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PRESS
RELEASE: OCTOBER 23, 2000
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For
Release 3 a.m. PDT
Microsoft
Secures Exclusive Worldwide Rights To Publish "Oddworld" Games for
Xbox
Four
Titles in Globally Lauded Action/Adventure Game Series to be Developed
Exclusively for Xbox Video Game Console
REDMOND,
Wash. – Oct. 23, 2000 – Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has signed a
deal with leading interactive entertainment publisher Infogrames Inc. to
obtain the exclusive worldwide publishing and distribution rights to the
best-selling "Oddworld" game series, created by Oddworld
Inhabitants. Beginning with the much-anticipated game "Munch’s Oddysee,"
Microsoft will exclusively publish the next four installments in the "Oddworld
Quintology" for its Xbox video game console. Scheduled to launch in fall
2001, "Munch’s Oddysee" will be available only on Xbox.
"The
opportunity to bring the full force of our publishing and marketing resources
to bear on such a popular game series as ‘Oddworld’ is a major coup,"
said Ed Fries, vice president of games publishing at Microsoft. "This
maps perfectly to our longstanding strategy of working with the world’s best
game designers to create experiences that will excite the imaginations of
gamers everywhere."
Since
its debut, the "Oddworld" game series has become one of the most
globally popular game franchises of all time, with more than 4 million copies
worldwide, garnering more than 100 industry awards and gracing the cover of
more than 35 magazines. The two previously released chapters, "Abe’s
Oddysee" and "Abe’s Exoddus," have been heralded as
revolutionary for their mix of brilliant graphical artistry, unique
personality and compelling gameplay. The upcoming "Munch’s Oddysee"
continues the inventive spirit.
According
to Lorne Lanning, president and co-founder of Oddworld Inhabitants, the choice
of the Xbox platform was an easy one. "Our goal with ‘Munch’s Oddysee’
and future installments in the ‘Quintology’ has always been to create an
immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of reality. Only Xbox gives us
the graphical muscle and intense digital sound to unleash our creative juices
and allow us to bring the imaginary world and rich characters of Oddworld to
life."
The
popular "Oddworld" series was originally published by Infogrames.
According to Yves Blehaut, senior vice president of Infogrames Inc., allowing
Microsoft to exclusively publish the next titles in the "Oddworld"
series will further strengthen its worldwide popularity. "The ‘Oddworld’
franchise lends itself to cutting-edge technology such as that provided by the
Xbox system. We feel Microsoft’s marketing plans for the Xbox launch coupled
with its first-party publishing support will provide tremendous value for ‘Munch’s
Oddysee’," Blehaut said.
Oddworld
Inhabitants joins an impressive list of development studios – including
Lionhead Satellites and Stormfront Studios – that will create exclusive Xbox
content under the Microsoft label. "Teaming up with Microsoft also gives
the opportunity to combine the talents of two great companies," Lanning
said. "We were impressed with Microsoft’s marketing and distribution
muscle, but what really won us over was its commitment to and vision for
producing the best games."
Today’s
announcement is the latest in a series of momentum-building events solidifying
industry support for Xbox. More than 150 of the world’s best game companies
recently pledged their support for the platform because its future-generation
technology will allow them to realize their creative visions for games.
About
Oddworld Inhabitants
Formed
in 1994 by special effects and computer animation veterans Sherry McKenna and
Lorne Lanning, Oddworld Inhabitants (http://www.oddworld.com/) is dedicated to
creating the next generation of interactive entertainment. Its unique facility
in San Luis Obispo, Calif., has attracted top video game and animation talent
from all over the world.
About
Infogrames
Based
in New York, N.Y., Infogrames Inc. (Nasdaq "IFGM") is a
majority-owned subsidiary of Infogrames Entertainment SA (Paris Bourse "SICOVAM
5257"), a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment software. The
company is known for its best-selling franchises, such as the popular "Oddworld"
series, "Unreal Tournament," and "Driver," available on
leading video game platforms. For more information, visit Infogrames’ U.S. Web
site at http://www.us.infogrames.com/.
About
Xbox
Scheduled
for release in fall 2001, Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft’s
future-generation video game console that delivers superior graphics, better
audio and the most intense, action-packed gaming experiences available. All
this is possible because Xbox has at least three times the graphics
performance of the newest generation of game consoles. Features will include a
733MHz CPU, a custom-designed graphics chip capable of processing more than 1
trillion operations per second, an 8GB hard drive, 64 MB of total memory, an
audio processor with 256 audio channels, and broadband connectivity for online
game play. Xbox uses familiar architecture and DirectX® development tools so
game developers will be able to create better games faster.
About
Microsoft
Founded
in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") 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.
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