REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 13, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq
“MSFT) and Electronic Arts (EA) (Nasdaq”
ERTS
“), the leading video games software publisher and developer, today announced that EA will bring its world-renowned games to the Xbox™ video game system, Microsoft’s highly anticipated, future-generation video game console scheduled to launch in fall 2001. Famous for titles such as” Madden NFL™
Football,
“” NASCAR® 2000,
“”
FIFA
“and”
F1 2000
”
racing, EA will make use of the unsurpassed graphics, audio and multiplayer capabilities of Xbox to create breakthrough gaming experiences for consumers.
Under the terms of the multiyear agreement, EA will commit its worldwide studios to Xbox games development; the company expects to publish up to 10 titles in support of the system’s launch. To get started immediately on Xbox games development, EA has ordered 500 Xbox Development Kits (XDKs) from Microsoft.
“We’re excited about Xbox and Microsoft’s commitment to the platform,”
said Larry Probst, EA’s chairman and CEO.
“Microsoft has the vision, the technology and the resources required to make a significant impact on our industry.”
Robbie Bach, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Games Division and chief Xbox officer (CXO), said,
“EA is recognized as the world leader in game software. With them onboard, it further ensures gamers around the world that the best and brightest developers will be delivering previously unforeseen possibilities in gameplay on Xbox.”
EA has worked closely with Microsoft, providing feedback on the development of Xbox as an ideal platform for developers, a compelling business for publishers and an unrivaled gaming experience for consumers. EA was a founding member of Microsoft’s Xbox Advisory Board, a group dedicated to helping Xbox become the ultimate development platform that delivers groundbreaking experiences.
“When we saw the hardware specification and talked to the Xbox team, we knew that this console was going to be popular with novice and hardcore gamers alike,”
said Don Mattrick, president of EA Worldwide Studio Operations.
“Titles like ‘Madden NFL 2001, ‘SSX’ snowboarding and ‘Knockout Kings’ boxing are going to look great on Xbox.”
The alliance between Microsoft and EA represents another key Xbox milestone. To date, Microsoft has secured more than 200 of the world’s top game companies to develop and publish content for Xbox. In addition, more than 18 developers have committed to making exclusive Xbox titles to be published under the Microsoft label. All companies working on Xbox games will benefit from Microsoft’s commitment to a $500 million Xbox marketing budget.
About Xbox
Scheduled for release in fall 2001, Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ) is Microsoft’s future-generation video game console that delivers superior graphics, better audio and the most intense, action-packed gaming experiences available. All this is possible because Xbox has at least three times the graphics performance of the newest generation of game consoles.
About Electronic Arts
Electronics Arts (Nasdaq
“ERTS” ), headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.4 billion for fiscal year 2000. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and video game systems. EA markets its products under three brand names: EA GAMES™ , EA SPORTS™
and EA.COM SM . More information about EA’s products and the full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com/ .
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.
The information contained in this document relates to prerelease product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when first commercially released. This document is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to this document or the information contained in it.
Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES, John Madden Football and Knockout Kings are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and /or other countries. EA.COM is a service mark of EA.com Inc. NFL, NASCAR, FIFA and F1 are trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
