Microsoft has revealed the official plans for its exciting online gaming initiative for the Xbox – Xbox Live. The Xbox Live service is scheduled to launch on November 15, 2002 (exactly one year after the US launch of the console) and the starter kit will retail for $49.95. This price includes the headset, a mini-game and one full year of active service (broadband-only).

Microsoft Corp. today announced that BioWare Corp., which specializes in creating computer and console video games, has signed a deal with Microsoft Game Studios to develop an exclusive first-party Xbox game to be published by Microsoft. BioWare is known for its extremely popular "Baldur's Gate " role-playing game (RPG) series, of which more than 4 million copies have been sold worldwide. Currently BioWare, in conjunction with LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC, is developing an RPG for the Xbox video game system titled "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic." BioWare recently released "Neverwinter Nights," which debuted at No. 1 in North America and remained there in its first two weeks at retail.

Peace appears to have broken out between aggressive graphics chip company Nvidia and belligerent graphics chip company Microsoft, if reports in today's Economic News of Taiwan are to be credited.

Its code name is “Freon,” reflecting the notion that it is the coolest secret project at Microsoft Corp. these days, at least in the eyes of the Xbox video-game division. WHAT FREON STANDS FOR is a souped-up successor to the Xbox console — capable of playing games but also offering television capabilities, such as pausing live TV and recording shows onto a computer hard drive, say people familiar with the effort. Though it is unclear whether such a product will ever be built, its core concept appears to have the backing of Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, who wrote in an internal memorandum in January that he was a “big fan” of a machine that would combine video services with gaming. Such a device, which could cost around $500, would have another big advantage: It could beat video-game market leader Sony Corp. to the punch. Full story here!

Strategy First is pleased to announce that "Pro Train II: Saxony: Leipzig – Riesa - Dresden", a complete add-on for Microsoft’s Train Simulator has shipped to retail stores nationwide.

THQ Inc. and Microsoft today announced an exclusive, worldwide Game Boy Advance publishing agreement. Under the agreement, THQ will publish several of Microsoft Game Studios’ top-selling Xbox and PC game properties on the popular Game Boy Advance system. In addition to Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee and Monster Truck Madness 2.0, THQ and Microsoft Game Studios will work together to identify additional properties for release under the agreement.

Reuters reports that Microsoft Corp. has been quietly working since last fall on a device combining its money-losing Xbox video game console and with its digital video recorder. Check out full scoop below!

Strategy First is pleased to announce that Pro Train: Rhine Valley Cologne- Frankfurt, one of the first commercially available add-ons for Microsoft’s Train Simulator has shipped to retail stores nationwide.

We have a boatload of screens from "Microsoft Combat Simulator 3" and "Impossible Creatures". Especially the Impossible Creatures one looks pretty nice .. my favorite animal is the Tiger mixed with the Zebra ... Njoy!

Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has signed Tremor Games of Burbank, Calif., a division of Tremor Entertainment, to create exclusive content for the Xbox video game system under the Microsoft label.

Microsoft highlighted its next wave of highly anticipated titles for the Xbox today to a packed house of journalists and retailers from around the world, as well as cheering game fans, who rattled the rafters in the historic Orpheum Theater. With blockbuster games such as "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic " (LucasArts Entertainment Company), "Brute Force" (Microsoft Game Studios), "NFL Fever 2003" (Microsoft Game Studios), "Unreal Championship" (Infogrames) and "Panzer Dragoon ORTA" (SEGA of America, Inc.), Microsoft previewed its top Xbox games that will be shown at this week’s E3 and available to game fans this holiday season. We added some screens from Kung Fu Chaos, MechAssault and Blinx: The Time Sweeper. Njoy!

UPDATE: More screens added, check them out!

You’ve just experienced the worst day of your life. The boss dressed you down in front of the board; John from Engineering bumped into you and spilled his latte down your shirt; your wife is out with her friends, and finally, Rover left a little gift, which you promptly stepped in as you walked through the door. Wouldn’t some old-fashioned revenge and retribution help take the edge off? Something along the lines of petitioning Zeus to rain down lightning bolts and smite your enemies? You can have all this and more with "Age of Mythology," Microsoft Game Studios’ new real-time strategy (RTS) game, set in a mythological past when heroes battled monsters and gods intervened in the affairs of mortal men.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that it is in the final stages of an exclusive publishing deal with Sigil Games Online Inc. Sigil Games Online was formed by two of the game industry's most renowned designers, Brad McQuaid, co-creator of the revolutionary, massively multiplayer online role-playing game "EverQuest(," and Jeff Butler, former producer of the EverQuest Live and Expansion teams.

Microsoft Corp., along with its manufacturing partner Flextronics Corp., today announced plans to establish a manufacturing and assembly operation for the Xbox in China later this year. The companies also stated that the console manufacturing operation in Hungary would be relocated to Doumen, China. In addition to the Xbox operations at Flextronics' Guadalajara, Mexico, facility and the new operations in China, Microsoft will add another facility in Asia in the future.

Through a carefully planned effort that includes the participation of key retailers and third-party publishers, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled its plans for a North American price reduction of the Xbox. Effective immediately, Xbox will have an estimated retail price of $199.99 in the United States ($299.99 CAN). The price reduction will be supported by a multimillion dollar national merchandising and marketing campaign set to begin this weekend. Microsoft also announced it is reducing the price of Xbox in Japan to 24,800 yen effective Wednesday, May 22.

IBVA Technologies has brought their brain tracking technology to the Microsoft Xbox. "We've been waiting for this for over a decade," said Drew DeVito, President of IBVA Technologies, Inc. "There is finally a consumer product that has the power to do everything we've always wanted to do with braintracking in the home." I'm sure with some people results may vary *g*

Hop into the cockpit of a high-flying, fully loaded aerial hotrod in “Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge,” the newest game under exclusive development for the Xbox. Microsoft Game Studios today announced that its critically acclaimed action-adventure franchise, “Crimson Skies,” is coming exclusively to Xbox this fall. “Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge” combines the thrills of low-to-the-ground air combat with the swashbuckling style of an action-adventure movie. Players pilot powerful fantasy aircraft in a game reminiscent of a classic Hollywood tale, as they battle enemy aces and navigate tricky stunts in single- and multiplayer modes. As the handsome and daring air pirate Nathan Zachary, players barnstorm through 1930s America hunting down the murderers of Nathan’s best friend.

Microsoft Corp. today announced an agreement with PGA golf star Jesper Parnevik to lend his expertise and digital self to "Links® 2003," the newest version of Microsoft’s best-selling PC golf franchise. Set to hit stores this holiday season, "Links 2003" is filled with new features including new courses from around the world, improved graphics, and faster and easier online play.

Microsoft Corp. today announced that six world-class design studios plan to create exclusive games for the Xbox video game system, all of which will be published under the Microsoft label. The game companies, which join 18 other studios that are creating first-party games for Microsoft, are Blitz Games Ltd., Curly Monsters Ltd., Double Fine Productions Inc., Radical Entertainment Inc., Vision Scape Interactive Inc. and Yeti Interactive. These alliances further demonstrate the game community's confidence in Xbox and in Microsoft's commitment to becoming a leading video game publisher.

Well MS today send us even more game overviews and screens from a bunch of upcoming games.. We collected all of them in this posting.. You find screens and overviews from following games below: Rise of Nations, Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs, Impossible Creatures, Combat Flight Simulator 3 and Asheron's Call 2.. Njoy!

Today at the Microsoft PC Games International Games Festival, Microsoft Game Studios announced that the newest version of its best-selling PC golf franchise, "Links 2003," is scheduled to hit store shelves this holiday season. PGA superstar Sergio Garcia returns to headline an all-star lineup of well-known professional golfers featured in "Links 2003."

Dungeon keepers, Cyclopes and golf pros headlined Las Vegas today as Microsoft PC Games unveiled its 2002--2003 games portfolio at the Microsoft PC Games International Games Festival. The two-day Las Vegas event celebrates innovation in gaming and spotlights some of the industry's greatest talents -- including Chris Taylor, Bruce Shelley and Brian Reynolds -- and the most anticipated PC games, from game-of-the-year contender "Age of Mythology " to "Dungeon Siege."

Strategy First Inc is pleased to announce that it will be publishing Microsoft Train® Simulator's Regional Add-On Pack (USA and Canada), developed by Auran in January 2002.

Was just over to BluesNews and found a interesting article they linked to.. Here is a spot from the article: The Commercial Court of Nanterre fined Microsoft France 3 million francs (around £290,000) in damage and interest for software piracy. "It's a start," said a lawyer for the plaintiffs, "although Microsoft continues to stall on the provisional execution of the judgment." Read full article here!

The Xbox (TM) video game system from Microsoft Corp. had the best-selling video game console launch on record after two weeks of sales, according to The NPD Group Inc., the definitive source for sales and market data on the video game industry. Attach Rate for Xbox Launch Is Highest Ever; Weekly Shipments of Xbox Systems Ensures Strong Sales Through Holiday Season