by Rainier on March 19, 2004 @ 10:09 a.m. PST | Filed under
News
Amid surging Xbox sales and global business expansion, Robbie Bach, senior vice president of Microsoft and head of Microsoft’s Home and Entertainment Division, today announced a number of new executive appointments. Shane Kim, currently acting general manager of Microsoft Game Studios, has been named permanently to that position and will report to Peter Moore, corporate vice president. To create additional synergies between game content and marketing, Moore, in turn has been named head of worldwide content and marketing for Microsoft games and game products. Bach also announced that Mitchell (Mitch) Koch, corporate vice president, will lead Microsoft’s global retail sales efforts.
by Rainier on Feb. 12, 2004 @ 11:04 p.m. PST | Filed under
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Microsoft Corp. said on Thursday that parts of the source code, or software blueprint, for its closely-guarded Windows programs had leaked onto the Internet, possibly exposing its products to hackers and illicit copying. Microsoft said that copies of the source code from its Windows NT and Windows 2000 operating systems were being traded over the Internet, but that the copies comprised a tiny portion of the millions of lines of code used to create its cash cow products.
by Rainier on Jan. 13, 2004 @ 11:04 a.m. PST | Filed under
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Under the leadership of Ed Fries, vice president of games publishing, Microsoft Game Studios has earned a reputation as a premier games developer and publisher. Robbie Bach, Senior Vice President, Chief Xbox Officer, Microsoft says "So it is with regret that I inform you that I have reluctantly accepted Ed's resignation, who after 18 years of service to Microsoft, has made the decision to leave the company and pursue other goals." Read more for details ...
by Rainier on Jan. 9, 2004 @ 8:15 a.m. PST | Filed under
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Xbox today announced an agreement with Tecmo Ltd for the exclusive rights to publish Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive Online (working title) in Europe. Both Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive Online are exclusive to Xbox and will be published by Microsoft in 2004.
by Rainier on Jan. 8, 2004 @ 1:25 a.m. PST | Filed under
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This evening during his keynote address at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates unveiled Windows Media Center Extender Technology. The software will power a new generation of products that will extend the Media Center Edition PC experience allowing consumers to access their favorite digital entertainment, such as live and recorded television, photos, movies, and music that reside on their Windows XP Media Center Edition PC, from any room in the home - regardless of where the PC is located. Media Center Extender Technology will not only provide access to rich content and services, but will enable devices throughout the home to utilize the full processing and storage capabilities of the PC creating new opportunities for services and providing unprecedented choice and access to content for consumers
by Rainier on Dec. 22, 2003 @ 9:27 a.m. PST | Filed under
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Mythic Entertainment, developer and publisher of massively multiplayer online role-playing game "Dark Age of Camelot," and many other popular online games, announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation for trademark infringement and unfair competition.
by Rainier on Dec. 9, 2003 @ 6:13 p.m. PST | Filed under
News
Think you can steady your nerves to hit a game-deciding free throw with no time left on the clock? How about smash a cross-court backhand winner in the final set of a championship tennis match? Can you hole a 30-foot putt on 18? What about ride the rails on the world’s hottest mountains? Now try it with $25,000 on the line. Welcome to the XSN Sports World Championship, the most competitive and intense online sports tournament in the history of console video games. Read more for details ...
by Rainier on Nov. 5, 2003 @ 11:34 p.m. PST | Filed under
News
Microsoft Corp., beset by widespread criticism of security flaws in its software, on Wednesday put up a bounty to track down the authors of two computer bugs that choked the Internet earlier this year. Microsoft offered two $250,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the Blaster worm and the SoBig.F e-mail virus, which infected more than half a million computers, crashed thousands of systems, and snarled Internet traffic across the globe in August and September.
by Rainier on Oct. 15, 2003 @ 10:41 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft Game Studios and Ensemble Studios today announced that a limited edition Kings & Myths: The Age Collection holiday compilation package, which includes four award-winning games, is now available at select North American retailers for an estimated retail price of $59.99 (U.S.). The compilation, which includes Age of Mythology, Age of Mythology: The Titans, Age of Empires II, Age of Empires II: The Conquerors and Sybex’s Age of Mythology Strategy Guide, will be available only at Best Buy, EB Games and GameStop. The Kings & Myths package is a great way for players to experience the finest real-time strategy titles available.
by Rainier on Oct. 2, 2003 @ 9:26 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Yahoo! Games today announced Microsoft Game Studios is the newest publisher to contribute titles to Yahoo! Games on Demand (http://gamesondemand.yahoo.com). With this new relationship, more than 100 titles are available to consumers for play on Yahoo! Games on Demand.
by Thomas on Sept. 25, 2003 @ 4:18 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
The Japanese unit of U.S. software giant Microsoft Corp. said Thursday it has appointed Yoshihiro Murayama as general manager of the unit's Xbox division. The hire of the game-industry veteran signifies the company's commitment to catching up with industry rival Sony Corp. and its popular PlayStation 2 game console. He begins his new role on Oct. 1.
by Rainier on Sept. 16, 2003 @ 2:36 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft Game Studios today announced that “RalliSport Challenge 2,” the highly anticipated second installment in the internationally acclaimed “RalliSport Challenge” franchise, will be the first Xbox racing title in the new XSN Sports brand. The game is scheduled to be available in the spring of 2004. “RalliSport Challenge 2” joins other announced XSN Sports games shipping this fall, including “Amped 2,” “Links 2004,” “NBA Inside Drive 2004,” “NFL Fever 2004,” “NHL Rivals 2004” and “Top Spin™.” “RalliSport Challenge 2” is being developed by Digital Illusions CE.
by Rainier on Sept. 16, 2003 @ 2:25 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Needless to say that at their own X03 event Microsoft is unveiling tons of upcoming Xbox titles, in house and from 3rd party developers such as Acclaim, Atari, LucasArts, Activision and more. We will have screens for most of those and we start with :
- Halo 2
- Rallisport Challenge 2
- Armed & Dangerous
- Pitfall Harry
- Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo
- Kameo: Elements of Power
- True Fantasy Live Online
- Grabbed by the Ghoulies
- Mission: Impossible: Operation Surma
- True Crime: Streets of L.A.
- Deus Ex
- Race Driver 2
- Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
- BC
- Alias
- NBA Jam
- Tony Hawk Underground
- Urban Freestyle Soccer
by Rainier on Sept. 16, 2003 @ 1:52 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Micorsoft announced new European details for its Xbox Live service, the only fast-action, always-on broadband gaming service where gamers can simultaneously play, talk and build their legend across games and around the world. New Xbox Live-enabled countries, flexible pricing options, a trial offer for Europe, and some amazing games mean that European Xbox gamers will have a lot to look forward to this Christmas and beyond. Read more for details ...
by Rainier on Sept. 16, 2003 @ 1:47 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Tonight at X03, Microsoft announced a partnership with Epic Games, developers of the legendary Unreal series of games and the Unreal® Engine. Epic Games and its recently-formed Scion Studios will develop several new games exclusively for Xbox and Windows. The to-be-announced products will be published by Microsoft Game Studios.
by Thomas on Sept. 10, 2003 @ 8:20 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Ensuring that the long-awaited sequel to one of the industry's most groundbreaking games will not only live up to five years of anticipation, but will also give gaming enthusiasts a reason to fasten their seatbelts in front of their PCs, Microsoft DirectX 9.0 will bring scientist Gordon Freeman and his creeping, shooting alien nemeses back to life - with the vibrant graphics and enhanced gameplay needed for a truly immersive experience - with the release of "Half-Life 2" by Valve Corp.
by Thomas on Aug. 18, 2003 @ 3:48 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Kuju said Monday that it has reached a mutual and amicable agreement with Microsoft to transition its PC simulation technology and the ongoing development of Train Simulator 2 to Microsoft. As announced in the AGM statement, this is part of the restructuring and cost reduction exercise that Kuju is implementing which will have a negative impact on results for the current year however in the longer term will result in a lower cost base as Kuju focuses on its core Console and Wireless operations.
by Rainier on Aug. 15, 2003 @ 10:07 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Microsoft Corp. said on Friday it acquired the rights to the "High Heat" baseball video game franchise from bankrupt software publisher 3DO Co. The company did not immediately disclose the purchase price. 3DO's assets were sold at a bankruptcy auction in San Francisco on Thursday. When the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 28, it said it would try to sell its assets. Microsoft already has its own baseball game, "Inside Pitch," for its Xbox but game critics have long considered 3DO's "High Heat" as the best among numerous competitors.
by Rainier on July 29, 2003 @ 8:31 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
"Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight" lands on store shelves today. This 20th anniversary edition of "Flight Simulator" celebrates the first 100 years of powered flight while continuing the traditions of realism, technological innovation and richness that have delighted aviation enthusiasts and pilots around the world and made Microsoft "Flight Simulator" the best-selling aviation simulation produced for the PC. "Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight" is available today at retail stores nationwide for an estimated retail price of $54.95
by Rainier on June 17, 2003 @ 4:18 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft Game Studios today announced that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight for Windows has gone gold and is clear for takeoff. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight is scheduled to land on store shelves on July 29 in North America for an estimated retail price of $54.95 U.S. Virtual pilots will soon have the opportunity to relive history as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight takes them on a journey through the friendly skies.
by Rainier on June 10, 2003 @ 2:45 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Yesterday there was, initally, the story that Half-Life 2 was not coming to xbox, then GameSpy got the confirmation from Valve that it WAS scheduled. Now GameSpy has talked to
Microsoft Xbox Group product manager David Hufford that it is coming and explaining how the confusion about the fate of the Xbox version of HL2 came into existence in the first place.
Check out the soap story!
by Rainier on May 13, 2003 @ 1:09 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Earlier today we had a quick press release with some of the highlights of the pre-e3 MicroSoft/Xbox press event held yesterday, now we have the first screens coming in from our reporter in the field. Later on we will have impressions/first look articles coming as well... For now enjoy the Halo2, Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Project Gotham Racing 2, Kameo: Elements of Power, Conker: Live and Uncut, True Fantasy Live Online, Xbox Music Mixer, Amped, BC, Links 2004, Crimson Skies, CounterStrike, Fable, Voodoo Vince, MidTown Madness3, TopSpin, Sudeki, NHL Rivals 2004 and NFL Fever 2004 ... Njoy!
by Thomas on May 9, 2003 @ 6:21 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Vanquishing a strange alien race on a distant ring-shaped world, battling against the end of creation as a Norse immortal, rewriting the world's past by prolonging Roman rule another thousand years, or re-creating Orville and Wilbur Wright's first flight: Microsoft Game Studios takes gamers on a gripping journey through the history of the world to distant lands with its PC games lineup at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week in Los Angeles, May 14-16.
by Rainier on May 7, 2003 @ 1:08 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft Game Studios today announced that Microsoft Train Simulator 2 will make its debut at the E3 expo next week. "With five new, highly detailed routes, Microsoft Train Simulator 2 provides the opportunity to command a 200-ton modern diesel locomotive or operate a steam-breathing behemoth from the past. The game also adds dynamic weather in a living-breathing world complete with people, vehicles and animals roaming the countryside". Microsoft Train Simulator 2 will be in stores this Fall. Just what we need .. more trains :)
by Thomas on April 26, 2003 @ 12:58 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Microsoft Game Studios announced the in-house development of "Mythica," a revolutionary online PC game that uses new Private Realms Technology to merge the depth and sophistication of a single-player game with the social experience of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). "Mythica" is scheduled to arrive on store shelves in 2004.