Xbox 360 Ushers in Next Generation of Interactive Entertainment at E3
LOS ANGELES, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The next generation of video
gaming arrives in full force today with an astounding lineup of premier,
first-party titles from Microsoft Game Studios including "Perfect Dark:
Zero(TM)," "Gears of War," "Blue Dragon," "Lost Odyssey," "Project Gotham
Racing(R) 3" and "Kameo(TM): Elements of Power(TM)" for the new Xbox 360(TM)
system that puts players at the center of the most powerful next-generation
games and entertainment experiences. These first-party titles will provide
attendees at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) with an exciting glimpse
of the unprecedented game experiences that will come alive on Xbox 360.
(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
"It's such a thrill to finally show these games to the world," said Shane
Kim, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios. "This lineup truly showcases
the types of experience that will define the high-definition era, in which
entertainment experiences come to life like never before and gamers are
immersed in experiences beyond their wildest dreams."
The creative vision of the industry's most respected developers is
amplified by the power of Xbox 360. New games deliver more expansive,
realistic and intelligent gameplay to draw the gamer into the experience as
never before. With Xbox 360, thousands of characters converge for epic battles
scenes, each with their own unique artificial intelligence to keep gamers on
their toes. Dynamic environments create new experiences with every step -
realism emerges not only in the advanced lighting and texture effects that
illuminate the graphics, but in the way the setting itself responds to
characters' movements. When an enemy hiding in the brush makes a sudden move,
players will see and hear the leaves rustle to alert them to someone's
presence. Not only are games smarter, but they engage players in more dramatic
ways. Characters on the screen capture the subtle nuances of human emotion to
draw players into the drama of the scene as never before.
Xbox 360 ignites a new era of gameplay in which people power the
experience and imagination becomes the only boundary. Now an integral feature
for every Xbox 360 title, the Xbox Live(TM) service gives gamers the
opportunity to continually evolve and expand their experience. With features
such as spectator mode, intelligent matchmaking, Xbox Live Marketplace and
video chat, Xbox 360 invites consumers to play a role in defining their own
unique gaming universe.
Among the innovative first-party Xbox 360 titles showcased in Microsoft
Corp.'s Xbox 360 booth are these:
-- "Blue Dragon" (Mistwalker Inc.) from Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of the
original "FINAL FANTASY(R)" series, an epic role-playing game (RPG)
featuring the original artwork of Akira Toriyama, creator of the
"Dragonball" series of manga and anime.
-- "Gears of War" (Epic Games Inc.) is the lifelike third-person tactical
shooter that thrusts the gamer into the harrowing story of humankind's
battle for survival against the Locust Horde. "Gears of War" utilizes
the breathtaking new Unreal Engine 3 to create cinematic,
high-definition visuals for a next-generation experience so intense and
powerful, it feels as if the gamer is controlling a blockbuster action
movie.
-- "Kameo: Elements of Power" (Rare Ltd.) is an action-adventure game with
RPG elements for gamers of all ages and skill levels from legendary
game developer Rare. "Kameo: Elements of Power" is a magical and epic
journey full of intense combat, magnificent exploration, and innovative
morph-into-warrior action. Its innovative combat system allows players
to harness powers from the five Elements of Power: Plant, Water, Rock,
Ice and Fire.
-- "Lost Odyssey(TM)" (Microsoft Game Studios, Mistwalker), is a truly
next-generation RPG created by acclaimed artists Takehiko Inoue
(Japanese manga creator, made famous by "Slam Dunk"), Kiyoshi
Shigematsu (a famous Japanese novelist) and Nobuo Uematsu (Japanese
music composer, known for creating the music for the "FINAL FANTASY"
series of games). The game is produced by Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator
of the original "FINAL FANTASY" series.
-- "Perfect Dark: Zero" (Rare) is the prequel to the hugely popular and
critically acclaimed "Perfect Dark(R)." Set in the year 2020 -- years
before the original hit game - players experience the origins of Joanna
Dark, one of the most lethal Special Agents ever. Harnessing the power
of Xbox 360, the highly anticipated "Perfect Dark: Zero" brings
visceral, action-packed gameplay to the high-definition era.
-- "Project Gotham Racing 3" (Bizarre Creations Ltd.) is the latest entry
in the award-winning "Project Gotham Racing" franchise and expands on
the features and gameplay that race fans have grown to know and love.
"PGR(TM) 3" enables gamers to create the ultimate roster of the hottest
supercars in existence, introduces them to the high-definition era and
drops them into a completely new racing world where style rules the
road.
The power of high-performance hardware, software and services feeds these
innovative gameplay scenarios to enable experiences that are truly a
generational leap. And with support for high-definition output with
anti-aliasing, and Dolby 5.1 surround sound, all Xbox 360 games will deliver
smooth, cinematic experiences that scream off the screen. On Xbox 360, the
synergy of advanced technology and creative vision creates revolutionary games
experiences that will define the future of video game entertainment.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is the future-generation video game and entertainment system that
places gamers at the center of the experience. Available this holiday season
in North America, Europe and Japan, Xbox 360 will ignite a new era of digital
entertainment that is always connected, always personalized and always in high
definition.
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 and 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 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(R) 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(R)" and franchises as
"Halo(R)," "Project Gotham Racing" 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(TM)."
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, Perfect Dark: Zero, Project Gotham Racing, Kameo,
Elements of Power, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Lost Odyssey, Perfect Dark, PGR, Xbox,
Windows, Age of Empires, Zoo Tycoon, Fable, Halo, 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.
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
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amanda.taggart@edelman.com, both of Edelman, for Microsoft
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