Game On!

Two of the most popular multiplayer maps from the original "Halo: Combat
> Evolved" will arrive as premium downloadable content for "Halo 2" in
> April.
>
> REDMOND, Wash. - March 30, 2007 - Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie
> Studios today confirmed the upcoming release of two new, eagerly awaited
> downloadable maps for "Halo(r) 2." The maps will be available as premium
> downloadable content for Xbox(r) and Xbox 360(tm) on April 17.
>
> Fans of the original "Halo" have long requested the addition of some of
> their favorite maps to the critically acclaimed multiplayer experience
> of "Halo 2." These re-creations, developed by Bungie and Certain
> Affinity Inc., are a perfect way to thank fans for their support as they
> surpass 800 million hours of "Halo 2" gaming on Xbox LIVE(r).
>
> The two maps will bring new life to ancient battlefields and legendary
> skirmishes, as both are new, improved and redesigned remakes of fan
> favorites from the original "Halo: Combat Evolved." For the price of $4
> for the pair, these maps bring a fresh burst of action to the seminal
> "Halo 2" online multiplayer experience. Both of the maps will be
> available through the "Halo 2" in-game content downloader for both Xbox
> and Xbox 360.*
>
> The king of "Halo" maps has returned at last. Hang 'Em High, arguably
> the most popular multiplayer map for the original title, has been
> reimagined for "Halo 2" as Tombstone, with all-new graphics, features
> and a few hidden surprises. Now fans will enjoy the dangerous catwalks
> and trenches that made this the most requested "Halo" multiplayer map
> ever, with a modernized "Halo 2" flavor.
>
> The second map, Desolation, is a symmetrical, Deathmatch-oriented map
> and a beautiful remake of the original Derelict. With new graphics and
> effects and a massive gameplay overhaul, the old favorite is now
> faster-paced and more balanced than ever - perfect for intense "Halo 2"
> combat.
>
> "Halo 2" is the sequel to the highly successful and critically acclaimed
> "Halo: Combat Evolved" and represents the second chapter in the epic
> "Halo" trilogy. Since its launch in fall 2004, "Halo 2" has maintained
> its place as the most popular Xbox LIVE title ever. To date, gamers have
> logged more than 800 million hours of "Halo" multiplayer action on Xbox
> LIVE, and they are eagerly awaiting "Halo 3," slated for release this
> fall. The "Halo" franchise is among the biggest worldwide entertainment
> properties in history and continues to change the way people think about
> interactive entertainment.
>
> About Bungie Studios
>
> Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that
> combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and
> deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve its real
> goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it has produced
> games such as the "Marathon Trilogy" and the first two "Myth" games,
> hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. Bungie's
> "Halo" franchise is an international award-winning action title that has
> grown into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.7
> million units worldwide, logging over 800 million hours of multiplayer
> action on Xbox LIVE, and spawning action figures, books, a graphic
> novel, apparel and more. Bungie is currently at work on "Halo 3," which
> represents the third chapter in this "Halo" trilogy and is slated for
> release in 2007. More information on Bungie can be found at
> http://www.bungie.net.
>
> About Certain Affinity
>
> Certain Affinity, Inc. was founded in 2006 by Max Hoberman, an industry
> veteran and former "Halo 2" and "Halo 3" multiplayer team lead. The
> Austin, Texas based company specializes in creating top-tier games and
> content in an efficient, no-nonsense manner. For more information about
> Certain Affinity, visit http://www.certainaffinity.com, or email
> info@certainaffinity.com.
>
> About Microsoft Game Studios
>
> Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of
> games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Microsoft(r)
> Windows(r) operating 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(r)," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon(r)"; Xbox and Xbox 360
> (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as "Gears of War" and
> franchises such as "Halo," "Fable(r)," "Project Gotham Racing(r)" and
> "Forza Motorsport(r)"; and MSN(r) Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the
> official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as
> "Bejeweled" and "Hexic(r)."
>