Tutta qui la Gamescom di Microsoft? Evidentemente sì, almeno per ora. Non pretendevamo molto, a dire il vero, da un evento messo in piedi in due giorni e a due mesi dall’E3, ma tant’è. Direttamente dalla nostra mailbox redazionale, i comunicati stampa rilasciati oggi, alle ore 12:30 (come da programma), da Microsoft in occasione della fiera di Colonia.

Le press releases, che potete trovare una dopo l’altra proprio in questa pagina, sono in lingua inglese. Come si dice? Noi… ce ne laviamo le mani. Il fatto che Microsoft Italia non li abbia neppure tradotti la dice lunga sull’importanza degli annunci in oggetto. Fatta eccezione per lo sbarco di Xbox Live su Windows Phone, s’intende, con tanto di Avatar, Achievements, Marketplace e classifiche.

Il resto dei comunicati sottolinea la presenza in Germania di Kinect tramite i giochi già mostrati allo scorso E3 di Los Angeles, e l’annuncio della data europea della periferica stessa, di cui vi abbiamo già parlato poche ore fa (10 Novembre, per chi se la fosse persa).

Vi lasciamo ai comunicati stampa, sperando che la conferenza Electronic Arts, prevista per le 16:00 ora italiana, risulti portatrice di novità più interessanti.

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Microsoft transforms entertainment at home and on the go with launch of Kinect and new Xbox LIVE experiences on Windows Phone 7 and PC. Kinect for Xbox 360 brings controller-free entertainment to Europe from November 10, 2010

COLOGNE, Germany — August 17, 2010 — Xbox will transform entertainment at home and on the go this year with Kinect for Xbox 360 officially launching in Europe, Middle East and Africa on November 10 opening up a new world of controller-free games and Xbox LIVE entertainment. Xbox LIVE and a blockbuster line up of games on Windows Phone 7 will also launch this holiday and Microsoft announced a new line up of LIVE enabled titles coming to the PC.

Gamescom 2010 is the European premiere of Kinect for Xbox 360, introducing millions more to the intuitive freedom of being controller-free. The show will unveil new games and experiences demonstrating the depth and breadth of the launch lineup of more than 15 exclusive Kinect titles, including never-before-seen levels, new environments, achievements and characters for "Kinect Sports," "Kinect Adventures," "Kinectimals" and "Kinect Joyride." MTV Games and Harmonix will also announce new chart-topping dance tracks for the highly anticipated "Dance Central".

Speaking before the show, Chris Lewis, vice president, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft Europe said, "We are bringing the Kinect experience to Europe for the first time at Gamescom because this is the biggest show in the region and we’re committed to investing in Europe and the critical role it plays in Xbox’s global success. When Kinect launches on November 10, it’s not just transformative for our business but it’s set to change how you use entertainment. You become the controller, giving you the choice in how you and your friends navigate entertainment and gaming experiences. We’re already seeing a high level of anticipation in Europe with sales of the Kinect ready Xbox 360 250GB creating an all-time record weekly market share ."

"This is also the year of expansion for Xbox 360; in terms of new audiences, new markets for Xbox LIVE and multiple platforms. With Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7 we are bringing the quality, consistence and community of the Xbox experience to gamers on the go. With "Age of Empires Online", "Fable III" and new games still in development we’re also bringing, social, connected gaming experiences to all new audiences on the PC. When you look at what we are bringing to the market this year with the magic of Kinect, alongside our blockbuster line-up of games, including the biggest game for 2010, "Halo: Reach", we’re confident that Xbox 360 has something for all the family and will be the gaming and entertainment console of 2010 and beyond."

More Kinect To Love

New Kinect game experiences which will be unveiled at Gamescom reveal a never-before-seen depth to controller-free games that will keep the casual or the hardcore gamer entertained for hours. The classic kart racing title "Kinect Joy Ride" featuring new modes that will keep gameplay fresh and challenging whether playing alone or with friends will be on show, along with thrilling new adventures exploring exotic locations, collecting treasures and earning rewards in "Kinect Adventures". A host of cute new animal friends to help you expore the world of "Kinectimals" and three new events in "Kinect Sports" which are guaranteed to entice the family off the sofa, will also be revealed for the first time at the event.

The Blockbusters Get Bigger

2010 finds all the biggest blockbusters on Xbox 360, with an amazing 3rd party lineup proving that once again Xbox 360 is the best place to play, including the highly anticipated blockbusters "Halo:Reach" and "Fable III" which will be showing off some new features for play at Gamescom.

A New Era in Mobile Gaming

Gamescom 2010 is also the venue for the global unveil of the first wave of Xbox LIVE games launching on Windows Phone 7 this holiday. Building on Microsoft’s pioneering work with Xbox 360, Windows Phone 7 will be home to a premier, ever-expanding portfolio of Xbox LIVE titles from the most creative minds in game development, including Microsoft Game Studios. From Avatars to Achievements, friends and more, Windows Phone 7 is putting the power of Xbox LIVE into the palm of your hand.

Reinventing Classic PC Franchises

Microsoft will also unveil the newest addition to the best-selling "Age of Empires" franchise, "Age of Empires Online." Marrying fresh online features with iconic gameplay,"Age of Empires Online" will offer something for long-time fans, newcomers, and everyone in between. Additionally, Microsoft will announce the development of a new game inspired by the time-honored "Flight Simulator" franchise. Published by Microsoft Game Studios, these new titles, along with the previously announced "Fable III," fully integrate the free "Games for Windows – LIVE" online service to deliver compelling, socially-connected gameplay experiences.

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Xbox Showcases Blockbuster Games and Premieres Kinect in Europe. Europe welcomes a new era of gaming and entertainment with blockbuster games for Xbox and Kinect for Xbox 360

COLOGNE, Germany – August 17, 2010 — Xbox is unveiling exciting new experiences for its blockbuster games and Kinect for Xbox 360 at the world’s largest games event, Gamescom. Fans and visitors to the show will get first hand access to new player experiences for two of the most highly anticipated releases of 2010 "Halo:Reach" and "Fable III" as well as brand new additions to the Kinect lineup, which will launch in Europe from November 10, 2010.

Football is coming home to Europe at Gamescom with Jens Lehmann, former German goalkeeper, sharing the first reveal of ‘Football’ on "Kinect Sports" at the ‘Xbox 360 Play Day’. The event will also unveil new track and field events from the "Kinect Sports" portfolio including ‘Javelin’, ‘Long Jump’ and ‘Discus’, new experiences in "Kinect Adventures" and announce exciting content from Kinect titles such as "Kinect Joyride" and MTV Games’ "Dance Central".

Chris Lewis, vice president, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft Europe said, "Whether you’re a gamer or a family, this year will see our gaming experiences transform to provide players with the ultimate entertainment experience. We have the best developers on board to bring new and exciting experiences for everyone to Xbox 360. And this week, thousands of consumers in Europe will have a sneak preview of our highly anticipated titles at Gamescom, months before they go on sale.

"Today we had Jens Lehmann join us to try football on Kinect Sports for the first time, showing how we’ve created a fun and engaging game for the living room, inviting families in Europe to jump off the sofa and into the world of controller free entertainment. We’re riding high on the positive response we’ve had so far for the likes of Dance Central and today we’ll be sharing more about Kinect games, plus our famed Xbox 360 blockbuster titles."

The Biggest Names

Whether you’re fighting for survival in "Halo: Reach" or catapulting into revolution in "Fable III," only Xbox 360 delivers these incredible experiences. 2010 will see the launch of the biggest blockbuster titles on Xbox 360, with an amazing portfolio to continue to challenge and entertain gamers throughout Europe. The highly anticipated blockbusters "Halo:Reach" and "Fable III" will be on show for play at Gamescom and will be providing attendees updated looks of these games.

• "Halo:Reach" (Bungie, Microsoft Game Studios). After a successful beta program that set world records for the most players, the highly anticipated "Halo:Reach" blockbuster prequel to the landmark "Halo" video game franchise will be on show at Gamescom. Promising to be the biggest game of 2010, "Halo:Reach" is developed exclusively for Xbox 360 and launches worldwide on September 14.
• "Fable III" (Lionhead Studios, Microsoft Game Studios). "Fable III", an action adventure experience like no other, is the third installment to Lionhead Studios’ best-selling "Fable" franchise. Available from October 26, Gamescom will be the first place to see and play new features such as exciting new combat moves and the innovative Touch mechanic, which dramatically changes how a player interacts with the world around him or her. More about the about this epic action-adventure game narrative will also be unveiled this week. The "Fable III" Limited Edition Wireless Controller featuring a one-off artwork created by Lionhead Studios will be also be available for true "Fable" fans in the weeks prior launch.

Controller Free Fun

Movement and motion will meet the world of gaming with a full range of exciting new titles set to launch with Kinect for Xbox 360. A selection of the 15 exclusive launch titles will be on show, including never-before-seen levels, new environments and new characters. Controller-free gaming is simple: jump in front of the sensor and start playing.

• "Kinect Sports" (Rare, Microsoft Game Studios). The only sports game that lets you be every player is "Kinect Sports." Turn your living room into a world-class stadium, bowling alley, soccer pitch or arena. In the newly announced Football sporting event, simply move to take control of the player who has the ball: make the save as the keeper, pass to the defender, then midfielder, cross the ball in and then take control of the striker to hammer the ball into the top corner. Designed for family fun, "Kinect Sports – Football" will show families how they can enjoy Europe’s favourite game in their own living room. New track and field events have also been unveiled in Kinect Sports portfolio, including discus, long jump and javelin. These sports will add to the current lineup of beach volleyball, bowling, table tennis, boxing and other track and field events.
• "Joy Ride" (Big Park, Microsoft Game Studios). Joy Ride will take you on an exhilarating, action-packed race in this exciting controller-free kart racing title. Stunning landscapes provide the backdrop for unique driving adventures in three far-flung worlds with sixteen hyperactive courses and a multitude of environments that are exciting for everyone from amateurs to the most skilled. With newly announced stunt and dash modes and co-op, race and co-pilot modes, "Joy Ride" makes a perfect family game.
• "Kinect Adventures" (Good Science Studio, Microsoft Game Studios). Jump in to the social adventure of a lifetime, as we invite everyone to experience the "Kinect Adventures" challenge. The pack-in title for Kinect, this is the game that requires whole body interaction and contains something for everyone. At Gamescom we’ll invite families and friends on an all new experience, with the never before seen "Space Adventure" and the "Yeti Living Statue" challenge. With 20 different adventures to complete at four difficulty levels, and two challenge modes to unlock, there is plenty of action to go around.
• "Kinectimals" (Frontier Developments Ltd, Microsoft Game Studios). Children and animal lovers will be introduced to a new way to discover and play with on-screen pets, in a captivating and engaging format. Kinectimals allows you to speak and interact the way you would with a real life animal. The family of cats revealed at E3 has grown at Gamescom, with lion and jaguar cubs joining the lineup of furry friends taking you on an adventure to discover the secrets of your home island in "Kinectimals". Families will be able to play together, with the introduction of multi-player mode and new environments. Getting into the game is as simple as stepping in front of the TV.
• "Dance Central" (MTV Games / Harmonix). "Dance Central"™ is the most immersive full-body, controller-free dance video game with fun choreography for beginners and experts. With more than 650 moves and more than 90 dance routines from professional choreographers, you’ll be able to rehearse and perform from your living room. Eleven new tracks were announced today, including:

  Basement Jaxx – "Rendez-Vu"
  Benny Benassi – "Satisfaction"
  Cascada – "Evacuate the Dancefloor"
  Fannypack – "Hey Mami"
  Kool & The Gang – "Jungle Boogie"
  Kylie Minogue – "Can’t Get You Out of My Head"
  Nelly Furtado – "Maneater"
  Nina Sky – "Move Ya Body"
  Pitbull – "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
  Rihanna – "Pon de Replay"
  Technotronic – "Pump Up the Jam"

• "Your Shape: Fitness Evolved" (Ubisoft). Get your body moving with "Your Shape: Fitness Evolved." Your body will become part of the game, allowing you to interact within the virtual environments of the game which will respond to your movement. What’s more, it burns calories as you play. With a personal trainer, yoga instructor and martial arts master at your fingertips, "Your Shape: Fitness Evolved" provides specific feedback on every move, enabling you to achieve your fitness goals in a safe, fun environment.
• "Sonic Free Riders" (Sega). Making the most of motion control, "Sonic Free Rider" on Kinect for Xbox 360 will be on show at Gamescom. Players will become their favourite character, twisting and turning to navigate their way through the game. Featuring a variety of hoverboards and bikes, "Sonic Free Riders" will be available in single or multi-player and provides fun for all ages.

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With Xbox LIVE and a Blockbuster Title Lineup, Windows Phone 7 Marks a New Era in Mobile Gaming. First wave of Xbox LIVE titles from award-winning publishers announced for the launch of Windows Phone 7.

COLOGNE, Germany — August 17, 2010 — Today at Gamescom 2010, the world’s largest consumer-oriented games showcase, Microsoft Corp. premiered the first wave of Xbox LIVE games launching on Windows Phone 7 this holiday. With even more games and applications to come, Windows Phone 7 is putting the power of Xbox LIVE into the palm of your hand — from Xbox LIVE Avatars to staying connected with friends, Xbox LIVE is now at your fingertips, anytime, anywhere.

"We believe that no matter where life takes you, the best in gaming and entertainment should follow," said Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft. "Windows Phone 7 takes a different approach to handheld gaming, utilizing Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Game Studios, leading game publishers, and innovative indie developers, to create powerful, shared experiences for everyone."

The Games You Want, Played When and Wherever You Want Them

In a sea of games, apps, gadgets and gizmos, the biggest obstacle can be finding the game that’s right for you. Only Windows Phone 7 has a Games hub featuring Xbox LIVE, creating a different kind of mobile gaming experience that puts the games you want front and center. Xbox LIVE games on Windows Phone 7 will be specially selected from the top names in mobile, PC and console game development, making the best mobile games even better, thanks to Xbox LIVE. With try-before-you-buy demos, Xbox LIVE leaderboards, turn-based multiplayer, Achievements and more, Windows Phone 7 brings the quality, consistency and community of the Xbox experience to gamers on the go.

Windows Phone 7 also will be supported by content from Microsoft Game Studios (MGS), providing strong first-party gaming titles and intellectual property for the phone. For Xbox fans, this means that Windows Phone 7 will offer companion titles to familiar names, such as "Halo: Waypoint," and "Crackdown 2," extending the experience of their favorite Xbox 360 franchises.
"Windows Phone 7 is the launch of a major gaming platform for Microsoft," said Matt Booty, general manager of mobile gaming for MGS. "Just like we’ve done with Xbox 360, our charter is to push the envelope and deliver definitive games that maximize the platform. We will have an incredible lineup of MGS titles, and that’s just the beginning."

The most creative minds in game development are bringing the biggest franchises to Windows Phone 7. The first wave of launch portfolio titles includes Xbox LIVE games from the likes of Gameloft, Konami, Namco Bandai, PopCap and THQ. Whether you choose to play a gem of a puzzler with "Bejeweled™ LIVE" (PopCap), bring down the house with "Guitar Hero 5" (Glu Mobile), fight off a destructive alien invasion in "The Harvest" (MGS), paint your way out of a corner with "Max and the Magic Marker" (PressPlay) or defend your city in "Crackdown 2: Project Sunburst" (MGS), the first wave of games announced in the launch portfolio of Xbox LIVE games on Windows Phone 7 has something for every mobile gamer:

• "3D Brick Breaker Revolution" (Digital Chocolate)
• "Age of Zombies" (Halfbrick)
• "Armor Valley" (Protégé Games)
• "Asphalt 5" (Gameloft)
• "Assassins Creed" (Gameloft)
• "Bejeweled™ LIVE" (PopCap)
• "Bloons TD" (Digital Goldfish)
• "Brain Challenge" (Gameloft)
• "Bubble Town 2" (i-Play)
• "Butterfly" (Press Start Studio)
• "CarneyVale Showtime" (MGS)
• "Castlevania" (Konami)
• "Crackdown 2: Project Sunburst" (MGS)
• "De Blob Revolution" (THQ)
• "Deal or No Deal 2010" (i-Play)
• "Earthworm Jim" (Gameloft)
• "Fast & Furious 7" (i-Play)
• "Fight Game Rivals" (Rough Cookie)
• "Finger Physics" (Mobliss Inc.)
• "Flight Control" (Namco Bandai)
• "Flowerz" (Carbonated Games)
• "Frogger" (Konami)
• "Fruit Ninja" (Halfbrick)
• "Game Chest-Board" (MGS)
• "Game Chest-Card" (MGS)
• "Game Chest-Logic" (MGS)
• "Game Chest-Solitaire" (MGS)
• "GeoDefense" (Critical Thought)
• "Ghostscape" (Psionic)
• "Glow Artisan" (Powerhead Games)
• "Glyder 2" (Glu Mobile)
• "Guitar Hero 5" (Glu Mobile)
• "Halo Waypoint" (MGS)
• "Hexic Rush" (Carbonated Games)
• "I Dig It" (InMotion)
• "iBlast Moki" (Godzilab)
• "ilomilo" (MGS)
• "Implode XL" (IUGO)
• "Iquarium" (Infinite Dreams)
• "Jet Car Stunts" (True Axis)
• "Let’s Golf 2" (Gameloft)
• "Little Wheel" (One click dog)
• "Loondon" (Flip N Tale)
• "Max and the Magic Marker" (PressPlay)
• "Mini Squadron" (Supermono Limited)
• "More Brain Exercise" (Namco Bandai)
• "O.M.G." (Arkedo)
• "Puzzle Quest 2" (Namco Bandai)
• "Real Soccer 2" (Gameloft)
• "The Revenants" (Chaotic Moon)
• "Rise of Glory" (Revo Solutions)
• "Rocket Riot" (Codeglue)
• "Splinter Cell Conviction" (Gameloft)
• "Star Wars: Battle for Hoth" (THQ)
• "Star Wars: Cantina" (THQ)
• "The Harvest" (MGS)
• "The Oregon Trail" (Gameloft)
• "Tower Bloxx NY" (Digital Chocolate)
• "Twin Blades" (Press Start Studio)
• "UNO" (Gameloft)
• "Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet" (i-Play)
• "Zombie Attack!" (IUGO)
• "Zombies!!!!" (Babaroga)

Additional titles in the launch portfolio will be released between now and the Windows Phone 7 launch this holiday season; once the phone launches, new Xbox LIVE titles also will be added to the games portfolio every week.

Xbox LIVE: Bringing More to Your Mobile Gaming

Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7 unlocks a world of games and fun and directly connects you to a global community of more than 25 million active Xbox LIVE members. Windows Phone 7 is the only phone that seamlessly integrates Xbox LIVE and provides unique mobile gaming experiences:

• Avatars. Connect to your Xbox LIVE profile and Avatar, or create a new one if you don’t already have an Avatar or Xbox LIVE profile; take your 3-D Avatar and props with you on the phone with full closet access.
• Friends. Bring your Xbox LIVE friends with you everywhere; compare Achievements, challenge rivals to your favorite game, and even see who’s online and what they’re doing on their consoles, PCs or phones.
• Game access. Easily view and launch your full game library from a single location; find, try and buy new games either in the Marketplace or Games hub.
• Achievements. Earn, view and track Achievements, view Xbox LIVE leaderboards and build your Gamerscore across Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7 — every time you play an Xbox LIVE title.
• Messaging. Communicate with all of your Xbox LIVE friends, any time you want, through Xbox LIVE messages.
• Multiplayer. Invite, connect and play against friends on other Windows Phone 7 phones or the PC with turn-based (asynchronous) multiplayer gaming.
• Spotlight. Access Xbox LIVE Spotlight feeds, including the latest game titles, breaking news from Xbox LIVE, game tips and tricks, and more.

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Microsoft Heralds a New Age of Gaming With "Age of Empires Online". New franchise installment joins exciting PC lineup of LIVE-enabled titles from Microsoft Game Studios.

COLOGNE, Germany — August 17, 2009 — On the eve of Gamescom 2010, the world’s largest consumer-oriented games showcase, Microsoft Corp. unveiled the newest addition to the famed "Age of Empires" franchise, "Age of Empires Online." Microsoft also announced the development of "Microsoft Flight," a new entry inspired by the best-selling "Microsoft Flight Simulator" franchise. Published by Microsoft Game Studios, these new titles, along with the previously announced "Fable III," fully integrate the free* Games for Windows – LIVE online service to deliver compelling socially connected gameplay experiences.

"Today, we’re bringing powerful, inventive gaming experiences to the Windows-based PC," said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. "Over the years, our PC heritage captured the hearts and minds of millions of players. Reinventing these iconic franchises with social, shared experiences at their core marks the beginning of our return to PC gaming in bold new ways."

"Age of Empires" for a New Era

With more than 20 million copies sold worldwide, the "Age of Empires" series redefined real-time strategy games for Windows-based PC players. Now, the timeless franchise once again invites players to experience its rich storyline in new ways. "Age of Empires Online" will invite players to create a living, growing online world, shared with friends and friendly rivals around the globe. Begin the journey with your own Greek civilization, and watch as it progresses from a village to an empire. Embark on quests along the way, alone or with friends, and immerse yourself in epic tales, quirky characters, adventure, history and strategy. Together with the Games for Windows – LIVE service, "Age of Empires Online" delivers a rich, social experience that lets you play however you want — anywhere, anytime.

Marrying fresh features with iconic gameplay, "Age of Empires Online" offers something for long-time fans, newcomers and everyone in between. "Age of Empires Online" will feature:

• A persistent online capitol city that lives and grows even when you’re offline
• Cooperative multiplayer quests, trading and a level-based system that lets you progress at your own pace
• Fun, approachable style and storylines
• Free-to-play experiences via Games for Windows – LIVE

More information, news and chances to join the beta program are available at http://www.ageofempiresonline.com.

Introducing "Microsoft Flight"

Twenty-eight years after the debut of "Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0," Microsoft Game Studios also announced the internal development of "Microsoft Flight," a new Windows exclusive. "Microsoft Flight" will bring a new perspective to the long-standing genre, welcoming everyone, including long-time fans, to experience the magic of flight. A teaser of the future of Flight on the Windows-based PC is available at http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight.

Discover Adventure With "Fable" on the PC

"Fable III" for Windows lets you once again join the action, drama and adventure while you rule Albion as the next king or queen in an ever-evolving world of rebellion and revolution. Discover new quests and unlock new regions as you make choices and sacrifices to test your morality and potentially affect your entire kingdom. The choice is yours: reunite the impoverished people of your kingdom as their monarch, or bring Albion to the brink of collapse.

Powered by Games for Windows – LIVE

All three titles are designed with Games for Windows – LIVE at the core, delivering a seamless online gaming experience from start to finish. Log in with a single identity to earn Achievements and up your Gamerscore across Games for Windows – LIVE and Xbox LIVE. See your friends online, send and receive voice messages, text messages and game invites, and enjoy cross-platform communication. You even receive automatic game updates and the ability to extend the experience with Game Add-ons only found on the Games for Windows – LIVE Marketplace.
Additional information, screenshots and trailers for "Age of Empires Online," "Microsoft Flight," and "Fable III" are available at the Microsoft Gamescom press site at http://xbox.com/en-GB/press.

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