November 20, 2003
"NHL Rivals 2004" Takes the Ice
Microsoft’s Inaugural Hockey Game
Hits Store Shelves as Newest XSN Sports™ Title
Avs and Red Wings…Leafs and
Canadiens…Rangers and Devils. Some teams just weren’t meant to get along.
Historic hockey rivalries have captivated pucknuts for decades, but nothing will
prepare them for the hard-hitting action they’re about to embark on.
Microsoft Game Studios announced
that “NHL Rivals™ 2004”, their first-ever hockey title made exclusively for Xbox
as part of Microsoft’s XSN Sports brand, is now available at retail stores
across North America. NHL perennial all-star Steve Yzerman will serve as both
the cover athlete and spokesperson for the game.
“NHL Rivals 2004” debuts on Xbox ice
offering gamers the ultimate hockey experience both online and off. With the
power of XSN Sports’ exclusive Web-based technology, hockey fans can customize
their own leagues and tournaments to create their own rivalries and settle the
score online with Xbox Live™. Stats and standings are posted to the centralized
website XSN Sports.com and updated every 15 minutes so hard-earned bragging
rights can never be disputed.
Looking to make an immediate impact
in the franchise’s rookie season, “NHL Rivals 2004” delivers a variety of
features including:
The Ultimate Pickup Game. Go online,
pick your teammates, and challenge other gamers in the ultimate game of pickup
hockey. Settle rivalries on the pond in Central Park or in the middle of Red
Square, where the action is intense and the rules are loose.
Rivalry mode. Rivalry Mode instantly
puts gamers into a grudge match between historic rival teams like the Canadians
and Leafs, without the need to pick teams or set lineups.
NHL-style presentation. With John
Davidson (“JD”) and Sam Rosen providing in-game analysis and commentary, “NHL
Rivals 2004” brings the feel and excitement of a live NHL broadcast.
Advanced Passing. Move left, pass
right, make no-look passes, drop it behind to an open winger, or chip one off of
the boards.
Pivot Control. New ways to control
your favorite players equals better maneuverability on offense and tighter, more
effective back checking on defense.
For more information on “NHL Rivals
2004”, visit
www.xbox.com/nhlrivals2004 or
www.xsnsports.com.
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading
worldwide publisher and developer of games for Windows, Xbox video game system
and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game
Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows
(http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as Age of Empires®,
Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon®; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such
franchises as Halo®, Project Gotham Racing® and NFL Fever; and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/),
the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as
Bejeweled and OutSmart™.
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 new tagline, “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.
* * *
NHLPA. NHL Rivals 2004 is an
Officially Licensed Product of the NHLPA. NHLPA, National Hockey League Players’
Association and the NHLPA logo are trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under
license by Microsoft Corporation.
