Xbox coming out party on MTV - before E3

The battle of who can be first in the release of the next generation game systems has begun in ernest. Earlier it was believed that the three systems, Revolution, Xbox and PS3 would be unveiled at E3 (May 16) with PS3 outing first. (See earlier post.)

Now comes this from Microsoft public relations . . .

NEW YORK -- April 11, 2005 -- MTV: Music Television and Microsoft Corp. today announced a global marketing alliance to unveil the next-generation Xbox® 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, May 12, at 9:30 p.m. EDT in North America and on Friday, May 13 in other regions around the globe (local air times below).

Read the complete press release here.

Stay tuned . . . . .