Microsoft showcases groundbreaking approach to game shows; "Final Fantasy XIII" to be available on Xbox 360 at launch in North America and Europe.

Music, movies and megahits. No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, today at the E3 Media and Business Summit (E3) in Los Angeles the world of Xbox 360 just got bigger, broader and more exciting than ever.

Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a games portfolio for all ages and interests. Included were new titles for music lovers such as “Lips” and the exclusive launch of “Rock Band 2”; family-friendly games from the B-movie maker “You’re in the Movies” to next-generation game shows such as “1 vs. 100”; and even surprise announcements to make the hardest-core gamer weak in the knees, with the reveal of “Final Fantasy XIII,” to be available on Xbox 360 at launch in North America and Europe.

When a ruthless businessman begins turning Vegas into a family-friendly tourist trap, you must start your own powerful empire and resurrect the famous adult playground. Party hard at the hottest clubs to make VIP connections. Grow your bankroll by hitting high stakes tables. Race the fastest cars on the underground circuit to raise your reputation. Fight off enemies with fists and firearms to prove your strength. Where you go and what you do is your call. Whether counting cards, seducing dangerous women, cruising the strip or starting bar brawls, there’s lots of excitement on the way to the top.

Combining spectacular Hollywood-style stunts with a gripping storyline, Wheelman provides an adrenaline-fueled, cinematic thrill ride guaranteed to leave you breathless. Vin Diesel stars as an undercover agent and highly skilled driver who must infiltrate the Barcelona underworld to gather intelligence surrounding a covert heist. Posing as a driver-for-hire, he ends up caught in a crossfire of corruption and chaos while trying to stay one step ahead of local law enforcement and rival gangs.

For the first time ever Scorpion, Sub-Zero and the Mortal Kombat warriors battle with Batman, Superman and other popular DC Universe super heroes. Choose your side and challenge your opponents with an all-new fighting system including Freefall Kombat and Klose Kombat along with dynamic multi-tiered environments. Plus, pick your favorite character from Mortal Kombat or DC Universe and pursue a fighting adventure in the new single player mode with an intertwined storyline and two unique perspectives.

Features

Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company, and MTV Games, a division of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today revealed at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit the song set list for Rock Band™ 2, the next evolution of the groundbreaking Rock Band music platform. The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall. This builds upon the unparalleled depth and diversity of Rock Band’s original set list and its ever-expanding library of downloadable tracks. Comprised entirely of master recordings from some of rock’s most prolific and untouchable artists, including AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Pearl Jam and more, Rock Band 2 will deliver the most impressive and largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame ever.

You are now one step closer to becoming a god amongst men. As the powerful cybernetic god Baldur, players will battle their way through ancient machine armies in a quest to save all mankind. Begin fulfilling your destiny with the demo of “Too Human,” the third-person epic action game from renowned Canadian developer Silicon Knights and Microsoft Game Studios. Gamers can also whet their appetites by watching an all-new trailer, available now on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, today announced its product portfolio to be shown at the 2008 E3 Business & Media Summit, July 15-17 in Los Angeles. This year's lineup showcases exciting new intellectual properties such as Wheelman™ starring action film star Vin Diesel, proven brands such as Unreal Tournament 3 from world renowned developer Epic Games, highly anticipated installments of established franchises such as Mortal Kombat® vs. DC Universe, licensed by Warner Bros.

Starting July 14, Xbox 360 fans across the globe will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the invitation-only E3 Media and Business Summit (E3) and see what’s being unveiled for 2008 and beyond.

Microsoft is bringing E3 home to the more than 12 million Xbox LIVE members across the globe by providing breaking Xbox 360 news directly from the event to their televisions.

Viewers will have free access to the high-definition content and highlights from the not-to-be-missed Microsoft E3 keynote, which promises a host of surprising announcements.

All top news stories will be published here from the event and lets hope to get some big announcements and top gaming related info.

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