Xbox 360 is home to the most exclusives and biggest blockbuster games of 2007.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — July 10, 2007 — On the eve of the E3 Media & Business Summit (E3), against the backdrop of the Santa Monica, Calif., night sky, Microsoft Corp. tonight demonstrated its leadership in interactive entertainment when it showcased an unparalleled lineup of holiday blockbuster hits and exclusives for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system. Microsoft delighted a live audience of thousands, and many more watching the live online broadcast, with titles such as the epic finale to the groundbreaking “Halo®” series, “Halo 3”; the successor to the seminal “Grand Theft Auto” franchise, “Grand Theft Auto IV,” featuring exclusive content for Xbox LIVE®; “Madden NFL 08” with stunning high-definition game play; and the widely anticipated “Rock Band,” where players can perform music from the world’s biggest rock artists with their friends as a virtual band.
The Best Place to Play the Most Exclusives and Biggest Blockbuster Games of 2007
Xbox 360 is a great place to play the next chapters of “Grand Theft Auto,” “Madden,” and “Halo” — the best-selling franchises of the last generation. In fact, “Halo 3,” “Grand Theft Auto IV” and “Madden NFL 08” are expected to account for one-third of all console new release sales in the U.S. during the second half of the year, according to a recent report by IGN Entertainment’s GamerMetrics. Xbox 360 has an unprecedented lineup of blockbuster titles available by holiday 2007, 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.* Available this holiday, only on Xbox 360.
Assassin’s Creed - (Ubisoft) “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.
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 this October.
BioShock - (2K Games). “BioShock” is the “genetically enhanced” first-person shooter set in the ruined undersea metropolis of Rapture. The game includes a great deal of interactive environments and player-driven choices, called emergent gameplay. Available this August, only on Xbox 360 and Windows®.
Blue Dragon - (Mistwalker/Artoon Co. Ltd.) Featuring the character design of Akira Toriyama, who designed “Dragon Ball Z,” and music by Nobuo Uematsu, the composer for “Final Fantasy,” “Blue Dragon™” is an epic role-playing game (RPG) centered on a young boy named Shu and several of his friends. Available Aug. 28, only on Xbox 360.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - (Activision). The new action thriller from the award-winning team at Infinity Ward Inc., “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” delivers the most intense and cinematic action experience ever. The epic title also delivers an added depth of multiplayer action providing online fans an all-new community of persistence, addictive and customizable gameplay. Available this fall.
Grand Theft Auto IV - (Rockstar Games) “Grand Theft Auto IV” is the next chapter of the award-winning “Grand Theft Auto” franchise, available Oct.16. “Grand Theft Auto IV” will feature episodic content through Xbox LIVE exclusive to Xbox 360.
Guitar Hero III™: Legends of Rock - (RedOctane/Activision). Fire up the fret board, crank up the amp and get ready to rock out on the new wireless Les Paul guitar controllers. “Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock” includes star-studded tracks by such legendary artists as Guns N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Muse and Pearl Jam. Available this fall.
Halo 3 - (Bungie Studios) The epic saga continues with “Halo 3,” the hugely anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed “Halo 2.” The epic saga continues with Halo 3, the hugely anticipated sequel to the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo franchise. Available Sept. 25, only on Xbox 360.
Madden NFL 08 - (Electronic Arts Inc.) EA’s unstoppable football franchise "Madden NFL 08" returns for the ’08 season in Hall of Fame fashion, featuring new players, modes, rosters and rewards to create the ultimate touchdown for pigskin fans. Available this August.
Mass Effect - (BioWare Corp.) An epic science-fiction action and role-playing game, “Mass Effect” will deliver an immersive, story-driven experience presented in a cinematic style with high production values. Available this holiday season, only on Xbox 360.
Naruto: Rise of a Ninja - (Ubisoft) Relive the hit anime and manga and experience Naruto’s transformation from noisy ninja-academy dropout to respected ninja. "Naruto: Rise of a Ninja" is available in October, only on Xbox 360.
Project Gotham Racing 4 - (Bizarre Creations Ltd.) “Project Gotham Racing® 4” will redefine the acclaimed “PGR®” franchise by delivering a unique, exciting racing experience complete with motorcycles and cars. Available this September, only on Xbox 360.
Activision Announces Legendary Guns N' Roses Vet and Velvet Revolver Frontman Slash to Appear in Guitar Hero(TM) III: Legends of Rock
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jul 10, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI) today announced that legendary guitar hero Slash will provide an original track and appear as a boss battle character in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, delivering wannabe rock stars the chance to shred against the music icon. Additionally, Guns N' Roses' rock anthem hit "Welcome to the Jungle" will be included in the game's robust soundtrack that also features master tracks by such renowned rock bands as The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Muse and Pearl Jam. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is slated for release this fall.
Activision also confirmed the company's E3 videogame line-up, which includes Bee Movie(TM) Game, based on the upcoming computer-animated comedy from DreamWorks Animation, Call of Duty(R) 4: Modern Warfare(TM), id Software's Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars(TM), Guitar Hero(TM) III: Legends of Rock, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe(TM) and Tony Hawk's Proving Ground.
For the second year running, fans around the world thirsting for a sneak preview of the Xbox 360™ holiday games and entertainment lineup can get together with friends to experience the E3 Media & Business Summit (E3) — the biggest video game industry event of the year — in high definition from the comfort of their own homes.
From Tuesday, July 10, through Friday, July 13, Microsoft Corp. is bringing E3 home to owners of the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system through its second annual E3: Bringing It Home, which offers downloads on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace of the hottest content from the show.
Connect to the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network and bring everyone together in the living room to enjoy the E3 experience with E3: Bringing It Home.
Xbox 360 owners will be able to download high-definition content direct from the show including the following:
Microsoft’s E3 2007 press conference — beginning at 8:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, July 10 — will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace in high definition later in the week
Video updates direct from the show
A selection of game trailers, themes, gamer pictures and demos will be available from the hottest E3 titles such as these:
US publisher Activision has confirmed that the third instalment in its hit Guitar Hero franchise will arrive this Autumn for PS2, Xbox 360 and, for the first time, PS3 and Wii.
New features this time out include boss battles and authentic rock venues, as well as a host of unlockable content and new multiplayer modes.
Wireless guitar peripherals have also been confirmed for all platforms, along with the addition of interchangeable faceplates. And whilst the established Les Paul model returns for the 360, PS3 and Wii, PS2 owners will be treated to a brand new Kramer model.
Downloadable content is also being touted by the publisher, with Activision stating that “strategic partnerships have been secured with all the major and independent music record labels to allow unrivalled access to their deep history of music catalogues”.
A number of tracks have also been announced, including:
• Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones)
• Cherub Rock (Smashing Pumpkins)
• Sabotage (Beastie Boys)
• The Metal (Tenacious D)
• My Name is Jonas (Weezer)
• Knights of Cydonia (Muse)
“The development team at Neversoft has been exceptional,” RedOctane’s head of publishing Dusty Welch stated. “We’ve been able to incorporate a host of fresh new online and multi-player gameplay modes, along with exciting content into this version of Guitar Hero that our fans have been asking for.
“Also, many of the top bands and songs we’ve tried to get in the past are now on board, and we’ve definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least. In addition, offering a new line of Gibson wireless guitars for each platform is going to truly add to the authentic rock star experience like no other.”
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