Xbox 360 titles to be launched in the Middle East in time for 2008 holiday season

"This is just the beginning of what promises to be another landmark year for games on Xbox 360," said Armagan Demir, Head of Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division Middle East. "Gaming enthusiasts around the world are benchmarking games with Halo 3, and we are proud to say that all the upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive titles are set to be as great. Gears of War 2 will be the biggest 'First Person Shooter' game to hit Xbox 360 this year and in time for the holiday season."

'Gears of War 2', the sequel to the blockbuster third-person tactical action game that sold nearly 5 million units, will have dramatic new gameplay elements and stunning visual effects. Marcus Fenix and Coalition of Order Governments (COG) forces engage in pulse-pounding firefights to fend off vicious Locust Horde. As the most anticipated Xbox 360 exclusive title of the 2008 holiday season, 'Gears of War 2' offers an unforgettable gameplay experience that blends a gripping story with visceral combat on a grand scale.

Developed by Rare, MGS will also crack open 'Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise,' set to appear on store shelves this September. The first in an effort to help Piñata Central rebuild their computer database of piñatas, players will send piñatas at full candiosity to parties all around the world while using their creativity and imagination to attract, capture, protect, train and manage more than 100 newly discovered and existing piñata species. The 'Viva Piñata' series, which has achieved the 'Parent's Choice Gold Award' brings hours on end of entertainment to children around the world.

This November, MGS will also pull back the curtain on another beloved franchise with the triumphant return of Banjo, one of Rare's most successful characters, in 'Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts'. MGS is breaking the rules of traditional platformer games by putting the power to invent new abilities for Banjo directly into the players' hands.

By using their ingenuity to build imaginative vehicles that can be combined with infinite variations, gamers help Banjo successfully complete missions through multiple terrains. Through exploration, discovering hidden secrets and solving puzzles to win rewards, players will continually find increasing ways to customize and improve their contraptions, creating an unprecedented level of user-generated content and emergent play for a 3-D adventure game.

Microsoft Game Studios is the home to many of the industry's biggest franchises and continues to set the bar for top-quality entertainment experiences for players of all types. In 2007, MGS made history with some of the biggest video game launches ever, including Halo 3,' 'PGR4' and 'Mass Effect.'

With games often among the highest rated in their class by critics, Microsoft Game Studios delivers the best and most complete game experiences exclusively on Xbox 360.

These instantly recognizable franchises join the enviable company of 'Fable 2,' 'Too Human' and 'Ninja Gaiden II' from Team NINJA/TECMO, making Xbox 360 the home of the best blockbuster game experiences this year.