Momentum for Xbox Continues as the Industry's Finest Boast Best-in-Class Games
for Current Generation
LOS ANGELES, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gaming industry heavyweights
are still rolling out top-notch games for the Xbox(R) video game system.
All-stars including Activision Publishing Inc., Buena Vista Games, Electronic
Arts Inc., LucasArts, Microsoft Game Studios, Ubisoft Entertainment and Valve
Corp. introduced premier current-generation Xbox titles today in what promises
to be the most remarkable development portfolio in current generation gaming.
(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
"It's certainly a great time to be a gamer," said Peter Moore, corporate
vice president of Xbox global content and marketing at Microsoft Corp. "While
there is obviously a ton of noise around the Xbox 360(TM) system, the
hardware, software and services of the current Xbox platform are still driving
amazing levels of innovation that is producing some of the most exhilarating
game experiences yet."
Attendees of this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) can experience
the irreverent and entertaining gameplay of "Halo(R) 2 Multiplayer Map Pack"
from Bungie Studios, Microsoft's "Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes" from Blueside
Studios and Phantagram Ltd. and Microsoft Game Studios' "Conker(TM): Live and
Reloaded" from Rare(TM) Ltd. at the Xbox booth. In addition, gamers can
experience a bevy of third-party Xbox titles, including Activision's "Ultimate
Spider-Man," Buena Vista Games' "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe," Electronic Arts' "Need for Speed(TM) Most Wanted,"
LucasArts' "Star Wars Battlefront(TM) II," Ubisoft's "Far Cry Instincts" and
Valve's "Half-Life 2."
These titles demonstrate the breadth and depth of the current platform,
and show what's possible when powerful hardware is combined with inventive
software and top-notch online services. Microsoft is fully committed to this
generation of Xbox games, and gamers can expect an amazing pipeline of titles
into 2007. This year alone, Xbox publishers and developers will deliver more
than 200 games to the platform. Since its launch, Xbox has sold 20 million
consoles worldwide, and is expected to sell millions more.
Microsoft also continues to provide a growing and thriving Xbox Live(TM)
community with best-in-class games, downloadable content, unique programming,
and the expanded features and services found only on Xbox and Xbox Live. Xbox
Live remains the only global unified online console games service to offer
revolutionary experiences. There are close to 250 Xbox Live-enabled titles
available for gamers today, and this portfolio will exceed 300 Xbox
Live-enabled titles by holiday 2005.
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com ) is the video game system from Microsoft that
brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment
experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games,
powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The tag line,
"It's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of
the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North
America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
About Xbox Live
Now in its third generation of transforming and uniting Xbox game
communities, with more than 300 games planned by end of holiday 2005 and now
with presence in 24 countries worldwide, Xbox Live has set the bar for online
games entertainment. As the first global, unified online console games
service, Xbox Live continues to take online gameplay and entertainment to
unprecedented heights. With a rapidly growing global community, Xbox Live
offers best-in-class games, intelligent matchmaking, tournaments, unique
programming and integration with Xbox.com -- there is simply nothing else like
it. The service continues to provide more and more ways for members to meet,
interact and stay engaged with each other.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of
games for the Xbox video game system, the Windows(R) 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
(http://www.xbox.com), including such games as "Fable" and franchises as
"Halo," "Project Gotham Racing(R)" and "MechAssault(R)"; and MSN(R) Games
(http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and
home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic(R)."
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Halo, Conker, Xbox Live, Windows, Age of
Empires, Zoo Tycoon, Project Gotham Racing, MechAssault, MSN and Hexic 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.
Need for Speed is a registered trademark of Electronic Arts Inc.
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
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk;
photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
press only, Ryan James, +1-206-223-1606, or
ryan.james@edelman.com, or Amanda Taggart, +1-323-857-9100, or
amanda.taggart@edelman.com, both of Edelman, for Microsoft
NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional
information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at
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information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were
correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For
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Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts
listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .
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