Microsoft Outlines Plans for
Changing the Game To Kick Off Electronic Entertainment Exposition
Xbox Flexes Its Leadership Muscle
in Games, Software and Alliances;Microsoft and Electronic Arts Team Up for Xbox
Live Agreement
LOS ANGELES – May 10, 2004 – To a
packed house of video game leaders two days before the opening of the Electronic
Entertainment Exposition (E3), Microsoft Corp. boldly showcased its plans to
lead the industry in games, online services, software and alliances. Flanked by
legendary sports stars, including Muhammad Ali, St. Louis Rams running back
Marshall Faulk and Denver Nugget Carmelo Anthony, Microsoft Chief Xbox® Officer
Robbie Bach and Electronic Arts Inc. President of Worldwide Studios Don Mattrick
brought down the renowned Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles by announcing
Electronic Arts’ commitment to bringing its critically acclaimed games to the
Microsoft® Xbox Live™ online gaming service starting this summer.
"EA has always been a great
publisher for Xbox," Bach said. "We’re strengthening our alliance by bringing
EA’s world-class games to Xbox Live, the undisputed leader in online console
gaming."
Through this long-term agreement,
many of EA’s major franchises will be coming to Xbox Live, with more than 15
titles expected in the coming months including "Madden NFL™ 2005," NBA LIVE
2005," "FIFA Soccer 2005," and "Need for Speed™ Underground 2," as well as
"Burnout™ 3," "TimeSplitters Future Perfect™" and the popular online franchise,
"Battlefield." The news is welcomed by nearly 1 million Xbox Live members in 24
countries pining to play EA franchises online.
Blockbuster Xbox Games Coming Soon
In addition to the EA announcement,
Microsoft showcased breakthrough titles, bringing new levels of personalization,
compelling story lines, and graphics superiority only achievable on Xbox.
Capping the night, Microsoft demonstrated the continuous innovation and
leadership of Xbox Live as the premier online service for console video games
now and into the future.
Microsoft revealed that the highly
anticipated blockbuster "Halo® 2" will be on store shelves Nov. 9, 2004. "Halo
2" is the sequel to one of the greatest games ever made, "Halo: Combat Evolved,"
with more than 4 million copies sold worldwide. Although much of the story line
of the game remains one of the industry’s best-kept secrets, the battle comes to
Earth as Master Chief, a genetically enhanced super soldier, is the only thing
standing between the relentless alien Covenant and the destruction of all
humankind. "Halo 2" promises graphics that push the powerful Xbox hardware to
its limits and gameplay that showcases breakthrough Xbox Live play.
Proving that its game pipeline is
fully loaded, Microsoft also showcased upcoming games that redefine their
respective genres through compelling story lines, personalization and
jaw-dropping graphics achievable only on Xbox. These games also reflect the
boundless imagination of their creators:
-
"DOOM 3" (Developed by id Software
and distributed by Activision Inc.). A console exclusive for Xbox, "DOOM 3"
draws players into the most terrifying and gripping 3-D gaming experience ever
created. Built on id’s revolutionary new 3-D graphics engine, "DOOM 3"
delivers an epic clash against pure evil as gamers battle the forces of Hell
alone or cooperatively on Xbox Live. -
"Dead or Alive® Ultimate" (Tecmo
Inc.). Tecmo’s esteemed development group, Team Ninja, has created the
ultimate "Dead or Alive" fighting experience, "Dead or Alive Ultimate," by
coupling the original version of "Dead or Alive" with a completely redesigned
"Dead or Alive 2" on the Xbox video game system to create one of the first 3-D
online fighting games. Both games will be Xbox Live multiplayer-compatible,
enabling players to test their fighting skills against a vast community of
gamers from around the world. -
"Fable™" (Developed by Big Blue
Box Studios and Lionhead Studios for Microsoft Game Studios). In this
groundbreaking role-playing adventure game, gamers choose the path of
righteousness or a life of evil, and watch themselves transform into a
reflection of their actions and decisions. -
"Forza Motorsport™" (Microsoft
Game Studios). "Forza Motorsport" is the first fully customizable racing
simulation for Xbox. This groundbreaking game allows gamers to drive hundreds
of the hottest cars in the world from more than 60 manufacturers at breakneck
speeds. For gamers eager to put their reputation on the line against the best
on Xbox Live, "Forza Motorsport" takes the checkered flag. -
"Jade Empire™" (Developed by
BioWare Corp. for Microsoft Game Studios). From the developer of the acclaimed
"Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™" comes an action role-playing game
with an innovative new fighting engine. More than 30 martial-arts fighting
styles have been incorporated into the game, and only by mastering them and
using the right ones at the right time will players rise to the top in the
world of -
"Jade Empire." "Xbox Live
Arcade™." This fall, the casual games people love to play with their families
will be playable on their television screens with -
"Xbox Live Arcade." Games will
include puzzle games such as "Bejeweled"; card games such as poker, hearts and
bridge; and classic action and arcade favorites such as Namco’s "Dig Dug" and
"Galaxian." Microsoft is working with leading companies – such as Atari Inc.,
PopCap Games Inc., GarageGames and Nolan Bushnell’s uWink.com Inc. – to bring
a robust offering to "Xbox Live Arcade." Software Powers the Future of Games
Finally, Microsoft tantalized
attendees by taking social communication to the next level with XNA™, software
that will power the future of games. The company announced that "Vanguard: Saga
of Heroes," a Windows®-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG)
from Sigil Games Online Inc., will employ voice and notification software tools
from Xbox Live to the Windows gaming world. "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes," whose
development team includes the original producer and co-creator of the wildly
successful "EverQuest™," will be integrated with MSN® Messenger in mobile
devices, cell phones and more, allowing players to be notified if their friends
are online, their castle is under siege or a troll needs to be vanquished.
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 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.
Some information herein relates to
prerelease software, which may be substantially modified before its first
commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or
reflect the software when it is first commercially released. This release is
provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties,
express or implied, with respect to this release or the information contained in
it.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox Live, Halo,
Forza Motorsport, Xbox Live Arcade, Windows, XNA, Windows and MSN are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and/or other countries. Need for Speed is a trademark or registered trademark of
Electronic Arts Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. NFL, NBA, FIFA,
Burnout and TimeSplitters Future Perfect are trademarks of their respective
owners and used with permission. The names of actual companies and products
mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
