Momentum for games on Windows accelerates with new showcase games,
breakthrough DirectX graphics technology and Xbox Live online gaming
capabilities.
LOS ANGELES, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at the Electronic
Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and top publishers
worldwide unveiled the highly anticipated games lineup for the Microsoft(R)
Windows(R) and Windows Vista(TM) operating systems. Microsoft also
announced plans to bring the Xbox Live(R) game and entertainment network to
the Windows platform.
(Logo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
Microsoft Game Studios and other leading publishers, including
Electronic Arts Inc., NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., THQ Inc. and Funcom,
will provide groundbreaking gameplay experiences for Windows Vista gamers
across numerous genres, including role-playing games (RPGs), first-person
shooter (FPS), real-time strategy (RTS), massively multiplayer online (MMO)
and simulation. The showcase lineup for Windows Vista will include the
following games:
-- "Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures" (Funcom) is an online action-RPG
with a mix of a deep, story-driven single-player experience and massive
and brutal multiplayer end game, bringing to life the ultimate
representation of the "Age of Conan."
-- "Alan Wake" (Microsoft Game Studios) is a psychological action thriller
from Remedy Entertainment Ltd. Cited as one of the best titles of E3
2005, "Alan Wake" introduces a deeply engaging and suspenseful story
line in a free-roaming open world that invites players to unravel the
riveting plot and experience intense combat that combines the use of
light with more conventional weapons.
-- "Company of Heroes" (THQ) is a World War II RTS from Relic
Entertainment, the creators of game-of-the-year winners "Homeworld" and
"Dawn of War," that brings the cinematic intensity and dynamic
battlefields of World War II to life through a truly visceral gaming
experience.
-- "Crysis" (EA) is an original FPS based on new intellectual property
developed by Crytek, the makers of the award-winning "Far Cry." In
Crysis(TM), players battle an invading alien force in a number of
environments against a backdrop of rising international tension and
rivalries.
-- "Flight Simulator X" (Microsoft Game Studios) is the 10th edition of
the popular simulator that immerses players in a beautifully rich and
realistic world, offering gamers a completely new and innovative
experience with dozens of new aircraft, scenario-based missions and
spectacular graphics.
-- "Halo(R) 2 for Windows Vista" (Microsoft Game Studios), the game that
redefined first-person combat and multiplayer action for millions of
gamers worldwide, is set to explode onto Windows Vista.
-- "Hellgate: London" (NAMCO BANDAI Games America) is an action-RPG that
combines the depth of third-person role-playing games with the action
of first-person shooters. Developed by Flagship Studios Inc., which
includes the creators of the revolutionary "Diablo" series, the game
offers infinite playability through dynamically generated levels,
items, enemies and events.
-- "Shadowrun" (Microsoft Game Studios) brings the Microsoft vision of
"Live Anywhere" to life. "Shadowrun(TM)" from FASA Studio is the first
cross-platform game for Xbox 360(TM) and Windows Vista. It is a
multiplayer, FPS that propels team-based combat into a new dimension
with a revolutionary blend of modern weaponry and ancient magic.
"Shadowrun" will be available when Windows Vista is launched.
Groundbreaking DirectX 10 Graphics Unveiled
In addition to highlighting showcase titles at E3, Microsoft previewed
the incredible graphic capabilities of the company's latest
games-programming technology: DirectX(R) 10. The release of DirectX 10
heralds an astonishing leap in graphic fidelity over today's hardware,
enabling the most realistic and immersive games yet. With up to six times
the performance of earlier versions of DirectX and support for massively
more complex and intense environments, DirectX 10 will debut exclusively on
Windows Vista. In addition to broad publisher support, DirectX 10 is backed
by leading graphics hardware companies including ATI Technologies Inc. and
NVIDIA Corp.
Windows Vista Key to Live Anywhere Vision
Under Microsoft's Live Anywhere vision, announced by Chairman and Chief
Software Architect Bill Gates on stage today, the power of the Xbox Live
games and entertainment network will storm onto the Windows platform. This
vision will first arrive on Windows Vista this winter with the release of
"Shadowrun." Published by Microsoft Game Studios, "Shadowrun" will be
shipped simultaneously on Windows Vista and Xbox 360, enabling
cross-platform gameplay and continuing to bridge the gap between consoles
and computers.
The new online network will provide Windows Vista and Xbox 360 gamers
with a consistent experience, with one gamertag, one set of achievements,
one friends list and voice communications between all Xbox Live members.
Bringing the Live Anywhere vision to Windows means that millions of gamers
worldwide can access all the best elements of Xbox Live whether they're
playing on an Xbox 360 system, a Windows-based PC or their mobile phone.
"We're incredibly excited to combine the best online innovations from
Xbox Live with the platform innovations for which Windows is known," said
Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment
Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "Windows
gamers have a lot to look forward to: Xbox Live experiences, revolutionary
DirectX 10 technologies in Windows Vista and some of the best games in the
world -- all on Windows."
Support for Games for Windows
In addition to delivering next-generation games for Windows Vista,
industry leaders continue to deliver great games on today's Windows
platform. Microsoft Game Studios and third-party publishing partners are
previewing a broad range of games for Windows on the show floor at E3:
-- "Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures" (Funcom)
-- "Age of Empires(R) III: The WarChiefs" (Microsoft Game Studios)
-- "Battlefield 2142" (EA)
-- "Call of Juarez(TM)" (Ubisoft)
-- "Company of Heroes(R)" (THQ)
-- "Crysis" (EA)
-- "Desperate Housewives The Game" (Buena Vista Games)
-- "F.E.A.R.(TM) Extraction Point" (Vivendi)
-- "Flight Simulator X" (Microsoft Game Studios)
-- "Hellgate(TM): London" (NAMCO BANDAI Games America)
-- "Heroes of Might & Magic(R) V" (Ubisoft)
-- "Neverwinter Nights(TM) 2" (Atari Inc.)
-- "Rise of Nations(R): Rise of Legends(TM)" (Microsoft Game Studios)
-- "Shadowrun" (Microsoft Game Studios)
-- "SiN Episodes(TM): Emergence" (Ritual Entertainment)
-- "The Ship" (Outerlight Ltd.)
-- "Titan Quest(TM)" (THQ)
-- "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes" (Sigil Games Online Inc.)
New Games for Windows Brand Identity
Microsoft unveiled a new Games for Windows brand identity that will
help consumers identify high-quality titles for the Windows platform. Moore
reiterated Microsoft's commitment to supporting Windows as a first-class
gaming platform and a key consumer scenario for Windows. Evidence of this
commitment to gaming on Windows can be found in the new Games Explorer in
Windows Vista, the worldwide Games for Windows marketing campaign, and a
strong retail initiative to promote the Games for Windows platform.
"First-class platforms deserve first-class treatment, and we're
investing in Games for Windows like never before," said Moore. "We'll make
certain consumers can easily discover and enjoy the exciting lineup of
Windows titles, today and in the future."
Cross-Platform Wireless Accessories
Microsoft is expanding its wireless line of Xbox 360 cross-platform
game peripherals to the Windows platform with the introduction of the Xbox
360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows. Gamers will be able to use the
Universal Serial Bus (USB) wireless receiver with Windows XP- or Windows
Vista-based computers to enjoy racing games, sports games and other titles
that work best with the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Wireless
Headset and Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel. Today's announcements follow
the release of the company's first cross-platform controller: the wired
Xbox 360 Controller for Windows that shipped in fall 2005.
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.
NOTE: Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, Xbox Live, Halo, FASA Studio,
Xbox 360, DirectX, Age of Empires, Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends 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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Related links:
http://www.microsoft.com/
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CONTACT:
pr.mspx./ /CONTACT: Michael Yaeger,
+1-206-223-1606, or michael.yaeger@edelman.com, or Brian Kemp,
+1-206-223-1606, or brian.kemp@edelman.com, both of Edelman, for
Microsoft; or Michael Wolf of Microsoft, +1-425-705-4220, or
mwolf@microsoft.com
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