Everyone's a Gamer at X06Singaporeans get first taste of a Next Generation Gaming Event; chance for local game publishers to gain global recognition 27 October 2006
With five eye-catching domes erected at the corner of Bras Basah Road, the X06 set-up features Singapore first innovative inflatable structure with 80 Xbox 360s, 16 PCs and a giant 360-degree screen. The eye-catching projection and lighting set-up will illuminate the site as Xbox and its partners celebrate all things Xbox in Singapore. Open to the public on 28 and 29 October 2006, Singaporeans will get the chance to see yet to be released games and experience the latest in high-definition digital entertainment. Visitors can purchase games and consoles at special event-only prices. "It’s been a great few months for us since we launched and we are incredibly excited to bring next generation gaming to Singapore with X06," said Tony Boatman, Group Marketing Manager, Entertainment & Devices Division, South East Asia, Microsoft. "Look out for some of our biggest titles and best content, both right now and well into 2007 at X06. From casual gamers to gaming enthusiasts, there is something for everyone and consumers will be spoilt for choice with a system designed for high-definition and online entertainment. We are the only next-generation experience that seamlessly connects players to their games, friends, and entertainment content." More information on X06 can be obtained at http://www.x06.com.sg . Increasing media literacy while supporting local games developers to shine on the global stage The Media Development Authority (MDA)’s support for X06 is in line with its MEDIAction! initiative to increase media literacy amongst Singaporeans by inspiring them to harness interactive and digital media for work, learning and play in a responsible and discerning way. Ms Pam Hu, Director of Community and International Relations, said, "By offering something for everyone – from the professional game developer to the casual gamer, this eventcontributes to the growth of the local games industry. We want to inspire professionals, students, teachers and hobbyists, beyond playing games, to develop games for education and learning. In addition, MDA also announced its support for the local developer community to undertake development of games for release on Xbox Live® Arcade (XLA) by encouraging them to tap on existing schemes for development of such games. Local game development studios will need to submit their concepts to the Xbox Live Arcade Team for assessment. Studios should visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/dev/developingforlivearcade.htm for more details on submission. Studios whose concepts have been approved by the XLA team will be eligible for development co-funding from MDA. Alternatively, developers can apply to MDA to co-fund development of a game demo for submission to the XLA team for assessment. “Since its launch in March 2006, XLA has seen 10 million downloads for these great casual games. Getting a Singapore-made game on the platform will certainly give great exposure to the local gaming industry,” said Mr Boatman. Local development studios may contact MDA or visit http://www.mda.gov.sg for more information on the development schemes available. The Most Anticipated Titles
Another major title coming our way is produced by the renowned Hironobu Sakaguchi and characters developed by Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball) exclusively for the Xbox 360, Blue Dragon centres around a young boy named Shu and several of his friends. The game follows these unlikely heroes who possess the power to control phantom shadows that mirror the actions of their masters, giving them miraculous strength and powers. From leading U.K. based developer Rare and Microsoft Game Studios comes Viva Piñata™, an original game concept and the latest innovative gaming experience for gamers of all ages and types. Viva Piñata invites gamers to create an immersive world where living piñatas inhabit an ever-changing environment. Viva Pinata, which has won several industry awards including Best Graphics from Nick Jr. Magazine and IGN's Runner-Up for Best Strategy Game of E3 2006, is scheduled to be available on 14 November 2006. New Xbox 360 Accessories: Wireless Racing Wheel, Xbox Live Vision and HD DVD Drive At X06, exciting details about several highly-anticipated Xbox 360 accessories allowing users to further enhance their digital entertainment experience were released. Racing has never felt so real with the new Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel created by Microsoft. Built from the ground up by leading industry professionals incorporating input from the creative minds who brought you the “Forza Motorsport™” and “Project Gotham Racing®” franchises, the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel features pioneering technology in rumble and force feedback motors. Simulating an unparalleled spectrum of driving sensations from drifting to power sliding, the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel will be available from 10 November 2006. Now available, Xbox Live Vision is a next-generation camera that brings interactive social gaming to life. The camera allows you to personalize your gaming experience with your own unique gamertag picture, send photo messages, and video chat with friends and family in real time over Xbox Live. The Xbox Live Vision will also bring motion-based games to life as gamers can use their body movements to control the action. It can also double up as a camera to record VGA 640Hx480V video at 30 frames per second and still photos at 1.3 megapixels. Available by mid 2007 in Singapore, users can just add the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player to their Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player offers up to six times higher resolution than DVD, and as part of the fall 2006 console update, all Xbox 360 consoles will have the ability to output native resolution 1080p games and movies. Users will be able to enjoy blockbuster HD DVD releases from major movie studios including Paramount Pictures, StudioCanal, Universal Studios, New Line Entertainment, HBO, and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Other Activities at X06 X06 is made possible with the support of MDA, StarHub, Pioneer, Tiger Beer and Venue Asia. Here is a list of activities at the show where visitors can stand a chance to win exclusive premiums. Visitors will be able to learn to become amateur game developers in a presentation sponsored by MDA. Showcasing Microsoft’s XNA, learn how to use basic programming skills to make your videogaming dreams a reality. StarHub's MaxOnline service is the ideal broadband connection for Xbox Live, providing users with always-on, unlimited Internet access for up to 30 Mbps of download speed. As an exclusive promotion at X06, consumers who sign up for a two-year MaxOnline Ultimate or MaxOnline 6500 service will receive a free Xbox 360 ProSystemand cable modem, as well as a 10% monthly discount on their MaxOnline subscription. This great bargain is worth over SG$1,100. In addition, at the StarHub Masters Series - Tortem Ball Challenge, StarHub is giving away a Samsung 26-inch HD ready LCD TV worth SG$1,899 to the daily winner. Using the Xbox Live Vision camera, Totem Ball is the latest game on Xbox Live Arcade to take interactive gaming to a new level as gamers use their body movements to control gameplay. More information on Totem Ball can be obtained from: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/t/totemballxboxlivearcade. The ultimate next generation digital gaming for the Xbox 360 can be complemented with Pioneer’s HTP-GS1. With a 5.1ch Surround Sound System, the HTP-GS1 is designed with the Xbox 360 gamer in mind, featuring the same sleek colour and cosmetics of the game console. The speaker system complements the bright, sharp and accurate picture of a Pioneer PureVision plasma television, while delivering high impact precision sound for Xbox 360. Tiger Beer will offer two soccer fans the chance to see Arsenal Football Club live at the Tiger FC Challenge hosted by Class 95 DJs. The first 32 teams-of-two will compete on EA Sports’ FIFA 07 tournament where the champion wins a paid trip for two to see their soccer heroes. Visitors will also be able to purchase the Xbox 360 console and games from Microsoft, EA and New Era at a discount throughout the event.
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Microsoft today thrilled attendees at the X06 event by inviting everyone to the next generation now, on Xbox 360™. The announcements and hands-on gameplay experiences highlight how the world's greatest game creators are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in high-definition and online storytelling.