Console Wars #2!

[slashbomb123]

The Countdown Begins: Xbox 360 to Hit Store Shelves Nov. 22 in North America, Dec. 2 in Europe and Dec. 10 in Japan

Manufacturing kicks into high gear as Microsoft braces for unprecedented global demand.


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Related Links

Microsoft Resources:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>Xbox 360 Web site

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>Xbox Live Web site

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>Consumer Newsroom on PressPass

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>TOKYO — Sept. 15, 2005 — Fueling global anticipation for the arrival of its powerful new video game and entertainment system, Microsoft Corp. today announced that Xbox 360™ will arrive on store shelves Tuesday, Nov. 22 in North America, Friday, Dec. 2 in Europe, and Saturday, Dec. 10 in Japan. The announcement, made on the eve of Tokyo Game Show 2005, marked the first time that a game console will be launched in three territories in the same time frame. In preparation for what is expected to be massive worldwide demand for the new system, Microsoft also announced that Xbox 360 manufacturing is under way, with state-of-the-art facilities producing millions of units ultimately bound for frenzied gamers’ homes from Osaka, Japan, to Oxford, England, and Orlando, Fla.

“This holiday season, gamers in Japan, Europe and North America pining to experience jaw-dropping high-definition graphics, unmatched online play and compelling digital entertainment features of Xbox 360 will finally have the chance,” said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft. “Renowned development studios around the world are busy putting the finishing touches on their Xbox 360 games. We expect a strong portfolio of titles on launch day and through the holidays that will appeal to fans of every genre and gamers in every region, and with more than 200 games currently in development, continuous new additions to the library are on the way.”

Bach and other Microsoft executives, headlining a series of events that open Tokyo Game Show, will detail the company’s strategy for success in Japan. More than 40 publishers in Japan, including Bandai Co. Ltd., Capcom Co. Ltd., Koei Co. Ltd., Konami Corp., Namco Ltd., Sega Corp., Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Tecmo Ltd., have pledged their support for Xbox 360, joining the ranks of the best publishers from around the world. As the ultimate canvas for game developers, Xbox 360 will inspire a new wave of innovation in gameplay, storytelling and artistry never before seen in video games.

Promising to capture the imagination of Japanese gamers, new titles and established franchises such as “Dead or Alive<SUP>®</SUP> 4,” “Ridge Racer 6,” “NINETY-NINE NIGHTS™,” ”Dead Rising” and “FINAL FANTASY<SUP>®</SUP> XI” will be available on Xbox 360 in the months to come. With support for high-definition output with anti-aliasing, and Dolby<SUP>®</SUP> 5.1 surround sound, all Xbox 360 games will deliver smooth, cinematic experiences that scream off the screen.

In addition to the impressive lineup of titles both in Japan and around the world, gamers will soon be able to enjoy the next generation of the Xbox Live<SUP>®</SUP> service, the Emmy<SUP>®</SUP>-award-winning online games and entertainment network. With Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live service, gamers can play online in a community of millions, connect with friends using voice and video chat, download new content, build online profiles and experience new modes of entertainment. Xbox 360 is also the ultimate amplifier for music, movies and photos stored on an array of devices including MP3 players, digital cameras and Microsoft<SUP>®</SUP> Windows<SUP>®</SUP> XP-based PCs. The console makes it easy for gamers to enjoy all their digital content in the living room, on the best TV and speakers in the house.

Tokyo Game Show marks the first time that consumers will be able to experience the power of Xbox 360 firsthand. A number of key titles will be on display at the Xbox 360 booth:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“(eM)-eNCHANT-arM” (FromSoftware Inc.)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Bomberman — Act Zero” (Hudson Soft Co. Ltd.)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Call of Duty<SUP>®</SUP> 2” (Activision Inc.)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“CHROMEHOUNDS” (Sega)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Dead Rising” (Capcom)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Dynasty Warriors 5 Special” (Koei Co. Ltd.)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Everyparty” (Microsoft Game Studios)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Far East of Eden — Ziria” (Hudson Soft)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“FINAL FANTASY XI” (Square Enix Co. Ltd.)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Frame City Killer” (Namco)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Gears of War” (Microsoft Game Studios)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Kameo™: Elements of Power™” (Microsoft Game Studios)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Mobile Suit Gundam” (tentative title) (Bandai Co. Ltd.)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Need for Speed Most Wanted” (Electronic Arts)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“NINETY-NINE NIGHTS” (Microsoft Game Studios)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“The Outfit™” (THQ)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Project Gotham Racing<SUP>® </SUP>3” (Microsoft Game Studios)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Resident Evil 5” (Capcom)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Ridge Racer 6” (Namco)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Rumble Roses XX” (tentative title) (Konami)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Shutoku Battle” (tentative title) (Genki Co. Ltd.)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Sonic the Hedgehog” (Sega)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Saint’s Row™” (THQ)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Test Drive Unlimited” (Atari Inc.)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter” (Ubisoft Entertainment)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“World Air Force” (tentative title) (Taito Corp.)

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=listBullet vAlign=top>•</TD><TD class=listItem>“Wrestle Kingdom” (Yuke’s Co. Ltd.)

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Microsoft also announced Japanese pricing of Xbox 360. Japanese gamers looking for the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride and best value right out of the box may purchase an Xbox 360 system, which comes fully loaded with a 20GB detachable Xbox 360 Hard Drive for storing music, video and games, an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, an Xbox 360 Media Remote control, an Xbox 360 Headset, a Component HD-AV Cable for connecting to component and composite television inputs, an Ethernet cable, and batteries, at 37,900 JPY.*

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you. The system will launch this holiday season in Europe, Japan and North America, to be followed by availability in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox Live

Xbox Live continues to transform and unite Xbox game communities worldwide, with a presence in 24 countries worldwide and a global community of more than 2 million members. As the first and only global, unified online console games service, Xbox Live offers world-class games, intelligent matchmaking, tournaments, unique programming and integration with Xbox.com. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/live.

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.

* Actual retail prices may vary.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Ninety-Nine Nights, Xbox Live, Windows, Kameo, Elements of Power and Project Gotham Racing are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. or Rare Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

Emmy and the Emmy Statuette are the trademark property of ATAS/NATAS.

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.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

Source: Microsoft.Com

[Venom]

gasp i wonder how many idoits will buy it when it comes out wasting about 500$ just to find out that the revo and ps3 will come out with a cheaper price and brining in more sales due to the better price and to anyone who thinks of buying the harddriveless version dont go for it it would be stupid since (from my sources )the cheaper version will not be backwards compatable!

P.S.
BUY THE REVO OR PS3 THEY WILL BE BETTER DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY WILL GET AN UPPER HAND ON WUT TO IMPROVE ON WHEN THE 360 COMES OUT

[Shady772]

Damn These are the times i wish I had money

[Obfuscate]

gasp i wonder how many idoits will buy it when it comes out wasting about 500$ just to find out that the revo and ps3 will come out with a cheaper price and brining in more sales due to the better price and to anyone who thinks of buying the harddriveless version dont go for it it would be stupid since (from my sources )the cheaper version will not be backwards compatable!

P.S.
BUY THE REVO OR PS3 THEY WILL BE BETTER DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY WILL GET AN UPPER HAND ON WUT TO IMPROVE ON WHEN THE 360 COMES OUT

You realize that the specs and such for Revo and PS3 are already and have been laid down? Also, have you SEEN the Nintendo controllers? THEY SUCK! I mean seriously truely SUCK! One can always count on Nintendo to screw up something simply like a game controller. Not saying the PS3 or 360 ones are looking any better but I most certainly would rather use one of those instead of the the Revo pieces of crap.

BTW the Revo ones basicly look like a slim tv remote with a rear trigger, the "B" button, a d-pad on the front with a large "A" key below that with home, start and select all in a row below that and then the other buttons below that. Then for about $50 more you can get the not so spiffy thumb stick attachment, yes the main controller will have all sorts of useless gadgets you can buy for it. Now the console itself is pretty sexy but the controllers are just vomit ugly.

[Fuggle]

November 22nd Unless you are badass like me who wins one from Mountain Dew. 1 Week Early *****! Oh yes free Madden 2006.
Oh and for the controllers on the Revo... Who the hell would like using this?

[Dynafrom]

Whoever designed those controllers should be shot in the face.

[slashbomb123]

well in the competition, the PS3 should become the eorld's fastest console cause it was told to be 200X faster then the PS2 and its much cheaper

[FrogMan]

PS3 is the only way to go u talking about a machine that renders in real time its going push xbox 360 into the trash,really the only reason for xbox 360's early release it to get upper hand on the xbo 360, but it won't work

PS: PlayStation 3 Rocks

[jedimaster86]

First off, for everyone else, to show validity on the Nintendo Controller "remote": http://www.nintendo.com/newsarticle?arti...J6El&page=

Also some controller pics: http://www.nintendo.com/newsimagelarge?a...tNo=0&page=

You guys are missing the point. Nintendo wanted to do something new, and Revolutionary, so they created a new kind of controller. Also, Jehovah left out a little part; the new controller not only has the buttons on it, but say you wanted to look around or aim your weapons. To do this, you simply point your controller at the screen and movie it around. Also, I believe the article said something about if your playing Zelda, you can slash the remote downwards to simulate Link slashing his sword on screen. I find this rather cool (pretty much this one controller is both a controller and one of those gun controllers in one); and I'm not discouraged by the shape of the controller.

[Fykins]

Uhhh ok this just turned into another gay console argument thread so I'm moving this to console wars.

When I look at the new controller, I actually like the idea, it will take some geting used to but in the end it will have more functionality. And if your able to use the controller like a sword on zelda thats awsome.

[Dynafrom]

What happens if you broke both your arms? No zelda for j00

[Foog]

it's called a gyro. blackmage told me about it.

here's what's gay about it.

situation-

*is playing first person shooter on revolution*

*sneezes, waves controller up in the air*

*TK's whole team*

.....

also-

*flies plane*

*drops controller*

need i say more? SUPER GAY.

[DaRK_IMMoRTAL]

roflmfao~! tk whole team... yea i think i have seen a commercial on that.. lol..

i hope in the future which will most likely come true~! that we'll have virtual games where we can actually simulate every single move. like wut u guys saying with zelda actually slicing through the air.. with with precision instead of just hitting a button that just makes link slash at stuff. -_-

right now that would cost us all way too much money~
but hell think of it. wouldnt it be sweet?

too bad it wont be in this generation, or will it? haha..

[SquerM]

xbox will always be my fav. so xbox 360

[Aemaeth]

Ps3. better hardware. better games. doesn't have a ghey tv remote attachment with a dildo attached.

[Foog]

No, sir. It's not a dildo. This chic new attachment is a Nunchuk analog unit.

[Venom]

ok listen the revo controler hasn't been fully decided yet at the moment it is this design for all we kno it will be changed to sumthin else and the revo controler is a good idea id rather have nunchs than a stupid boomerang
and
dark that is sotra alrdy tru i saw ppl vr fighting at the playdum(sumthin like at)it was a while back and it was either tekken or virtua fighter
but if it is the remote controler i bet it will be like that in a way ,with how it is made at the moment
oh a jehonva tilt it side ways and it beomes a nes and snes controler dont forget that they need a controler that can play nes,snes,n64 and GC games!

[[The Reaper]]

Sony has said they might change their controller too.

[Fykins]

I heard from a dude at gamestop that Nintendo is going to make the controller have some attachment that hooks them togather so you can use it like a normal controller. I believe using it the shown way is 100% optional. I'd still use it like that for Zelda and shooters, I think it would be cool.

And to dynafrom: What happens if I break your hands and arms, and then shove them up your ***? No ebaying for you?

[[/sarcasm]]

Lol, I remember the gigantic controllers on the Xbox... Big, shitty looking controllers aren't the way to go. Good thing about the Xbox 360 is they aren't making some huge, radical controller change, the S controller is almost perfect as it is, they're just making it look prettier with a big shiny (and functional, OMG!) button in the middle and a little streamlining.

Plus, the launch games on Xbox 360 are going to rock.