles that take advantage of the unique
high-definition and Xbox Live capabilities that only Xbox 360 can deliver.
Microsoft and its partners announced a significant expansion of the Xbox
Live Arcade catalog, adding classic favorites such as "Pac-Man," "Galaga,"
"Dig Dug" and "Rally-X" from NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.; "Frogger,"
"Track & Field," and "Contra" and "Super Contra" from Konami;
"Defender(R)," "Paperboy(R)," "Root Beer Tapper(TM)" and "Ultimate Mortal
Kombat(R) 3" from Midway Games Inc.; "Sonic the Hedgehog(TM) High Speed"
from SEGA(R); and new titles such as "Lumines Live" from Q Entertainment
Ltd.
As part of the Live Anywhere initiative, Microsoft has announced new
cross-platform accessories such as the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox
360 Wireless Racing Wheel and Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, which will enrich
game experiences on Xbox 360 and Windows. The new Xbox Live Vision video
camera will allow consumers to customize their gamer picture, send photo
messages, and video chat with friends and family over Xbox Live.
The appetite for Xbox 360 gaming around the world continues to grow.
Microsoft is excited to meet that demand in seven new countries in the
coming year with launches in Chile, the Czech Republic, Hungary, India,
Poland, Slovakia and South Africa. Additional markets will continue the
momentum of the largest next-generation installed base for any console
after a second holiday season.
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 launched the system in Australia,
Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in
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 network, and unique
digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers.
About Xbox Live
Xbox Live is the first and only unified online entertainment network
seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it
easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from
the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox Live connects more
than 3 million members across 24 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer
games, downloadable games via Xbox Live Arcade, free and premium playable
game demos, music videos, and movie trailers, as well as new game levels,
characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More
information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Microsoft Casual Games The Microsoft Casual Games group, home to
MSN Games, Messenger Games, Microsoft Mobile Games, Windows Games and Xbox
Live Arcade, is dedicated to providing the ultimate playing experience to
every user. By offering a variety of casual single-player and multiplayer
games, the Microsoft Casual Games group is able to provide a thrilling play
experience across multiple platforms. As casual, online gaming reaches new
heights of popularity, Microsoft Casual Games prides itself on its loyal
community of active users and remains committed to offering innovative
content and exciting around-the- game experiences.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer
of games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows
operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top
developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and
diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such
franchises as "Age of Empires(R)," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon(R);"
Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as the
upcoming "Gears of War" and franchises such as "Halo," "Fable(R)," "Project
Gotham Racing(R)" and "Forza Motorsport"; and MSN Games
(http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network
and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic."
About Games for Windows
Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system in the world for
games, delivering the widest range of titles, the most gaming hardware
choices, and advanced gaming technology for players of all types. With
Windows as the cornerstone, the Games for Windows platform offers
publishers and gamers the most enjoyable and innovative gaming experiences
available on a PC. More information can be found online at
http://www.gamesforwindows.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software,
services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full
potential.
Microsoft, Xbox 360, Windows, Xbox Live, MSN, Windows Vista, Shadowrun,
Windows Mobile, Hexic, Halo, Forza Motorsport, DirectX, Age of Empires, Zoo
Tycoon, Fable, Project Gotham Racing and Xbox are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or
other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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