Here we grow again

(sorry for the cheesy headline)

This press release just went out…we crossed the 2-million member mark!

************press release below**************************

Xbox Live Online Gaming Community Doubles in Just One Year, New Member Added Every 30 Seconds
Unrivaled content and player experiences continue to fuel exponential growth of worldwide online community.

REDMOND, Wash. ?” July 20, 2005 ?” Once again breaking new ground and proving that gamers around the world crave personalized and social online experiences, Xbox Live, the premier global online console games and entertainment service from Microsoft Corp., now unites 2 million gamers from around the world. Xbox Live continues to grow exponentially, having doubled its online, dynamic community in just one year ?” the equivalent to adding one Xbox Live member every 30 seconds.
?oReaching the 2 million member milestone in such a short time speaks volumes about the depth and vibrancy of the Xbox Live community,? said Robbie Bach, senior vice president of the Home and Entertainment Division and chief Xbox officer at Microsoft. ?oThis enormous growth is a true testament to the compelling content and engaging experiences enabled through Xbox Live today. The service is inspired by the creative power of the individual and fueled by the passion of a worldwide community.?
The 2 million Xbox Live member milestone is due largely to a growing library of videogame titles that deliver incredible online experiences, the availability of exciting downloadable content to extend gaming experiences, and a vibrant and active online community. More than 20 million pieces of content have been downloaded to date, proving that gamers today have access to and are experiencing more exciting downloadable content ?” such as extra levels, maps and weapons ?” than ever to enhance their gaming experience.
Xbox Live gamers have plenty to look forward to in the coming months through both current-generation titles and the launch of Microsoft’s eagerly anticipated next-generation Xbox 360″ video game and entertainment system. With the launch of the console this holiday season, the Xbox Live portfolio is planned to have more than 300 multiplayer Xbox and Xbox 360 games available for gamers to enjoy. New Xbox 360 titles will include ?oPerfect Dark: Zero” (Microsoft Game Studios), ?oProject Gotham Racing 3? (Microsoft Game Studios), ?oMadden NFL 06? (Electronic Arts Inc.), ?oDead or Alive 4? (Tecmo Inc.) and ?oCall of Duty 2? (Activision Inc.). In the current generation, third-party publishers continue to show strong support for Xbox Live with games such as ?oTony Hawk’s American Wasteland”? (Activision), ?oStar Wars Battlefront” II? (LucasArts) and ?oBattlefield 2: Modern Combat? (Electronic Arts).
Transferring user accounts to the next-generation console will be easy. Because Xbox Live is a universal service between both platforms, gamers can move their Xbox Live memberships seamlessly from Xbox to Xbox 360, while still enjoying online games and entertainment on the current-generation system.

With the launch of Xbox 360, Xbox Live gamers can expect incredible new experiences in the next generation of the online games service, including these:

? Multiple levels of service. To fit the unique needs and interests of each Xbox Live gamer, the Xbox Live Gold membership offers all the Xbox Live Silver features as well as multiplayer online gaming, tournaments and participation in original programs such as Game with Fame and other Prime Time activities. The Xbox Live Silver membership includes free basic features such as a Gamer Profile, access to the Xbox Live Marketplace, and voice chat and messaging.
? Gamercard. A quick summary of a player’s Gamer Profile, this contains a player’s Gamertag, Gamer Picture, Reputation, Gamerzone and personal motto.
? Gamerzone. Players can choose their style of social gaming and be seamlessly paired with others based on their preferences.
? An integrated message center. Members can keep connected even when they’re not online playing.
? Xbox Live Marketplace. This one-stop shop for all downloadable content includes free content such as trailers and themes as well as full-featured premium content such as racing cars and maps.

About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is the future-generation video game and entertainment system that places gamers at the center of the experience. Available this holiday season in North America, Europe and Japan, Xbox 360 will ignite a new era of digital entertainment that is always connected, always personalized and always in high definition.