| World's Largest
Games Publisher and Developer to Produce Up to 10 Titles in Console's First Six Months
REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. and Electronic
Arts (EA), the leading video games software publisher and developer, today announced that
EA will bring its world-renowned games to the XboxT video game system, Microsoft's highly
anticipated, future-generation video game console scheduled to launch in fall 2001. Famous
for titles such as "Madden NFLT 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.
Release |
