Prepare for the Evolution: New Xbox Experience to invite everyone in on Nov. 19

Xbox also delivers great value, great games with new spring bundles that appeal to all

TOKYO — Oct. 9, 2008 — Get ready. The evolution is coming. Microsoft Corp. today announced at the Tokyo Game Show that the New Xbox Experience, a transformation in home entertainment, will launch on Thursday, Nov. 19. On that day, more than 20 million Xbox 360 owners worldwide will experience a completely new Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft that’s fun, social and simple to use – and puts more entertainment at their finger tips than any other device connected to the TV.

It’s now easier than ever to get the most affordable next-generation console and some of the season’s best and broadest games. For just $349 RRP*, the Xbox 360 Arcade Spring Bundle comes with six free games, including “Sega Superstars Tennis” and five games for the Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360. Additionally, the Xbox 360 console ($499 RRP*) and Xbox 360 Elite ($649 RRP*) Holiday Bundles pair the consoles and the promise of the New Xbox Experience with two amazing games: “LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures” and “Kung Fu Panda™” – at no added cost.

“Our industry is defining the future of entertainment,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Studios, from the Tokyo Game Show. “When the New Xbox Experience launches in just six weeks, we will be inviting the whole world to play. We’ll also have the games that everyone will want, including all-new social experiences like ‘Lips,’ ‘Scene It? Box Office Smash,’ and ‘You’re In the Movies,’ all launching this year or the beginning of 2009, all exclusively on Xbox 360.”

With the launch of the New Xbox Experience on Nov. 19, Xbox 360 owners will enjoy:

• Entertainment without limits. Xbox 360 invites you into a world where the best games live side by side with your personal pictures and music library, ready to share anytime with friends across the globe through the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network.
• LIVE Parties: Xbox 360 is the only device that allows you to create a virtual party on your TV with up to seven friends. With LIVE Party, voice chat while you play games, share photos real-time and entertain friends all over the world.
• Personality Plus. Create a customisable, animated Avatar and literally jump into the world of Xbox LIVE. Your Avatar is your game-face throughout the New Xbox Experience and represents your personality – whether you’re a LIVE Party host or chatting with a friend. With custom Avatars created by the more than 14 million members worldwide, Xbox LIVE will have as many Avatars as Tokyo has residents.

When the New Xbox Experiences launches this Spring, it will join the best and broadest Xbox 360 entertainment line-up of games ever. Whatever your passion, Xbox 360 has games for you. Only on Xbox 360 can you unleash your inner diva with “Lips;” live your favourite movie moments with “You’re in the Movies” and “Scene It? Box Office Smash;” and find Xbox LIVE Arcade favourites like “Castle Crashers” alongside indie favourites like the smash hit “Braid.”

• Music. Xbox 360 is the preferred stage for the majority of the best music games, including “Lips,” “Rock Band 2,” “Guitar Hero®World Tour” and “DanceDanceRevolution® UNIVERSE3.”
• Family. Xbox 360 gets the whole family playing with titles such as “Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts,” “Dig Dug Stylish Edition,” “Pacland” and “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise.”
• Sports. Xbox 360 remains the one of the best places to play sports titles, including leading franchises like “Madden NFL,” “Tiger Woods PGA TOUR,” “NBA LIVE,” “NHL 2K” and more.
• Blockbusters. “FINAL FANTASY® XIII” will be available on Xbox 360 at launch in North America and Europe. And Xbox 360 is the only place gamers can play our exclusive games, such as “Gears of War 2” and “Fable II.”

* Recommended Retail Price