Publisher-Stars bringen Inhalte für die neue Xbox

Publisher-Stars bringen Inhalte für die neue Xbox-Generation

Führende Spielehersteller wollen High Definition-Ära vorantreiben

8. April 2005 – Microsoft gab heute bekannt, dass ein Staraufgebot von preisgekrönten Publishern den Einstieg in das High Definition-Zeitalter auf der nächsten Xbox-Generation von Mircosoft einleiten will.

Die nächste Xbox wird alles bieten, um Microsofts Vision der HD-Ära umsetzen zu können. In dieser HD-Ära werden die Kunden nach neuen Erlebnissen beim Spielen und nach Inhalten verlangen, die immer persönlicher, immer vernetzter und immer hoch auflösender sein werden. Entsprechend wird die nächste Xbox durch überwältigende Schärfe der Grafik, hervorragende Bildqualität, ständige Vernetzung und außergewöhnliche Personalisierungs-Eigenschaften überzeugen. Um all dies Wirklichkeit werden zu lassen, hat Microsoft die bedeutendsten Spielepublisher versammelt, um die „HD-Gaming-Revolution“ für die Spieleindustrie zu beginnen. Zusammengenommen haben diese Publisher mehr als eine halbe Milliarde Videospiele für die aktuelle Xbox-Konsole weltweit verkauft und repräsentieren circa 70 Prozent der 2004 gesamt auf allen Konsolenplattformen verkauften Spiele (Quelle: NPD Funworld, Nielen, GFK, Chartrank und Enterbrain).

“Der Schlüssel zum Erfolg, um die Vision der HD-Gaming-Zeitalters mit Leben zu füllen, sind unsere Partner: Publisher und Entwickler der Spitzenklasse, die die Geschichte der interaktiven Unterhaltung für viele Millionen Gamer weltweit geformt und gestaltet haben”, sagte Peter Moore, Corporate Vice President of Xbox Global Content and Marketing, Mircosoft. “Diese herausragenden Publisher und Entwickler sind bereit, für unsere Kunden Spielerfahrungen zu kreieren, von denen man bestenfalls geträumt hat. Sie sind entschlossen, Videogaming zur führenden Unterhaltungsform zu machen.”

Bedeutende Publisher und Entwickler wie 2KGames, Activision Inc., Atari Inc., Bandai Co. Ltd., Bethesda Softworks LLC, Buena Vista Games Inc., Capcom Co. Ltd., Codemasters Software Company Ltd., Eidos Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., FromSoftware Inc., InterServ International, KOEI Co. Ltd., Konami Corp., LucasArts, Majesco Entertainment, Midway Games Inc., Namco Ltd., Phantagram Co. Ltd., Rockstar Games, SCi Games Ltd., SEGA, Tecmo Ltd., THQ Inc., TWP Corp., Ubisoft Entertainment, Vivendi Universal Games Inc. and Webzen Inc. haben ihre Unterstützung für Microsofts innovative Vision des zukünftigen HD-Gamings zugesichert.

Damit treten diese Top-Publisher an die Seite der Microsoft Game Studios, deren Entwicklerteams exklusive Inhalte für die Xbox-Plattform der nächsten Generation entwickeln werden. Dazu kommen Entwickler wie BioWare Corp., Bizarre Creations Ltd., Bungie Studios, Epic Games Inc., FASA Studio, Lionhead Studios Ltd., Rare Ltd., aber auch Firmen wie Yoshiki Okamotos Game Republic Inc., Hironobu Sakaguchis Mistwalker and Tetsuya Mizuguchis Q Entertainment Inc.

Die Xbox-Spieletitel der nächsten Generation bieten fesselnde Unterhaltung, die das HD-Zeitalter vorantreiben wird. Spieler können sich auf technische Neuerungen wie Multichannel Audio freuen, das so realistisch ist, das man auch die leisesten Schritte der Gegner hören kann. Diese Neuerungen werden durch eine bessere Online-Kommunikation und eine Vielzahl von On-Demand-Inhalten unterstützt, die von Mircosofts Xbox Live Service angeboten werden.

Auch die aktuelle Generation der Xbox wird Mircosoft weiterhin unterstützen. Spieler können ein fantastisches Portfolio an Titeln bis ins Jahr 2007 erwarten. Allein in diesem Jahr werden Publisher und Entwickler mehr als 200 Spiele für die Plattform liefern. Seit dem Launch von Xbox wurden bisher 20 Million Konsolen weltweit verkauft - mit weiteren Millionen an verkauften Konsolen wird gerechnet.

Das übergreifende Commitment führender Unternehmen der Spieleindustrie unterstreicht den festen Glauben an die Vision Xbox.

Originalstimmen

“Moving into the next generation of console hardware, Microsoft is dedicated to creating cutting-edge technology that enables us to develop more immersive and graphically stunning games. Gamers everywhere benefit as Microsoft’s state-of-the-art tools allow us to turn our ideas into unparalleled gaming experiences.”

Greg Thomas
President
Visual Concepts, developers of 2K Games’ critically acclaimed 2K5 Sports series

“The next-generation Xbox video game system platform gives us unprecedented personalization abilities that allow gamers to completely customize their gaming experiences like never before. We share Microsoft’s vision for the HD Era and look forward to providing consumers with unparalleled game and entertainment experiences.”

Kathy Vrabeck
President
Activision Publishing

“The online interface and customization offered by the next-generation Xbox is a leap forward in how consumers interact with games. Atari hopes to maximize the advantages of Microsoft’s new platform and provide our consumers with the type of immersive entertainment experiences that are synonymous with the Atari name.”

Jim Caparro
President and Chief Executive Officer
Atari Inc.

“Bandai is proud to be one of the publishers planning for the next-generation Xbox. Our unique and exciting games will be a great addition to the next-generation Xbox product line.”

Naruo Uchida
Vice President
Bandai

“For many gamers, having a personalized experience always has been a driving force behind playing a role-playing game. With the next-generation Xbox, we can create even more original, immersive and engaging worlds for players to explore.”

Pete Hines
Vice President of PR and Marketing
Bethesda Softworks

“Our production organization is gearing up to bring a wide range of products to the next-generation Xbox platform.The incredible capabilities of this system, along with the continued evolution and expansion of the Xbox Live community are exciting for us and for our audience.”

Michael Ryder
Vice President of Worldwide Production Buena Vista Games

“Today, it is my great pleasure to announce Capcom’s support for Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox console. It is my firm belief that by utilizing this new hardware we will be able to further our longtime goal of creating the perfect blend of unique gaming experiences with revolutionary, cutting-edge technology.”

Kenzo Tsujimoto
President and CEO
Capcom

“We’ve always loved creating games for Xbox and working with Microsoft; we share a great passion for developing excellent, superbly playable games. Everyone at Codemasters is excited to be part of Microsoft’s vision and take the gaming experience to a new generation of Xbox.”

David Darling
Chairman
Codemasters

“Eidos is fully committed to developing for the next-generation Xbox system, taking our console products into the next generation. The incredible performance of this new architecture enables our developers to utterly demolish the barriers presented by the current platforms, delivering entirely new experiences to our players.”

John Spinale
Vice President
North American Development
Eidos Inc.

“EA studio teams are already deep in development on games that will debut with Microsoft’s new console. We’re particularly focused on making use of the high-definition and online capabilities — two elements we think will define the game experience on the next generation of technology. Microsoft is a great partner, and its new console is going to be a blast for both developers and consumers.”

Don Mattrick
President
Electronic Arts Worldwide Studios

“We strongly believe that the next-generation Xbox will completely change ideas and images of entertainment, and we are very honored and pleased to join this great project.”

Naotoshi Zin
President
FromSoftware Inc.

“We have great expectations for the next-generation Xbox. We are looking forward to making full use of the next-generation Xbox’s capabilities to provide game fans all over the world with a completely revolutionary form of entertainment.”

Toru Ogawa
Managing Executive Officer
General Manager
Software Division
KOEI Co. Ltd.

“Konami has always provided high-quality, top-selling games that push the boundaries of innovation and technology. Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox video game system platform will help us continue to deliver great games, providing a wealth of new entertainment opportunities to our customers.”

Kazumi Kitaue
Executive Corporate Officer
America and Europe
Konami Corp.

“The next generation of Xbox promises to introduce an incredibly powerful new platform that will allow developers and publishers to create games with unprecedented levels of realism, connectivity and customization. Majesco supports Microsoft’s vision for the future of interactive gaming, and we’re excited to partner with it in bringing innovative new content to the next generation of Xbox gamers.”

Jesse Sutton
President
Majesco Entertainment

“We have amassed an unparalleled lineup of first-party developers recognized worldwide as creative innovators and trendsetters. We all are committed to providing groundbreaking advancements exclusively for the next generation of Xbox. Our collective goal is to deliver experiences that will fundamentally change the way people think about, play and experience interactive entertainment.”

Shane Kim
General Manager
Microsoft Game Studios

“Great next-generation games will be defined by how far they push the envelope in terms of graphical prowess, evolved artificial intelligence and revolutionary online functionality beyond what gamers are currently experiencing. We look forward to working with Microsoft on the next-generation Xbox to produce groundbreaking content that will change the face of entertainment.”

David F. Zucker
President and Chief Executive Officer Midway

“Namco is pleased to be a leading publisher supporting Microsoft’s next-generation vision. We are confident that Microsoft’s next console will be an impressive piece of hardware that will push technological limits, provide consumers with a memorable gaming experience and showcase our software to its fullest potential.”

Nobuhiro Kasahara
President and Chief Executive Officer
Namco Hometek Inc.

“Simplythe next-generation Xbox is a revolutionarymachine that exceeds anybody’s expectation. Just like how sensational Xbox was to the gaming industry when it wasfirst introduced, I strongly believe this next generation will allow developers to explore unlimited possibilities and create games they only dreamed of. Fully leveraging all high-end technology the Xbox features, Phantagram is also planning to deliver dazzlingly stylish games never seen and experiencedbefore.”

Sangyoun Lee
CEO
Phantagram, Ltd.

“Working with the next-generation Xbox technology is a great opportunity. Our development teams are very excited by the possibilities and challenges that come with the advancement of new hardware. The new technology will hopefully allow us to continue pushing the envelope of people’s expectations, while continuing to explore the core ethos and style that is at the heart of Rockstar’s sensibility.”

Sam Houser
President
Rockstar Games

“The next Xbox will be accessible to a wider market, so SEGA is prepared to deliver a range of great game content that will satisfy all market demographics, from our stable of popular franchises like ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ to new and exciting properties that will change the way people interact with games. Microsoft has created powerful development tools, so SEGA developers can create incredibly rich, cinematic environments that are more realistic than ever before. Add to this a philosophy of software, hardware and services integration, and you have a successful formula that we expect will set a new benchmark for quality.”

Simon Jeffery
President and COO
SEGA

“We are working with the most advanced gaming technology in the world in order to create the ultimate gaming experience while continuing to be the industry leader in online gaming on Microsoft’s next-generation platform.”

John Inada
Tecmo Ltd.

“As a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, we are committed to delivering only the best possible experiences for our customers. Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox video game system gives us the platform upon which we can build and deliver digital entertainment experiences our customers have only dreamed of.”

Jack Sorensen
Executive Vice President
Worldwide Studios
THQ

“Ubisoft is committed to delivering great games to audiences around the world. Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox video game system platform will provide us with even more entertainment opportunities to produce and publish innovative, entertaining games with the ability to interact with their gaming community in ways like never before.”

Jay Cohen
Vice President
Publishing
Ubisoft

“Microsoft’s state-of-the-art technologies in next-generation platforms will provide gamers with a whole new and exciting gaming experience. The power of next-gen platforms in high-definition will exceed the expectations of gamers, putting them in the game with a more realistic experience. VU Games is very excited and committed to integrating the benefits of the next-generation Xbox into future titles.”

Cindy Cook
Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer
Vivendi Universal Games

“As a developer that specializes in online gaming, we chosethe next-generation Xbox platform because of its stable service and online capabilities. Through this platform we havehopes to meet the high expectations and develop a high-quality gameto giveconsumers the highest level ofenjoyment.”

Nam Ju Kim
President/ CEO
Webzen Inc.

quelle : Pressemeldung