MICROSOFT SIGNS UP TO PEGI ONLINE

LONDON - FRIDAY 20th July - Today it was confirmed that Microsoft has become the first platform owner to officially sign up to PEGI Online, a labelling system developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) to help protect minors when they play video games online.

PEGI Online complements the existing Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system. Over the last four years PEGI has built a reputation providing parents across Europe with detailed recommendations regarding the suitability of game content for young people. The PEGI system offers dependable and accessible information, in the form of age-rating labels and content descriptors on game packaging enabling informed buying decisions. The new online system aims to extend this protection to online gaming to help ensure gamers, including the young, are able to engage with appropriate content.

PEGI Online improves the service offered by PEGI by creating a trust seal identifying those online game providers that have committed to a specific Code (PEGI Online Safety Code) and by affording parents an easy education on how to ensure safe online play and protect young people against unsuitable gaming content. This helps users to make the right decisions about what content they and their children view.

Working with PEGI, this latest move from Microsoft underlines its long standing commitment to providing a safer environment and age-appropriate content. Within the industry Microsoft has driven the effort to create safety measures that give parents and caregivers control over the best play and viewing choices for their families.

Microsoft led the way with the Xbox 360 console's easy-to-use parental controls known as Family Settings which fully leverage and implement the PEGI ratings. In addition to today's announcement Microsoft continues to support, develops and encourages interactive games and entertainment, which are safe, age appropriate and educational. They continue their work with industry leaders, game developers, parents, caregivers and community leaders to look for ways to keep kids safe online while playing video games.

Chris Lewis, Regional Vice President Entertainment and Devices Division said "We're really happy to be the first platform holder to sign up to PEGI online and to having been a major contributor to the PEGI Online Working Group. It's a great step forward to help us extend the information, education and protection PEGI ratings give to gamers into the online space with Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows LIVE. We take responsible and safe video gaming very seriously and will continue to work with partners in empowering parents - and provide great digital entertainment for consumers."

*ends*

For further information please contact:

Kate Szlendak / 0118 909 5334 / v-kaszle@microsoft.com

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox LIVE online gaming network and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a catalogue of more than 160 high-definition games and is available in 37 countries. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About ISFE

Established in 1998 and registered in 2002 under Belgian law as an international association with scientific and pedagogical purposes, ISFE (the Interactive Software Federation of Europe) represents the interests of the interactive software sector throughout the 27 EU Member States plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Today, ISFE membership comprises 13 major publishers of interactive software as well as 11 interactive software trade associations throughout Europe.