"Halo 4" Headlines Biggest Year for Blockbuster Games in Xbox History

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"Halo 4" Headlines Biggest Year for Blockbuster Games in Xbox History

Xbox 360 is home to this year's most-anticipated games, including "Halo 4," "Gears of War: Judgment," "Forza Horizon," "Madden NFL 2013," "Resident Evil® 6," "Dance Central 3" "Ascend: New Gods" and "Call of Duty®: Black Ops II."

LOS ANGELES, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Step back into the boots of mankind's greatest hero. Hit the open road in some of the world's most exotic supercars. Wield magic with your fingertips and dance your heart out. Today, on the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. unveiled a portfolio of games demonstrating that no matter what kind of game gets your heart pounding, Xbox 360 is the only place to play all of this year's biggest blockbusters and brand-new titles.

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Spearheaded by the return of Master Chief in the most-anticipated entertainment launch of the year, "Halo 4," Microsoft showcased a spectacular lineup of titles found only on Xbox 360, including "Forza Horizon," "Fable: The Journey" and the world premiere of "Gears of War: Judgment" -- setting the stage for the platform's biggest holiday yet. Delighting music fans around the world, global entertainment icon Usher lit up the stage at Microsoft's E3 media briefing with a surprise performance of his smash hit "Scream." Backed by amazing in-game visuals, Usher blew the crowd away with a dance routine created for "Dance Central 3," the next installment of the bestselling dance game on Kinect for Xbox 360. Microsoft also unveiled brand-new titles "Ascend: New Gods," "Wreckateer," "Matter" and "Lococycle."

In addition, the industry's biggest and best publishers were on hand to showcase why the most highly anticipated games are best played on Xbox 360. Activision wowed gamers with the first live gameplay demonstration of "Call of Duty®: Black Ops II." Making their worldwide debuts on Microsoft's E3 stage, Ubisoft Entertainment's "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell®: Blacklist(TM)" and THQ Inc.'s "South Park: The Stick of Truth" were both confirmed to feature Kinect voice-recognition functionality. With the help of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, EA SPORTS showed off the future of sports videogames with demonstrations of "Madden NFL 2013" and "FIFA 2013" using the power of voice on Kinect. Microsoft further delighted audiences with news that Capcom Entertainment Inc.'s "Resident Evil® 6," Square Enix Co. Ltd.'s "Tomb Raider" and THQ's "South Park: The Stick of Truth" will all feature add-on content that will be available first only on Xbox 360.

"2012 is a landmark year for Xbox," said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. "This year, we're delivering an incredible lineup of games with many of the most-anticipated exclusives, such as 'Halo 4,' 'Forza Horizon' and 'Fable: The Journey,' and brand-new franchises, such as 'Wreckateer' and 'Lococycle.' We're also the best place to experience blockbusters such as 'Call of Duty®: Black Ops II.' Our message is simple: Whether it's one of our beloved franchises or something totally new, there's only one place to find them all -- Xbox 360."

With immersive games for the adventurous hero, racing fiend and dance superstar within us all, Xbox 360 is poised to unleash an unprecedented landslide of blockbuster games for everyone, including the following:

    --  "Ascend: New Gods" (Signal Studios, Microsoft Studios). Signal Studios,
        the developers behind the hit franchise "Toy Soldiers," is pleased to
        announce its new action role-playing game (RPG), "Ascend: New Gods."
        Enter the world as Caos, a gigantic breed of mighty warriors created to
        serve the will of the Gods. Combat the immortal Titans while fending off
        attacks from rival players and establishing your influence in the global
        Ascend conflict. Epic three-scale combat takes place across immense
        landscapes and limitless dungeons. "Ascend: New Gods" offers
        unprecedented connectivity across mobile and console Xbox LIVE
        platforms. Wage war against Xbox 360 players from your mobile phone,
        gain power and prestige, and transfer it all to your console --
        anywhere, anytime.
    --  "Avatar Motocross Madness" (Bongfish GmbH, Microsoft Studios). The
        classic motocross (MX) series returns in "Avatar Motocross Madness."
        Engage in intense MX racing, exploration and social competition. Fly
        over huge jumps and perform insane tricks in extreme off-road races,
        competing with your friends in the Bike Club async social network.
        Challenge your friends' times, beat their scores and race against their
        ghosts to stay at the top of your club. Then take your bike to explore
        three vast environments: freestyle riding, collecting special items and
        discovering hidden secrets. "Avatar Motocross Madness" brings back all
        the fun and excitement of the original series in a whole new way.
    --  "Dance Central 3" (Harmonix Music Systems Inc., Microsoft Studios). The
        bestselling dance series game on Kinect returns this fall with "Dance
        Central 3." "Dance Central 3" features dance hits from today and also
        sends players back in time to the '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s -- hitting
        the dance floor to learn classic dances like "The Hustle," "Electric
        Boogie" and "The Dougie." Premier music video game developer Harmonix
        keeps the dance party going with a new multiplayer party mode for up to
        eight players and the hottest, most diverse soundtrack yet. Featuring
        Usher, Daft Punk, Gloria Gaynor, 50 Cent and many more, "Dance Central
        3" is sure to get any dance party started.
    --  "Fable: The Journey" (Lionhead Studios, Microsoft Studios). "Fable: The
        Journey" offers a whole new way to experience the deep storyline and
        picturesque world of Albion that fans have come to know and love. Set 50
        years after the events of "Fable III," this new version asks you to come
        to the aid of the mysterious Theresa, who thrusts you into an
        action-packed adventure full of dangerous enemies, hair-raising chases
        and humorous characters. Built from the ground up for Kinect, "Fable:
        The Journey" gives you the power to wield magic as a deadly weapon,
        defend yourself in combat and solve puzzles on your journey to becoming
        a hero. "Fable: The Journey" will launch on Oct. 9, 2012, in North
        America, South America, Asia and Australia and Oct. 12, 2012, in EMEA.
    --  "FIFA 2013." "FIFA 2013" captures all the drama and unpredictability of
        real-world football. This year, the game creates a true battle for
        possession across the entire pitch, and delivers freedom and creativity
        in attack. Driven by five game-changing innovations that revolutionize
        artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and physical play,
        "FIFA 2013" represents the largest and deepest feature set in the
        history of the franchise.
    --  "Forza Horizon" (Playground Games/Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft Studios).
        Combining the legendary "Forza Motorsport" authenticity with a festival
        atmosphere and the freedom of the open road, "Forza Horizon" is a
        high-intensity, action-racing game set against the backdrop of the
        world's most unique motorsport party. Featuring an expansive landscape,
        daring driving maneuvers to master, a rousing soundtrack and visceral
        moment-to-moment gameplay, "Forza Horizon" offers an immersive
        pick-up-and-play experience while retaining the unrivaled realism,
        diversity and innovation that are hallmarks of the "Forza Motorsport"
        franchise.
    --  "Gears of War: Judgment" (Epic Games, People Can Fly, Microsoft
        Studios). "Gears of War: Judgment" takes you back before the events of
        the original "Gears of War" trilogy to the immediate aftermath of
        Emergence Day -- the defining event of the "Gears of War" universe.
        Follow Kilo Squad, led by Damon Baird and Augustus "The Cole Train"
        Cole, as they fight to save the city of Halvo Bay from an unstoppable
        enemy in the most intense "Gears" game yet. "Gears of War: Judgment"
        introduces a variety of new multiplayer experiences, including OverRun,
        a thrilling new class-based competitive mode that will pit Locust and
        COG soldiers in a head-to-head battle unlike anything "Gears" fans have
        experienced yet. "Gears of War: Judgment" will launch worldwide in early
        2013.
    --  "Halo 4" (343 Industries, Microsoft Studios). "Halo 4" marks the return
        of Master Chief and the beginning of a new saga in the blockbuster
        franchise that has shaped entertainment history. E3 2012 marks the
        worldwide premiere of "Halo Infinity Multiplayer," including the
        all-new, story-driven experience known as Spartan Ops. A first of its
        kind, Spartan Ops is an episodic adventure -- playable in single-player
        or cooperatively with up to four players -- that blends immersive
        storytelling, high-quality cinematics and action-packed gameplay to
        deliver an unprecedented serialized experience. Spartan Ops will extend
        the "Halo 4" experience well beyond the game's launch. "Halo 4" hits
        store shelves on Nov. 6, 2012, delivering its most epic and explorative
        campaign yet, together with groundbreaking multiplayer action.
    --  "Happy Wars" (Toylogic Inc., Microsoft Studios). "Happy Wars" is a
        multiplayer action game that pits different comic-style characters
        against each other in over-the-top combat arenas. You can control any of
        three types of characters -- warrior, mage or cleric -- in a variety of
        fantasy battlefields including grasslands, a dark world and the ocean
        floor. Join with friends to enjoy action on a grand scale, casting magic
        spells and attacking castles as you cooperate to overcome enemies.
    --  "Joe Danger: The Movie" (Hello Games, Microsoft Studios). On the set of
        the greatest blockbuster "Movie" ever made, create your own action film
        scene by scene, performing every stunt yourself. Using dozens of stunt
        vehicles and spanning every action film genre imaginable, perfect every
        stunt to thrill the audience or crack the audience up with your failed
        attempts. Strap on the helmet of Joe Danger and defy death to impress
        the director.
    --  "Lococycle" (Twisted Pixel Games, Microsoft Studios). Presenting
        I.R.I.S.: Two-time Valedictorian of the illustrious Big Arms Academy's
        School of Assassination. I.R.I.S. is proficient in more than 40 forms of
        unarmed combat, earning Sensei status in Jiu-jitsu, Aikido, Krav Maga
        and Jeet Kune Do. She is equally deadly with blades, handguns and the
        latest in nuclear technology. Fluent in more than 50 languages and
        virtually every local custom, I.R.I.S. can blend in and disappear at a
        moment's notice in any country around the world. She was the first
        female cadet to break the four- minute mile -- by three minutes and
        forty seconds. All this won't even run down her batteries. Twisted Pixel
        Games proudly presents "Lococycle." Today's criminal requires tomorrow's
        hero.
    --  "Madden NFL 2013." "Madden NFL 2013" is all-new, from boot-up to
        credits. Every mode, every screen, every pixel has been reinvented
        delivering the most innovative, connected and authentic "Madden NFL
        2013" experience in franchise history.
    --  "Mark of the Ninja" (Klei Entertainment, Microsoft Studios). "Mark of
        the Ninja" is a side-scrolling stealth action game from Klei
        Entertainment that combines fluid 2-D animation with intense stealth
        gameplay. Observe your enemies from afar, manipulate them with your
        tools and execute your plan with precision. But be careful -- you're as
        fragile as you are powerful.
    --  "Matter" (blindwink, Microsoft Studios). Experience a hero's journey
        across a mysterious and visually stunning world. "Matter" brings the
        unique vision of Academy Award-winning director Gore Verbinski
        exclusively to Xbox 360 and Kinect.
    --  "Resident Evil® 6." "Resident Evil® 6" features three distinct, yet
        interwoven, storylines, each with its own pair of protagonists for
        either solo or co-op play, both offline and online. Leon S. Kennedy is
        paired with government agent Helena Harper, while Chris Redfield teams
        up with fellow BSAA member Piers Nivans. Finally, gun- for-hire and son
        of the infamous Albert Wesker, Jake Muller is joined by series returner
        Sherry Birkin. All six must face new horrors as they fight to survive
        the global C-virus outbreak. Blending both action and survival horror,
        "Resident Evil® 6" promises to be the dramatic horror experience of
        2012.
    --  "South Park: The Stick of Truth." Written and voiced by Trey Parker and
        Matt Stone, "The Stick of Truth" is the most epic South Park experience
        to date. Earn your place alongside Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman and aid
        them in a hysterical adventure to save South Park as only fourth-graders
        can. Recruit classic South Park characters to your cause, such as
        Professor Chaos or Jesus, armed with a machine gun. Arm yourself to the
        teeth with an arsenal of magical weapons and mystical armor to defeat
        crab people, underpants gnomes, hippies and other forces of evil.
        Succeed, and you shall be South Park's savior, cementing your social
        status in South Park Elementary. Fail, and you will forever be known ...
        as a loser.
    --  "Tomb Raider." Armed with only the raw instincts and physical ability to
        push beyond the limits of human endurance, "Tomb Raider" delivers an
        intense and gritty story into the origins of Lara Croft and her ascent
        from a frightened young woman to a hardened survivor.
    --  "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell®: Blacklist(TM)." The United States has a
        military presence in two thirds of countries around the world. A group
        of 12 have had enough and initiate a terror ultimatum called the
        Blacklist -- a deadly countdown of escalating terrorist attacks on U.S.
        interests. Sam Fisher is the leader of the newly formed 4th Echelon
        unit: a clandestine unit that answers solely to the President of the
        United States. Sam and his team must hunt down these terrorists by any
        means necessary, and stop the Blacklist countdown before it reaches
        zero.
    --  "Wreckateer" (Iron Galaxy, Microsoft Studios). "Wreckateer" uses Kinect
        to put you in control of a massive castle-wrecking ballista. With the
        help of Wreck and Tinker, travel the land and destroy 60 goblin-infested
        castles using six magical projectiles. Aim and fire each shot and then
        control it in mid-air, motion-activating special powers and guiding them
        toward their target. Utilize an arsenal of Flying, Explosive, Splitting
        and rocketing Speed shots to explore the infinite ways you can wreak
        havoc with "Wreckateer"'s fully dynamic destruction.
About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft's premier entertainment service for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. It's home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world's largest libraries of music, movies, TV and sports. With Kinect, Xbox 360 transformed gaming and entertainment in the living room with a whole new way to play games and find entertainment -- no controller required. More information about Xbox can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

SOURCE  Microsoft

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