Vi kunne tidligere i dag fremvise en lang liste over udgivere og udviklere, som Microsoft efter sigende havdee lokket ombord i Xbox 2 vognen. Nu har vi så endelig modtaget en bekræftelse fra Microsoft i form af en længere pressemeddelse, der for alvor viser at kapløbet om den næste generation er skudt igang.
Microsoft er udemærket klar over, at hvorvidt Xbox 2 bliver en succes eller ej i sidste ende afhænger af konsollens spiludvalg og Peter Moore, vicepræsident for Xbox teamet, skjulte ikke denne holdning: ´"This stellar lineup of publishers and developers is poised to deliver games experiences our customers only dreamed were possible, and is ultimately committed to elevating video games to be the No. 1 form of entertainment."
Selvom over udgivere er den samme som i vores tidligere nyhed, så vil vi atter opsummere den:
- 2KGames
- Activision Inc.
- Atari Inc.
- Bandai Co. Ltd.
- Bethesda Softworks LLC
- Buena Vista Games Inc.
- Capcom Co. Ltd.
- Codemasters Software Company Ltd.
- Eidos Inc.
- Electronic Arts Inc.
- FromSoftware Inc.-
- InterServ International
- KOEI Co. Ltd.
- Konami Corp.
- LucasArts
- Majesco Entertainment
- Midway Games Inc.
- Namco Ltd.
- Phantagram Co. Ltd.
- Rockstar Games
- SCi Games Ltd.
- SEGA, Tecmo Ltd.
- THQ Inc.
- TWP Corp.
- Ubisoft Entertainment
- Vivendi Universal Games Inc.
- Webzen Inc.
Herudover kan Microsoft Game Studios selv præsenterer en række af nye, lovende samt mere velkendte udviklere, der alle arbejder på eksklusive Xbox 2 titler:
- BioWare Corp.
- Bizarre Creations Ltd.
- Bungie Studios
- Epic Games Inc.
- FASA Studio
- Lionhead Studios Ltd.
- Rare Ltd.
- Game Republic Inc.
- Mistwalker
- Q Entertainment Inc.
Selvom Microsoft atter afholdte sig fra at kommentere konsollens hardware i større forstand, så nævnte de kort den nye, fantastiske lydside og selvfølgelig de mange nye fremskridt indenfor Xbox Live.
Redmond-giganten benyttede også pressemeddelsen til berolige Xbox-ejere, der ikke umiddelbart har tænkt sig at investere i en ny konsol: Microsoft vil støtte den nuværende Xbox minimum frem til 2007 med masser af nye og underholdende spil.
Sammen med pressemeddelsen fulgte en lang række kommentaterer fra de fra forskellige udgivere, hvilket generelt omhandlede ikke overraskende den nye konsols utrolige kræfter, Xbox Lives potentiale og ikke mindst deres tro på Microsofts vision of HD era'en. Her er nogle få håndplukkede eksempler:
"The next Xbox will be accessible to a wider market, so SEGA is prepared to deliver a range of great game content that will satisfy all market demographics, from our stable of popular franchises like ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ to new and exciting properties that will change the way people interact with games. Microsoft has created powerful development tools, so SEGA developers can create incredibly rich, cinematic environments that are more realistic than ever before. Add to this a philosophy of software, hardware and services integration, and you have a successful formula that we expect will set a new benchmark for quality."
— Simon Jeffery
President and COO
SEGA
"Microsoft’s state-of-the-art technologies in next-generation platforms will provide gamers with a whole new and exciting gaming experience. The power of next-gen platforms in high-definition will exceed the expectations of gamers, putting them in the game with a more realistic experience. VU Games is very excited and committed to integrating the benefits of the next-generation Xbox into future titles."
— Cindy Cook
Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer
Vivendi Universal Games
"EA studio teams are already deep in development on games that will debut with Microsoft’s new console. We’re particularly focused on making use of the high-definition and online capabilities — two elements we think will define the game experience on the next generation of technology. Microsoft is a great partner, and its new console is going to be a blast for both developers and consumers."
— Don Mattrick
President
Electronic Arts Worldwide Studios
"Today, it is my great pleasure to announce Capcom’s support for Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox console. It is my firm belief that by utilizing this new hardware we will be able to further our longtime goal of creating the perfect blend of unique gaming experiences with revolutionary, cutting-edge technology."
Kenzo Tsujimoto
President and CEO
Capcom
"We have amassed an unparalleled lineup of first-party developers recognized worldwide as creative innovators and trendsetters. We all are committed to providing groundbreaking advancements exclusively for the next generation of Xbox. Our collective goal is to deliver experiences that will fundamentally change the way people think about, play and experience interactive entertainment."
— Shane Kim
General Manager
Microsoft Game Studios
Nu hvor der så småt kun er en måned til E3's kommen vil vi se meget mere omkring den næste generation af konsollen, så hold øje med Gamereactor hver eneste dag, hvor vi bringer det seneste nye.