Xbox 360 to be unveiled in MTV special on May 12

[Shifty Geezer]

Not knowing the line-up for MTV, I wouldn't know. But don't they have Games programs too? Or is it only music and music 'culture'?

Any ways this could backfire? Is MTV the wrong place as Titanio suggests, with viewers wanting loud music and getting promo's for HD gaming? Will XB sales slump as people save their money for next-gen? Actually, that wouldn't be bad for MS. Save losses on current hardware from future customers, can't be bad.

 

[Titanio]

Well, MTV hasn't been about music really for quite some time. They've had occasional game related shows, but usually not based on their own merits, and more because of a games connection to a movie or rap stars. My main point really was, though, that this isn't some sort of big opportunity for MTV. You can be sure MS are paying up big-style for this.

 

[Titanio]

wow. really? how sure u sure is sure?

That their E3 party has apparently been cancelled could be a good sign that they're blowing the budget on this instead

But seriously, of course I'm not privy to the details of the deal between MS and MTV. But it'd be highly, highly surprising if MTV gave over 30 mins of primetime to MS out of the goodness of their hearts.

 

[Dave Baumann]

Microsoft Teams With MTV to Provide Exclusive Sneak Peek at the Debut of the Next-Generation Xbox
Elijah Wood and The Killers will host half-hour global premiere with a performance from The Killers, airing exclusively on MTV channels around the world 12th and 13th May.

London - 11th April, 2005 - MTV: Music Television and Microsoft Corp. today announced a global marketing alliance to unveil the next-generation Xbox(r) video game system on MTV channels in the United States, Asia Pacific and Europe, all within a 24-hour window - a first for the video game industry. The highly anticipated console will be revealed to video game fanatics, music lovers and MTV viewers via a high-energy half-hour program titled "MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed." The special will be hosted by entertainment icon, seasoned gamer and Xbox fanatic Elijah Wood, known globally for the Academy Award-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Island Records' renowned Las Vegas rockers The Killers will deliver electrifying performances throughout the special. The global broadcast will premiere Thursday, 12th May, at 9:30 p.m. EDT in North America and on Friday, 13th May in other regions around the globe (local air times below).

Viewers will get an exclusive look at the Xbox vision for the next generation - one that ensures that the user experience is always connected, always personalised and always in high definition. The special will feature never-before-seen, action-packed gameplay of future Xbox games, a peek into the future of the Xbox Live(tm) online gaming service, backstage celebrity interviews and exclusive insider footage on the making of the next-generation console.

The inside look at the next-generation Xbox will continue at MTV.com, where after the special, viewers will find extended event coverage including behind-the-scenes video, photos and other special extras. MTV.com will also provide ongoing in-depth coverage of the next-generation Xbox highlighting the latest news, product details and previews of hot next-generation games.

"We recognise and celebrate our viewers' passion for gaming and are excited to be working with Microsoft to launch such a significant entertainment product," said Dave Clark, vice president, International Marketing Partnerships. "We're proud that Microsoft considers MTV the premier global network to launch its new Xbox gaming console and reveal the first look to MTV viewers around the world."

"Just as MTV revolutionised the way the world experiences music, the next-generation video game console from Xbox will spark a revolution in how consumers experience games and other forms of digital entertainment," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for Xbox at Microsoft. "We are ecstatic about our alliance with MTV and unveiling a video game platform in a way that has never been done."

"MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed" will be broadcast around the world. Local market times are as follows:

North America: Thursday, May 12, at 9:30 p.m. (21:30)
Japan/Asia: Friday, May 13, at 11:30
Europe: France: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
Germany: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
Italy: Friday, May 13, at 23:30
Netherlands: Friday, May 13, at 19:30
Poland: Friday, May 13, at 21:00
Portugal: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
Romania: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
Scandinavia: Friday, May 13, at 22:00
Spain: Friday, May 13, at 21:30
U.K.: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
Australia: Friday, May 13, at 19:00

About MTV
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc., is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 80 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

MTV Networks launched its first international channel, MTV Europe, in 1987. Since that time, the company's international operation has expanded to every region of the globe, owing much of its success to a pioneering strategy of using local management teams to create and market programming that connects with local audiences. The company's holdings also include locally operated Web sites worldwide, as well as mobile entertainment, publishing, home entertainment, radio, recorded music, licensing and merchandising, and feature film divisions, MTV Films and Nick Movies.

About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The tag line, "It's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.

About Xbox Live
A new frontier in imagination and extraordinary interaction, Xbox Live offers rich online gameplay. The world's only unified global online console games service, Xbox Live is continuously innovating to provide members with unparalleled experiences. This unique service unites gamers in a dynamic community where they can experience the best online games, exclusive programming and continuous downloadable content. Xbox Live launched in the United States in November 2002 and is available in 24 countries. Gamers can visit http://www.xbox.com/live for more information.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

 

[Guden Oden]

Someone motion capture and torrent it please (I can't get MTV) and I'll seed it for a long good while. Thanks!

 

[Mariner]

U.K.: Friday, May 13, at 20:00

Bugger it. Looks as though I'll miss the show as I'm on a drunken walking weekend from 13th-15th May!

 

[wco81]

MTV has aired specials about the behind the scenes for EA's Lord of the Rings games and Madden last year. I'm sure EA didn't get that publicity and airtime for free. Nor do the studios which have specials on big movies get that time for free.

Maybe EA and MS don't pay specifically for this time (doubtful though) but they probably have some understanding that they will advertise a lot on MTV

If it's anything like those EA specials, it will feature snippets of footage (in MTV fashion with quick cuts). It won't be like seeing a video game review on G4/Tech TV which shows plenty of footage and aspects of gameplay.

In other words, they will show a lot of shots of celebrities saying how cool it is. Probably won't have any specs shown. That is not what the typical MTV viewer cares about anyways.

If you still want hard info. about X2 and the launch plans, you will still have to turn to the net.

I think this is just about overall branding and getting this product out into the consciouness of as many people as possible.

In fact, one could say MS may be wanting to present the X2 as "cool" or "off the chain" because it suffers when it comes to substance in comparison to the competition.

 

[Guden Oden]

It'll probably be like a jazzed-up infomercial, nothing more. One shouldn't get too excited, unless one's got a crush on Elijah Wood or something.

 

[mckmas8808]

The most interesting thing about this is going to be the physical aspects of the machine. M$ may add some extras cool things too, but I'm more interested in how it looks plain and simple. I know E3 will take care of the rest for me
________
Ferrari Inter

 

[Acert93]

I think this is a neat move by MS. Typically game launches are for the hardcore gamers who read game magazines, troll game websites, those who hang on every word at E3 (or better yet fake press credentials to get in), and the like.

MS is making a small power play for the casual gamer. I don't have a TV, but I am sure if they have a good demo showing on the 12th they will get more hype from that 30min than from a great E3 showing and exclusive stuff for all the major game mags and sites.

The good part is that the game sites will be covering this stuff too and will be shoveling more from May 12th until November. I guess MS is really serious about broadening their gaming demographic.

This is such a good move I can see Sony and Nintendo going similar routes come 2006.

Ps- I wonder if this event ties in at all with the Rumors of a Xenon HDD/iPod device? Now THAT would get MTV viewers going... "A iPod that holds movies and game info for this new killer game system? Sign me up!" It will be interesting to see what other connections there may be.

 

[Spidermate]

Probably a good idea, except I hate MTV and it's entire culture! One feels that's who MS are aiming for, and that's not me.

Are you hinting at something? I'm just curious.

 

[Ragemare]

Somehow I get the feeling it will be one of those things which I will feel uncomfortable watching.

You'll be lucky if they even mention the CPU speed. Anyway, who's hosting it? 50 cent?

MS is making a small power play for the casual gamer. I don't have a TV, but I am sure if they have a good demo showing on the 12th they will get more hype from that 30min than from a great E3 showing and exclusive stuff for all the major game mags and sites.

Might be true, if the show gets the right audience. Does anyone know how much MTV will be advertiseing the launch and repeating it? I'm guessing alot.

 

[Carl B]

I think it's a good move by Microsoft, but that being said, I wonder how much of a lasting impression it will have on the viewers. Even more interesting, I wonder if more people will tune into E3 coverage because of it? If so and Sony 'beats' Microsoft in that arena, it could backfire in a sense. But all that aside, Acert93 made a good point; if there IS some provision for portable MP3 functionality, that could take the value of this special to a whole new level for Microsoft. This despite the fact that MTV has nothing to do with music and/or music videos any longer.

 

[therealskywolf]

Portugal: Friday, May 13, at 20:00

Have to remember to not visit the boards the day before. I want to be surprised.
I for consider this move, brilliant from MS part. Just brilliant-

 

[Spidermate]

Somehow I get the feeling it will be one of those things which I will feel uncomfortable watching.

You'll be lucky if they even mention the CPU speed. Anyway, who's hosting it? 50 cent?

These are casuals they are targeting (not tech junkies). I doubt the average consumer would give a care about CPU speed, let alone, know what a CPU is. That's what E3 is for, which the casual consumer knows absolutely nothing about. I think it's a great idea, personally. Whether it will work or not is uncertain right now.

 

[ERP]

I'm not sure they'd even get into "specs" at E3, E3 is about the press and buyers, not tech junkies.

I guess it depends what they believe their best sales pitch is.

 

[Natoma]

It'll probably be like a jazzed-up infomercial, nothing more. One shouldn't get too excited, unless one's got a crush on Elijah Wood or something.

Well he IS quite a hottie. 8)

 

[Natoma]

Elijah's so gay.

 

[Megadrive1988]

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/8024/...Peek-at-the-Debut-of-the-NextGeneration-Xbox/

Viewers will get an exclusive look at the Xbox vision for the next generation — one that ensures that the user experience is always connected, always personalised and always in high definition. The special will feature never-before-seen, action-packed gameplay of future Xbox games, a peek into the future of the Xbox LiveTM online gaming service, backstage celebrity interviews and exclusive insider footage on the making of the next-generation console.

The inside look at the next-generation Xbox will continue at MTV.com, where after the special, viewers will find extended event coverage including behind-the-scenes video, photos and other special extras. MTV.com will also provide ongoing in-depth coverage of the next-generation Xbox highlighting the latest news, product details and previews of hot next-generation games.

cool, can't wait 8)

 

[OVERLORD]

Err...yes...you read right:

The Revolution will be televised.

Poor choice of words if you ask me. Nintendo should be and flattered!