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Xbox Live Online Gaming Community Doubles in Just One Year, New Member Added Every 30 Seconds

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 July 2005, 12:00 CDT

REDMOND, Wash., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Once again breaking new ground and proving that gamers around the world crave personalized and social online experiences, Xbox Live(R), the premier global online console games and entertainment service from Microsoft Corp. , now unites 2 million gamers from around the world. Xbox Live continues to grow exponentially, having doubled its online, dynamic community in just one year -- the equivalent to adding one Xbox Live member every 30 seconds.

(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

"Reaching the 2 million member milestone in such a short time speaks volumes about the depth and vibrancy of the Xbox Live community," said Robbie Bach, senior vice president of the Home and Entertainment Division and chief Xbox officer at Microsoft. "This enormous growth is a true testament to the compelling content and engaging experiences enabled through Xbox Live today. The service is inspired by the creative power of the individual and fueled by the passion of a worldwide community."

The 2 million Xbox Live member milestone is due largely to a growing library of videogame titles that deliver incredible online experiences, the availability of exciting downloadable content to extend gaming experiences, and a vibrant and active online community. More than 20 million pieces of content have been downloaded to date, proving that gamers today have access to and are experiencing more exciting downloadable content -- such as extra levels, maps and weapons -- than ever to enhance their gaming experience.

Xbox Live gamers have plenty to look forward to in the coming months through both current-generation titles and the launch of Microsoft's eagerly anticipated next-generation Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system. With the launch of the console this holiday season, the Xbox Live portfolio is planned to have more than 300 multiplayer Xbox(R) and Xbox 360 games available for gamers to enjoy. New Xbox 360 titles will include "Perfect Dark: Zero(TM) (Microsoft Game Studios), "Project Gotham Racing(R) 3" (Microsoft Game Studios), "Madden NFL 06" (Electronic Arts Inc.), "Dead or Alive(R) 4" (Tecmo Inc.) and "Call of Duty 2" (Activision Inc.). In the current generation, third-party publishers continue to show strong support for Xbox Live with games such as "Tony Hawk's American Wasteland(TM)" (Activision), "Star Wars Battlefront(TM) II" (LucasArts) and "Battlefield 2: Modern Combat" (Electronic Arts).

Transferring user accounts to the next-generation console will be easy. Because Xbox Live is a universal service between both platforms, gamers can move their Xbox Live memberships seamlessly from Xbox to Xbox 360, while still enjoying online games and entertainment on the current-generation system.

With the launch of Xbox 360, Xbox Live gamers can expect incredible new experiences in the next generation of the online games service, including these:

-- Multiple levels of service. To fit the unique needs and interests of each Xbox Live gamer, the Xbox Live Gold membership offers all the Xbox Live Silver features as well as multiplayer online gaming, tournaments and participation in original programs such as Game with Fame and other Prime Time activities. The Xbox Live Silver membership includes free basic features such as a Gamer Profile, access to the Xbox Live Marketplace, and voice chat and messaging. -- Gamercard. A quick summary of a player's Gamer Profile, this contains a player's Gamertag, Gamer Picture, Reputation, Gamerzone and personal motto. -- Gamerzone. Players can choose their style of social gaming and be seamlessly paired with others based on their preferences. -- An integrated message center. Members can keep connected even when they're not online playing. -- Xbox Live Marketplace. This one-stop shop for all downloadable content includes free content such as trailers and themes as well as full-featured premium content such as racing cars and maps. About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the future-generation video game and entertainment system that places gamers at the center of the experience. Available this holiday season in North America, Europe and Japan, Xbox 360 will ignite a new era of digital entertainment that is always connected, always personalized and always in high definition.

About Xbox Live

Xbox Live continues to transform and unite Xbox game communities worldwide, with more than 300 games planned by end of holiday 2005 for Xbox and now with presence in 24 countries worldwide. As the first global, unified online console games service, Xbox Live continues to take online gameplay and entertainment to unprecedented heights. With a dynamic, global community of 2 million members, Xbox Live offers best-in-class games, intelligent matchmaking, tournaments, unique programming and integration with Xbox.com -- there is simply nothing else like it. The service continues to provide more and more ways for members to meet, interact and stay engaged with each other.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft, Xbox Live, Xbox 360, Xbox, Perfect Dark: Zero and Project Gotham Racing are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. or Rare Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries.

Rare Ltd. is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com

Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Michael Wolf of Microsoft, +1-425-705-4220, ormwolf@microsoft.com; or Lisa Giles of Edelman, +1-206-223-1606, orlisa.giles@edelman.com, for Microsoft

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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