Xbox Pricing and Launch Details Revealed

Now that the E3 Expo is officially under way (conferences start today and the show floor opens tomorrow), the announcements are starting to roll in about new games, gaming platforms, and other entertainment technology. Microsoft Corp. kicked things off today by announcing North American launch details for the Xbox video game system. Microsoft says that Xbox consoles will be available for purchase at retail outlets throughout North America for an estimated retail price of $299 (USD) starting Nov. 8, 2001. Capcom let us know that it will develop three games for the Xbox, including two exclusives called Dino Crisis 3 (tentative title) and "BRAIN-BOX" (code name and tentative title), a robot simulation game. Capcom will also optimize Onimusha for Xbox. Sega announced that it is putting together Xbox versions of Sega Sports 2K2 games, along with Crazy Taxi and House of the Dead 3. The games should be out around the same time as the Xbox in North America. Sega will also design its Sega Sports 2K3 games for the Xbox broadband online game service, scheduled to launch in the first half of 2002. Other companies signed up to develop Xbox games include Acclaim Entertainment, Activision, Artdink, Atlus, Bandai, Codemasters, Crave Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Eidos, FOX Interactive, Gathering of Developers, INFOGRAMES, Interplay, Konami, LucasArts, Midway, Namco, Rage Software, Rockstar Games, Sierra On-Line, Taito, Take-Two Interactive, TDK Systems, THQ, and Ubisoft.