LOS ANGELES - Video game publishers this week revealed their lineups for the launch of Microsoft’s new Xbox — closely watched information in an industry where the success of a game console is tied to the availability of cutting-edge titles.

Microsoft’s investment in the Xbox 360, which ships to stores next month, is a key effort in the world’s biggest software maker’s plan to spur growth by grabbing a larger share of the $25 billion global video game market.

In an effort to narrow the lead of No. 1 game console maker Sony Corp., Microsoft is bringing its new console to market several months ahead of Sony’s upcoming PlayStation 3.

Analysts, who expect Microsoft to ship about 2 million Xbox 360s this year, have been anxiously awaiting the list of games that will be available for the next-generation system’s debut. (MSNBC is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)

David Clayman, an editor for IGN’s Xbox and Xbox 360 enthusiast sites, said the game lineup announced by publishers is robust.

Microsoft won strong support from Electronic Arts Inc., the world’s largest video game publisher and has a broad range of games to support its new machine -- from EA’s “Madden NFL 06” football game and its racing title “Need for Speed Most Wanted,” two of industry’s best sellers across all platforms, to Rare’s much-anticipated shooting game “Perfect Dark Zero.”

“It looks like it will appeal to a mass audience,” Clayman said of the apparent lineup.

Microsoft has said it expects 15 to 20 games on the market for the North American roll-out of its next-generation game player on Nov. 22, and has promised to reveal the full roster in coming weeks.

Meanwhile, video game companies have laid out their own plans.

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. is shooting to have five games ready for the Xbox 360 debut, a spokesman said.

Best known for its controversial but wildly successful ”Grand Theft Auto” franchise, Take-Two 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 that appeals to hard-core gamers who are usually the first to buy new consoles and talk them up to friends.

Activision Inc. has four Xbox 360 launch titles on its list. They are action game “Quake 4,” extreme sports title ”Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland,” western-themed “GUN” and ”Call of Duty 2,” the sequel to one of the biggest military shooter games on the market.

EA, the world’s biggest video game publisher, on Monday said it will have five titles out in time for the launch. They are “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.”

A THQ Inc. spokesman said the company has two launch window titles for the Xbox 360: urban action game “Saint’s Row” and ”The Outfit,” a World War II-inspired game.

Microsoft this week confirmed that the action-adventure game “Kameo: Elements of Power” and “Perfect Dark Zero,” both from game developer Rare, will be shipping at launch.

“Project Gotham Racing 3” from independent game studio Bizarre Creations also should be in stores, Microsoft said.

IGN’s Clayman said “Project Gotham Racing 3” and “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” are the titles that best showcase the new technology in the Xbox 360, adding they “scream next-generation.”

__________________
Perfection is reached, not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Good info. As I mentioned elsewhere.. I am an MMORPG junkie.. I have heard rumors of World of Warcraft on the Xbox 360 at some point, and of course the Microsoft Published Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. All parties involved, though, deny any current plans for Vanguard on the 360.

I just love console platforms for MMORPGs, if they can get the interface worked out...

Sports is my central focus for console gaming, so that is good news. I have been debating getting an xbox or waiting for ps3.. But that would make it easier for me to get the 360 because I love the sports games.

Well actualy i think one of the first games of the new generations of consoles i'd like to put my hands on would be the PS3's Vision Gran Turismo, I have always been a Gran Turismo maniac and don't see myself 'skipping" this one!
That is I am a Need for speed guy too, and the last 'most wanted' version should realy rock!

__________________
Perfection is reached, not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Yeah I am big GT fan as well.. so that might sway me to PS3 as well. Right now I could see myself getting a 360 and ps3 in the next 12 months, but only time will tell.

what about PGR3 (project Gotham Racing 3 for non initiates)???

The Xbox's firstborn racing series is headed to the Xbox 360. Get a sense of what you could expect from the game.

Though Microsoft had officially confirmed that Project Gotham Racing 3 was in development for the Xbox 360, we finally got a first glimpse at the game during the MTV unveiling of the next-generation console. The original Project Gotham Racing and its sequel delivered some great racing experiences for the Xbox, so the stakes will surely be high for this next installment. Sure enough, our admittedly-brief look at the game made us very excited to see more.

The most striking aspect of the visuals we saw had to be the realistic in-cockpit camera angles that occasionally flashed onscreen. Most racing games offer a static in-cockpit camera, usually with a totally transparent heads-up display--so it's like you're disembodied, rather than at the wheel of a high-performance sports car. Well, PGR3 seems to offer that high-speed you-are-there feel that most racing games lack. We could see the driver of the car shuddering from all the G forces, even as the car itself shook as it roared across the pavement. Whether the game will really be playable from these angles remains to be seen, but it's a cool effect.

The exterior shots of high-performance concept cars and at least one nice Lamborghini looked great...though, not necessarily so jaw-droppingly great as to be suggestive of a massive technological leap, especially in the wake of the outstanding, recently-released Forza Motorsport for the Xbox. We never got to see more than a couple of cars onscreen at a time, either, and the action all took place on what appeared to be a single track, set within an urban environment that could have been Los Angeles or something similarly filled with high-rises and spectators. Still, it was a satisfying first look at the game.

Previous Project Gotham Racing titles have flaunted massive amounts of content--near-countless unlockable cars and tracks, plus tons of music. We'd expect nothing less from PGR3, in addition to some fancy Xbox Live support. We'll bring you more information on this one as soon as possible.
(source=gamespot.com)

Surely that's a car game who is going to ruleon the 360!

__________________
WWW.ROCKFORWARDS.COM
website and community 100 % pop-Rock!
PC RESOURCE WORLD
Pc resource related Community!