X (Xbox show)

X (sometimes called the "X0 events" [ [http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/07/22/show-237-the-one-with-e-about-e3-and-peter-moore-leaving.aspx Show #237 The one with e about E3 and Peter Moore leaving - Xbox Live's Major Nelson ] ] ) is an annually held trade show hosted by Microsoft, showcasing its Xbox - and more recently, Games for Windows - portfolio of hardware, software, and services. The "X" show has been held every year since 2001 (with the exception of 2004) in diverse European cities. Microsoft Canada also organises a X Show every year to presents its games to the Canadian press. This show first started in 2002 and was open to the public in 2006. [http://www.gamed.nl/view/30612] .

European Trade Shows

From 2001 to 2006 Microsoft held major trade shows in Europe to showcase new titles and make major announcements.

X01

X01 was held in Cannes, France in October 2001, before the release of the Xbox, to generate interest in the Xbox. Microsoft announced a new game with the working title "Project Ego", which later became "Fable", as well as "Brute Force". Other games that headlined the show included "Rallisport Challenge", "Project Gotham Racing", "Fuzion Frenzy", "Azurik", "Nightcaster", ', "Blood Wake", ', and "".

Other game publishers showcased Xbox games as well, the most notable being SEGA, with a showing of "Jet Set Radio Future", "Sega GT 2002", and "GunValkyrie". [http://www.gamesasylum.com/showarticle.php?articleID=339] [http://www.gamespaper.com/news/X01XboxmakesdebutinEurop.shtml]

X02

X02 was held in Seville, Spain in September 2002, with the main focus of Xbox Live. Specific plans for Xbox Live in Europe were unveiled, as well as the highly controversial purchase of Rare for $375 million. One of Rare's games under development is announced, "Kameo". "Project Ego" was announced to be named "Fable", as well as announcements of "Sudeki", Xbox Live support for "Splinter Cell", and the later cancelled game "B.C." was discussed.

With Xbox Live being the main focus, a few announcements were made such as server specifications and the development of over 50 Xbox Live enabled games. A subtle announcement was made towards the Xbox 360, with Microsoft stating that they will get a head start on PlayStation 3, and that they expect every game, 5 years from then, to be Xbox Live aware. [http://uk.xbox.ign.com/articles/372/372013p1.html] [http://www.ferrago.com/story/564] [http://www.ferrago.com/story/576] [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=81141]

X03

X03 was held on a beach in southern France in 2003, with over 100 previews of games, including "Halo 2", and discussions over the Xbox Christmas season. The first Xbox Live tournament takes place on '. Games showcased include "Rallisport Challenge 2", ', "Halo 2", "", "Ninja Gaiden", "Dancing Stage Unleashed", "Counter-Strike", "Top Spin" and Xbox Music Mixer. [http://www.xboxgamers.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&id=845] [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=2268] [http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/ghostreconisland/news.html?sid=6073827]

X05

After the show's absence in 2004, X05 brought back the X show in Amsterdam, with a very heavy focus on Xbox 360, which had already been revealed on MTV and showcased at E3. Held on October 4 and 5 of 2005, Microsoft revealed the launch line-up for the new console, as well as new titles coming to the system. Games shown included "Perfect Dark Zero", "Gears of War", "FIFA 06", "", and "Dead or Alive 4", among others. [http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/655/655291p1.html] [http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6134969.html?sid=6134969] [http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=1990]

X06

X06 was held between the September 27 and September 28, 2006, in Barcelona, Spain. The show featured games like Fable 2, Mass Effect, Alan Wake, and Gears of War. The show also featured several notable announcements. [http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11217/Microsoft-Announces-X06/] [http://videogames.netscape.com/story/2006/06/22/microsoft-announces-x06-xbox-event-in-spain]

September 27th 2006 Announcements included:
*"Halo Wars" (an RTS set in Halo Universe, exclusive to Xbox 360)
*"" (being created by Wingnut Interactive, formed by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh)
*""
*"BioShock" (exclusive to Xbox 360 and PC)
*"Splinter Cell Double Agent" Footage
*"Splinter Cell Conviction" will be exclusive to PC and Xbox 360.
*HD-DVD Drive announcement will be $199 with remote and Peter Jackson's King Kong movie
*"Assassin's Creed" footage of actual gameplay

Canadian Trade Shows

In recent years, Microsoft Canada has held scaled-back X events showcase the Xbox 360 lineups to a Canadian audience. The Canadian venue is significantly smaller and lower key than the Europe events, and is organized by Microsoft Canada primarily for the Canadian press, rather than an international audience.

X07

The X07 event took place in Toronto, Canada on August 28th. [http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/08/16/x07-invites-being-offered-by-xbox-canadas-jade/] However, this X07 has nothing to do with the European variant that was cancelled for 2007, it was smaller and not organized in the same way. [http://www.gamed.nl/view/30612]

X08

Between August 21st and August 22nd Microsoft organised X08 in Canada. This Canadian show is unrelated to its European equivalent and was used to showcase the fall line-up for the Xbox 360 to the Canadian audience.

References