September 12, 2007
Microsoft Introduces Star-Studded
Lineup of Japanese Developers and Blockbuster New Games for Xbox 360
Japan’s best developers are
betting big on Xbox 360 in 2007 and beyond, as Microsoft announces best-ever
holiday entertainment lineup.
Flanked by a who’s who of Japanese
gaming luminaries and video game development legends, Takashi Sensui, general
manager of the Home and Entertainment Division at Microsoft Co. Ltd., took the
stage at the Yebisu Garden Hall during Xbox 360 Briefing 2007 to announce
support from some of Japan’s most renowned game developers and unveil an
unparalleled lineup of holiday blockbuster hits and exclusives for the Xbox 360®
video game and entertainment system.
Two of Japan’s most celebrated game
developers, Tomonobu Itagaki from Team NINJA/Tecmo Ltd. and Hironobu Sakaguchi
from Mistwalker, joined Sensui onstage to announce their support for the Xbox
360 platform. Itagaki highlighted the announcement that Team NINJA will develop
“NINJA GAIDEN® 2,” the true sequel to the best-selling and critically acclaimed
Xbox® original, exclusively for Xbox 360. Sakaguchi revealed pricing1 and
availability for Mistwalker’s upcoming role-playing game (RPG) “Lost Odyssey™,”
available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan, and around the world in early 2008. In
addition, representatives from SQUARE ENIX took the stage to discuss two new
games for Xbox 360: “INFINITE UNDISCOVERY™” and “THE LAST REMNANT™.”
Japanese Developers Embrace Xbox 360
“NINJA GAIDEN® 2” is the
long-awaited sequel to the platinum-selling Xbox original, where players once
again assume the role of Ryu Hayabusa as they guide the ninja hero on a quest to
avenge his clan and prevent the destruction of the human race. Team NINJA’s
announcement that “NINJA GAIDEN® 2” will be exclusive to Xbox 360 and available
worldwide in 2008 provided gamers everywhere with plenty of reason for
excitement, and served as yet another example of the blockbuster games being
created by Japanese developers exclusively for the platform.
Xbox 360 owners in Japan will be the
first to experience the magical world of “Lost Odyssey,” created by Mistwalker/feelplus
Inc., and featuring a beautifully told story by Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of
the “Final Fantasy” video game franchise. Available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan,
January 2008 in Asia, and February 2008 in North America and Europe, “Lost
Odyssey” headlines a lineup of games by Japanese developers for Xbox 360 owners
around the world this holiday, including these:
“Ace Combat 6: Fires of
Liberation” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” takes
players up to the sky and into the heat of realistic air combat with
next-generation audio and visual effects and online multiplayer action.2
Available this holiday, only on Xbox 360.
“Beautiful Katamari” (NAMCO
BANDAI Games). Marking the debut of Namco’s beloved ball-rolling puzzle game on
a next-generation platform, “Beautiful Katamari,” the fourth installment of the
“Katamari” series, features levels of quirkiness, cosmic animations and musical
stylings never seen before. Available in October.
“Lost Odyssey” (Microsoft
Game Studios/Mistwalker/feelplus Inc.). Famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi
leads a staff of gaming masters to bring a truly next-generation role-playing
experience to Xbox 360 in “Lost Odyssey.” Players will be led through a dramatic
story of massive scale that features breathtaking visuals and an epic adventure
made possible only by the power of Xbox 360. Available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan,
and worldwide in 2008, only on Xbox 360.
Plus:
-
“Battlefield: Bad Company”
(Electronic Arts) -
“Battlestations: Midway” (Eidos
Interactive Ltd.) -
“Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’
War” (KOEI Co. Ltd.) -
“CASTLE SHIKIGAMI III” (ArcSystemWorks
Co. Ltd.) -
“Dynasty Warriors 6” (KOEI Co.
Ltd.) -
“Dynasty Warriors: Gundam” (NAMCO
BANDAI Games) -
“Final Fantasy XI Play Online All
in One Pack 2007” (SQUARE ENIX) -
“Final Fantasy XI Wings of the
Goddess” (SQUARE ENIX) -
“Just Cause” (Electronic Arts)
-
“Mobile Ops: The One Year War”
(NAMCO BANDAI Games) -
“Operation Darkness” (SUCCESS
Corp.) -
“Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution
Soccer 2008” (Konami) -
“ZOIDS ALTERNATIVE” (TOMY Co.
Ltd.)
This incredible lineup joins many
other amazing games from developers around the globe that will be available this
holiday in Japan and around the world, including the following:
“Assassin’s Creed” (Ubisoft
Entertainment). “Assassin’s Creed” is the next-generation game developed by
Ubisoft that merges technology, game design, theme and emotions into a world
where players will assume the role of the main character, Altair, and will have
the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and experience the art
of a master assassin. Available this November.
“Halo 3” (Microsoft
Game Studios/Bungie Studios). In “Halo® 3,” the third installment of the
landmark “Halo” trilogy and hugely anticipated sequel to the critically
acclaimed “Halo 2,” people everywhere can take on the role of Master Chief™ and
experience Master Chief’s greatest battle as he launches an epic mission to stop
the Covenant, destroy the impending Flood threat and ultimately save mankind. In
this third chapter of the “Halo” trilogy, Master Chief returns to face his
greatest challenge as he readies himself for the final battle and seals his
place in history. A hero must rise. Believe. Available worldwide, with
availability in the United States on Sept. 25 and Japan on Sept. 27, only on
Xbox 360.
“Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of
Doom” (Microsoft/Blueside Inc.). Six heroes from the “Kingdom Under Fire”
universe fight their way through the Dark Dimension against hordes of demented
monsters in a twisted action RPG exclusive to Xbox 360. Coming this winter,
“KUF:COD” features seamless four-player co-op2 via Xbox LIVE®, randomly
generated maps and nearly infinite weapons combos with unique abilities,
enhancements and magical powers for players to learn and master.
“Project Gotham Racing 4”
(Microsoft Game Studios/Bizarre Creations Ltd.). “Project Gotham Racing® 4” will
redefine the acclaimed “PGR®” franchise by delivering a unique, exciting racing
experience complete with dynamic weather and iconic cars and motorcycles.
Available this October, only on Xbox 360.
“Viva Piata: Party Animals”
(Microsoft Game Studios/Krome Studios Pty. Ltd.). An exciting new party game
based on the critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive and hit animated TV series,
“Viva Piata™: Party Animals” brings back the familiar piata characters and
invites players to compete in more than 40 mini-games against friends at home or
over Xbox LIVE.2 Available this holiday season, only on Xbox 360.
“Gamers around the world can look
forward to the greatest holiday lineup in video game history,” said Don Mattrick,
senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the
Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. “We continue to evolve our
strong relationships with Japan’s best and most innovative developers, and we’re
looking forward to delivering exclusive high-definition titles for consumers
worldwide, this year and beyond.”
Xbox LIVE Arcade Continues
High-Definition Downloadable Games Innovation in Japan
Japanese developers have long
embraced and championed Xbox LIVE Arcade, with hits including “Pac-Man
Championship Edition” (NAMCO BANDAI Games), “Bomberman Live” (Hudson
Entertainment), “Frogger” (Konami) and “Fatal Fury Special” (SNK PLAYMORE
Corp.). Several new titles from these and other Japanese developers will be
added to the diverse portfolio of digitally distributed, high-definition
original and classic games currently available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, including
the following:
“Every Extend Extra Extreme”
(Q Entertainment). The latest creation from Q Entertainment, “Every Extend Extra
Extreme,” or E4, is a unique action-packed shooter where the goal is to
perfectly time your self-destruction to create chain reactions that explode
surrounding enemies. With outrageous visuals and the ability to play your own
favorite music, E4 puts a new twist on puzzle shooter games.
“EXIT” (Taito). An addictive,
frenzied puzzle game, “EXIT” has players using their decision-making skills and
wits to escape numerous obstacles, while rescuing people from more than 100
different emergencies. Players must save as many lives as possible while finding
the fastest way out when “EXIT” arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade by the end of the
year.
“Ikaruga” (Treasure Co.
Ltd.). “Ikaruga” is a quick-paced shooter with strong strategy elements
featuring a slow-motion training mode and co-op play for two.2 Available soon
for download from Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Ikaruga” is the perfect combination of
beautiful, manga-style storytelling and refined, ultra-challenging arcade
heroics.
“OMEGA FIVE” (Hudson
Entertainment). “OMEGA FIVE” is a next-generation, high-definition shooter with
awe-inspiring graphics. Players fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this
side-scroller and try to avoid the enemies that come at them from all sides,
even from behind.
“Rez” (Q
Entertainment). “Rez,” the legendary action-shooter created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi,
is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade. A fast-moving, wire-frame adventure backed by
industrial beats, the story of “Rez” takes players deep into the world’s
computer network, where they must hack the system, altering the visual output
and even taking over the music, creating their own rhythms and eye candy as they
dig deeper into the dreamlike cyberworld.
“Triggerheart Exelica” (Warashi).
A shoot’em-up game where players battle against hordes of enemy ships,
“Triggerheart Exelica” dynamically adjusts the difficulty to match a player’s
skill level. “Triggerheart Exelica” launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this year.
Other exciting Xbox LIVE Arcade games available in the coming months include
these:
“Braid” (Number None Inc.).
Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Braid” is a platformer/puzzle game.
The player journeys across seven worlds to rescue a princess; in each world,
time behaves in its own peculiar way. The player must cleverly manipulate the
flow of time to solve puzzles. “Braid” aims to provide a mind-expanding,
filler-free experience.
“Castlecrashers” (The
Behemoth). Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Castlecrashers” is the
second title currently in development by award-winning independent developer the
Behemoth. The four-player RPG adventure will let players hack, slash and smash
their way to victory. “Castlecrashers” delivers unique high-resolution
illustrated visuals, including memorably hand-drawn characters that are cute and
menacing at the same time. Gamers can play with up to three friends locally or
over Xbox LIVE2 and discover mind-boggling magic and mystery in the amazing
world of “Castlecrashers.”
“Schizoid” (Torpex
Games LLC). “Schizoid,” from independent studio Torpex Games, is the first Xbox
LIVE Arcade game to be created with XNA™ Game Studio. Debuting on Xbox LIVE
Arcade later this year, “Schizoid” is an action-packed game focused on co-op
gameplay2 in which players smash barrages of glowing enemies while cooperating
closely to protect each other.
Microsoft Brings Tokyo Game Show
Home With Xbox LIVE
Once again, Microsoft will bring the
Tokyo Game Show experience into living rooms worldwide as it offers its “TGS
Bring It Home” programming, delivering hours of coverage from the press
briefing, all the best highlights from the show floor, interviews with
developers, gameplay videos, exclusive cinematic trailers and a variety of Xbox
360 content for gamers to download over Xbox LIVE Marketplace, beginning Sept.
13, 2007.
