News from Microsoft Ireland: Entertainment

Everyone's Invited to Experience Xbox 360 as Microsoft Lowers Estimated Retail Price in Europe

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:41:10 GMT

With Estimated Retail Price Starting At €199.99, Even More European Consumers Can Enjoy The Definitive High-Definition Gaming and Entertainment Experience

Dublin: 10th March, 2008- Microsoft today announced it is lowering the estimated retail price (ERP) for its Xbox 360 family of consoles in Europe. Now with an entry-level ERP of €199.99, Xbox 360 is a mass market entertainment proposition with something to offer for every interest and budget.

From Friday, 14th March 2008, Xbox 360, which includes a 20GB hard drive and one wireless controller, will have an ERP of €279.99 – a saving of €80 on the current ERP. The Xbox 360 Elite, which comes with a massive 120GB hard drive enabling consumers to store huge quantities of content downloaded from Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace as well as their own music, will have an ERP of €379.99 – a saving of €80. The Xbox 360 Arcade console, perfect for those wishing to make their first foray into the gaming and entertainment world of Xbox, will have an ERP of €199.99 – a saving of €100.

Xbox 360 is the number one next-gen console in EMEA, owning 42% of the market in terms of life-to-date revenue. Xbox 360 continues to enjoy the highest software attach rate of any game console in Europe with more than 7.0 games sold per console (PS3: 3.8; Wii 3.5) after 26 months on the market*.

The new ERPs are part of Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to open up the ultimate in high-definition gaming and entertainment to an even wider audience, with an offering for everyone:

Best Choice for Families:

Xbox 360 grows as your family does, offering games and entertainment for every member of the family – from movies to games to music videos.
With over 150 3+ rated games and unparalleled parental controls, parents can feel good about their kids playing Xbox 360

Most Diverse Entertainment:

Xbox 360 offers great choice in high-definition entertainment
Xbox Live Video Store offers a wide variety of movies to download, both in HD and SD, enabling great entertainment in the living room at the press of a button
It’s easy to view and enjoy video and photos on Xbox 360 as well as connect wirelessly to share content with a Windows Media Center PC

The Best Games:

There will be over 1,000 games available on Xbox 360 by the end of the year, with something for every skill level, interest and taste
New community games allow gamers to sample the best of indie games, providing innovative new ways to play and enjoy
Blockbuster franchises like Grand Theft Auto IV, with exclusive downloadable episodes on Xbox LIVE, and Rock Band make Xbox 360 the place to be this Spring
Xbox 360 exclusives for 2008 include Fable 2, Gears of War 2 and Too Human, setting new standards for next-generation gaming

“Xbox 360 is now mass market in Europe,” said Chris Lewis, Vice President, Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business Europe. “We have reached and surpassed several key milestones that form part of our long term strategic plan to achieve critical mass in Europe; and our portfolio now offers the kind of mainstream entertainment experiences that secure wider appeal for Xbox 360. These factors allow us to execute on our strategy to widen the market for Xbox 360, as planned.

“We continue to offer intense, immersive gaming experiences for gamers – but now we’re priced in a way that will allow new consumers to find out for themselves why Xbox 360 is the ultimate in high-definition entertainment.” said Lewis. “History shows that €199 is the price point where a console’s audience begins to expand, and with these new ERPs in place we’re ready to bring more consumers into the Xbox 360 world.”

* Microsoft estimates based on ChartTrack and Gfk data

About Xbox 360™

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox LIVE online gaming network and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a catalogue of more than 160 high-definition games and is available in 37 countries. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox LIVE™

Xbox Live is the first and most comprehensive unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox Live connects millions of members across 25 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox Live Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos and TV shows as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favourite retail games.

Top Films to Arrive in XBox 360 Owners' Living Rooms This Christmas

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:43:36 GMT

Movies such as 300, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and much more available to download

Dublin: 4th December 2007: Following the huge success of Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace Video Store in the US, where it has changed the way Xbox 360™ owners view and enjoy video, Microsoft® today announced that Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store will open for business in Ireland on 11th December.

Xbox 360 owners will be able to rent full-length films such as 300, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from as little as 250 Microsoft Points (*ERP €3) for Standard Definition movies and from 380 Microsoft Points (*ERP €4.50) for High Definition movies.

With this launch, Xbox LIVE Marketplace becomes the first video on demand service to be available in six countries – US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France and Germany - and cements its place as the worldwide leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content.

Robin Truchy, Director of Xbox LIVE for Europe, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, commented: “Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store in Europe is all about adding to the ever-expanding number of entertainment choices that our consumers have on their Xbox 360. We want to give them the entertainment they want, in the format they want, when they want it and at an affordable price. We were already offering HD games, HD music videos and the option to enjoy HD-DVD format films, now we are offering HD movies to download and rent as well. This is very exciting for us and the consumer.”

“Providing consumers with more choices and improving the movie experience at home is at the heart of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution’s strategy and we’re delighted to support Xbox Live for the European launch of their Video On Demand service” said Marc Gareton, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Senior Vice President International.” Microsoft has built a very successful platform, in both Standard Definition and High Definition, and we are happy to make it a home for our movies.”

Arash Amel, Senior Analyst, Head of Broadband Media, Screen Digest, commented: “As Hollywood turns its attention towards selling digital copies of its blockbuster movies, the delivery of movie content over the open internet has become a key battleground for a broad range of service providers. Screen Digest predicts that the total European movie download market will be worth €350m by 2012, up from €17m in 2007[1]. The Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store, as the first multi-territory hardware-based online movie delivery service in Europe, is expected to be a European market leader for movie downloads. Consumers in both the US and Europe have already made it abundantly clear that they are reluctant to watch two-hour long films on their PC, instead preferring to view them on personal devices or most preferably devices that can provide a link to their large-screen living room TVs and home entertainment systems.”

Xbox 360 gamers in the launch countries can access Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store with either an Xbox Live Silver or Gold membership and a broadband connection. More information about the content available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store can be found at: www.xbox.com

Examples of Launch Titles on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store[2]:

Ireland

300
HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
ZODIAC
MATRIX, THE
MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, THE
MATRIX RELOADED, THE
OCEAN'S ELEVEN
PERFECT STORM, THE
SWORDFISH
THREE KINGS
TRAINING DAY
FUGITIVE, THE
RISKY BUSINESS
SPACE COWBOYS
EYES WIDE SHUT
ANALYZE THIS
DEMOLITION MAN
ERASER
EXECUTIVE DECISION
LETHAL WEAPON 3
LETHAL WEAPON 4
LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION
MARS ATTACKS!
CLASH OF THE TITANS
SUPERMAN III
DEAD CALM

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming network and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 is expected to have a catalogue of 160 high-definition games by the end of 2006 and to be available in nearly 37 countries by the end of this year. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox Live

Xbox Live is the first and only unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox Live connects millions of members across nearly 25 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox Live Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, and movie trailers, as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favourite retail games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live

[1] Revenue projections come from Screen Digest's Broadband Media Intelligence service, which is compiled from the ground up, from primary research with suppliers in the marketplace, and developed through our industry-leading digital content forecast models. Their core business is tracking the availability and performance of all such services in the marketplace and therefore are aware of all platforms currently available in Europe.

[2] These films may be subject to change

XBox Live Turns Five - Microsoft Announces Next Wave of Social Fun

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:59:24 GMT

Xbox LIVE Membership Soars Past Eight Million Mark, Microsoft Unveils New Download Service for Full Xbox Games Direct to Your Living Room

Dublin: November 14th 2007 — Tomorrow Microsoft will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Xbox LIVE with the latest membership figures showing more than eight-million members are now actively engaged in the largest social entertainment network on TV.

Xbox LIVE has grown from a small community of gamers in two countries, playing a handful of games online with their friends, to a worldwide social entertainment network offering online access to gaming, music and video entertainment. As friends across 26 countries and nine languages have connected on Xbox LIVE, it is their feedback and active participation that has guided the service to become what Wired magazine recently called “The king of the online arena.”

As a gesture of thanks to the community, all eight-million members will have the opportunity to download a free Xbox LIVE Arcade game, between 08:01 a.m. on 15th November 15 and 7:59 a.m. on 17th November. In addition to this, every active Gold member who joined the service at launch will receive 500 MS Points for free.

Starting on 4th December, all Xbox LIVE members will receive a free system update with a host of new features and enhancements. Included in this update will be the launch of the “Xbox Originals,” which, for the first time ever, will enable consumers to download and own full Xbox games such as Halo®, Psychonauts™, Crimson Skies®: High Road to Revenge™ and Fable® among others directly to their Xbox 360. This new service will launch with an array of blockbuster titles spanning the most popular genres from action-adventure to classic role-playing games.

With no disc necessary, and at just 1200 Microsoft Points per game, Xbox LIVE members can easily rediscover these hit titles, or check out a game they missed the first time around. This launch line-up is only the beginning as Xbox 360 owners can expect to see a growing catalogue of Xbox games for download to own over the coming year.

Xbox LIVE Arcade also launches its 100th title today with “Screwjumper!.” Published by THQ and developed by Frozen Codebase, players take the plunge in “Screwjumper!” and free-fall into the depths of a chaotic underworld, driving aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment. The free-falling action takes place on four different planets and features a total of 20 mines. “Screwjumper!” allows players to compete with friends locally via a split-screen mode, as well as over Xbox LIVE.

“In just five short years Xbox LIVE has revolutionised the way friends and family have fun in the living room across the world,” said Orla Sheridan, Country Manager, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft Ireland “Xbox LIVE truly is the place for hanging out with friends and now they can enjoy full downloadable Xbox games on demand.”

For more information about the downloadable games available on Xbox LIVE, the evolution of Xbox LIVE or the “Xbox LIVE is 5IVE” member rewards, visit www.Xbox.com.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a superior video game and entertainment system delivering the best games, unique entertainment features and a unified online gaming network that revolve around gamers.

Xbox 360 will have a portfolio of more than 300 games and will be available in nearly 40 countries by the end of 2007. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE is the first and most comprehensive unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox LIVE connects millions of members across 26 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, TV shows and movies in the United States as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

*Free download available for 48 hours starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on November 15th 2007.

Microsoft Launches New XBox 360 Console for Families

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:22:17 GMT

New Console Includes Five Games, Wireless Controller And Storage To Save Games, All For An Estimated Retail Price Of €279.99

Dublin: October 23rd, 2007 — Microsoft today released a new Xbox 360 console that delivers games and content to everyone in the family for an estimated retail price of €279.99. Available in stores in Ireland from Friday 26^th October 2007, Xbox 360 ‘Arcade’ is the first Xbox 360 console to include five family-friendly games. Xbox 360 Arcade also includes a wireless controller, an HDMI connection to enable high-definition output if desired and 256MB of memory--useful for storing games and other entertainment content. At an estimated retail price of just €279.99, the Xbox 360 Arcade console will include the full versions of the five best-selling games from the Xbox LIVE® Arcade including “PAC-MAN Championship Edition,” (NAMCO BANDAI Games), “Uno,” “Luxor 2,” “Boom Boom Rocket™” (Electronic Arts), and “Feeding Frenzy.”

“As European families gather together this Christmas, it’s the perfect time to launch a family orientated Xbox 360 package that plays games, video and music for everyone to enjoy,” said Orla Sheridan, Country Manager, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft Ireland. “In addition to offering an incredible all-in-one package for families to get right into the fun, the Xbox 360 Arcade system features the industry leading family settings that allow parents to control what their kids are watching and playing, and we know how important that control is to families around the world.”

The news of Xbox 360 Arcade comes as part of a broader initiative by Microsoft to bring the Xbox 360 experience to families everywhere. Microsoft also announced today that “SHREK-N-ROLL™” (Activision) will be coming exclusively to Xbox LIVE Arcade, the place to download games for Xbox 360 over Xbox LIVE, adding more fun for everyone in the family.

Microsoft’s commitment to family entertainment is complimented by the largest library of more than 200 family-friendly games available at retailers in Ireland this Christmas, including “BEE MOVIE™ GAME” (Activision), “Guitar Hero III®: Legends of Rock” (Activision), “Naruto: Rise of a Ninja” (UbiSoft) , “Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action” and “Viva Piñata: Party Animals.”

MacGyver Flies in for Irish launch for Halo 3

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:35:39 GMT

Dublin: 24th September 2007 - Details of the Irish launch to celebrate the release of “Halo 3”, the exclusive Xbox 360 video game, at midnight Tuesday 25th September were today revealed by Microsoft. It was announced that Richard Dean Anderson, better known for his roles in MacGyver and Stargate SG:1, will launch the most hotly anticipated game of 2007. In addition a series of midnight openings will take place across the country as Irish retailers try to meet the demand for Halo 3.

Pre orders for “Halo 3” have soared past 1 million globally as the world holds its breath and awaits the launch of the title in Ireland on September 26th 2007. Irish retailers have noted that pre-orders for Halo 3 are currently running at twice the rate of the previous title in the series, and Microsoft also revealed that production of the game disc itself has reached 81 a second as they gear up for what is expected to be the biggest game launch in history. Gamestop plans to open fourteen stores across the Ireland at midnight to celebrate the launch, the highlight of which will be in the Stephens Green Centre where live entertainment and an appearance by Master Chief will be put on as fans begin the countdown to midnight.

The following Gamestop stores will open at midnight on Tuesday 25th September to mark the launch of Halo 3 - Stephens Green, Henry Street, Clare Hall, Wexford, Tralee, Letterkenny, Mallow, Drogheda, Midleton, Killarney, Belfast, Bangor, Derry, and Crescent.

Halo 3 marks the final chapter in the current storyline arc of the Halo franchise with the video game’s main character, Master Chief, set to take on the Covenant and the Flood, two alien forces hellbent on destroying mankind in a bid to save Earth.

Halo 2 broke box office entertainment records on its opening launch day in November 2004 amassing over $125 million dollars in sales and this year Halo 3 is set to smash that record, eclipsing recent opening weekend launch figures for Spiderman 3 ($152million).

Commenting on the launch plans, Orla Sheridan, Country Manager, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft Ireland, said, “As anticipation for the game reaches fever pitch around the globe it became clear that this was not going to be like any other game launch. When the game launches in Ireland, everyone in the country will know who Master Chief is. He will be on TV screens, newspapers, billboards and Internet sites across the country. We are also bringing Richard Dean Anderson to Ireland, which will be his first time in the country, for the launch as the characters he has played such as MacGyver are heroes and pop culture phenomenons like Master Chief. Both are ordinary individuals who, despite in surmountable odds, have stepped up to the challenge to come out of extraordinary situations. There is already huge excitement about his upcoming appearance.”

The "Halo" franchise is among the biggest worldwide entertainment properties in history and continues to change the way we think about interactive entertainment. "Halo" is more than just a video game - it's a truly unique entertainment phenomenon and an experience that has expanded beyond games, into bestselling novels, comics, merchandise and more, and captured the attention of millions of fans including gamers, musicians, celebrities, athletes, and even storytelling visionaries like Peter Jackson, who is set to executive produce the movie.

Irish Gamers Attempt To Set Halo World Record

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:14:49 GMT

Dublin: 21st September 2007 – Hundreds of Irish gamers will attempt to break the Guinness world record for completing Halo 2 in an attempt to win the first copies of Halo 3 when it launches on Wednesday September 26^th. The competition, which is open to the general public, will take place in the Xbox Live Gaming Centre in Dublin city centre on Saturday 22^nd September from midday. Prizes up for grabs include one of the rare Legendary Editions of Halo 3, limited edition Marvel Halo Graphic Novels and limited edition Halo 3 merchandise.

The world record for completing Halo 2 was set in August 2005 by Cody Miller when he completed the game on legendary difficulty in three and a half hours. Halo 2 broke box office entertainment records on its opening launch day in November 2004 amassing over $125 million dollars in sales and this year Halo 3 is set to smash that record, eclipsing recent opening weekend launch figures for Spiderman 3 ($152million). Irish retailers have noted that pre-orders for Halo 3 are currently running at twice the rate of the previous title in the series, and Microsoft is running off 81 games per second to ensure that they meet global demand for this title.

Commenting on the competition, Tony Murray, Managing Director, Xbox Live Gaming Centre, said, “Since its launch Halo 2 has proved to be the most popular video game on the Xbox. Groups of Halo fans across Ireland have formed clans and regularly compete with each other. We are delighted to be able to give Irish gamers a chance to able to win the first copies of Halo 3 in the country. We would urge fans to come down early on Saturday if they would like to try their hand at breaking the world record.”

“The level of interest in Halo 3 is testament to the game’s status as one of the most popular and most successful entertainment franchises ever,” commented Orla Sheridan, Country Manager, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft Ireland, "It is fantastic to see the level of interest shown by Irish gamers, all of whom are eager to be one of the first people in the country to get their hands on what is set to be the must have game this Christmas."