Chris Stead, GamePro Australia
28/09/2006 13:52:04
Love or hate Microsoft, they sure know not only how to whip out the big artillery, but when to fire. At E3 this year they pounced on Sony's miscalculated briefing and now mere days after the PS3 regained ground at the Tokyo Game Show, they're at it again. At the X06 event currently being held in Barcelona, the 'soft came out with a smashing combination of exclusives and new content they reaffirms the Xbox 360 as a true contender for Sony's console crown.
We will let the official press release do the talking for us: check this out...
On the shores of one of the world's most artistic and progressive cities, Microsoft Corp. today thrilled attendees at its annual X06 event in Barcelona with some exciting announcements highlighting how the world's greatest game creators are stretching the bounds of what's possible in high definition and online storytelling and included the following:
- A landmark partnership announced between Academy Award-winning writer, director and producer Peter Jackson, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Fran Walsh, and Microsoft Game Studios will create two new interactive entertainment series exclusively for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. The first series will be a collaborative effort with Bungie Studios to co-create the next great chapter in the "Halo®" universe. The second series will be an entirely original property targeted at bringing new audiences into the captivating world of interactive entertainment. In addition, Microsoft Game Studios will partner with Jackson and Walsh to establish Wingnut Interactive, a studio dedicated to the creation of world-class interactive entertainment.
- "Halo Wars" is an all-new real-time strategy game based on the legendary "Halo" universe and designed exclusively for Xbox 360 by Ensemble Studios, creators of the "Age of Empires®" franchise.
- Rockstar and Take-Two announced they will provide Xbox 360 gamers with exclusive access to two downloadable, epic episodes of "Grand Theft Auto IV" via Xbox Live, each with hours of entirely new gameplay and available only on Xbox 360 just months after the release of the title.
- Ubisoft confirmed that the next "Splinter Cell" title, the next instalment in the series after "Splinter Cell Double Agent," will be a console-exclusive on Xbox 360, a testament to the ability of Xbox 360 to deliver a complete experience no other console can match.
- 2K Games confirmed that "BioShock," a revolution in the genre that will forever change the expectations for first-person shooters, will be released exclusively on Xbox 360 and Microsoft® Windows next spring.
- "Project Gotham Racing 4," the latest addition to the best-selling racing franchise from Bizarre Creations exclusively for Xbox 360, was unveiled. "Project Gotham Racing 4" promises to continue the "Project Gotham Racing" pedigree of innovation by introducing exciting new experiences to racing fans worldwide.
- The beloved "Banjo-Kazooie" franchise will breathe new, high-definition life on Xbox 360 exclusively from famed developer Rare Ltd.; astonishing next-generation visuals and presentation reunite beloved characters Banjo, Kazooie and Gruntilda - among other fan favourites - with their sharp wit and hilarious sense of humour.
- Microsoft Game Studios announced its highly anticipated new massively multiplayer online game, "Marvel Universe Online" for Xbox 360 and the Windows Vista operating system, developed by industry luminaries Cryptic Studios, creators of the smash hit "City of Heroes."
- Two additions to Xbox Live Arcade were announced: the first-person shooter that pioneered the network-gaming era, "DOOM," from acclaimed developer id Software and Activision, is available today for download via Xbox Live Arcade. The game includes the original four-episode, single-player game, four-player split screen (cooperative and deathmatch) and four-player cooperative and deathmatch over Xbox Live. Also coming to Xbox Live Arcade soon is "Sensible World of Soccer" from Codemasters. Based on the classic 1994 Amiga title, "Sensible World of Soccer" will let gamers choose between the original graphics or an updated, high-resolution look and feel - while still capturing the original's entire world of football.
- Arriving at retailers in North America, the U.K, France and Germany in mid-November 2006, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player will retail for $199.99 in North America (estimated retail price)* and Euro 199.99/£129.99 (estimated retail price)* in the U.K., France and Germany. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player comes with the Universal Pictures' blockbuster film Peter Jackson's "King Kong" on HD DVD (for a limited time) and the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote.
So what is our interpretation on all this? Damn! But there are some positives for Sony: where is the software and peripherals to compete with EyeToy, SingStar and Buzz? These are Sony's three trump cards at the moment and although gamers look to be well and truly sorted with the Xbox 360, gamers aren't what win you a console war in the new millennium. The mainstream is, and they choose Singstar over Splinter Cell...
Anyway
As for the HD-DVD, although no Aussie price was announced, we can bank on AU$299.00. Given that prices remain the same, an Xbox 360 with the HD-DVD peripheral will cost ~$949, less that the $1000 Sony PS3.
More as we get it gamers...
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