The Battle Gets Bigger as New Halo 2 Multiplayer Maps Invade Xbox Live!
London, 27 April, 2005 - It's time to reload the SMGs and unpin the grenades, as Microsoft Game Studios announce that four new Halo 2® multiplayer maps are available on Xbox LiveTM. Two of the maps, Containment and Warlock, are available for free to Xbox Live members. The other two maps, Sanctuary and Turf, are available together for download via Xbox Live for £2.99.
All four maps will be included in the retail Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack, which will contain a total of nine maps and is set for a 1st July retail release. The retail package will also contain two new videos: an animated side-story from the single-player story in New Mombasa and a mini-documentary that includes interviews with the map designers, combat strategies and fly-throughs of the new maps. The retail package will be available at a suggested retail price of £14.99. All nine maps will be available for gamers to download for free from 30th August. More information on the individual maps and the Multiplayer Map Pack can be found at http://www.bungie.net.
Set in a Forerunner environment on Delta Halo, Containment is a massive, icy outdoor environment suitable for vehicle combat and large team-objective games such as Capture the Flag. Warlock, a small to midsized indoor arena set in ancient Forerunner ruins, offers ample opportunities for a variety of gametypes such as Territories, Slayer, Team Slayer and more. Located in the streets of Old Mombasa near the wreckage of a downed Covenant Scarab, Turf is a midsize asymmetrical urban combat environment with narrow streets, dark alleyways and heavily defended buildings. The sunlit remains of an ancient Forerunner temple, Sanctuary is a medium-sized symmetrical environment excellent for Capture the Flag, Assault, Territories and Slayer games.
Halo 2, the most popular Xbox game to date, has sold more than 6.7 million copies worldwide since its November 2004 release. Launched to critical and consumer acclaim, the game has earned more than three dozen awards, including several for "Game of the Year," "Best Soundtrack" and "Best Shooter."
As well as these Halo 2 maps, there is a huge range of downloadable content available to enhance your favourite Xbox Live games. From free maps and missions to cars and courses, you can find out the latest on Xbox Live downloads in the Downloadable Content Catalogue at the following URL:
http://www.xbox.com/en-b/live/downloads/default.htm
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About Bungie
Bungie was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep game-play, and then sell enough of those games to achieve the real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it produced games like the "Marathon Trilogy" and the first two "Myth" games, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. "Halo 2," its latest game, has achieved phenomenal success on the Microsoft Xbox video game system and has sold more than 6.7million units worldwide. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net/.
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The tag line, "It's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in UK for an estimated street price of £99.99.
About Xbox Live
A new frontier in imagination and extraordinary interaction, no one else offers the richness of online game-play found on Xbox Live. The world's only unified global online console games service, Xbox Live is continuously innovating to provide members with unparalleled experiences. This unique service unites gamers together in a dynamic community where they can experience the best online games, exclusive programming and continuous downloadable content. Xbox Live launched in the United States in November 2002 and is available in 24 countries. Please visit http://www.xbox.com/live for more information.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® video game system and Windows and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as "Age of Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon®"; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as "Halo®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmartTM."
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.
For more information, please contact:
Marie-Claire Suter
UK PR Manager - Xbox & PC Games
Tel: +44 (0) 118 909 4599
Email: i-maries@microsoft.com