Experience The Latest In Next Generation Gaming

If you're fanatical about gaming then start flexing your thumbs; the Xbox 360 Games Tour is coming to town. Gamers across six UK cities will get the first chance to test the amazing range of killer titles and latest accessories on Xbox 360, the next generation gaming and entertainment console from Microsoft®. Up first is Manchester followed by Newcastle, Birmingham, Sheffield, Southampton and finishing up in London.

The line up of 'must have' games out for Christmas includes "Gears of War®"* - the enthralling third-person tactical action game and "Viva Piñata" - a window to another world where players of all ages can create a fantastical island to care for different species of Piñata animals. Go back to the old school with the latest games from Xbox Live® Arcade including Marble Blast Ultra and Street Fighter® II and discover the latest games from over 100 next generation games on Xbox 360.

Gamers will also get the chance to test the latest new range of accessories for the Xbox 360, including the Xbox 360 wireless headset, Wireless Racing Wheel and the brand new Xbox Live Vision video camera which launched earlier this month. Xbox Live Vision lets you customise your gamer picture, send photo messages, and video chat with friends and family over Xbox Live.

The 360 Games Tour begins at The Trafford Centre in Manchester before heading to Newcastle's Metro Centre. It stops off next at Birmingham's Bullring, followed by the Meadowhall Centre in Sheffield, before making its way south to Southampton's West Quays. The tour culminates at the Lakeside shopping centre in London on the 2nd and 3rd of December.

The Manchester event is open to the general public from the following times;

Friday 10am - 10pm

Sat 10am - 8pm

Sunday 12pm - 6pm

Monday 10am - 10pm

Tuesday 10am - 10pm

"This is a great chance for people around the country to try the latest games and accessories for the Xbox 360, in some cases before the games even hit the shelves." said Stephen McGill, Head of Marketing for Xbox UK. "Gaming just gets better and better and we're sure gamers will be impressed with our latest offerings for the Xbox 360."

Xbox 360 Games Tour dates:

City - Date - Location

Manchester - 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 October - Trafford Centre *Gears of War not available

Newcastle - 26, 27, 28 & 29 October - Metro Centre

Birmingham - 3, 4 & 5 November - The Bullring

Sheffield - 11 & 12 November - Meadowhall

Southampton - 25 & 26 November - West Quays

London - 2 & 3 December - Lakeside

ends

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming network, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 is expected to have a catalog of 160 high-definition games by the end of 2006 and to be available in nearly 40 countries by the end of 2007. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox Live

Xbox Live is the first and only 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 millions of members across nearly 25 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox Live Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, and movie trailers, 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-us/live.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

For more information, please contact:

Marie-Claire Suter

UK PR Manager - Xbox & Games For Windows

Tel: +44 (0) 118 909 4599

Email: i-maries@microsoft.com