REDMOND, Wash. - Sept. 21, 2001 - Microsoft Corp. today announced it has begun
manufacturing the Microsoft® Xbox™ in Guadalajara, Mexico, and provided new details
about the 2001 launch.
Xbox will launch in North America on Nov. 15, 2001. The company also reconfirmed it will
ship 1 million to 1.5 million Xbox consoles to North American retailers this holiday
season, with replenishment of more than 100,000 Xbox units each week.
"Put a great big 'X' on Nov. 15," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer at
Microsoft. "Xbox is the one worth waiting for. It's the only video game system being
manufactured in North America. This is significant because it assures retailers that we
can keep filling the retail channel with new Xbox units week after week."
"Enthusiasm for Xbox is really taking off," said Wayne Yodzio, vice president of
Toys "R" Us. "Microsoft is delivering what it takes to make this a great
holiday season for us - namely a great lineup of Xbox games, a rapid replenishment plan
that will keep our shelves filled with Xbox systems every week, and quantities for the
holiday season that will translate the excitement about Xbox into strong sales."
"Having the right infrastructure in place will allow Microsoft to build gamer
excitement with available product on the shelves, from launch, through the holidays and
beyond," said Peter Moore, president and COO of Sega of America. "Microsoft has
recognized that the road to success is more of a marathon than a sprint."
Xbox Games
Microsoft confirmed that it will launch with 15 to 20 games and finish the holiday season
with more than 30 game titles on shelf. Xbox has tremendous support from the games
development community, including leading developers such as Sega, Electronic Arts, THQ,
Tecmo, Infogrames, Activision, Konami, Eidos, Lucas Arts and Midway. Microsoft will also
have leading titles, including "Halo™", "Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee™,"
"NFL Fever 2002" and several others, from its own game studios.
"The degree of success of a console is based on customer acceptance and a lineup of
great games, not on a launch date or initial numbers," said Jeffrey Griffiths, CEO of
Electronics Boutique. "Thus far, customer enthusiasm has been exceptional, and we've
been very impressed with the assortment of games. We're confident in the long-term success
of the product and pleased to be working with Microsoft in this venture."
"Xbox starting manufacturing is great news for gamers, and THQ will be ready with
some of the most anticipated Xbox games for the holiday season, such as 'WWF: Raw Is War'
and 'Dark Summit,'" said Brian Farrell, president and chief executive officer of THQ.
"We like Microsoft's approach to video games and believe its focus on weekly store
replenishment will be key to strong holiday sales for both Xbox and THQ's first-generation
Xbox games."
