Microsoft Europe announced today that more than 50,000 players have signed up for Xbox Live within the first month since its European launch on March 14. So far, Xbox Live has only launched in eight countries across Europe, so further growth is a given as other territories join the Xbox Live rollout throughout the year.
"We're really excited to be reporting successful sales so soon after launch. The feedback and take-up has been very encouraging. Gamers want to be a part of this growing online community and Xbox is the only console in Europe to offer this now" said Michel Cassius, Senior Director of Xbox Platform and Marketing.
Additionally, Microsoft Europe mentioned a number of release dates of additional Xbox Live titles which either feature online play or additional downloadable content. And the list goes as follows:
May:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Lucas Arts) - Multiplayer and Downloadable Content
Godzilla (Infogrames) - Downloadable Content
MotoGP 2 (THQ) - Multiplayer
Phantasy Star Online (Sega) - Multiplayer
Burnout 2 (Acclaim) - Online Scoreboards
Return to Castle Wolfenstein (Activision) - Multiplayer and Downloadable Content
June:
Midtown Madness 3 (Microsoft Game Studios) - Multiplayer and Downloadable Content
Midnight Club 2 (Take2 Interactive/Rockstar) - Multiplayer
Brute Force (Microsoft Game Studios) - Downloadable Content
Interestingly enough, Microsoft also revealed and confirmed for the first time that Counter-Strike is coming to Xbox Live too, being one of the top titles in 2003, along with approximately 50 others, such as Star Wars: Galaxies and Project Gotham Racing 2. Expect Counter-Strike to be one of Microsoft's biggest E3 titles which should be announced and shown there with a big splash. Can you say...Xbox exclusive?
Heh, seeing Counter-Strike on here should sell a few more consoles, and XBox Live kits ;)
News source: Gamers.com
