Okamoto (Resident Evil) and Mizuguchi (Rez) on Xbox 2

In another creative coup for its next generation Xbox platform, Microsoft today announced that esteemed videogame developers Yoshiki Okamoto, President & CEO of Game Republic, Inc., and Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Creator and Co-founder, Q Entertainment Inc. have aligned with Microsoft Game Studios to develop exclusive next-generation Xbox games. The announcement comes on the heels of last week\'s news that video game legend Hironobu Sakaguchi, president of Mistwalker game studio, has joined with Microsoft Game Studios to develop role-playing games exclusively for the next-generation Xbox platform.

For more than 20 years, Okamoto has been thrilling gamers with franchises like Street Fighter and Resident Evil. Widely considered an industry pioneer, Okamoto is best known for his ability to conceive and drive completely new game genres.

In July 2003, he founded Game Republic, where he and his team have next generation Xbox exclusive titles currently in development.

"My goal in creating these games is to make completely fresh and riveting experiences that gamers have never had before," said Okamoto. "With the next-generation Xbox platform, I can turn this vision into a reality." Mizuguchi, who founded Q Entertainment in 2003, is the creative force behind a litany of innovative blockbusters including SEGA Rally Championship, Rez and Space Channel 5. Gamers worldwide have long been attracted to Mizugchi\'s distinctive style that blends music and action.

"By combining various factors, including exciting storylines, action, graphics and music, I\'ve created video games that have brought gamers the ultimate fun in gaming," said Mizuguchi. "Now, I hope to create games that will give gamers the most emotional and thrilling gaming experience possible - joy, thrills, sympathy and speed. The power and advanced technologies of the next-generation Xbox platform will enable winning games with powerful emotions, high-quality graphics and sound."

The addition of Mizuguchi and Okamoto further reveals Microsoft\'s strategy for attracting Japanese gamers. Perhaps more importantly, it underscores a growing preference among the world\'s most talented game developers for the next generation Xbox platform. Last week, the company announced that Mistwalker, a studio run by the legendary Hironobu Sakaguchi, will develop two exclusive titles for Microsoft.

"We are excited for Mizuguchi-san and Okamoto-san to develop next generation Xbox games unlike anything the world has ever seen," said Peter Moore, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Marketing and Publishing. "Gamers will be riveted by the experiences enabled by such creators when given the proper canvas and tools."

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I\'m starting to get curious as to how MS managed to get these people interested in Xbox 2?!

Yeah.Its surprising that so many great names show so much interest onXBOX2.....probably MS is hiding some of their cards letting us underestimate them.
We have heard no news about PS3 support.This is werid.It almost gives the impression that XBOX2\'s is almost finalised and they have shown to developers something that picked their interest we hae no idea about.
Its either this or the possibility that we are going to see XBOX2 sooner than we initially thought.

hmmm

like October of this year...maybe....just a hint.

The thought of xbox 2 or w/e comming out this year is to some degree unsettling. Its only been out for 3 years and some months. I know that by getting a jump on the competition they will get some units sold and establish a userbase but everybody will be waiting to see what ps2 and "revolution" have to offer. Its the same case that dreamcast was in. While dreamcast was awesome, a lot of people held out and thats when ps2 crushed it. Xbox was 2 years late in the 128bit race and now its supposed to be out first?

Not too wonderful. This gen hasnt fully worn out its welcome. If Microsoft is smart they will wait.

Anyway, I am curious as to how they got these guys on board. I cant find my REZ either and its pissing me off.

Xbox is a sinking ship financially, MS wants to get out of the current console and onto the next.  I don\'t blame them.  I also don\'t think it\'s too early to jump into next gen, especially seeing as how PS3 is rumored to launch in early 2006 with Revolution not far behind.  

It\'s funny how some people are getting unsettled by a mere four-five month lead on the PS3...