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Top Japanese Publishers Announce Commitment to Xbox 360



TOKYO—Today at the Xbox® Summit 2005 in Tokyo, more than 50 of Japan's elite game publishers pledged their support for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, underscoring the momentum Microsoft® Corp. is amassing behind the next-generation console. The games announced today, to a standing-room-only audience, span a full range of genres and include titles previously exclusive to other video game systems. These next-generation games, including major franchises such as Resident Evil and Ridge Racer, showcase the incredible experiences enabled through Xbox 360, presenting entertainment experiences that are always connected, always personalized, and always optimized for high-definition television, while also spectacular on standard-definition televisions. By leveraging the system's revolutionary combination of hardware, software and services, these developers have brought their globally popular brand of gaming artistry to the next generation.

Japanese publishers that announced their support today for Xbox 360 include Capcom, Konami Digital Entertainment, Namco Hometek, and Tecmo®, among others.

"Japan is one of the most important video game markets in the world and is a key pillar of our global strategy for Xbox 360," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing for Xbox at Microsoft. "Our deep commitment to the Japanese market is evident in the exciting and unprecedented alliances we've forged with Japan's most talented and beloved game developers. Their new Xbox 360 titles will show the Japanese community and beyond that we are committed to defining the next eneration of interactive entertainment."

Japanese-developed games have been embraced across the world for their unique design, eclectic characters, film-quality production values and fantastic gameplay. With Xbox 360 providing next-generation muscle, these fascinating worlds and characters explode into the high-definition era. Today's breathtaking game demonstrations proved to the world, with staggering results, what happens when Japan's unique visionaries develop for the most powerful next-generation system.

"The next generation is here, and Microsoft is ready to deliver," said Shigeru Yokoyama, Contents and Technology Company president of Namco. "With the blend of powerful hardware, software and services, Xbox 360 allows us to create gaming experiences more satisfying, more lifelike and more interactive then ever before. The possibilities of some of our most exciting franchises and games, such as Ridge Racer and Frame City Killer™, are limitless on Xbox 360."

"Bandai is developing three exclusive games for Xbox 360, one of which is Mobile Suit Gundam, a fully networked game that utilizes the Xbox Live® infrastructure. With a combination of HD quality and Xbox Live, gamers will be able to experience a totally new Gundam world," said Shin Unozawa, president, Video Game Company, Bandai Co. Ltd.

"With Xbox 360, we are working with the most advanced gaming technology in the world to create the ultimate gaming experience," said Isamu Fukada, director of Tecmo. "Microsoft's next-generation platform demonstrates a sincere commitment to delivering great games to the Japanese market."

"Microsoft has assembled an impressive lineup of Japanese game developers and seems committed to producing games that appeal to this market," said Michihiro Ishizuka, corporate officer, president, Konami. "We are excited about the possibilities provided by Xbox 360's powerful hardware and services, and look forward to creating dynamic new worlds for gamers to explore."

Today's demonstrations also showcased the innovative strides being taken to advance the online gameplay experience through Microsoft's industry-leading online games service, Xbox Live. Xbox Live has a worldwide membership exceeding 2 million, having doubled its dynamic community in just one year—the equivalent to adding one Xbox Live member every 30 seconds. With Xbox 360, gamers can expect incredible new experiences in the next generation of Xbox Live with features such as multiple levels of service (free Xbox Live Silver membership to premium Gold membership), Gamer cards, Gamerzones, an integrated message center, and Xbox Live Marketplace—a one-stop shop for downloadable content, including free and premium maps, levels, demos, casual games, trailers, and other game-enhancing content.

Xbox 360 is on track to launch in three regions this Christmas holiday: Japan, Europe, and North America. This three-region launch will be a first in video game history.

Xbox 360 Game Titles Shown at Xbox Summit 2005

• Activision, Inc.: Call of Duty® 2, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, QUAKE™ 4, Gun
• A R C System Works Co. Ltd.: Versus Tactical Action (working title)
• Artdink Corp.: A-Train X
• Atari® Japan Co. Ltd.: Test Drive® Unlimited
• Bandai Co. Ltd.: Mobile Suit Gundam(working title)
• Banpresto Co. Ltd.: Super Robot Wars(working title)
• Capcom: Biohazard 5 (Resident Evil 5), Dead Rising
• Cavia Inc.: Title to be announced
• D3 Publisher Inc.: E-D-FX (working title), Chambara Beauty X (working title)
• Eidos: Title to be announced
• Electronic Arts: FIFA 2006, NBA Live 06, Need for Speed™ Most Wanted
• FromSoftware Inc.: eNCHANT arM
• Frontier Groove Inc.: Title to be announced
• G.Rev Ltd.: Title to be announced
• Genki Co. Ltd.: Shutokou Battle(working title)
• Hamster Corp.: Title to be announced
• Hudson Soft: Far East of Eden Ziria—Tales from Distant Jipang
• Idea Factory: Title to be announced
• Jaleco Entertainment: Title to be announced
• Kids Station Inc.: Title to be announced
• KOEI: Dynasty Warriors® 5
• Konami: Winning Eleven (working title), Rumble Roses XX (working title), Proyakyu Spirits (working title)
• Marvelous Interactive Inc.: Title to be announced
• Microsoft: NINETY-NINE NIGHTS, Every Party, Project Gotham Racing® 3
• Namco: Frame City Killer, Ridge Racer 6, RPG title to be announced, Love Football (working title)
• SEGA®: Chromehounds (working title)
• SNK PLAYMORE: King of Fighters Maximum Impact 2 (working title)
• Spike Co. Ltd.: Title to be announced
• Square/Enix: FINAL FANTASY® XI
• Success Corp.: Zookeeper (working title), Operation Darkness (working title)
• TAITO Corp.: World Airforce (working title)
• Tecmo: Dead or Alive® 4, Dead or Alive Xtreme 2, Project Progressive, Dead or Alive Code: Cronus
• THQ Japan: Saints Row, The Outfit™
• Tomy: Zoids (working title)
• Treasure Co. Ltd.: Title to be announced
• Ubisoft: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (working title)
• Vivendi Universal Games: Title to be announced
• Yuke's Co. Ltd.: Wrestle Kingdom

About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is the future-generation video game and entertainment system that places gamers at the center of the experience. Available this holiday season in North America, Europe, and Japan, Xbox 360 will ignite a new era of digital entertainment that is always connected, always personalized and always in high definition.

About Xbox Live
Xbox Live continues to transform and unite Xbox game communities worldwide, with more than 300 games planned by end of holiday 2005 and now with presence in 24 countries worldwide. As the first global, unified online console games service, Xbox Live continues to take online gameplay and entertainment to unprecedented heights. With a dynamic, global community of 2 million members, Xbox Live offers best-in-class games, intelligent matchmaking, tournaments, unique programming, and integration with Xbox.com—there is simply nothing else like it. The service continues to provide more and more ways for members to meet, interact, and stay engaged with each other.

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.

Microsoft, the Xbox logo, Xbox, Xbox 360, Project Gotham Racing, and Xbox Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners