Already halfway through this year’s gamescom and the gaming community is already buzzing with all kinds of news. A couple of days ago, Microsoft showered delight by announcing Age of Empires Online at the event and now, it has declared to infuse a new dimension into mobile gaming. The company has unveiled the first wave of Xbox Live games which will land on Windows Phone 7 this holiday season.
“We believe that no matter where life takes you, the best in gaming and entertainment should follow. 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,” explained Marc Whitten, Corporate Vice President of Xbox Live at Microsoft.
With the launch of this new innovation, gamers who are constantly on-the-go will be able to immerse in the world of Xbox Live anytime, anywhere. The digital media library will feature Xbox Live in its Games hub, unfurling titles which have been developed for different platforms including mobile, PC and consoles. Along with Xbox Live leaderboards, turn-based multiplayer and Achievements, the operating system will allow players to try demos before purchasing a title.
“Windows Phone 7 is the launch of a major gaming platform for Microsoft,” beamed 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.”
Microsoft Game Studios has been anticipated to extend strong first-party gaming titles and intellectual property for handsets. With these giants on board, the system will deliver companion titles to familiar names such as Halo: Waypoint and Crackdown 2 while gamers can also create their own collection of titles flowing from developers like Konami, Namco Bandai, PopCap, Gameloft and more. This first wave of games is expected to launch titles like Asphalt 5 from Gameloft, Guitar Hero 5 from Glu Mobile, Konami’s Castlevania, Jet Car Stunts from True Axis among others.
The integration of Xbox Live into Windows Phone 7 will facilitate gamers to carry the entire gamut of their Profile and Avatar enclosed into their mobile handsets. This will enable them to challenge their friends, compare Achievements and more even as they move from one place to another. In addition, they can download new games, accomplish fresh records and play against friends with either Windows Phone 7 mobile devices or the PC via turn-based multiplayer gaming. Plus, the Xbox Live Spotlight will open doors for feeds notifying new titles, breaking news, game tips and tricks.
The Xbox Live portfolio on the Windows Phone 7 will expand with new titles until its release this holiday season. Post-launch, new titles will also be transported to the assortment on a weekly basis.