Official Xbox Magazine bets on Black

31/01/06 - Future's Official Xbox Magazine exclusively takes the lid off EA's eagerly-anticipated first person shooter Black next month, delivering the world's first review of the Xbox version and a playable demo.

Also snatching the March issue front cover, Black gets the definitive Official Xbox Magazine treatment, with a comprehensive review. Developed by Criterion, known by gamers for the phenomenal Burnout series - the exclusive Black demo showcases the power still untapped in the original Xbox, proving that anything goes in this all-action gunfest.

Issue 53 of Official Xbox Magazine also delivers an exciting first look at the X Men 3 movie adaptation, as well as shots and details of FarCry: The Next Chapter and Medal of Honour: Airborne. The team goes behind the scenes on two of the hottest forthcoming Xbox titles, Hitman: Blood Money and Scarface: The World is Yours - which sees the return of Al Pacino's iconic movie character, Tony Montana.

The March issue also comes with a 100-page tips book, packed with complete solutions for Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers and Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows, as well as an A-Z of tips for the greatest games available on the Xbox.

Alongside the exclusive playable demo of Black, Official Xbox Magazine's monthly coverdisc also features exclusive playable demos of Stubbs the Zombie, Toca Racer Drive 3 and Knights of the Temple 2. The disc features a complete database of Xbox game ratings (over 600), as well as trailers of The Godfather, Commandos: Strike Force and Painkiller: Hell Wars.

Editor of Official Xbox Magazine, Gavin Ogden said:

"We're delighted we can bring our readers the demo of EA's Black. This goes to show that the Xbox is still capable of producing some truly cutting-edge titles, unrivalled on any other system. The amount of games announced and content still coming for the original Xbox proves there is a great deal of excitement still to be had."

Issue 53 of Official Xbox Magazine goes on sale Thursday, 16th February, with a coverprice of £5.99 - including the essential monthly playable coverdisc.

ENDS

About Future

Future plc was founded in the UK in 1985. Today, it publishes over 150 special-interest consumer magazines worldwide with strong portfolios in the computing, games, music, automotive, sports, crafts and leisure sectors. It is the fifth largest magazine publisher in the UK. Future employs 1,450 people in offices in the UK, US, France and Italy. Over 100 international editions of Future's magazines are also published under licence in 30 other countries across the world. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR).

For more information:

Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, 01225 822517.