Among the most notable of new info was the firm April 18th release date for the loooooong awaited (and very cool looking) Alan Wake and the announcements of two exclusive DLC packs for zombie-bashers Dead Rising 2 (Case Zero) and Left 4 Dead 2 (The Passing- featuring the characters from the first game!).
There's also some stuff about a new Final Fantasy/360 bundle and a bit about Crackdown 2, Halo Reach, and Fable 3.
Read on true believer.
SAN
FRANCISCO — Feb. 11, 2010 — Fire up the flat screen and crank
up the volume for the biggest year in Xbox 360 gaming history. Today at X10, Microsoft
Corp. proved to the world why 2010 will be a landmark year for gamers of all
types, and it showcased a barrage of exclusive games that defy traditional
genres and create new experiences filled with emotion, adrenaline and suspense.
Heart-pounding action and rich storytelling encompass a massive lineup of
blockbuster exclusives announced today with the hotly anticipated multiplayer
beta of this year’s biggest entertainment phenomenon, “Halo: Reach,” blasting off
May 3, and the chilling and immersive mystery of “Alan Wake” coming May 18 — both
only available on the Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment system, starting at
just $199.99 ERP.1 Celebrating the franchise’s Xbox 360 debut on
March 9, Microsoft and Square Enix have created the Xbox 360 “FINAL FANTASY
XIII” Special Edition Bundle, offering the complete experience at an incredible
value for $399 ERP.1
Available in North America on Aug. 31,
Japan on Sept. 2 and Europe on Sept. 3, “Dead Rising 2” picks up the
suspenseful action where the original left off, as gamers fight to survive swarming
hordes of the living dead. Microsoft and Capcom Co. Ltd. have also announced
that they are teaming up to set a new standard in storytelling through an exclusive
“Dead Rising 2” downloadable prologue only on Xbox LIVE. “Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO,”
available shortly before the title releases in August, will allow Xbox 360 gamers to get their first
glimpse into the “Dead Rising 2” story with exclusive content that will not be featured in
the full game.
Last November, acclaimed developer Infinity
Ward took gamers back to the action-packed world rife with political intrigue,
betrayal and heroism in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” becoming the largest
entertainment launch in history, shattering Xbox LIVE launch records along the
way. Now Xbox 360 owners will be the only players in the world to fully
experience the biggest blockbuster titles with exclusive Game Add-ons,
including a “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” content pack arriving first on Xbox
LIVE this spring.
“This is going to be an amazing year for
Xbox 360 and for gamers worldwide. It’s our biggest and most breakthrough year
yet, filled with games and entertainment that you won’t find on any other
console,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios.
“I’m floored on a daily basis with what the ‘Crackdown 2’ team is doing, and Bungie
is proving the impossible possible by eclipsing even its own untouchable
standards with ‘Halo: Reach.’ I can’t wait to jump on Xbox LIVE with some
friends to amp up our Gamerscores in co-op or talk a little trash to fuel some
friendly competition.”2
Gamers can grab their Xbox 360
controllers and envelop themselves in heroic tales of revolutionaries and
kings, struggles to save mankind from annihilation, and action-packed stories
of mystery and espionage, or simply have some nostalgic fun with family and
friends across the globe on Xbox LIVE with the following games:
·
“Halo: Reach”
(Bungie).
As the blockbuster prequel to the best-selling Xbox franchise of all time,
developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by acclaimed developer Bungie, “Halo: Reach”
puts you front and center in the fateful moments that forged the “Halo” legend.
As part of Noble Team, a squad of heroic Spartan soldiers, you will be called
upon to defend the planet Reach, humankind’s last line of defense between the
terrifying Covenant and Earth. Starting on May 3, the “Halo: Reach” public
multiplayer beta will give you the opportunity to drive the latest advancements
in multiplayer gameplay in the blockbuster franchise that started it all on Xbox
LIVE. Access to the beta will be available through the “Halo 3: ODST” game disc
on Xbox LIVE.
·
“Alan Wake” (Remedy
Entertainment Ltd.).
Launching May 18 in North America and May 21 in Europe, nightmares come to life
in this Xbox 360 exclusive that will establish a new gaming genre, the gripping
psychological action thriller. It is built like a chilling episodic TV series,
where your wits and light are your only allies, and you can pre-order your copy
now at participating retailers to reserve your Bright Falls Bonus Pack, which
includes exclusive content such as avatar gear, an Xbox LIVE theme, and a
“making of” video. Those looking to immerse themselves in the mystery beyond
the game can also pre-order the limited collector’s edition, packed with bonus
discs of behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive in-game commentary and hints from
Remedy, a game soundtrack, “The Alan Wake Files” book, and more, all bound
together in a hardcover bookshelf-worthy package.
·
“Crackdown 2” (Ruffian
Games).
Available exclusively on Xbox 360 and hitting store shelves later this year,
the sequel to the 2007 smash hit features over-the-top action, a massive living
world, unprecedented online and multiplayer capabilities, and stylish graphics.
Reserve
your copy today and stand above the crowd — you’ll receive a code to
download four exclusive suits of Agency-Issue armor: Gold, Brushed, Red and Blue Metal.
·
“Dead Rising 2”
(Capcom).
Following the 2006 bone-crunching, zombie-bashing action adventure hit, “Dead
Rising 2” puts a new offbeat defender in the heart of the fight to save the United
States from complete zombification. Before the mayhem launching in August and
September, “Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO” will release as an exclusive Game Add-on
only on Xbox LIVE.
·
“Call of Duty:
Modern Warfare 2” content pack (Infinity Ward/Activision). The first
content packs for this award-winning title and biggest entertainment launch
ever will be available first on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE.
·
“Tom Clancy’s
Splinter Cell Conviction” (Ubisoft
Entertainment).
Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 and PC on April 13 in North America, April 16 in the United Kingdom,
and April 28 in Japan, “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction” is the highly anticipated
sequel in the multimillion-selling “Splinter Cell” series, and one of the most
critically acclaimed Xbox franchises of all time. Uniting revolutionary
gameplay enhancements with a high-octane, no-holds-barred storyline, the game
also features intense co-op espionage missions on Xbox LIVE, making Xbox 360
the only console where you can unleash your inner renegade spy.
·
“FINAL FANTASY
XIII” (Square Enix).
The Xbox 360 “FINAL FANTASY XIII” Special Edition Bundle includes a 250GB hard drive,
two wireless controllers, exclusive downloadable avatar items and a standard-edition
copy of the dramatic sequel in the multimillion-selling series. Xbox 360 is the
only console outside of Japan to be bundled with the game, available in stores starting
March 9, while supplies last. In addition, a very limited number of “FINAL
FANTASY XIII” Limited Edition Faceplates have been created by designer Tetsuya
Nomura. These faceplates are only available promotionally in fixed quantities
across select retailers in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
·
“Fable III” (Lionhead Studios). “Fable III” delivers an
unparalleled action and adventure experience as players journey from
revolutionary to the ruler of Albion and beyond. With your trusted canine
companion, you will embark on an epic hero’s quest against injustice, forge
alliances, crush your enemies and take control of your kingdom. But with great
power comes great responsibility. Will you honor promises made in your rise to
power, or sacrifice allegiance for personal gain? Choose wisely, as the
decisions you make will forever impact your ever-evolving world.
·
“Lost Planet 2” (Capcom). The next installment of the popular third-person shooter
returns you to breathtaking environments, unique Vital Suits and
larger-than-life bosses of the world of E.D.N. III. The story picks up 10 years
after the original game as players follow the exploits of their own customized
snow pirate on their quest to seize control of the changing planet. You’ll be
able to play through the intense and action-packed campaign mode with three of
your friends on Xbox LIVE. “Lost Planet 2” launches in North America and Europe
on May 18.
·
“Left 4 Dead 2:
The Passing” (Valve).
The first Game Add-on brings the original “Left 4 Dead” survivors down south
for a meeting with the “Left 4 Dead 2” cast, while delivering new
single-player, multiplayer and co-operative gameplay, exclusively for Xbox 360
and PC. Targeting an early spring release, “Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing” will
include new co-operative campaign and associated narrative and new arenas for
Survival, Versus and Scavenge modes, and introduce a new co-operative challenge
mode.2
·
“Toy Soldiers” (Signal
Studios).
An intense action game kicking off the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party on March 3,
“Toy Soldiers” casts players into a fantastic, miniature world where antique
toy soldiers fight in vintage World War I dioramas. To celebrate the release of
“Toy Soldiers” on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Microsoft is launching a companion Facebook
experience on Feb. 12, “Toy Soldiers: Match Defense,” which will have you and your friends matching items to
collectively win countries and conquer Europe.
·
“Game Room” (Krome
Studios Pty Ltd.).
Launching this March as a part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party, “Game Room”
lets gamers relive the glory days of classic arcade and console games in their
original forms, as the player’s avatar takes part in the original sights,
sounds and gameplay only on Xbox 360 and Windows-based PC.
·
“Perfect Dark” (4J
Studios).
Fire up your Farsight and prepare for assignment — the Dark returns this March as
part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party. Agent Joanna Dark brings her epic
tale of galactic conspiracies in future America to Xbox 360 with remastered
visuals, LIVE-enabled multiplayer modes, leader boards, achievements and avatar
awards.
·
“Scrap Metal” (Slick
Entertainment Inc.).
Launching in March as a part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party, “Scrap Metal”
lets gamers drift around corners with guns blazing and take out competitors in this
fast-paced, top-down racer. Gamers fight their way through explosive,
action-packed missions, defeat cunning bosses, or jump on Xbox LIVE to race
against their friends, exclusively on Xbox 360.