Highlights from Microsoft’s GC Conference

Trailer reels, tech demos, new Xbox Live boardgames, Eastern European launches and a 360 soccer assault formed the key points of Microsoft’s press conference with journalists last August 23. Chris Lewis, head of Microsoft’s European Xbox division, touted the success of the 360 in the Continent, with console numbers hitting the 1.5 million mark in June. With five million units sold worldwide in the same time frame, Lewis confidently predicted that the company will meet its target of 10 million Xbox 360s by Christmas.

Even better news for Central European gamers was the announcement that the 360 will be launched in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia on November 3. Core and main systems will be made available with this release, as well as localized games for these regions.

The press conference also showcased Microsoft’s soccer lineup, with trailers for FIFA 2007 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6, and a tech/game demo for the former. Perhaps the attention-grabbing lead was the declaration that “the Xbox 360 is the home of next-gen football (a.k.a. soccer to those who associate “football” with the 50-yard line),” with FIFA and PES 6 being 360 exclusives for the next 12 months (Of course, Konami responded later that PES won’t be a 360 exclusive. Oops).

Also demoed were the XNA game development platform, showing off some of its “drag-and-drop” capabilities to build games for both the 360 and Windows OS; Forza 2, and Viva Pinata.

The Microsoft press conference also made a few key release announcements, aside from the 360’s Central European release:

• Forza 2 out this winter.
• Three new Live board games were pledged by Microsoft: Carcassone, Alhambra, and Die Siedler von Catan (The Settlers of Catan). Probably board games familiar to Europeans.
• FIFA 2007 scheduled for a fall release.
• The touted HD-DVD is “still due” at the end of the year.
• The Live Vision Camera: €49.99, €89.99 throws in a 12-month Gold Pack.

One new announcement was a partnership deal with BMW/Mini. THis partnership has something to do with an Xbox Cup for racing that will be launched in 2007.

Trailer reels, tech demos, new Xbox Live boardgames, Eastern European launches and a 360 soccer assault formed the key points of Microsoft’s press conference with journalists last August 23. Chris Lewis, head of Microsoft’s European Xbox division, touted the success of the 360 in the Continent, with console numbers hitting the 1.5 million mark in June. With five million units sold worldwide in the same time frame, Lewis confidently predicted that the company will meet its target of 10 million Xbox 360s by Christmas.

Even better news for Central European gamers was the announcement that the 360 will be launched in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia on November 3. Core and main systems will be made available with this release, as well as localized games for these regions.

The press conference also showcased Microsoft’s soccer lineup, with trailers for FIFA 2007 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6, and a tech/game demo for the former. Perhaps the attention-grabbing lead was the declaration that “the Xbox 360 is the home of next-gen football (a.k.a. soccer to those who associate “football” with the 50-yard line),” with FIFA and PES 6 being 360 exclusives for the next 12 months (Of course, Konami responded later that PES won’t be a 360 exclusive. Oops).

Also demoed were the XNA game development platform, showing off some of its “drag-and-drop” capabilities to build games for both the 360 and Windows OS; Forza 2, and Viva Pinata.

The Microsoft press conference also made a few key release announcements, aside from the 360’s Central European release:

• Forza 2 out this winter.
• Three new Live board games were pledged by Microsoft: Carcassone, Alhambra, and Die Siedler von Catan (The Settlers of Catan). Probably board games familiar to Europeans.
• FIFA 2007 scheduled for a fall release.
• The touted HD-DVD is “still due” at the end of the year.
• The Live Vision Camera: €49.99, €89.99 throws in a 12-month Gold Pack.

One new announcement was a partnership deal with BMW/Mini. THis partnership has something to do with an Xbox Cup for racing that will be launched in 2007.