REDMOND, Wash., April 2, 2004 — Microsoft Corp. today announced a pairing of epic proportions: a limited-edition retail special featuring the Xbox® video game system and all-time Xbox best-seller “Halo®
” for only US$169.* Shipping to U.S. retailers April 13, the coveted combo features a special “Halo”-branded, green Xbox console and “Halo” jeweled controller with a copy of the game. However, only the best and brightest — or at least the fastest — fans will taste the glory: Just 200,000 of the boxed sets are available.
“This special offer lets video gamers with ‘Halo’ envy easily and affordably adopt Xbox,” said Bill Nielsen, director of U.S. marketing for Xbox at Microsoft. “We expect collectors, as well as those who have been waiting for the right time to purchase their Xbox system, to jump at this unique opportunity.”
Hailed as “absolutely brilliant” by Electronic Gaming Monthly, “Halo” is a futuristic odyssey that challenges players to save humankind from extermination by aliens. Developed exclusively for Xbox by Bungie Studios, part of Microsoft Game Studios, the game has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide and spawned a legion of powerful devotees who participate in competitions, tournaments and game nights. The highly anticipated “Halo 2” will be released in fall 2004 and will change the Xbox experience as gamers currently know it.
About Xbox
Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live (TM) online service. The tagline “it’s good to play together” captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox video game system and the Windows®
and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows ( 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,” “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®
.”
About Bungie
Bungie was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve the real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it produced games like the “Marathon Trilogy” and the first two “Myth” games, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. “Halo: Combat Evolved,” its latest game, has achieved phenomenal success on the Microsoft Xbox video game system. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net/ .
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.
* Estimated retail price. Actual retail prices may vary.
Microsoft, Xbox, Halo, Xbox Live, Windows, Age of Empires, Zoo Tycoon, Project Gotham Racing, 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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