(May 17, 2001) Microsoft Corp. has announced the North American launch details of its new Xbox video game system. Starting November 8, 2001, Xbox consoles will be available for purchase at retail outlets throughout North America for an estimated retail price of $299. Microsoft says that the games coming out for Xbox will "blur the lines between fantasy and reality."

“On Nov. 8, Xbox will hit the market and redefine how people think about and play video games,” said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer at Microsoft. “Xbox is going to change video games the way MTV changed music. Your games are never going to be the same.”

Microsoft detailed its North American launch plans at a press conference at the 2001 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2001, one of the world’s largest annual games industry trade shows.

During the press conference, Microsoft also announced strengthened relationships with console game studios Capcom Co. Ltd. and Sega Entertainment Inc., for delivery of high quality video games on the Xbox.

Capcom confirmed that it will develop three games for Xbox, including two Xbox exclusives: “DinoCrisis 3” (tentative title), the latest in the famed “Dino Crisis” series produced by Shinji Mikami, and “BRAIN-BOX” (code name and tentative title), an original robot simulation game also produced by Mikami. In addition, the popular game “Onimusha” will be optimized for Xbox and produced by Keiji Inafune.

Sega announced that it is creating Xbox versions of its Sega Sports 2K2 games, as well as Crazy Taxi Next and House of the Dead 3. The games will ship in the Xbox 2001 launch window in North America. Sega also committed to design its Sega Sports 2K3 lineup for the Xbox broadband online game service, which is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2002.

“Having Capcom and Sega on board reinforces the incredible quality and selection of games that Xbox will deliver this fall,” Bach said. “The creative artists at these studios will not only deliver great Xbox games, but they will help us establish the benchmark for great gaming experiences to come."

Microsoft also announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Warner Bros. and a signed alliance with Universal Interactive Services Inc. to create Xbox games. Microsoft and Warner Bros. will develop and publish Xbox games based on Steven Spielberg’s movie, A.I., that will hit movie theaters June 29. Microsoft will publish three action-packed adventure AI games, considered interactive sequels to the movie, two of which are slated for release this fall in conjunction with the console’s launch in North America.

Microsoft and Universal Interactive Services will develop an Xbox game “Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon,” developed by Ronin Entertainment. It will also be published exclusively on Xbox. “Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon” is a cinematic, fast-paced action game that allows gamers to play as the legendary martial arts master in his latest feature film.

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