REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 11, 2003 — Gamers in North America can now stock up and fill out their Xbox (TM) libraries with some of the best Xbox games ever created — for a price that will bring almost as much joy as the games themselves.
Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of the Platinum Hits program for Xbox. Platinum Hits games are available for an estimated retail price (ERP) of $19.99* (U.S.) at most retailers; games selected for the program must have achieved a high sales volume.
Xbox captured the imagination of gamers in 2002, becoming the No. 2 console in the United States, according to The NPD Group/NPD Funworld. Microsoft expects that the Platinum Hits program will continue to energize gamers and help Xbox maintain its impressive attach rate.
“The Platinum Hits program will drive increased interest in Xbox and broaden the target audience,”
said Wayne Yodzio, vice president, world manager at Toys R Us Inc.
“These games are all already proven winners that have sold well, and when we start offering them in our stores at this lower price point, I anticipate we’ll have our aisles filled with a lot of very happy gamers.”
The titles in the first wave of Platinum Hits games are as follows:
- “Amped (TM) Freestyle Snowboarding”
(Microsoft Game Studios) - “Blood Wake (TM)”
(Microsoft Game Studios) - “Crash Bandicoot® : The Wrath of Cortex”
(Universal Interactive) - “James Bond 007 in . . . Agent Under Fire (TM)”
(Electronic Arts) - “Max Payne”
(Rockstar Games) - “Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee”
(Microsoft Game Studios) - “Project Gotham Racing (TM)”
(Microsoft Game Studios) - “RalliSport Challenge”
(Microsoft Game Studios) - “Silent Hill® 2: Restless Dreams (TM)”
(Konami of America Inc.) - “Simpsons Road Rage”
(Electronic Arts) - “SpyHunter”
(Midway) - “SSX Tricky”
(Electronic Arts) - “Star Wars: Obi-Wan”
(LucasArts) - “Star Wars: Starfighter Special Edition”
(LucasArts) - “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater® 3”
(Activision) - “Wreckless (TM) : The Yakuza Missions”
(Activision)
New games will be added to the Platinum Hits product line on an ongoing basis. Platinum Hits games will be sold in silver packaging that includes the original product artwork. Information on the program can be found at http://www.xbox.com/games/platinumhits/ .
About Xbox
Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ) is Microsoft’s future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful gaming experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating Xbox console games and, with the advent of the Xbox Live (TM) service, online games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the PC, Xbox video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse game portfolios for the PC ( http://www.microsoft.com/games/ ), including such franchises as “Age of Empires® ,” “Flight Simulator” and “Zoo Tycoon(TM)”; Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ), including such franchises as”Halo(TM),” “Project Gotham Racing” and “NFL Fever”; and Zone.com ( http://www.zone.com/ ), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as “Bejeweled” and “OutSmart(TM).”
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
* Actual retail prices may vary depending on location, retailer and game.
Microsoft, Xbox, Amped, Blood Wake, Project Gotham Racing, Xbox Live, Age of Empires, Zoo Tycoon, Halo, MSN and OutSmart 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.
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