November 20, 2003

"NHL Rivals 2004" Takes the Ice

Microsoft’s Inaugural Hockey Game Hits Store Shelves as Newest XSN Sports™ Title

Avs and Red Wings…Leafs and Canadiens…Rangers and Devils. Some teams just weren’t meant to get along. Historic hockey rivalries have captivated pucknuts for decades, but nothing will prepare them for the hard-hitting action they’re about to embark on.

Microsoft Game Studios announced that “NHL Rivals™ 2004”, their first-ever hockey title made exclusively for Xbox as part of Microsoft’s XSN Sports brand, is now available at retail stores across North America. NHL perennial all-star Steve Yzerman will serve as both the cover athlete and spokesperson for the game.

“NHL Rivals 2004” debuts on Xbox ice offering gamers the ultimate hockey experience both online and off. With the power of XSN Sports’ exclusive Web-based technology, hockey fans can customize their own leagues and tournaments to create their own rivalries and settle the score online with Xbox Live™. Stats and standings are posted to the centralized website XSN Sports.com and updated every 15 minutes so hard-earned bragging rights can never be disputed.

Looking to make an immediate impact in the franchise’s rookie season, “NHL Rivals 2004” delivers a variety of features including:

The Ultimate Pickup Game. Go online, pick your teammates, and challenge other gamers in the ultimate game of pickup hockey. Settle rivalries on the pond in Central Park or in the middle of Red Square, where the action is intense and the rules are loose.

Rivalry mode. Rivalry Mode instantly puts gamers into a grudge match between historic rival teams like the Canadians and Leafs, without the need to pick teams or set lineups.

NHL-style presentation. With John Davidson (“JD”) and Sam Rosen providing in-game analysis and commentary, “NHL Rivals 2004” brings the feel and excitement of a live NHL broadcast.

Advanced Passing. Move left, pass right, make no-look passes, drop it behind to an open winger, or chip one off of the boards.

Pivot Control. New ways to control your favorite players equals better maneuverability on offense and tighter, more effective back checking on defense.

For more information on “NHL Rivals 2004”, visit www.xbox.com/nhlrivals2004  or www.xsnsports.com. 

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for Windowsâ, Xbox video game 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®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon®; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as Halo®, Project Gotham Racing® and NFL Fever; and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and OutSmart™.

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 new tagline, “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.

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© NHLPA. NHL Rivals 2004 is an Officially Licensed Product of the NHLPA. NHLPA, National Hockey League Players' Association and the NHLPA logo are trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license by Microsoft Corporation.

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