TOKYO \u2014 Oct. 9, 2008 \u2014 Get ready. The evolution is coming. Microsoft Corp. today announced at the Tokyo Game Show that the New Xbox Experience, a transformation in home entertainment, will launch on Thursday, Nov. 19. On that day, more than 20 million Xbox 360 owners worldwide will experience a completely new Xbox 360\u00ae videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft that\u2019s fun, social and simple to use \u2013 and puts more entertainment at their finger tips than any other device connected to the TV.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s now easier than ever to get the most affordable next-generation console and some of the season\u2019s best and broadest games. For just $349 RRP*, the Xbox 360 Arcade Spring Bundle comes with six free games, including \u201cSega Superstars Tennis\u201d and five games for the Xbox LIVE\u00ae Arcade for Xbox 360.\u00a0 Additionally, the Xbox 360 console ($499 RRP*) and Xbox 360 Elite ($649 RRP*) Holiday Bundles pair the consoles and the promise of the New Xbox Experience with two amazing games: \u201cLEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures\u201d and \u201cKung Fu Panda\u2122\u201d \u2013 at no added cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur industry is defining the future of entertainment,\u201d said John Schappert, corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Studios, from the Tokyo Game Show. \u201cWhen the New Xbox Experience launches in just six weeks, we will be inviting the whole world to play. We\u2019ll also have the games that everyone will want, including all-new social experiences like \u2018Lips,\u2019 \u2018Scene It? Box Office Smash,\u2019 and \u2018You\u2019re In the Movies,\u2019 all launching this year or the beginning of 2009, all exclusively on Xbox 360.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the launch of the New Xbox Experience on Nov. 19, Xbox 360 owners will enjoy:<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Entertainment without limits. Xbox 360 invites you into a world where the best games live side by side with your personal pictures and music library, ready to share anytime with friends across the globe through the Xbox LIVE\u00ae online entertainment network.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 LIVE Parties: Xbox 360 is the only device that allows you to create a virtual party on your TV with up to seven friends. With LIVE Party, voice chat while you play games, share photos real-time and entertain friends all over the world.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Personality Plus.\u00a0 Create a customisable, animated Avatar and literally jump into the world of Xbox LIVE.\u00a0 Your Avatar is your game-face throughout the New Xbox Experience and represents your personality \u2013 whether you\u2019re a LIVE Party host or chatting with a friend. With custom Avatars created by the more than 14 million members worldwide, Xbox LIVE will have as many Avatars as Tokyo has residents.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When the New Xbox Experiences launches this Spring, it will join the best and broadest Xbox 360 entertainment line-up of games ever. Whatever your passion, Xbox 360 has games for you. Only on Xbox 360 can you unleash your inner diva with \u201cLips;\u201d live your favourite movie moments with \u201cYou\u2019re in the Movies\u201d and \u201cScene It? Box Office Smash;\u201d and find Xbox LIVE Arcade favourites like \u201cCastle Crashers\u201d alongside indie favourites like the smash hit \u201cBraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Music. Xbox 360 is the preferred stage for the majority of the best music games, including \u201cLips,\u201d \u201cRock Band 2,\u201d \u201cGuitar Hero\u00aeWorld Tour\u201d and \u201cDanceDanceRevolution\u00ae UNIVERSE3.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Family. Xbox 360 gets the whole family playing with titles such as \u201cBanjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts,\u201d \u201cDig Dug Stylish Edition,\u201d \u201cPacland\u201d and \u201cViva Pi\u00f1ata: Trouble in Paradise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sports. Xbox 360 remains the one of the best places to play sports titles, including leading franchises like \u201cMadden NFL,\u201d \u201cTiger Woods PGA TOUR,\u201d \u201cNBA LIVE,\u201d \u201cNHL 2K\u201d and more.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Blockbusters. \u201cFINAL FANTASY\u00ae XIII\u201d will be available on Xbox 360 at launch in North America and Europe. And Xbox 360 is the only place gamers can play our exclusive games, such as \u201cGears of War 2\u201d and \u201cFable II.\u201d<\/p>\n
* Recommended Retail Price<\/p>\n
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About Xbox 360<\/p>\n
Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home to the best and broadest games plus more standard and high-definition movies and TV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV. The digital centre of the living room, Xbox 360 blends great content, including personal pictures and music, with a unified online social network to create an entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information can be found online at http:\/\/www.xbox.com\/xbox360<\/a>.<\/p>\n About Xbox LIVE<\/p>\n Xbox LIVE is the first and most comprehensive unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox LIVE connects more than 12 million members across 26 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favourite retail games. More information can be found online at http:\/\/www.xbox.com\/en-au\/live\/nxe\/<\/a><\/p>\n About Microsoft<\/p>\n Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq \u201cMSFT\u201d) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.<\/p>\n #########<\/p>\n For more information, press only:<\/p>\n Scott Rhodie: Pulse Communication \u2013 (02) 8281 3842 or scott@pulsecom.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n Steve Munachen: Pulse Communications \u2013 (02) 8281 3863 or steve@pulsecom.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 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<\/a> on Microsoft\u2019s 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\u2019s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/presspass\/contactpr.mspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n STEVE MUNACHEN<\/p>\n Account Manager | Pulse Communications | an Ogilvy PR Worldwide Company | Level 2, Ogilvy House, 72 Christie St, St. Leonards, Sydney, NSW, 2065 | T +61 (2) 8281 3863 | M +61 (0) 404 014 930 | F + 61 (2) 8281 3870 I www.pulsecom.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Pty Ltd is a member of the WPP Group of Companies \u2013 our code of business conduct can be found on www.wpp.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" TOKYO \u2014 Oct. 9, 2008 \u2014 Get ready. The evolution is coming. Microsoft Corp. today announced at the Tokyo Game Show that the New Xbox Experience, a transformation in home entertainment, will launch on Thursday, Nov. 19. On that day, more than 20 million Xbox 360 owners worldwide will experience a completely new Xbox 360\u00ae<\/p>\n