The Countdown Begins: Xbox 360 to Hit Store Shelves on the 22nd Nov in North America, 2nd Dec in Europe and 10th Dec in Japan

TOKYO - 15th September 2005 - Fuelling global anticipation for the arrival of its powerful new video game and entertainment system, Microsoft Corp. today announced that Xbox 360^TM will arrive on store shelves Tuesday, 22nd November in North America, Friday, 2nd December in Europe, and Saturday, 10th December in Japan. The announcement, made on the eve of Tokyo Game Show 2005, marked the first time that a game console will be launched in three territories in the same time frame. In preparation for what is expected to be massive worldwide demand for the new system, Microsoft also announced that Xbox 360 manufacturing is under way, with state-of-the-art facilities producing millions of units ultimately bound for frenzied gamers' homes from Osaka, Japan, to Oxford, England, and Orlando, Florida.

"This holiday season, gamers in Japan, Europe and North America pining to experience jaw-dropping high-definition graphics, unmatched online play and compelling digital entertainment features of Xbox 360 will finally have the chance," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft. "Renowned development studios around the world are busy putting the finishing touches on their Xbox 360 games. We expect a strong portfolio of titles on launch day and through the holidays that will appeal to fans of every genre and gamers in every region, and with more than 200 games currently in development, continuous new additions to the library are on the way."

Bach and other Microsoft executives, headlining a series of events that open Tokyo Game Show, will detail the company's strategy for success in Japan. More than 40 publishers in Japan, including Bandai Co. Ltd., Capcom Co. Ltd., Koei Co. Ltd., Konami Corp., Namco Ltd., Sega Corp., Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Tecmo Ltd., have pledged their support for Xbox 360, joining the ranks of the best publishers from around the world. As the ultimate canvas for game developers, Xbox 360 will inspire a new wave of innovation in gameplay, storytelling and artistry never before seen in video games.

Promising to capture the imagination of Japanese gamers, new titles and established franchises such as "Dead or Alive^® 4," "Ridge Racer 6," "NINETY-NINE NIGHTS^TM," "Dead Rising" and "FINAL FANTASY^® XI" will be available on Xbox 360 in the months to come. With support for high-definition output with anti-aliasing, and Dolby^® 5.1 surround sound, all Xbox 360 games will deliver smooth, cinematic experiences that scream off the screen.

In addition to the impressive line-up of titles both in Japan and around the world, gamers will soon be able to enjoy the next generation of the Xbox Live^® service, the Emmy^®-award-winning online games and entertainment network. With Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live service, gamers can play online in a community of millions, connect with friends using voice and video chat, download new content, build online profiles and experience new modes of entertainment. Xbox 360 is also the ultimate amplifier for music, movies and photos stored on an array of devices including MP3 players, digital cameras and Microsoft^® Windows^® XP-based PCs. The console makes it easy for gamers to enjoy all their digital content in the living room, on the best TV and speakers in the house.

Tokyo Game Show marks the first time that consumers will be able to experience the power of Xbox 360 firsthand. A number of key titles will be on display at the Xbox 360 booth:

• "(eM)-eNCHANT-arM" (FromSoftware Inc.)

• "Bomberman - Act Zero" (Hudson Soft Co. Ltd.)

• "Call of Duty^® 2" (Activision Inc.)

• "CHROMEHOUNDS" (Sega)

• "Dead Rising" (Capcom)

• "Dynasty Warriors 5 Special" (Koei Co. Ltd.)

• "Everyparty" (Microsoft Game Studios)

• "Far East of Eden - Ziria" (Hudson Soft)

• "FINAL FANTASY XI" (Square Enix Co. Ltd.)

• "Frame City Killer" (Namco)

• "Gears of War" (Microsoft Game Studios)

• "Kameo^TM: Elements of Power^TM" (Microsoft Game Studios)

• "Mobile Suit Gundam" (tentative title) (Bandai Co. Ltd.)

• "Need for Speed Most Wanted" (Electronic Arts)

• "NINETY-NINE NIGHTS" (Microsoft Game Studios)

• "The Outfit^TM" (THQ)

• "Project Gotham Racing^® 3" (Microsoft Game Studios)

• "Resident Evil 5" (Capcom)

• "Ridge Racer 6" (Namco)

• "Rumble Roses XX" (tentative title) (Konami)

• "Shutoku Battle" (tentative title) (Genki Co. Ltd.)

• "Sonic the Hedgehog" (Sega)

• "Saint's Row^TM" (THQ)

• "Test Drive Unlimited" (Atari Inc.)

• "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter" (Ubisoft Entertainment)

• "World Air Force" (tentative title) (Taito Corp.)

• "Wrestle Kingdom" (Yuke's Co. Ltd.)

Microsoft also announced Japanese pricing of Xbox 360. Japanese gamers looking for the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride and best value right out of the box may purchase an Xbox 360 system, which comes fully loaded with a 20GB detachable Xbox 360 Hard Drive for storing music, video and games, an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, an Xbox 360 Media Remote control, an Xbox 360 Headset, a Component HD-AV Cable for connecting to component and composite television inputs, an Ethernet cable, and batteries, at 37,900 JPY.*

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 service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you. The system will launch this Christmas in Europe, Japan and North America, to be followed by availability in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox Live

Xbox Live continues to transform and unite Xbox game communities worldwide, with a presence in 24 countries worldwide and a global community of more than 2 million members. As the first and only global, unified online console games service, Xbox Live offers world-class games, intelligent matchmaking, tournaments, unique programming and integration with Xbox.com. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/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.

*Actual retail prices may vary.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Ninety-Nine Nights, Xbox Live, Windows, Kameo, Elements of Power and Project Gotham Racing are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. or Rare Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

Emmy and the Emmy Statuette are the trademark property of ATAS/NATAS.

Rare Ltd. is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:

Marie-Claire Suter

UK PR Manager - Xbox & PC Games

Tel: +44 (0) 118 909 4599

Email: i-maries@microsoft.com

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