LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Video game publishers this week revealed most of the lineup of titles slated for release when the Xbox 360 game console ships to stores next month -- news many expected from Microsoft Corp.
The world's biggest software company and second-largest video game console maker behind Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news). has said it expects 15 to 20 games on the market for the North American debut of its next-generation game player on November 22.
Game enthusiasts and analysts expected Microsoft to make the full list of games available this week at its annual European press event. Instead it promised to reveal the full roster in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, video game companies have announced their own plans.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. is shooting to have five games ready for the Xbox 360 debut, a spokesman said.
Take-Two, best known for its controversial but wildly successful "Grand Theft Auto" franchise, said its launch titles are basketball game "NBA 2K6," hockey game "NHL 2K6," tennis game "Top Spin 2," snowboarding game "Amped 3" and "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion," a role-playing game.
Activision Inc. has four Xbox 360 launch titles on its list. They are World War II game "Call of Duty 2," action game "Quake 4," extreme sports title "Tony Hawk's American Wasteland" and the western-themed "GUN."
Electronic Arts Inc., the world's biggest video game publisher, on Monday said it will have five titles out in time for the launch. They are the racing game "Need for Speed Most Wanted," its "FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup" soccer title, basketball game "NBA Live 06," golf game "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06" and "Madden NFL 06," the latest installment of its popular football game.
Microsoft this week did confirm that the action-adventure game "Kameo: Elements of Power" and the much-anticipated shooting game "Perfect Dark Zero," both from company-owned developer Rare, will be shipping at launch.
"Project Gotham Racing 3" from independent game studio Blizzard Creations also should be available, Microsoft said.
Analysts, who expect Microsoft to ship about 2 million Xbox 360s this year, have been closely watching the lineup of games for the console because cutting-edge titles help drive sales to the hard-core gamers, who are first to purchase new gadgets.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051006/tc_nm/media_microsoft_videogames_dc;_ylt=Ah9_fKFdTcFCJBFZE8wrr4sjtBAF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
The world's biggest software company and second-largest video game console maker behind Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news). has said it expects 15 to 20 games on the market for the North American debut of its next-generation game player on November 22.
Game enthusiasts and analysts expected Microsoft to make the full list of games available this week at its annual European press event. Instead it promised to reveal the full roster in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, video game companies have announced their own plans.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. is shooting to have five games ready for the Xbox 360 debut, a spokesman said.
Take-Two, best known for its controversial but wildly successful "Grand Theft Auto" franchise, said its launch titles are basketball game "NBA 2K6," hockey game "NHL 2K6," tennis game "Top Spin 2," snowboarding game "Amped 3" and "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion," a role-playing game.
Activision Inc. has four Xbox 360 launch titles on its list. They are World War II game "Call of Duty 2," action game "Quake 4," extreme sports title "Tony Hawk's American Wasteland" and the western-themed "GUN."
Electronic Arts Inc., the world's biggest video game publisher, on Monday said it will have five titles out in time for the launch. They are the racing game "Need for Speed Most Wanted," its "FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup" soccer title, basketball game "NBA Live 06," golf game "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06" and "Madden NFL 06," the latest installment of its popular football game.
Microsoft this week did confirm that the action-adventure game "Kameo: Elements of Power" and the much-anticipated shooting game "Perfect Dark Zero," both from company-owned developer Rare, will be shipping at launch.
"Project Gotham Racing 3" from independent game studio Blizzard Creations also should be available, Microsoft said.
Analysts, who expect Microsoft to ship about 2 million Xbox 360s this year, have been closely watching the lineup of games for the console because cutting-edge titles help drive sales to the hard-core gamers, who are first to purchase new gadgets.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051006/tc_nm/media_microsoft_videogames_dc;_ylt=Ah9_fKFdTcFCJBFZE8wrr4sjtBAF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
