Sega Sports' 2K3 Titles, 'Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3' and 'Tom Clancy's Ghost
Recon' Are Among Online-Enabled Games Coming to Xbox Starting in 2002
LOS ANGELES, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today
announced that more than 25 top game companies are propelling video games to
new heights by taking advantage of the high-quality, high-speed broadband
capabilities built into every Microsoft(R) Xbox(TM) video game system. The
news was made in advance of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2001, one
of the world's largest annual games industry trade shows.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
Acclaim Entertainment Inc., Activision Inc., ArtDink Corp., Atlus Company
Ltd., Bandai Company Ltd., Capcom Co. Ltd., Codemasters, Crave Entertainment
Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., Eidos Interactive, FOX Interactive Inc., Gathering
of Developers, INFOGRAMES Inc., Interplay Entertainment Corp., Konami Company
Ltd., LucasArts Entertainment Co., Midway Games Inc., Namco Ltd., Rage
Software, Rockstar Games, Sega Entertainment Inc., Sierra On-Line Inc.,
Taito Corp., Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., TDK Systems, THQ and Ubisoft
are the industry-leading publishers committed to supporting the Xbox online
experience.
Sega Sports' entire 2K3 lineup (including "NFL 2K3" and "NBA 2K3"), "Tony
Hawk Pro Skater 3," "Unreal Championship" and "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon" will
be among the first online-enabled games available. In addition, Microsoft's
own Xbox game studios has more than a dozen online-enabled games in
development in the United States and Japan. In fact, Bungie Studios, developer
of the highly anticipated Xbox game "Halo," will only create future games that
take advantage of the broadband capabilities of Xbox.
"Online console gaming over broadband will change the face of video games
forever," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer at Microsoft. "When the Xbox
online experience goes live next year, our development partners will have
games ready that demonstrate how broadband online video games will have as
dramatic an impact on the industry for the current generation of games as the
move from 2-D to 3-D graphics did for the last generation."
"Sega is extremely excited about the potential that Xbox brings to online
console gaming," said Peter Moore, president and COO of Sega America.
"Obviously, the inclusion of a hard drive and Ethernet port in every single
box is very important. Moreover, Xbox is building a world-class gaming
platform on a global basis. This assures players a safe, fun and fast
experience and allows developers to focus on creating great games. We at Sega
intend to take full advantage of that."
Video gaming on Xbox will expand beyond the walls of gamers' homes as they
connect to other gamers throughout the world for more powerful experiences. As
on as game console, Xbox online experiences will be easy, fast and safe. Game
players will never know they are going online.
The following are some examples of how games may change as a result of the
Xbox online console experience:
-- In a basketball game, 10 players can play five on five, each
controlling their own player. Players will be able to easily find their
buddies and team up with them against other teams. They will be able to
communicate and "talk trash" via voice chat.
-- Gamers will be able to download episodic content. For example, racers
will be able to download new tracks, cars and even real-time weather
conditions from the city they are racing in.
-- Player histories can automatically be tracked, including stats, level
of accomplishment, tournament record and customized attributes the
player has defined or earned. Players, teammates and opponents can then
own bragging rights or measure the caliber of other players to ensure
that multiplayer games are more evenly matched.
About Xbox
Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ) is Microsoft's future-generation video game
system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers
game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions
as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and
reality. Xbox will be available in North America on Nov. 8, 2001, at the
estimated retail price of $299.99* (U.S.).
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company
offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people
through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
* Reseller prices may vary.
Internet access and broadband service and hardware (acquired separately)
are required to play broadband-enabled Xbox games on the Xbox console.
Broadband capability is scheduled to go live in the first half of 2002.
The information contained in this document relates to prereleased products
that may be substantially modified before first commercial release.
Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the
products when first commercially released. This document is provided for
informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or
implied, with respect to this document or the information contained in it.
NOTE: Microsoft 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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CONTACT:
Eric Wein of Edelman Worldwide, 323-857-9100,
or cellular, 323-363-2634, or eric.wein@edelman.com, for
Microsoft Corp.
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