Microsoft XBox 360 Launch Exposed

[bapenguin]

I got a chance to chat with Dave Ried, Director of Marketing for XBox 360. There was a press release floating around earlier today that a lot of news site didn't quite get right.

Basically the press release announced a few new titles for the XBox 360; Wolfenstein from id, Mass Effect from Bioware, Superman from EA as well as Splinter Cell 4 from UbiSoft. It also laid out Microsoft's Launch Window titles.
Their launch window include release day through the X-Mas Holiday season 2005. Right now there are 15-20 titles that will be available on Launch Day. While Dave wasn't specific on these titles, he did say that most titles are in the certification process right now, so it really depends on how things go there. He did mention that there would be a steady stream of titles from launch through the holiday season.

He confirmed that from Microsoft, we will be seeing Kameo: Elements of Power (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/kameo/default.htm?level1=enushome&level2=fg5blurb&level3=kameo), Perfect Dark 0 (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/perfectdarkzero/default.htm?level1=enushome&level2=fg5blurb&level3=perfectdarkzero) and Project Gotham Racing 3 (http://www.xbox.com/en-us/pgr3/default.htm?level1=enusgames&level2=hero3&level3=pgr3) all in the 2005 launch window.

In 2006 we should see the following exclusive titles: Gears of War (http://www.epicgames.com/index_gow.html) from Epic, Too Human (http://www.siliconknights.com/main.html) from Silicon Knights, Crackdown (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/654/654388p1.html) from Realtime Worlds, and Mass Effect (masseffect.bioware.com) from Bioware.


FIFA: Road to the World Cup is going to be an XBox 360 Exclusive title as well.

Be on the lookout for the XBox 360 marketting campaign to really take off in the coming weeks as more magazine, outdoor and TV spots are launched.

[Mason]

That, gentle sirs, is a hell of a launch. If Nintendo and Sony can even come close to that kind of launch, the next 12 months will be a period of digital bliss the likes of which the world has never seen before.

[Ludoc]

Half the reason i'm excited about the 360 is the Live. Just tell me what games I can play over Live on launch day. And if the only games I can play against other people on launch day are sports games, I'll be pissed.

I'm not paying ~$600 (cdn price + tax + shipping) so i can switch grenades using a shoulder button in Halo 2.

[SymetriX]

I worry too about PS3's launch compared to these type of exclusives.

PS3 will have Metal Gear Solid and Devil May Cry, but I can't imagine a new Gran Turismo with how long the last one took. Also I can't see a next-gen Final Fantasy any time soon.

The other thing I think Microsoft has going is that a lot of their exclusive titles seem to be fresh new properties like Gears of War or 99 Knights (although you could say the genres are old).

I know it may be too early to speculate on Sony, but if the PS3 is going to ship next Spring they might want to talk about some exclusive launch titles soon! MS has had info on some of these games out for a while now.

[jacob.armitage]

I was talking to my Sony Rep the other day, and she probably isnt that informed, but she sent along word that she didnt expect the PS3 to ship until fall in North America.

[Ailer]

But the only 360 game I care about is oblivion!

[Tennistoad]

Just hurry up and put the demo units with the hd lcd's on the floors of comp usa and best buy. So that I can play em, and get that new system energy outta my system. Then I'll be able to wait till the really good stuff comes out before I buy one.

/please god let me be able to wait...
//Cause the wife will kill me if I buy another system.

[Major Scud]

so we still dont know what games will be there for day 1 and we dont know what xbox games will play on the 360...its out next month....w/ the exception of the halo movie announcement and the unveiling of mass effect, X05 has been a really big dissapointment for me so far.

[The Radical Cleric]

I was talking to my Sony Rep the other day...

Well, I was talking to MY Sony Rep the other day while she was giving me a massage, and SHE said....

Sorry, couldn't resist. :D

[civx]

Just like every launch ever, the games will most likely suck.

[A-Team]

Not to criticize you BP, but why did you have to ask Ried to explain the press release? Sure, it took me a good minute or two to figure out what Microsoft said was going on, but it only designated PGR3, Kameo, and PD0 as launch titles. The others were headed with the words "Other great games announced or shown at X05 included these." If anything, you should've told Reid that they need to be a bit more clear in the future about how they word their damn press releases so as to not confuse everyone (aka not titling the release "Xbox 360 Launch Lineup Announced" would help).

(and yes, I'm attacking Microsoft's PR/Marketing dept. 99% more than I am BP because BP was just doing us a favor)

Anyway, that's a total of 7 confirmed launch titles now (***IF those three titles in the LAUNCH WINDOW come out on Nov. 22***), or to be more specific: PGR3, Kameo, PD0, Madden 06, FIFA 06, NFSMW, and Tiger Woods 06. I would suspect that we'll also see NBA 2K6 and NBA Live 06, but the only "confirmation" we have regarding those is coming from recent previews of the game.

Edited because this wasn't meant to be a personal attack on BP. :(

[Heretic Machine]

You know, I thought this press release was supposed to be about which titles would be here LAUNCH DAY... which is pretty much the important part, so people know what to pre-order. Kinda need to know that guys, it would be nice to find out some time before launch...

[A-Team]

You know, I thought this press release was supposed to be about which titles would be here LAUNCH DAY... which is pretty much the important part, so people know what to pre-order. Kinda need to know that guys, it would be nice to find out some time before launch...
Exactly, and I think it's a pretty obnoxious thing to do considering not everyone has time to read word for word what every single press release says. My original post actually said "here are all of the games coming out at launch", then I realizes Superman was just announced and that's when I caught my error.

For those of you who are interested, this is the press release we're all referring to:

Xbox 360 Launch Lineup Announced

Developers commit to the success of the next-generation console.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — 4th October 2005 — Today at X05, the Xbox® brand experience for the games and entertainment industry, Microsoft Corp. unveiled an incredible lineup of games for the Xbox 360TM video game and entertainment system as it gears up for launch on 2nd December. A series of special guests, including Cliff Bleszinski, lead designer for Epic Games Inc., Todd Hollenshead, co-owner and CEO of id Software Inc., and Gerhard Florin, executive vice president and general manager of International Publishing for Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), joined Xbox executives Robbie Bach, J Allard, Peter Moore and Chris Lewis on stage to talk about their new titles for Xbox 360.

Titles that will form part of the impressive Christmas holiday portfolio include these:

# "Kameo: Elements of PowerTM" (MGS-Rare Ltd.). Renowned game developer Rare introduces "Kameo: Elements of PowerTM," a mystical action-adventure game available exclusively on Xbox 360, in which the ability to morph into unique and incredible warriors allows Kameo to search out and battle ever-present evil. Boasting impeccable next-generation graphics and innovative gameplay, "Kameo" shines as a giant leap in game development. Continuing its legacy of creating dynamic puzzles, immersive combat and enormous environments, Rare fuses multiple genres to create a strikingly fun gaming experience destined for widespread appeal.

# "Perfect Dark ZeroTM" (MGS-Rare Ltd.). Joanna Dark returns in the Xbox 360-exclusive "Perfect Dark Zero," the prequel to the international award-winning and multimillion-selling first-person shooter "Perfect Dark®" from famed game developer Rare. A secret war has begun between shadowy corporations bent on world domination. Joanna Dark and her father, Jack, are caught up in the fight for the planet's future. A routine bounty-hunting mission rips open a global conspiracy that will change Joanna's destiny — forever.

# "Project Gotham Racing® 3" (MGS-Bizarre Creations Ltd.). The popular "PGR®" franchise zooms onto the Xbox 360, expanding many of the "Project Gotham Racing" features that gamers have grown to love. "PGR 3" creates the ultimate roster of the hottest supercars in existence, introduces them to the high-definition era, and drops them into a completely new gaming world, where style rules the road. Racers define and create individually customised gameplay, and can race each other — online or offline. The "Project Gotham Racing" franchise is designed by Bizarre Creations, a long-established independent games developer, based in Liverpool, England. Bizarre is focused on producing high-quality, playable games that make the most of the advanced technology for which they are designed. Bizarre Creations can be found on the Web at http://www.bizarreonline.net or http://www.bizarrecreations.com.

Other great games announced or shown at X05 included these:

# "Crackdown" (MGS-Real Time Worlds). "Crackdown" pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generation with the introduction of the first truly 3-D persistent playground, highly innovative cooperative gameplay, and an extensive prop interaction system all while taking place in a massive and highly stylised urban centre. All strategies and tactics are acceptable provided players clean up the streets. Players roam a virtual city built to encourage and allow the full width, depth and height of the space to be explored and exploited. "Crackdown" will offer free-form gameplay, over-the-top action, and, for the first time in this genre, online cooperative play.

# "Gears of War" (MGS-Epic Games Inc.). Blending the best of tactical action games with the best of survival horror titles, "Gears of War" is the first game developed by Epic Games exclusively for Microsoft Game Studios and Xbox 360. "Gears of War" thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet.

# "Too Human" (MGS-Silicon Knights). In "Too Human," players are treated to a nonstop barrage of action powered by the seamless integration of melee and ranged firearms combat and fueled by breathtaking visuals previously not possible thanks to a powerful combination of Xbox 360 and the Unreal Engine 3. Battles unfold in awesome scale as players engage with vast numbers of enemies.

# "Mass Effect" (MGS-BioWare Corp.). Set 200 years in the future in an epic universe, "Mass Effect" places gamers in a vast galactic community in danger of being conquered by a legendary agent gone rogue. A spectacular new vision from legendary developers BioWare, "Mass Effect" challenges players to lead a squad of freedom fighters as they struggle against threatening armies to restore peace in the land. "Mass Effect" is the first in a trilogy of games with an overarching story, where the real conflict between organic beings and artificial intelligence comes to life in startling clarity.

# "FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup" (Electronic Arts). EA celebrates its new exclusive FIFA World Cup interactive entertainment partnership with the release of "FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup," a game that immerses players into the emotional intensity of the next-generation football. Utilising the power of the Xbox 360, fans will be able to revel in the world's most sophisticated representation of football ever. Experience a newly enhanced gameplay engine that delivers extremely responsive controls and greater level of depth. New physics and animations mean that players will now react more realistically to every tackle, shot or pass of the ball. For the first time you'll see and feel the joy, anguish and pain of 90 minutes of soccer in a videogame. Through the power of high-definition technology you'll see how the detail of the players is accurately recreated in fine detail. The power of the Xbox 360 truly brings to life 80,000 chanting fans in a stadium and immerses you in the emotional intensity of FIFA World Cup football.

Blah blah blah

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Yeah, these just list "launch window" titles, which is bogus.

So we'll see something like Fifa and maybe Grabbed by the Ghoulies Again on launch day, and then Project Gotham 3 and Oblivion on December 24th?

I wouldn't be surprised if we never saw Kameo or Perfect Dark Zero, or if PD0 just ended up being Perfect Dark "uncensored" and with KILLER GraFIX!!

[A-Team]

Yeah, these just list "launch window" titles, which is bogus.

So we'll see something like Fifa and maybe Grabbed by the Ghoulies Again on launch day, and then Project Gotham 3 and Oblivion on December 24th?

I wouldn't be surprised if we never saw Kameo or Perfect Dark Zero, or if PD0 just ended up being Perfect Dark "uncensored" and with KILLER GraFIX!!
It's marketing hype, and I was a victim of it for a whole three or so minutes. The sad part about it is that media folks aren't supposed to be the ones falling for the hype, news-hungry consumers are.

[Zeal]

If this is accurate, then how come Next-Generation is reporting only 3 launch titles?

http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1228&Itemid=2

Or am I just reading this wrong...

[A-Team]

If this is accurate, then how come Next-Generation is reporting only 3 launch titles?

http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1228&Itemid=2

Or am I just reading this wrong...
You didn't read Next-Gen right. They have "launch titles" in quotes because they haven't been confirmed nor denied to be launch titles. Microsoft has classified them as part of their "Christmas portfolio", which means they will arrive before the end of 2005 regardless of what happens at launch.

The only titles that *have* been confirmed for launch are NFSMW, FIFA, Madden 06, NBA Live 06 and Tiger Woods 06. This would also mean that we *should* expect to see NBA 2K6 at launch as well, but Take-Two/2K haven't confirmed it yet.

[Kelegacy]

So basically this is just an ordinary launch, with tons of EA franchise titles, with PD0 being a sequel, and Kameo being an Xbox (or N64) game pumped up to a new system?

Kameo still sounds good to me, but I dont see anything else there that grabs my balls and tells me to cough.

[Zeal]

I'm sorry, but I honestly just don't see any major releases or anything that could be considered a system seller.

[Heretic Machine]

Well if Saint's Row makes launch I'll be real friggin happy... Other than that, I agree, this is pretty mediocre. We really don't have a killer app here. Would of been nice for Gears of War to make launch, but appearently that's unrealistic. They claim that it'll be like first quarter '06 I believe. Which in my mind means this time next year, since that's always what seems time happen with titles that get scheduled as such (Still waiting on Animal Crossing DS.)

[A-Team]

Well if Saint's Row makes launch I'll be real friggin happy... Other than that, I agree, this is pretty mediocre. We really don't have a killer app here. Would of been nice for Gears of War to make launch, but appearently that's unrealistic. They claim that it'll be like first quarter '06 I believe. Which in my mind means this time next year, since that's always what seems time happen with titles that get scheduled as such (Still waiting on Animal Crossing DS.)
Saint's Row is another one of those "launch window" titles for 2005, as is The Outfit. THQ is pretty good about sticking with their release dates, so we should definitely look for both to hit stores this year.

As far as being here on Nov. 22, well, Mr. Reid won't tell us either way because they still need to certify a few more games.

[KDups]

Oblivion looks solid, but of course it doesn't have the mainstream appeal of, say, anything from EA. And it's coming to PC. It will be mine though.

[StoneGut]

Holy Crap!

Mass Effect look awesome!... from the 20 seconds I could see... stupid suspence.

[Switcher]

Interesting that you can switch around all game titles between Gears of War, Too Human, and Mass Effect, and no one would know the difference.

[Heretic Machine]

I'm getting Oblivion for PC... Infinitely more replay value.

[fitbabits]

Kameo still sounds good to me, but I dont see anything else there that grabs my balls and tells me to cough.

Ooh, ooh, ooh - ask Perigon! He just won an Xbox 360 so he's now Microsoft's beeyatch! :D

[rainbowblack]

as long as oblivion and FFXI are on the shelves launch day im happy

but man...there so much more id like to play like kameo and whichever launch FPS is an acuall next-gen FPS

[bapenguin]

Not to criticize you BP, but why did you have to ask Ried to explain the press release? Sure, it took me a good minute or two to figure out what Microsoft said was going on, but it only designated PGR3, Kameo, and PD0 as launch titles. The others were headed with the words "Other great games announced or shown at X05 included these." If anything, you should've told Reid that they need to be a bit more clear in the future about how they word their damn press releases so as to not confuse everyone (aka not titling the release "Xbox 360 Launch Lineup Announced" would help).


Because the press release was confusing and people were reporting wrong information. Like the "3 launch titles"

Mr. Ried offered to call me to explain the situation better. The Press release was simply to announce what titles were in the works for the system. It was also an oppurtunity to talk to him about some things.

[bapenguin]

So we'll see something like Fifa and maybe Grabbed by the Ghoulies Again on launch day, and then Project Gotham 3 and Oblivion on December 24th?

I wouldn't be surprised if we never saw Kameo or Perfect Dark Zero, or if PD0 just ended up being Perfect Dark "uncensored" and with KILLER GraFIX!!

There are going to be 15-20 titles on LAUNCH DAY. So take away the 6 or so EA games and you'll have 9 others from Microsoft, Atari, Ubi and the like.

[A-Team]

Because the press release was confusing and people were reporting wrong information. Like the "3 launch titles"
Yes, that's what I was implying when I said that Microsoft needs to quit trying to pull a quick one over our heads.

Edited because it's not worth it.

[A-Team]

Alright, GameSpot is saying that there are now eight titles that have been confirmed by Microsoft. The article is here (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6135026.html).

In an effort to clear up the confusion, GameSpot asked David Reid, director of platform marketing for Xbox, what the exact 360 launch lineup is. He said that "there will be 15 to 20 Xbox 360 titles available on launch day" with around another half-dozen making it to market by the end of the year. For the moment, though, he would only confirm eight titles as being available the same day and date as the 360: Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, Madden NFL 06, NBA Live 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, Need for Speed Most Wanted, and FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup.

[Chris_D]

Just like every launch ever, the games will most likely suck.

Yeah like Soul Calibur, Halo, Mario 64, Super Mario World ... oh you're just talking about sony launches?

[Sensei-X]

Yes, that's what I was implying when I said that Microsoft needs to quit trying to pull a quick one over our heads.

Edited because it's not worth it.

After the whole Killzone 2 mess, Sony now has the "pulling a quick one" market cornered for the forseeable future. :D

[Vjornaxx]

Splinter Cell 4? I hope it has versus. Chaos Theory versus is pretty much all I play now. I hope they make it backwards compatible from the start so that I can sate my appetite for sneaking after 360 launch. If there's one thing that would make me keep my old Xbox, it's if Chaos Theory weren't backwards compatible or couldn't be played on Live with the 360.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

So basically this is just an ordinary launch, with tons of EA franchise titles, with PD0 being a sequel, and Kameo being an Xbox (or N64) game pumped up to a new system?

Kameo still sounds good to me, but I dont see anything else there that grabs my balls and tells me to cough.


Well Grabbed by the Ghoulies grabs you by the balls...literally. ;)

[mister_slim]

I'm sure a year from now we'll look back at some of these titles and say 'What were we thinking?!' but looks pretty good thus far.

[Groo]

Yeah like Soul Calibur, Halo, Mario 64, Super Mario World ... oh you're just talking about sony launches?

own3d

Sorry, I had to say it.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

Perigon, before you won the 360, I could of swore you hated Saint's Row...

Anyway, I had read that PD0 and PGR3 may not be released day and date of the system. I also heard on G4 that Oblivion may not be available on launch day. Saint's Row also doesn't look like it is going to make launch.

I just want a lineup announced soon.