"Grand Theft Auto IV" Comes to Xbox 360 on Day One
Microsoft and Rockstar Games also forge strategic alliance to provide exclusive episodic content downloads on Xbox Live.
LOS ANGELES - May 9, 2006 - This time, Xbox®
Nation won't have to wait. Responding to the cries of
millions of Xbox 360 owners, Microsoft Corp. and
Rockstar Games, the universally renowned publishing label of
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., have struck a
groundbreaking agreement that brings "Grand Theft Auto IV" to
the Xbox 360 platform on day one of its global release.
"Grand Theft Auto IV," the next-generation console debut of
the genre-defining "Grand Theft Auto" franchise, is expected
to be in stores on Oct. 16, 2007, in North America and Oct.
19, 2007, in Europe.
"Few franchises have had the profound impact on our industry
as 'Grand Theft Auto,'" said Peter Moore, corporate vice
president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the
Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "Gamers
can't wait to play "Grand Theft Auto IV" in high definition
on Xbox 360, and we couldn't be more excited to have the
title on our platform from day one"
Separately, Microsoft and Rockstar Games are proud to
announce a strategic alliance to provide exclusive episodic
content for Xbox Live®, giving the community ever-expanding
gameplay experiences that simply aren't possible on other
consoles.
"Through Xbox Live, we have a unique opportunity to reach out
to our audience in new ways," said Sam Houser, executive
producer and founder of Rockstar Games. "This strategic
alliance allows us to craft experiences that fully leverage
the on-demand distribution power and sheer size of Xbox
Live."
The agreement to distribute exclusive Rockstar Games content
via Xbox Live highlights the publishing community's growing
desire to feed gamers' insatiable appetite for downloading
new high-definition experiences and playing online. Since
Xbox Live launched, fans have logged nearly 1.8 billion hours
playing online and have downloaded more than 18 million
pieces of content in just the past six months.
About Xbox and Xbox 360
Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with the
November 2001 launch of Xbox (http://www.xbox.com),
its first-generation video game and entertainment system, now
sold in 26 countries. Microsoft introduced its
next-generation system, Xbox 360, in the 2005 holiday season
in Europe, Japan and North America, and launched the system
in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New
Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com/xbox360) 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.
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 more than 3
million members across 24 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 favorite retail games. More information can be
found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive
Software, Inc. is an integrated global developer, marketer,
distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment
software games and accessories for the PC, PlayStation® game
console, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system,
PSP (PlayStation® Portable) system, Xbox and Xbox 360
video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, Nintendo
GameCube, Nintendo DS and Game Boy® Advance.
The Company publishes and develops products through its
wholly owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K Games, 2K Sports and
Global Star Software; and distributes products in North
America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. Take-Two
also manufactures and markets video game accessories in
Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region through its
Joytech subsidiary. The Company maintains sales and marketing
offices in Cincinnati, New York, Toronto, London, Paris,
Munich, Madrid, Vienna, Milan, Sydney, Breda (Netherlands),
Auckland, Shanghai and Tokyo. Take-Two's common stock is
publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more
corporate and product information please visit our website at
www.take2games.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains
forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe
harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. The statements contained herein
which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking
statements under federal securities laws. Such
forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of our
management as well as assumptions made by and information
currently available to them. The Company has no obligation to
update such forward-looking statements. Actual results may
vary significantly from these forward-looking statements
based on a variety of factors. These important factors are
described in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
Jan. 31, 2006, in the section entitled "Cautionary Statement
and Risk Factors."
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.
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Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United
States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein
may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
For more information, press only:
Jason Mical, Edelman, (206) 268-2287, jason.mical@edelman.com
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