TR1GG3R MAN's Blog : Press Releases

GOW2: Combustible Map Pack

TR1GG3RMAN — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:20:00 GMT

The Saga Continues: “Gears of War 2” Combustible Map Pack Launches Today Players will be able to enjoy the all new exhilarating action in the first “Gears of War 2” downloadable content mere hours following its exclusive premiere...(read more)

XBLA Week Update [15Oct2007]

TR1GG3RMAN — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:01:00 GMT

Monday 15 th October, 2007 “Every Extend Extra Extreme” and “Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe” Explode on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday! Milan - This week, play “Every Extend Extra Extreme,” an explosive new twist on the puzzle-shooter genre and also check...(read more)

Lionhead's Third Video Diary

TR1GG3RMAN — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:27:00 GMT

Lionhead Releases the Third Installment of the Studio’s Entertaining Video Diary Series Meet the “Geeky” and Extremely Funny Central Technology Group (CTG) at Lionhead Studios, Responsible For Creating the Unique Tools that Produce and Enhance the Gameplay...(read more)

Xbox LIVE Arcade, Geon: Emotions

TR1GG3RMAN — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:11:00 GMT

Express Yourself with “Geon: Emotions” this Xbox LIVE Arcade Wednesday! Milano 18 th September 2007 - Do you have the courage to look melancholy in the eye, give a rapturous performance and take the enviable title as Master of Geon? Find your emotional...(read more)

XCN: E3 Update [3]

TR1GG3RMAN — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 12:17:00 GMT

Last day of E3: Here’s the new “Bringing It Home” Marketplace content: Vampire Rain Gamer Pics (60 MS Points) Vampire Rain Theme (150 MS Points) Stranglehold Theme (150 MS Points) Stranglehold Picture Pack (100 MS Points) SpiderMan Trilogy: Friend or...(read more)

XCN: E3 Update [2]

TR1GG3RMAN — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:37:00 GMT

Here’s the list of today’s Bringing It Home Marketplace downloadable content: E3 Press Conference Part 1 Video E3 Press Conference Part 2 Video E3 Press Conference Part 3 Video Stuntman: Ignition Demo The issue with the Stuntman Demo should be fixed soon...(read more)

XCN: E3 Update [1]

TR1GG3RMAN — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:48:00 GMT

E3 started: There’s a bunch of great stuff to talk about and here are some of the main topics: Video Marketplace coming to Europe before end of 2007 Sonic the Hedgehog and Golden Axe on Xbox Live Arcade NOW! GTA IV’s Episodic Content will be exclusive...(read more)

Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

TR1GG3RMAN — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:40:00 GMT

Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite Premium black console includes 120GB hard drive and line of new accessories. REDMOND, Wash. — March 27, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the upcoming availability of Xbox 360™ Elite, a new model of the video game...(read more)

Halo 3 Announcement! - TV Ad Teaser

TR1GG3RMAN — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 20:31:00 GMT

Master Chief As You Have Never Seen Him Before Halo 3 TV Ad to air simultaneously on Xbox.com November 30th, 2006 — Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios today unveiled more details on the worldwide debut of a new Halo 3 teaser ad. The ad will be...(read more)

Capcom - Lost Planet Multiplayer Demo

TR1GG3RMAN — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 13:09:00 GMT

Capcom, the publisher of Lost Planet, received feedback from the Xbox Community about the Lost Planet multiplayer demo and released this statement: “Hi there, Capcom is listening and taking our community to heart. We appreciate all the great feedback...(read more)

WCG, Samsung Cybertest !

TR1GG3RMAN — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:14:00 GMT

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS UNVEALS USERS CYBERPERSONALITY WITH THE CYBERTEST ON FAMOUS WEBSITE MSN.IT The Samsung Cybertest is now online on the homepage of MSN.it: take the test to discover which Dead or Alive4 videogame character better reflects your personality...(read more)

Samsung Booth, WCG

TR1GG3RMAN — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:05:00 GMT

ENTERTAINMENT, GAMES AND CELEBRITIES AT THE SAMSUNG BOOTH DURING THE WORLD CYBER GAMES The Worldwide Sponsor of the event will be present with an amazing booth at the WCG Grand Final to be held in Monza from October 18 th to 22 nd . M onza , October 17...(read more)

Monthly Xbox Press Release

TR1GG3RMAN — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:43:00 GMT

As the industry gears up for E3, Microsoft is preparing to unveil the next wave of premium game content and online gaming services for Xbox 360, and there are more surprises just around the corner.

The World Embraces Xbox 360

The worldwide Xbox 360 launch was met with great success and fanfare in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore on March 16 and Australia and New Zealand on March 23, successfully placing the console around the world.

The launch “down under” was the highest grossing entertainment launch in Australian history – grossing more than the Harry Potter books or the Lord of the Rings movies. More than 350 stores opened in Australia and New Zealand at midnight and the console availability may have temporarily impacted the region’s productivity: more than half of customers who preordered a console said they intended to take a day off from work to play their new consoles. More than 30,000 consoles sold in the first four days, making Xbox 360 the fastest-selling console launch in Australian history.

The excitement continues on April 22 when Australia aims to break records again, this time with the world’s largest water balloon fight. The water balloon event ties into the console’s “Jump In” brand advertising tagline, which has heralded the next generation of gaming (check out the ad online at xbox.com.au/waterballoon). The event takes place at Coogee Beach, one of Australia’s iconic beaches. Thousands of gamers from all over the world will launch more than 50,000 water balloons at each other.

Australia isn’t the only country stepping up the fun. In a news conference in Tokyo on April 6, Takashi Sensui, the new general manager of the Japanese Xbox division, announced that 15 more games would be added to the Japanese lineup by summer, bringing the total to 40 – a number that is expected to double by the end of the year. Also announced was the “Blue Limited Edition” Xbox 360 model themed after the FIFA World Cup, of which Xbox 360 is the official games console. A special blue faceplate included in this model matches Japan’s national soccer team’s color. Other Japanese-exclusive content includes an online “Mobile Suit Gundam” game from Namco/Bandai, SquareEnix’ exclusive “Project Sylph,” a secret RPG developed by TriAce, downloadable anime episodes through Xbox Live Marketplace, and the upcoming RPGs “Lost Odyssey” and “Blue Dragon.”

In an effort to meet the unwavering demand for Xbox 360 across the world, Microsoft is now shipping two to three times the number of consoles that had previously been shipped to retailers each week. This keeps us firmly on track to meet forecast of 4.5 to 5.5 million units worldwide by the end of June 2006.

Xbox 360 Games: Topping the Charts

Xbox 360 is setting the bar for high definition gaming. Both “Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter” (Ubisoft) and “Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” (Bethesda) exploded software sales in March. Bethesda announced “Oblivion” shipped more than 1.7 million copies on the Xbox 360 and Windows platforms between its launch on March 20 and April 7, making it one of the fastest-selling RPGs ever. “Oblivion” has been receiving accolades from nearly every game reviewer, and has been hailed by some as “one of the best RPGs ever made.” In Europe, “Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter” topped the all-formats sales charts the week it released – replaced only by “Oblivion” two weeks later.

Of the 80 high-definition games scheduled for release by June, games being released in April include:

“FIFA World Cup™” (EA SPORTS)
“FINAL FANTASY® XI” (Square Enix, Inc.)
“Top Spin 2“ (2K Sports)
“Major League Baseball 2K6” (2K Sports)
“Battlefield 2: Modern Combat™” (Electronic Arts)
“Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend” (Eidos)

Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox Live Arcade: The Digital Trendsetters

There is incredible momentum behind the Xbox Live Marketplace digital distribution center. More than 10 million pieces of content have been downloaded from Marketplace since launch. In addition to high-definition movie trailers, games and demos, more than three million of the downloads were Xbox Live Arcade game titles. The ability to “try Arcade titles before you buy” is a big hit, with an average 20 percent trial-to-purchase conversion rate (39 percent for the most popular Arcade game, “Geometry Wars.”)

Gamers can also expand their gaming experience by downloading new content from Xbox Live Marketplace. Three new content packs for “Kameo: Elements of Power” introduced entirely new gaming features such as online cooperative gameplay. Kameo and her warriors received digital makeovers with a slew of new skins and costumes available online. Kameo players will also have a chance to leave their own personalized mark on the game with the “Kameo: Elements of Power Design Your Skin Contest.” Users will submit their own creative skin designs, with the winner’s skin available to the community after the contest concludes.

In “Perfect Dark Zero,” Joanna Dark fans will enjoy new maps in which to play and new gameplay functions in the coming months to expand this best-selling Xbox 360 title.

The downloadable “Project Gotham Racing 3” Speed Pack gives racers access to new gameplay upgrades including new cars. “Project Gotham Racing 3” also kicked off its first major tournament on April 17. When users register for the event, their game becomes tournament-enabled with the most recent update, and then they compete with other speed demons from around the world in a variety of events. Qualifiers and single-elimination tournaments culminate in a race for the gold at the Lamborghini Factory in Italy in June. Registration for the tournament closes on April 28.

In Game With Fame (GWF) news, Xbox Live gamers got a chance to participate in a special GWF session on April 5. Featuring R&B artist Chris Brown challenging opponents to a game of “Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter,” the session also included an auction for various prizes including signed CDs. The proceeds from winning bids went to Habitat for Humanity’s New Orleans relief efforts.

Exclusive Entertainment on Xbox Live

Xbox Live users can now download exclusive content from Epic records to enhance their entertainment experience. Announced last month, the exclusive Epic Records Artist of the Month program brings the hottest music to Xbox Live users, absolutely free. Each month, Epic features songs in 5.1 digital and high-definition videos from a new artist, starting with British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield whose video “Unwritten” is available through April 30. Artists of the Month will also participate in the “Game with Fame” program on Xbox Live Arcade, giving fans a chance to test their mettle against their favorite musicians.

Free Xbox Live Gold Weekend: Everyone Jumps In

If the ability to demo games converts to sales, then what about the ability to demo the entire Xbox Live Gold service? That was the philosophy behind the incredibly successful Free Xbox Live Gold Weekend, presented courtesy of Verizon from March 31 through April 2, 2006. Xbox 360 gamers connected to Xbox Live enjoyed all the services of gold membership, free of charge.

Gamers rocked the Xbox Live world during the Free Gold Weekend in a series of events representing the largest multiplayer games programming effort ever. Events included Xbox Live Arcade leaderboard tournaments, a series of Play and Win contests, and a mentorship program where “veterans” helped “newbies” get acquainted with the service.

Viva Piñata: The Next Big Thing

On March 15, Microsoft Game Studios and 4Kids Entertainment announced the introduction of “Viva Piñata,” a mass entertainment property created by Rare that features a vibrant world of living piñata animals. 4Kids Entertainment are known for powerhouse properties like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

This fall, a Viva Piñata television show debuts on 4Kids TV on Fox, followed by an Xbox 360-exclusive game in the 2006 holiday season. The customizable and immersive game allows players to create their own unique Piñata-filled adventures.

When Celebrities Play

April 8 saw the first “Settle the Score” event, a new program where celebrities go head to head on the Xbox to see who’s really #1. Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers defeated Corey Maggette of the LA Clippers in a game of NBA 2K6 for bragging rights – and an Xbox 360 for each of Kobe’s teammates. Future events featuring celebrity rivals are already in the works.

The Envelope Please…

We are proud to announce that the recently-redesigned Xbox.com website was nominated for a Webby Award for Community. The Webby Awards – considered the Oscars for websites – recognize the best online design and content, and by extension, recognize the growing gaming community at Xbox.com, fueled in no small part by the surge in Xbox Live members with the release of Xbox 360.

Games for Windows: A Legendary Rise

One of the most anticipated real-time strategy games will hit the Windows platform next month: “Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends.” This fantasy title has been building buzz online for some time, and fans are ready to roll up their sleeves and pit magic against technology in this epic strategy game.

Additionally, Zoo Tycoon fans will want to visit the completely redesigned Web site for “Zoo Tycoon,” launched on April 3. Fans of the franchise can visit ZooTycoon.com for the latest zoo news, downloadable wallpapers, coloring book pages, ring tones and much more.

Microsoft Gaming: Accolades Abound

Next-gen.biz recently named a list of Top 100 game developers for next-generation consoles, and 15 of those 100 developers are members of the Microsoft Game Studios team. In alphabetical order, the designers honored include: Cliff Bleszinki, Martyn Chudley, Denis Dyack, David Jones, Jason Jones, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Peter Molyneux, Dr Ray Muzyak, Dr Greg Zeschuk, Okomoto-san, Alexey Pajitnov, Hironobu Sakaguchi, Bruce Shelley, Tim Stamper and Chris Stamper.

Additionally, IGN recently compiled metrics on gaming in 2006 with three major Xbox 360 titles making the “most anticipated original IP” list: “Gears of War” (Epic), “Prey” (Venom Games and 3D Realms), and “Ninety-Nine Nights” (Q Entertainment). Epic Games and Bungie Studios are among the top 5 Developers of 2006.

The Family Grows

A major partner joined the Microsoft Game Studios family this month: Lionhead Studios, makers of the revolutionary “Fable” and “Black & White.” Helmed by founder and legendary game designer Peter Molyneux, Lionhead will now produce content exclusively for the Xbox 360 and Windows gaming platforms.

Availability Means Attachment

With increased supply hitting retail shelves, gamers are gobbling up the next generation of games. Xbox 360 had 3 of the 10 best-selling titles across all video game platforms. “Ghost Recon: Advanced War Fighter” was the #2 title, “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” was #3, and “Fight Night: Round 3” was the #9 title. “Oblivion” scored the #3 spot despite being on the market for only a few days in March.

“Fight Night: Round 3” experienced its best sales since launch on Xbox 360. Gamers are clearly looking for a high-definition, next-generation gaming experience now. With Xbox Live giving gamers the opportunity to download the demo and try the game, “Fight Night: Round 3” has become one of the best-attached boxing games in console history.

Top 5 selling Xbox 360 titles for March:

“Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter” (Ubisoft)
“The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” (Bethesda)
“Fight Night: Round 3” (EA)
“Burnout: Revenge” (EA)
“The Outfit” (THQ)

The Launch-to-date attach rate for games increased to a record 4.5 games per console in North America, fueled by the desire to jump into the next generation of high-definition entertainment and the increased availability of Xbox 360 in retail channels. The attach rate for Xbox 360 accessories broke its own record, at 3.0 per console in North America.

As E3 draws ever closer, get ready for the next chapter in the Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business story!

Many thanks to Tony for providing the article. :)

Xbox at GDC 2006

TR1GG3RMAN — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:23:00 GMT

The Game Developers Conference is the official trade event by game developers for developers...more

CES 2006 - External HD-DVD Drive

TR1GG3RMAN — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 19:50:00 GMT

Building on Xbox 360 leadership in high-definition experiences, Microsoft announced plans to deliver a new Xbox 360 external HD DVD drive in 2006. The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/events/ces2006/default.htm

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2006/0105-xbox360hidefentertainment.htm

Xbox Portfolio Continues to Raise the Bar at E3

TR1GG3RMAN — Wed, 18 May 2005 07:08:00 GMT

Xbox Portfolio Continues to Raise the Bar at E 3 Momentum for Xbox continues as the industry’s finest boast best-in-class games for current generation. LOS ANGELES — 18 May, 2005 — Gaming industry heavyweights are still rolling out top...(read more)

Premier Titles From Microsoft Game Studios Showcase Awesome Power of Xbox 360

TR1GG3RMAN — Wed, 18 May 2005 07:01:00 GMT

Premier Titles From Microsoft Game Studios Showcase Awesome Power of Xbox 360 Xbox 360 ushers in next generation of interactive entertainment at E3. LOS ANGELES — May 18, 2005 — The next generation of video gaming arrives in full force today...(read more)

Xbox 360 Fact Sheet

TR1GG3RMAN — Tue, 17 May 2005 18:43:00 GMT

Xbox 360 Fact Sheet May 2005 Product Overview: The Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system places you at the center of the experience. Available this holiday season in Europe, Japan and North America, Xbox 360 ignites a new era of digital...(read more)

Xbox 360 Peripherals Fact Sheet

TR1GG3RMAN — Tue, 17 May 2005 18:28:00 GMT

Xbox 360 Peripherals Fact Sheet May 2005 Developed by the creators of the Xbox ® video game system, Microsoft Corp.’s new line of Xbox 360™ system peripherals extend your digital entertainment experience on Xbox 360. Product: Faces Product...(read more)

All-Star Publishers Commit to Deliver Content for Next-Generation Xbox Platform

TR1GG3RMAN — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 11:17:00 GMT

All-Star Publishers Commit to Deliver Content for Next-Generation Xbox Platform Gaming heavyweights pledge their support to fuel HD Era. April 8, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today unveiled its all-star line-up of award-winning publishers committed to...(read more)